And Mahama Wept -After Dr Afari Gyan’s declaration

The air was drenched with excitement and anxiety as early results of the December 7, 2012 elections trickle in. A President serving the unexpired term of his predecessor was elected to begin his first term.

Whiles some giants in parliament still managed to retain their seats, others were swept away by the electoral hurricane and new ones were born, and all over the country, tears of joy and of sorrow flowed in equal measure.

The Al-Hajj can report authoritatively that the President and President elect; John Dramani Mahama was on a crest of wave when the Electoral Commissioner, Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan announced that he has gained the mandate of majority of Ghanaians to begin his first term as Head of State come January 7, 2013.

In the midst of this unwavering support shown the President by Ghanaian people, sources close to the President noted that President John Dramani Mahama virtually broke down as soon as the Chairman of the EC, declared him winner of the election.

“The President was short of words…at a moment those of us close to him when the results was announced saw the President in a highly elated mood that we've never seen of him. For a moment he was dumb founded and the first lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama had to come in to salvage the situation” the source disclosed.

In the wake of this unflinchingly support by Ghanaians, which was by no means any form of political accident, but a renewal of mandate to advance the 'Better Ghana Agenda,' the source disclosed to The Al-Hajj that, though President John Dramani Mahama was confident of winning the election in the first run, he was however, extremely mesmerized by the massive endorsement by electorates across the country.

“The President knew he was going to win the election in the first run, but he was not expecting such a huge endorsement, especially in regions considered as swing and at the backyard of his opponent” the source noted.

A political analyst explained to The Al-Hajj in an interview that, President John Dramani Mahama's psychological disposition at the time the results was announced is understandable, considering earlier reports of glitches characterizing the electoral process in some polling stations in NDC strongholds.

“The voting was dogged by problems of late arrival of voting material, break down of the biometric verification machine and rejection of voters, especially the elderly, especially in the three Northern regions, which has remained NDC strongholds. It was just natural that President Mahama embraced the news in such emotional frame of mind” he added

According to him President Mahama's call on the EC to give clear directives on the rejection of voters by the biometric verification machine during the voting only explains how he felt about some of these things, “ knowing very well that could reduce his votes up North”

Addressing the media at his residence after the results were announced by the EC, President Mahama noted that his victory in the just ended Presidential elections was one for all Ghanaians, adding that “I want to thank Ghanaians for the confidence reposed in me… All Ghanaians have won.”

He said he is overwhelmed by the victory and hopes that every Ghanaian can participate in the process to transforming the country.

"I am humbled by this decision of the Ghanaian people. Let's respect the will of the people," he said.

He congratulated his team for working hard towards victory and said it was time for Ghanaians to unite to develop the nation. “We must celebrate together as Ghanaians,” he said.

President Mahama also thanked the EC for working assiduously on the biometric voting system despite the technical hitches faced in the process.

He called on all the political parties to respect the voice of the people, saying “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”