Leave behind era of pettiness, intolerance and negativity – Maham urges

Ghana's president-elect, John Dramani Mahama has warned the country would be at the losing end, if after the election, we engage in activities that weigh ourselves down and work against our own progress.

Everybody has therefore been urged to move out of the spirit of competition into the spirit of cooperation, the president said when he delivered his acceptance speech at a victory party organized by the NDC at the Obra Spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle Monday.

The president dedicated the victory to the memory of former President Atta Mills and pledged to continue with the “good works that he started”.

“There is much work to be done, the issues and challenges that are facing our nation have no allegiances. They cut across lines of political affiliation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, social class and regional location, indeed they affect all of us,” President Mahama stated.

He cautioned: “We cannot afford to be enemies of our own progress, we cannot afford to stand divided - it is too great a burden for this nation; we have come too far on this journey to weigh ourselves down with pettiness, intolerance and negativity.”

“To God be the glory for great things he has done,” President Mahama acknowledged in his opening remarks, thanking each and everyone who contributed to his victory.

He told the teeming supporters that the victory should not be seen as one for the party but a moment of achievement for Ghana.

“I wish to thank the millions of voters who placed their trust in me; I am grateful to have earned your trust, I can assure you that your trust is not misplaced, and that I will work hard for and on behalf of every Ghanaian.”

President Mahama said throughout the electioneering period, Ghanaians have shown their determination and commitment to succeed “no matter the obstacle and challenges that lie before us”.

He said he was therefore “humbled to have been chosen by Ghanaians to lead them”, adding that whoever one voted for is needless at this moment because, “Ghana is the winner”.

Ghanaians should commend themselves for staging six successive elections and yet largely avoided violence, even when tensions were high at times, he said. This, he said, was a demonstration of political maturity and clear commitment to the development of Ghana.

He urged Ghanaians to keep up the faith that has brought them this far and appealed to them to rise up and confront any adversities together.

He pledged to show commitment, as the president of Ghana, to the growth and consolidation of Ghana's democracy and development.

President Mahama also commended fellow candidates for exhibiting their love for the country, which he said was evidenced in the hard fought campaign, and asked all to come on board to help build "beloved mother Ghana".

“So I wish to welcome my fellow candidates to join me now as partners in the project of nation building and of creating a better Ghana.”