President-elect John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his commitment to maintain an open door policy towards all minority political parties in Ghana.
“My door is always open, and the minority parties will be invited to bring your contribution,” he stated during a courtesy call on him on Monday, in Accra, by the leadership of some minority political parties led by Dr Hassan Ayariga, the Leader and Flagbearer of the All People’s Congress (APC).
President-elect Mahama noted that consensus which the National Democratic Congress (NDC) built after coming back to IPAC paid off.
He said the December 7 elections was not perfect, but it was peaceful; saying “I went into the election with the Azumah Nelson principle. That is knocking out your opponent so no referee can say otherwise.”
He said the defeat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was a signal to all political elites; stating that “and I must say this administration probably is our last chance to get it right.”
President-elect Mahama said the outgoing NPP administration saw all the signs of defeat but decided to ignore.
He said it indicates that the power resides with the people and this was a legacy, which needs to be reset.
Mr Mahama said “Some decisions will be severe, but we need to brace ourselves because it will be in the interest of the nation.”
President-elect Mahama further indicated that having duplicates of ballot papers was undermining Ghana’s electoral process, and if it ballot papers might be printed outside the country, adding “we must also get the issues of pink sheet right.”
Touching on the Bawku conflict, the President-elect said Bawku was particularly an area to look at because of border attacks.
“As soon as we can quickly we will tackle the Bawku issues head on. Nobody benefits from conflict,” he said.
Dr Hassan Ayariga, the Leader and Flagbearer of the All-People’s Congress (APC), congratulated President-elect Mahama on his victory in the December 7 polls.
He said: “Actually, we in the APC believe that President Mahama has been given another opportunity to be President by Ghanaians, because they gave President-elect Mahama a huge victory in December 7 polls.
Dr Ayariga said Ghanaians think that the current Government did not do much and they wanted a change.
He said “a change that will carry everybody along, not just members of the NPP or NDC or any other party, it is just every Ghanaian, who is fighting for change and that change has been effected, but the only way you can get people change is to involve them in governance.”
—GNA
