President John Mahama in his new year’s message has encouraged Ghanaians to be hopeful about the coming year and stop the cynicism.
“The new year holds a wide expanse of possibilities. Let us not enter 2015 with any cynicism or sense of limitation. Let us choose to fill the days ahead of us with hope and not despair. When we look ahead let us see all that we can achieve and let us work individually and collectively in the interest of progress,”Mahama stated.
The President in the 2014 faced intense criticism for what many believe was his inability to tackle various economic challenges bedevilling the country.
[contextly_sidebar id=”j9ZZxJc8EWrYSO8JYi5pgidHR4Td8Od6”]The Private Enterprise Federations (PEF) has for instance described the year 2014 as the most difficult year for businesses across the country.
Aside various economic challenges, the country in 2014 recorded a number of corrupt scandals including the payment of over 7 million to non-existent service personnel and the decision by the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) decision to spend about 200,000 dollars on rent alone.
Others have also criticised him for what they believe is his inability to prosecute individuals indicted in various corrupt scandals.
But President Mahama was hopeful government will turn its promises and dreams of impoving the living standards of the citizenry if Ghanaians learn to work collectively.
The President also emphasized the need for Ghanaians to communicate responsibly to promote unity and avert misunderstanding, saying ,”if we are to work for the greater good of our nation we must communicate responsibly, criticising constructively and focusing on solutions instead of merely dwelling on the negatives will help strengthen” Ghana’s union.
“We will not always agree on how we should meet that goal but it is through the healthy exchange of ideas that we are often able to achieve a common ground,”Mahama added.
Mahama also assured Ghanaians of his willingness to listen to the concerns of Ghanaians and tackle their challenges, saying “I have listened, I am listening and I will continue to listen…,”
He also expressed his willingness to consistently rely on the feedback of Ghanaians, adding that their[Ghanaians] feedback is being incorporated into programmes and policies that will inure their benefit.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana