John Mahama, after suffering an excruciating defeat on December 7, 2016, handed over the baton to Akufo-Addo on January 7, 2017, at the Black Star Square in Accra.

No office to go to

He said: “I remember the day after I had handed over – this was the 8th of January – I woke up in the morning and remembered there was no Office to go to.”

“So, I relaxed in my bed and turned on the TV, watching CNN. I spent the whole day watching TV at the time Donald Trump was the President-elect, and they were going through the transition, waiting to hand over; so, I just kept watching what was going on,” he added.

John Mahama made the revelation when he delivered a lecture during a graduation ceremony at the Institute of Security Studies in Abuja, Nigeria on Thursday.

I’m happy you lost

The former president said whilst he was cooling off, his 9-year-old daughter who he barely spent time with as President, enquired why he was still at home and had not gone to work.

“My daughter, Farida, who had gone to school in the morning, arrived in the afternoon. She found me lying in bed which was unusual, because when I was President we could go a whole week without seeing each other.”

“She leaves the house early in the morning to be able to get to school on time, by which time I probably had not gotten out of bed. She gets back home late afternoon, and I am in the Office and I get back in the night when she is asleep. So, we could go the whole week without seeing each other. For the first time, she came back from school and there I was lying on my bed and watching television.”

Below is what ensued between John Mahama and his daughter:

Farida:  Daddy, didn’t you go to the Office?

John Mahama: No, don’t you remember that I handed over to President Akufo-Addo yesterday?

Farida: OK; so it means you are not going to the Office anymore?

John Mahama:  No, I have no Office to go to

Farida: Then I am happy!  So will I be coming home from school and meeting you in the house?

John Mahama: Yes

Farida: Then I am very happy that you lost the elections!

International assignment:

The former President also noted that, ever since he left office, he has also been preoccupied with international assignments, speaking at different fora, including mediating the political impasse in The Gambia as well as monitoring elections in Kenya and Liberia.

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Mr. Amissah Arthur, who served with John Mahama from 2012 when the latter had to take up the Presidency post following the demise of President Evans Atta-Mills, euologized Mahama for his commitment to the transformation of Ghana.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, January 7, ahead of the swearing in of President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo, Mr. Amissah-Arthur  said, “it was brilliant working with him [Mahama].

Amissah-Arthur was until his service as Vice President, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana.

John Mahama and Kwesi Amissah Arthur were unanimously declared as the National Democratic Congress’ duo to contest for the December 2016 presidential elections.

They lost the elections to 3-time contestant and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumiah.

Mahama polled 44.4% of the valid votes cast, while Akufo-Addo polled 53.8% votes, representing a resounding victory for the NPP candidate, who set the record of being the first to unseat an incumbent President in a democratic election in Ghana’s history.

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Mahama’s second term bid was truncated after he was defeat by Akufo-Addo in the December 7 polls which also saw the New Patriotic Party (NPP) capture majority seats in Parliament.

“I will like to assure the people of Ghana of my commitment to the sustenance of our country’s democracy and we will work to ensure a smooth transition of our incoming administration. I remain committed to the unity and stability of our great nation,” President Mahama said during his concession speech in Accra on Friday.

‘History will judge my contributions’

President Mahama said although he would have wished to have another term, he was still grateful for the previous opportunities given him.

He further noted that history will judge his contributions as president of the land.

“It has been without a doubt, one of the most tremendous privileges of my life to serve this great nation as President and to work on behalf of all Ghanaians. I will leave it to history to be the judge of my time and contributions while in that highest office,” president Mahama said.

Akufo-Addo declared winner

The Electoral Commission (EC) on Friday declared the NPP presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, the winner of the 2016 elections.

The NPP flagbearer secured the presidency after a third time, beating the incumbent, President John Mahama with 53.85 percent of valid votes cast.

President Mahama also had 44.40% of the votes.

Nana Akufo-Addo who becomes Ghana’s fifth president under the fourth Republic will officially assume office on January 7, 2017.

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The Institute, in the preliminary statement of findings and recommendations said that manner of conduct of the elections proves Ghana as a laudable example for democracy in Africa.

“The NDI delegation applauds the people of Ghana for the largely peaceful conduct of these elections, despite earlier apprehensions of political tensions and violence… Ghana has underscored its status as a beacon for democracy in the region and, though not without challenges, remains a laudable example for the entire continent,” said Ambassador Johnnie Carson, co-leader of NDI’s observation mission said.

At a press conference earlier in Accra on Friday, December 9, the observer delegation called on Ghanaians to cooperate in good faith with the Electoral Commission (EC) and exercise restrain as the Commission prepares to declare official results of the polls.

“Ultimately it is the people of Ghana who will determine the credibility of the elections, and political leaders should respect the people’s will expressed in the December 7 polls,” the Institute in a statement said.

“The preliminary statement commends the Electoral Commission for its notable improvements since the 2012 polls, and it expresses appreciation for the efforts of other election stakeholders, exemplified by the Accra Declaration for peaceful polls, signed on December 1 by all presidential candidates.”

The statement said it observed large numbers in voter-turnout across the country.

It said the assessment was based on  carried by 30 political and civic leaders, elections experts, and regional specialists from 14 countries.

The Delegation leadership was led by Ambassador Johnnie Carson, former assistant secretary for African Affairs, U.S. State Department.

NDI’s international election observation mission in Ghana is funded by a grant from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the U.S. Department of State. The Institute’s pre-election missions were funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Read the full report here

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The two former Presidents in a joint statement appealed to political leaders to ensure that their deeds do not inflame anger and acrimony during the elections.

“We believe that all Ghanaians, particularly Ghanaian political leaders share our view that no single life is worth losing in an election for any leader to claim victory or to be a looser.

“We will therefore appeal to all leaders in all walks of life, but particularly political leaders to ensure that by words, deeds or actions, they do not inflame the ambers of anger, distrust, mistrust, abuses, insults, acrimony and other tendencies that can mar the election process in the immediate preparations, during and after the elections,” the statement signed by the two Presidents said.

They believe that “the rules, regulations and the legal processes provided in the electoral laws of Ghana are “good enough if observed by all parties to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Ghana on the 7th of December 2016.”

They further stated that “if there are grievances, such grievances will be pursued through the legal processes established by law without resorting to violence, acrimony, and disturbances by any individual, political party, or group of individuals.”

The statement from the two former Presidents is below

An Appeal for Peaceful, Free, Fair, and Credible Elections in Ghana

As concerned leaders in our different countries and in Africa, we believe that it is appropriate and fitting at this point in the process of democratic dispensation in Ghana and for the coming elections to express our good wishes and brotherly solidarity for all the people of Ghana for a peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.  We believe that all Ghanaian leaders from all political parties will do nothing to impede or adversely set back the democratic process in Ghana.

We believe that all Ghanaians, particularly Ghanaian political leaders share our view that no single life is worth loosing in an election for any leader to claim victory or to be a looser.  We will therefore appeal to all leaders in all walks of life, but particularly political leaders to ensure that by words, deeds or actions, they do not inflame the ambers of anger, distrust, mistrust, abuses, insults, acrimonies and other tendencies that can mar the election process in the immediate preparations, during and after the elections.

We believe that the rules and regulations and the legal processes provided in the electoral laws of Ghana are good enough if observed by all parties to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Ghana on the 7th of December 2016.

We are pleased to learn that all the political leaders in particular have come together and agreed to a peace accord, and to keep to the terms of the accord and code of conduct that will ensure no violation of the rules, regulations and laws of the elections, and that all the leaders will abide by the ruling of the Electoral Commission of Ghana.  If there are grievances, such grievances will be pursued through the legal processes established by law without resorting to violence, acrimony, and disturbances by any individual, political party, or group of individuals.  This is the best way to advance democracy in our fledgling democratic dispensation in Africa and particularly in Ghana.

We wish all our brothers and sisters in Ghana very peaceful, free, fair, credible and fully participatory elections to continue to set a good example of sustainable political stability for the rest of Africa.

Benjamin Mkapa                                                                                                 Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President of Tanzania                                                        Former President of Nigeria

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline,com/Ghana
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According to him, the PPP has not put in place strategic measures to ensure victory in the 2016 polls, yet they remain confident of giving the other parties a good run for their money.

[contextly_sidebar id=”pJ1RZCKhwJks80KRimJsBWV9Fkv1Akar”]“Anytime I listen to the PPP, I get the impression of an overconfident student going to write an examination. A student who thinks he or she is so intelligent and he must pass with excellence and so he doesn’t go in with any strategy and when the result comes, he has performed abysmally. That is the problem of the PPP. PPP is not strategic in this election and their results will shock them.”

Mr. John Kumah made the assertion while responding to comments by the Executive Secretary of the PPP, Richard Nii Armah, that the Presidential Candidate of the NPP, Nana Addo, is just making flimsy excuses for not attending the presidential candidates’ debate organised by the National Commission Civic Education (NCCE).

Mr. Kumah wondered why the PPP had raised such concerns when Nana Addo had participated in previous presidential debates held in both 2008 and 2012.

“Do you know the Nana Addo you are talking about ? He is not a first timer on our political scene. First of all, I am yet to see in my life any professional lawyer who runs away from a debate. From his own personal upbringing and training as a lawyer, that is what you do for your living. As a lawyer you debate everyday in court so nobody and absolutely nobody can take Nana Addo’s competence and ability to debate issues from him so I am surprised that Nana Addo who has taken part in 2008 debates, 2012 debates and has been on almost all platforms in this country campaigning, can be described as avoiding an embarrassing situation,” he said.

Nana Addo on Friday explained that, he boycotted the debate because he felt both the NCCE and the state media, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), which aired the programme, are biased.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Hundreds of special voters who queued at polling stations across the country today [Thursday] could not cast their ballot during the Electoral Commission’s special voting exercise.

[contextly_sidebar id=”16DiiXwNaf4TKvEthy3Cdsuyn2EXV0sf”]Over 127,000 security and media personnel as well as EC officials and others who will be busy on Election Day, were expected to take part in the exercise.

Although the exercise; which commenced in the 275 constituencies has been largely peaceful, there were some complaints of missing names.

Some other people who were also supposed to vote outside their original constituencies, were turned away by Returning Officers.

The EC in a statement signed by the Director of Communications of the EC, Eric Dzakpasu however said the Commission is“fully aware of the challenges some of them[voters] are facing at the various polling stations with the special voters list.”

“The Commission is working with the hierarchy of the security agencies to resolve the challenges as soon as possible. ” the EC added.

It said the issue “was discussed with the presidential candidates and their running mates this morning at a presidential dialogue organised by the Commission on the elections held at Movenpick Ambassador Hotel.”

The Commission therefore urged security personnel affected to “remain calm” as “appropriate arrangements will be made for them all to vote in this year’s elections.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Authenticity: Politicians are willing to ignore or bend the truth for votes but we have to be more diligent in learning the good , the bad, and the vision a candidate has to offer. Let’s go for authenticity. Let’s choose a candidate who upholds integrity, credibility and truth, a candidate who is unwilling to compromise and one who is true to his words. As John C. Maxwell says in his book on leadership: “as leaders, we can only lift others up when we’re standing on a firm foundation. Purpose, authenticity, and humility give us a secure, stable base from which to lead.”

Competence: In choosing our President, let us be reminded that he will not only represent us locally but globally. We need to appreciate the essence of experience, strength, courage and competence when making our choice. We cannot have a leader who will make catastrophic mistakes. We do not need an inexperienced President with just spit and fire. Our next President should be able to lead, train and create opportunities and victories for the masses.

Commitment: Commitment always separates doers from dreamers. In John C Maxwell’s view, commitment for a boxer is getting off the mat one more time than you’ve been knocked down. To a marathoner, it’s running another ten miles when your strength is gone. To the soldier, it’s going over the hill, not knowing what’s waiting on the other side. And for a country like Ghana, where there are a host of issues including unemployment, ballooning debt stock, corruption, poverty among others to be addressed, we need to look at the bigger picture; the present state of the economy and settle on a candidate who will be committed to taking us out of the quagmire we find ourselves in.

Passion : Passionate leaders work hard to make things happen. Passionate leaders are willing to sacrifice. Passionate leaders care about the governed and have them at heart. A passionate President will have the equanimity to handle the erratic pressures of the office. Passion makes the difference.

Unity: We cannot make the best choice while ignoring the essence of unity. We are sick and tired of the partisan fist fights, the bickering on tribal lines and deep divisions. We need someone who will bring us [Ghanians] together despite our differences-someone who will not pitch the various ethnic groups against each other. One who will not ignore the importance and diversity persons from various cultures play and offer respectively. We need a unifier.

We need to vote bearing in mind that our choices would definitely have long -term consequences. Let’s make the right choice.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline,com/Ghana , [email protected]
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A Ghanaian, Derek Laryea who petitioned the President on Monday explained that the move will enable more Ghanaian to cast their votes since they would not have to go to work or school.

He further noted that failure to declare the day a holiday will disenfranchise a lot of Ghanaians.

[contextly_sidebar id=”vga5CUzx2iEE4tKaf4Xrlgp26IqxvxbR”]“Mr. President, I am of the firm conviction, as I believe are outstanding majority of Ghanaians as well, that should the 7th of December, 2016 not be declared as a holiday, it will disenfranchise many Ghanaians and prevent them including myself from performing the essential civic responsibility to vote,” the petition added.

The petition comes on the back of announcement by the Ministry of Interior, Prosper Bani which stated that the Election Day is not a holiday and subsequent notice by the Ghana Education Service to educational institutions in the country affirming the Ministry’s statement.

Below is the full petition:

PETITION TO DECLARE 7TH DECEMBER, 2016 A NATIONAL HOLIDAY

I write to humbly petition your high office to declare 7th December a national holiday for the reasons outlined below.

Your Excellency, as you know, universal adult suffrage is a cornerstone of our nascent democracy. Indeed it is one of the pillars on which our Constitution rests, as can be seen in the preamble. This year, the parliamentary and presidential elections come off on Wednesday 7th December 2016, which happens to be a week day.

Mr. President, I am of the firm conviction, as I believe are outstanding majority of Ghanaians as well, that should the 7th of December, 2016 not be declared as a holiday, it will disenfranchise many Ghanaians and prevent them including myself from performing the essential civic responsibility to vote.

Your Excellency, as at the time of writing this letter, there was no indication by your Honourable Ministerof Interior that the said date shall be a holiday. It is for this reason that I humbly petition your high office and appeal to your good conscience and innermost sense of nationalism, to declare Wednesday 7th December, 2016 a national holiday.

Please be assured that Ghanaians, including myself shall be exceedingly grateful to you for granting this petition.

Sincerely,

Signed

Derek Laryea

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According to him, electorates in the constituency have accepted his party’s message of hope and is determined to vote out the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government and vote for the NPP.

He said, the NPP was ready for power and if the party is given the nod to govern the country at the December polls, they will effectively manage the economy and lead the country to economic prosperity.

“We’ve gone house-to-house, to various churches and school and shared our message of hope to the constituents. People must know that Ghanaians have already made up their minds [to vote for the NPP], what we must do now is to protect the ballots.”

“I want to send a message to all residents in Okaikwei North, that the NPP is ready for power. And if Ghanaians give us the mandate, we will manage the country well and deliver on every promise we made on the campaign trail.”

Speaking to Citi News on the sidelines of a rally held at the Achimota last Sunday [November 20], Fuseini Issah said although the party won the parliamentary election convincingly in the 2012 election, they are working hard to garner more votes in this year’s election and ensure that the party’s flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo also wins the presidential elections.

“Thankfully, NPP has consistently won this seat. In 1992, even though we didn’t contest in the parliamentary elections, we won the Presidential election, so we are hopeful that Okaikwei north will vote for the NPP again.”

Fuseini Issah is facing stiff competition from the NDC candidate, Abdul Razak Issah who has also said, he is optimistic of winning the seat for the NDC.

Other candidates contesting the seat in this year’s election are the Joseph Akoto Lamptey of the All People’s Congress (APC) and Matthew Kwasi Obeng Boadu of the Convention People’s Party (CPP).

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