The Joint Transition team to ensure the smooth transfer of power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was inaugurated in Accra on Sunday.
This followed the NPP’s victory in the 2016 general election held on December 7 this year.
The Presidential transition, which was established by an Act of Parliament, has President John Dramani Mahama and President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo as co-chair with an advisory council team made up of the Speaker of Parliament Edward Doe-Adjaho, Dr Kwesi Botchwey and Professor Mike Ocquaye.
Madam Hannah Tetteh, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is the spokesperson for the NDC, while Mr Mustapha Hamid is the spokesperson for the NPP.
Apart from the 16-member representatives from both sides, there are also statutory transition team members made up of the Head of the Civil Service, Head of the Local Government Service, Secretary to the Cabinet and the National Security Coordinator.
President Mahama in his inaugural remarks, urged the team to be diligent in their deliberations to ensure a smooth transition that would befit the status of the country’s deepened democracy.
He said the transfer of power from one political party to another had already happened in 2001 and 2009, and it should therefore not be a problem that could thwart their efforts this time round.
He said although there was the need for both parties to continue to compete, the national interest of Ghanaians should reign supreme for growth and development.
He condemned the alleged attacks on the NDC supporters and vandalization of state property, but was quick to commend the NPP leadership for condemning the act formally.
He gave the assurance that his administration would continue to collaborate with the incoming government to ensure the security and safety of Ghanaians everywhere.
President- elect Nana Akufo-Addo advised the team to allow the national interest to override all other considerations.
He urged them to make their decisions within the confines of Ghana’s Constitution to move the country forward.
The President-elect commended President Mahama for the cooperation he had received so far, and gave the assurance that unlike some previous situations where Ghanaians had to go in for presidential run-offs before the transfer of power, this current transition would work smoothly.
ahotoronline.com|Ghana|
