The leader of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama, has expressed his desire to serve in the incoming administration whenever he is called upon to contribute his quota to national development.
According to him, the aspiration of most Ghanaians was to develop a better Ghana, and he will never decline whenever he is called upon to lend a hand to the country’s development.
“Therefore, if the President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says ‘Edward this is the area I want you to help,’ I will assess myself and see what his expectations are and if I am capable, I will definitely take up that responsibility,’’ he told the Daily Graphic last Tuesday.
Expectations
He observed that most Ghanaians were expecting a lot from the incoming government, and urged them to be patient because they were still in the transition period.
The expectation of the public, Dr Mahama said, was for Nana to fulfil his promises to the people who elected him.
“I offered myself with my pledges, unfortunately, I didn’t get the nod from Ghanaians, hence I wish Nana Addo well and hope he is able to meet the expectations of millions of people who voted for him to deliver a better Ghana, “ he said.
Post-election violence
Dr Mahama bemoaned the post electoral violence being perpetrated by some political actors on their opponents, and called on the police to expedite action in dealing with the perpetrators.
He reasoned that none of the contestants during the presidential race wished to preside over a polarised country, “and I don’t wish same for Nana Addo”.
“I am, therefore, hoping and urging Ghanaians to give him and his incoming government the chance for a smooth transition and see what he can deliver.
“I have asked people to give him space, time, and to refrain from indiscipline that will cause any problem for this country,” Dr Mahama appealed.
Politics is ubiquitous
Reacting to questions about his future in politics, he said politics was ubiquitous, “hence individuals should stop thinking that politics is when you run for parliamentary or presidential position during election, but it goes beyond that”.
“So far as I am taking care of my patients, l believe I am contributing to the politics of Ghana because health is an aspect of politics. There have been so many strikes from that sector that I think I would be in the position to advise my colleagues to stop,” Dr Mahama intimated.
The PNC
With regard to the PNC, he said the party would conduct a post-mortem over its performance in last Wednesday’s polls and restructure it properly for the future.
Until then, “The party is ever ready to support the incoming administration with their human resources, whenever they are called upon.”
He added that “as they begin to govern, we shall criticise them whenever it is needful to do so’’.
Background
Last Friday, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Charlotte Osei, announced the results of the 2016 presidential election, declaring the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as the winner and the President-elect of the Fourth Republic after his impressive performance at the presidential polls.
He polled 5,716,026 to beat the incumbent, President John Mahama, who had 4,713,277.
According to the EC statistics, Nana Akufo-Addo recorded 53.85 per cent of the total votes cast as against 44.4 per cent by President Mahama.
Five other candidates who contested the elections failed to garner more than two per cent of the votes.
Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party ( PPP) came third, with a total of 105,682 votes, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) Ivor Greenstreet polled 25,395, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings of the National Democractic Party (DPP), 16,878, with Dr Edward Mahama of the PNC and the Independent candidate, Joseph Osei Yeboah, also attaining some votes.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
