The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President John Mahama

  • We’ll lift Africa out of poverty, says Tinubu

    We’ll lift Africa out of poverty, says Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said African leaders remained committed to lifting their nations out of poverty and building resilient economies at their own pace.

    Tinubu, who was a Special Guest of Honour, said this at the swearing-in of President John Mahama in Accra, Ghana.

    “We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.

    “Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people,” Tinubu said.

    He said Mahama’s inauguration is a source of pride and honour for Ghanaians, the entire continent, and its Diaspora.

    “We celebrate African Democracy today as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another.

    “This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society.

    “It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly.”

    He said just as Ghana drew inspiration and strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly drew inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between the two nations.

    “May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders. Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahama’s inauguration today reflects that.

    “Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core.

    “He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that,” said Tinubu.

    He expressed confidence that the new government, under the leadership of Mahama, would work with Nigeria to strengthen the powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for citizens of the countries.

    Read Also: John Mahama calls Tinubu ‘President of Ghana’ during inauguration speech

    “I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.

    “Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing sub-regional integration and progress.

    “With  focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress,” the President said.

    (NAN)

  • Between President John Mahama and Otunba Mike Adenuga

    Between President John Mahama and Otunba Mike Adenuga

    If you ask the outgoing Ghanaian president, John Dramani Mahama, who his favourite Nigerian is, the name of Globacom boss, Otunba Mike Adenuga, will not be far from his lips. Such is the Ghanaian president’s love for the Glo supremo that he does not miss any opportunity to sing his praises to high heavens.

    For those who don’t know, Otunba Adenuga has been the toast of the Ghanaian leader and others in the West African country since he successfully launched Glo there to challenge the foreign companies which had hitherto been monopolising Ghana’s telecommunications sector. The giant strides Glo has made in Ghana in just a few years eventually culminated in Dr Adenuga being conferred with Ghana’s highest honour, Companion of the Star of Ghana (CSG). This makes Dr Adenuga, who also has Nigeria’s second highest honour, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), one of the very few recipients of national honours in two African countries.

    So deep-seated is President Mahama’s regard for Adenuga that he even spent much of his time on the podium at the recent Ovation Hall of Fame induction ceremony extolling the virtues of the Otunba Apesin of Ijebuland, even though it was he and not Otunba Adenuga who was being inducted.

  • Ghana Polls: Opposition calls on president to concede defeat

    Ghana Polls: Opposition calls on president to concede defeat

    Ghana’s main opposition party on Thursday said it had a strong lead in elections and called on President John Mahama to concede defeat,comments which had been dismissed as “treasonable” by the incumbent’s campaign team.

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) said its candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, had won 52 per cent of the vote according to its own tally of Wednesday’s presidential poll, against 44.8 per cent for Mahama.

    The Electoral Commission said it had not certified any results in the closely fought race to lead the West African nation that has seen a series of peaceful transfers of power.

    However, figures shown by television and radio stations showed the opposition making gains in both races.

    “These are results that were declared at the polling stations. I am calling on the president to concede defeat,’’ NPP campaign chief Peter Mac Manu said.

    A senior official of the ruling party, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, countered that Mahama was “comfortably ahead” and asked his supporters to remain calm.

    “The results are still trickling in and the call and declaration by the NPP are irresponsible and treasonable because it can throw this country into chaos,’’ he added.

    Ghana is one of Africa’s most stable democracies and voters have rejected the government of the day twice since 2000.

    Until 2014, the country also had one of Africa’s most dynamic economies, though growth has slowed in part due to a fall in the price of its commodity exports.

  • Ghana Polls: Contestants seek electorates’ vote

    Ghana Polls: Contestants seek electorates’ vote

    Ghanaians started lining up at voting stations on Wednesday to elect a president and parliament, in polls dominated by a three-year economic downturn that led to heavy job losses and price hikes.

    President John Mahama is running for a second four-year term in the West African nation rich in gold, cocoa, diamonds, aluminium, bauxite and recently discovered oil.

    Mahama is competing with six other candidates for the presidency, but his fiercest rival is Nana Akufo-Addo, the leader of the largest opposition, New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Reports say the incumbent president remains popular in the nation of 26 million people, which was the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence in colonial Africa, in 1957.

    The 58-year-old made major progress in improving Ghana’s infrastructure by building schools, health facilities and roads.

    However, many voters held Mahama and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) responsible for a debilitating three-year energy crisis that led to a 10 percent drop in economic growth between 2011 and 2015.

    They also held him responsible for the sharp rise in electricity, water and petrol prices.

    Akufo-Addo, 72, promises to use Ghana’s new-found oil to create jobs and push industrialisation in all economic sectors, including agriculture.

    Over 15 million Ghanaians are eligible to cast their vote at one of the 29,000 polling stations until 1700 GMT.

    They will also elect 275 parliamentarians for the next four years.

    If no presidential candidate gains 51 percent or more of the vote, the election will go into a second round.

    Results are expected within 72 hours after voting ends.

  • Ghana president bans first class travel for public officials

    Ghana president bans first class travel for public officials

    Ghana’s President John Mahama has banned public officials from first class air travel in a renewed effort to cut wasteful spending.

    The ban has come into effect as the country implements an International Monetary Fund (IMF) aid deal to revive state finances, the government said on Tuesday.

    Ghana is preparing to hold presidential and parliamentary elections next year and, with the opposition accusing government ministers of inflating contract sums, inappropriate spending will be a top campaign issue.

    The presidency issued the directive this week asking all ministers and other top officials to avoid “unwarranted” foreign trips on the public purse, Communications Minister Edward Omane Boamah told media.

    Ghana, a major producer of cocoa, gold and oil, began a three-year program with the IMF in April to fix its economy.

    The country’s economy has been dogged by high deficits, a widening public debt and unstable local currency.

    Finance Minister Seth Terkper told media on Tuesday the cabinet is also discussing a financial accountability bill.

    The schedule would impose penalties such as dismissal or jail time for public officials who are found to violate it.

    “It is expected to be clear enough to enable the general public to see malfeasance if there is any and hold the agency involved accountable,” he added.