Some Ghanaians have expressed confidence in the ability of President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to deliver to meet their needs and aspirations, by ensuring that Ghana works again for the benefit of all.
Nana Akufo-Addo polled some 5,716,026(53.85%) of the valid votes cast in last Wednesday’s elections to beat incumbent President John Mahama who had some 4,713, 277(44.40%), as announced by EC Chairperson Charlotte.
Views sampled by the Daily Statesman showed that majority of Ghanaians are convinced that the incoming Akufo-Addo presidency will deliver, especially looking at the calibre of people who will be serving in his government.
Speaking to the BBC after his victory, the President-elect spoke of what he would look out for in a potential appointee to serve in his administration.
He said whoever would be considered must, first and foremost, have the fundamental connect to the group of ideas and set up in the manifesto the NPP has articulated.
"Secondly, the competence and the capacity to master the briefs that are going to be given to them and carry them out. Thirdly, the commitment to the Ghana project; loyalty to Ghana and coming to work for the people and not for yourself," President-elect Akufo-Addo said.
According to Charles Ansah, an industrialist, having listened to then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo throughout the campaign period, he was very optimistic about the ability of the president-elect to turn the fortunes of the country around.
“As an industrialist, I have taken my time and listened to Nana Akufo-Addo and I must say without any doubt that his policies would make Ghana prosperous again. Policies like the One-District-One-Factory and the provision of dams for each village are just the right policies for a developing nation like Ghana,” Mr Ansah said.
The industrialist further explained that the decision of the incoming NPP government to reduce some of the taxes heaped on Ghanaians is an indication of how the President-elect wants to make Ghana work again.
“The NDC taxes were too much which eventually crippled most businesses. And the ones which survived had to pack and relocate to neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso and Cote D’Ivoire,” he lamented.
Real estate developer and Chief Executive Officer of ENAGE, Kojo Quainoo, noted that the track record of the president-elect, especially his fight for democracy, makes him stand out as the right person to lead the country at this time.
He said, “Look at how he led the People’s Movement for Freedom and Justice, a group that campaigned against the late military leader, Kutu Acheampong’s UNIGOV referendum in 1978, who wanted to make Ghana a one party state. This campaign ultimately resulted in the restoration of multi-party democracy in 1979. I believe strongly that his government will deepen and strengthen the democratic principles we need as a nation.”
For her part, Yvonne Okyere, a legal practitioner, told the Daily Statesman the election of Nana Akufo-Addo was long overdue and that if the elections had not been allegedly rigged in 2012, which allowed the NDC to remain in power, the country would have been far ahead of where it is right now.
“I heard about our president-elect when I was in primary school and I must admit there was no single scandal about him, unlike what we have been seeing and hearing from the appointees of President Mahama. Such an incorruptible person is what Ghanaians need. I have firm confidence in him, that he will fight corruption within his government,” she held, maintaining that corruption is what has stalled the development of most African countries.
27-year old unemployed University graduate, Bernard Hevu, said having being jobless for some years now, he is optimistic about the future, especially with Nana Akufo-Addo as the president from 2017.
“At least I am confident I will be employed. The One-District-One-Factory alone is enough for me. I just can’t wait to get employed and get a salary to at least take care of my parents and siblings. I have suffered enough under the Mahama government,” he lamented.
The President-elect throughout his campaign with his vice president-elect assured Ghanaians of creating jobs, as well as transforming the economy from taxation to production.
The NPP government, he promised, would establish factory in every district to create pools of employment in every district in Ghana, to spread prosperity and equal opportunities.