2017 will be a year of prosperity – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama says the challenging times of the country were over. He pointed to other countries that went through challenging times and explained he had to make some difficult decisions.

“China is growing at six per cent from the 12. Nigeria facing same. I had to take some tough decision, all in the interest of the nation,” President Mahama said at a rally in Anyinam and Osino on Thursday. “2017 is a period of prosperity for Ghana. I don’t demand any tough endurance from Ghanaians anymore.”

He says his focus on three critical areas – economy, power crises, socio-economic infrastructure – was the best. “Things have changed. The Cedis was the best performing currency of the whole of Africa.

Power crises demand is growing by 10 to 12 per cent. We need to keep up with the demand slowly. We are fixing the dumsor. The ongoing works on the Sankofa Gas will generate 170 million standard cubic gas to generate 1,000 megawatts of power to last for over 20 years.”

Communication Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah described Nana Akufo-Addo, the challenger to President Mahama, as an irresponsible elder for the remarks he made on “die be die”. He cautioned that election violence is not helpful and that women and children suffer a lot. He punched holes in the promises made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“They opposed the V8 Bill in Rawlings era, now they are making promises of reducing it. It is not possible.” He added: “The NHIA is supported by 72 per cent of VAT. NHIA returns on investment, SSNIT contributions, 5 per cent from contributions. They can’t decrease VAT as they are promising.”

National Organiser for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Kofi Adams read meanings into the balloting for the parliamentary candidates and said it had a divine implication for them.