I am not a spare tyre- President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday said his days as President would go beyond the December general elections.

“Some opponents have called me spare tyre, while others have also described me as caretaker President, but all I can say for now is it is God that chooses a leader and I know for sure that the spare tyre, caretaker will become the cornerstone.”


President Mahama said this when he addressed separate rallies at Juapong, Asikuma and Peki as part of his three-day campaign tour of the Volta Region.


Apart from addressing the rallies, the President would also launch the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto in Ho on Thursday, inspect and inaugurate development projects in the Municipality and meet party members.


The President is accompanied by Mr. Joe Gidisu, Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr. Fritz Baffour, Minister of Information, Ms Akua Dansua, Minister of Tourism, Mrs Dzifa Attivor, Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief of Staff and Mr. Fiifi Kwetey, Deputy Minister for Finance.


President Mahama, quoting the Bible, said, “The stone that the builders rejected, shall become the cornerstone, and I know NDC will win the 2012 general election one-touch.”

He said this year’s election would be peaceful and called on the electorate to reject parties that were beating war drums in the country.


The President appealed to NDC members to avoid voting ‘Skirt and blouse’ a system where the electorate vote for a particular presidential candidate and a Parliamentary candidate from another political party, as that was not healthy for effective governance.


President Mahama promised that government would roll out a number of development projects throughout the country and urged those that have not yet received their share to remain tolerant and patiently wait for their turn.


On the creation of districts and their capitals, President Mahama said it was not possible for all those who applied to receive at the same time and advised that those that were not considered should cooperate with others until another more are created in subsequent years.


The chiefs of Juapong, Atimpoku, Peki and Asikuma all called on government to provide them with good roads, schools and health facilities to enhance their living conditions.