State resources not for governing party - President Akufo-Addo

Ghana’s resources will not be for the use or enrichment of government officials, neither will it be for the plunder of members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), President Nana Akufo-Addo has assured.

Speaking during his investiture in Accra on Saturday January 7, President Akufo-Addo, who was sworn in as the fifth president of Ghana under the Fourth Republic, said: “We must restore integrity in public life. State coffers are not spoils for the party that wins an election but resources for the country’s essential and economic development.”

He reiterated his campaign promise of “protecting the public purse by insisting on value for money in all transactions”, expressing the view that “public service is just that and not an avenue for making money”.

Mr Akufo-Addo also assured that his government would not fail Ghanaians on the promises made to them ahead of last year’s presidential and parliamentary elections which have brought him into power.

According to him, his government was determined to accomplish the task Ghanaians overwhelmingly gave the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to ensure economic prosperity.

“I am in the new unique position of being able to draw on the wisdom and experience of three former presidents of the Republic; their excellencies Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, and John Dramani Mahama. They represent the continuity of the institutions of our republic for which we thank God,” he said.

“I am deeply humbled by the exceptional mandate and extraordinary show of confidence that the Ghanaian people have conferred on my party, the New Patriotic Party, and on my modest person.

"I am determined to do all in my power to accomplish the task of the mandate and justify their confidence. I will not let you, the people of Ghana, down.”

He further indicated that Ghana’s proud heritage must be cherished.

“We have a proud heritage, we have the John Mensah Sarbahs, Joseph Casely-Hayford George Paa Grant, RF Blay, Joseph Boakye Dankwa, Emmanuel Obetsebi Lamptey, Edward Akufo-Addo, William Ofori Atta, Kwabena Kese, Ernest Ako Adjei, Kwame Nkrumah, Kobina Gbedema, Kojo Botsio, SD Dombo, Kofi Abrefa Busia, Baffour Osei Akoto, and others who taught us what the principles of fidelity, courage, patience, resilience, and collective actions do yield.”