Mahama: I’d have liked to continue, but I respect the wish of Ghanaians

President John Mahama says he will work to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition to the incoming administration Nana Akufo-Addo — even though he would have liked to continue had Ghanaians not decided otherwise.

Mahama said this in a concession speech on Friday night after the electoral commission declared Akufo-Addo winner of the presidential election.

While congratulating the president-elect, he said the true winners of the election were the Ghanaian people.

“A while ago, I phoned Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and offered him my congratulations for emerging the winner of the 2016 presidential elections,” he said.

“Every election is a hard-fought battle, and this one was no exception. For those of us who choose to be contenders and go into electoral contests, we go about it as a win-lose proposition.

“As President, I have done my bit and made a contribution to the political, social and economic development of our country. I would have cherished an opportunity to do even more, but I respect the will of the Ghanaian people.

“I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the individuals who have made this journey with me.”

Mahama assured the people of Ghana of his commitment to the sustenance of the country’s democracy.

“I would like to assure the people of Ghana of my commitment to the sustenance of our country’s democracy and would work to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition to the incoming administration,” he said.

“I remain committed to the unity and stability of our great nation. I am profoundly grateful to the almighty God and the people of Ghana for the opportunity to serve in the high office of President.

“I wish to thank my family: my children, my brothers, and sisters, and especially my wife, Lordina, for standing as firmly with me through the times of challenge and difficulty as they have through the times of achievement and promise. Most importantly, I am grateful to the almighty God who has sustained us through the implementation of the Agenda for Transformation. I am eternally grateful.

“Ghana, this land that we all call home, is a powerful nation with a history of taking the improbable and making it possible. We have been a leader on so many fronts, not just on this continent but also in the world — from our attainment of independence, to our development of a democracy that maintains at its core a pledge of stability and a respect for the rule of law, to our formation of much-needed peacekeeping and other humanitarian missions for other nations in need.”