The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has briefed the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, about the current state of the national economy and security situation in the country, after the duo met at the Jubilee House yesterday.
The outgoing president had extended an invitation to the incoming president to Jubilee House, to commence the process of transition, in accordance with the Transition Act.
The Presidential Transition Act requires that within 24 hours after the declaration of a new president, a joint transition team should be established to begin the process of a smooth and seamless transfer of authority.
Addressing the press at Jubilee House, shortly after the closed door meeting, President Akufo-Addo indicated that discussion was cordial and preceded the formal inauguration of the joint transition team later that day.
“It was important that I have this meeting with him and members of his delegation for two things. First of all, to congratulate him on his remarkable victory and to wish him and his administration the very best of luck,” President Akufo-Addo said.
President Akufo-Addo said they discussed the seeming lawlessness and commended President-elect John Mahama for urging calm. He also said history had been made as Ghana is set to have its first female vice president.
“We have, for the first time in our lives, a female vice president of the country, and that is a matter that should be celebrated by all of us.
“And secondly, to assure him of my full support and that of my government over the transitional process and afterwards to make sure that his administration takes off in the best of conditions,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo continued that, “We have spoken a little bit about the issues that have occurred, the seeming lawlessness that is taking place.”
He continued that, “And I expressed my happiness at his intervention yesterday in speaking to the country about what was going on and the reinforcing of the authority of the state to make sure that these matters are dealt with. So this is the reason why he is here, and I thought we should give you a brief outcome of the visit. It has been a very warm and constructive meeting.”
The meeting reflected unity amongst the two opposing parties to ensure peace and stability. The two presidents have known each other for nearly 20 years. They met in Parliament in 1997 and have remained in politics till they subsequently ascended to the high office of presidency respectively.
CORDIAL
The President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, also addressed the press and described the meeting as cordial.
He said that the president had briefed him on the economy and security, both internal and external, adding that the transitional team would delve deeper into that.
He said he had the opportunity to thank President Akufo-Addo for calling to congratulate him on his victory last Saturday.
“It was very cordial, and I think we were very happy to be together. Mr. President has given me a brief on the security situation, both internal and external, and also a short brief on issues to do with the economy.
“Of course, the transitional teams will drill down further into these matters, but I am happy at the assurance he is giving us that we are going to work together in the interest of Ghana to ensure a seamless transition,” he said.
CONTINUE
He stressed the need for the channel of communication to continue even after the transition period.
“And I believe that even after that transition, it will be necessary for us to continue to keep a channel of communication so that Ghana’s democratic credentials are consolidated and we all work together in the national interest.
“And so I want to thank him for his time and to assure him that on our side we are very happy to work together, and we look forward to the successful work of the joint transitional team. I thank you all very much.”
The president-elect was accompanied by the national chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah; former deputy chief of staff, Valerie Sawyer; former minister for health, Alex Segbefia; Dr. Callistus Mahama and aide to Mr. Mahama, Joyce Bawa Mogtari.
