President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has extended an olive branch to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to work together with government, following his election for a second four-year term in the 2020 General Election.
In a victory speech at his Nima residence in Accra, President Akufo-Addo said the decisive margin of his victory constitutes an endorsement of the policies and programmes that his New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has instituted over the past four year years.
He won the poll with 6,730,413 votes which represent 51.595 per cent of the total valid votes cast – 515,524 votes more than his closest competitor, John Dramani Mahama from the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) who got 47.366 per cent of the valid votes cast, according to the Electoral Commission.
President Akufo-Addo said he was determined to do all in his power “to accomplish the task of this new mandate and thereby justify the confidence reposed in me. I assure you fellow Ghanaians that I will do my best not to let you down.”
Olive branch
“The period for campaigning is over and the outcome of the election has been decided. The Ghanaian people through the results have made it loud and clear that the two parties; the NDC and NPP must work together especially in Parliament for the good of the country”, President Akufo-Addo said.
“Now is the time for each and every one of us, irrespective of our political affiliation to unite, join hands, stand shoulder to shoulder and work hard to place Ghana where she deserves to be. A prosperous and dynamic member of the global community making her own unique contribution to the growth of world civilization.”
Election 2020 Results
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Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP) – 6,730,413 (51.295%)
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John Dramani Mahama (NDC) – 6,214,889 (47.366%)
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Christian Kwabena Andrews (GUM) – 105,565 (0.805%)
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Ivor Kobina Greenstreet (CPP) – 12,215 (0.093%)
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Akua Donkor (GFP) – 5,575 (0.024%)
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Henry Herbert Lartey (GCPP) – 3574 (0.027%)
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Hassan Ayariga (APC) – 7,140 (0.054%)
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Percival Kofi Akpaloo (LPG) – 7,690 (0.059%)
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David Asibi Ayindenaba Apasera (PNC) – 10,887 (0.083%)
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Brigitte Akosua Dzogbenuku (PPP) – 6,848 (0.052%)
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Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (NDP) – 6,612 (0.050%)
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Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker (Independent candidate) – 9,703 (0.074%)
Immediate task
Laying out the immediate task of his second term, President Akufo-Addo promised to regain Ghana’s reputation as the fastest-growing economy in the world by reversing the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Ghanaian economy and the lives of its citizens.
He added that he would do all to put the nation on course for a full economic recovery.
“Before the pandemic struck, Ghana in recent years was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, I give you my word, we will regain that reputation,” he said.
Best Election
The President also commended the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission for delivering what he described as “one of the best elections” in the history of Ghana.
He said the poll held on Monday across the country’s 16 regions had won universal acclaim even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Electoral Commission even in the midst of the pandemic has done a yeoman’s job and we can only urge them to continue on the path and achieve even greater strides in future”.
President Akufo-Addo commended the Ghanaian electorates for their orderliness and adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols on election day.
He also commended the country’s security services and the media for contributing towards the success of the poll.
Condemnation
The President condemned what he described as “isolated incidents of post-electoral violence” in Odododiodoo and Techiman that resulted in the death of four persons.
“We must work to avoid a repetition of such events in future,” he stressed.
Moderate celebrations
Urging moderate celebrations by supporters of the NPP, President Akufo-Addo said they should desist from untoward acts.
“At the end of the day, despite holding different political views, we shall all remember that we are all part of one family, one Ghanaian family with a common overriding agenda which is to oversee the growth and development of Mother Ghana.
“Let us continue to conduct ourselves with decorum and maintain the peace and stability of the nation which is the envy of many around the world.”
He further pledged to advance the peace, progress and prosperity of all Ghanaians.
