President-Elect John Dramani Mahama has received commendations from the UK High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, following his decisive victory in the recent elections.
The meeting, held in the President-Elect office, underscored the strong ties between Ghana and the UK, while highlighting key areas of future collaboration.
The UK High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson, in her remarks, congratulated President-Elect Mahama on his “remarkable electoral victory,” describing it as exceeding expectations and reflective of Ghana’s commitment to peaceful and transparent democratic processes.
She emphasized the UK’s readiness to partner with the incoming administration to address shared priorities such as economic growth, governance, health, education, and job creation.
“We had observers across the country; 15 of the regions, and got 409 polling station reports. And it was great to see this election, proceed so peacefully. And the reports that we had from our observers really noted how clear the process was throughout.
“And it was good also to see Dr Bawumia concede and the subsequent tone of your response to his concession as well. Also, your call for calm and for the correct processes to be followed during the election afterwards”.
Harriet Thompson, The UK Commissioner
Harriet Thompson further assured President-Elect Mahama of the UK’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, stating, “The relationship between the UK and Ghana is a really important one. We look forward to taking it from strength to strength under your leadership.”
She also highlighted areas of potential collaboration, including expertise from the UK High Commission to support Ghana’s transition, the implementation of the NDC’s 120-day plan, and initiatives to combat corruption.
President-Elect Mahama Outlines Priorities
In his response, President-Elect John Dramani Mahama acknowledged the critical support of international partners like the UK in Ghana’s democratic journey.
Reflecting on the election, he noted the need for a thorough investigation into incidents of violence that marred the otherwise peaceful process, stating, “There were a few casualties, and it’s something we must look into to ensure it does not become a mark of our elections.”
President-Elect Mahama assured that his administration’s priorities would focus on economic stability, growth, and job creation.
He highlighted the urgent need to address challenges in the energy sector, describing it as the backbone of economic recovery. “The energy sector is critical. If we do not address its challenges, it could undermine everything we’re doing. We’re looking at technical cooperation and resource mobilization to create a sustainable energy sector,” Mahama said.
Concerns Over Last-Minute Government Actions
President-Elect John Dramani Mahama raised concerns about potential challenges his administration would inherit from the outgoing administration.
He cited reports of “last-minute mass recruitments” and “questionable contracts” being signed, which he described as liabilities for the incoming government. “We’ve raised signals about these issues. The joint transition team is tasked to address them, ensuring a smooth handover,” he stated.
Despite the challenges, President-Elect Mahama pledged to pursue a consensus-driven governance model, emphasizing collaboration with all political stakeholders to ensure inclusive progress.
The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming the importance of UK-Ghana relations. Harriet Thompson reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s transition and governance priorities, while President-Elect Mahama expressed gratitude for the longstanding partnership between the two nations.
“This cooperation will be crucial as we navigate the challenges ahead,” Mahama noted, adding that his administration would continue to work closely with international partners to advance Ghana’s development agenda.
The dialogue marks a promising start to President-Elect Mahama’s tenure, as both leaders look forward to fostering a stronger and more collaborative Ghana-UK partnership.
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