2016: Contesting Mahama tall order

Minister of state in charge of Private Sector Development, Dr Abdul Rashid Pelpuo, has said 2016 is a bad time for anybody to compete against President John Mahama.

Ghana will be heading to the polls in November next year as President Mahama brings his first term to an end.

In Dr Pelpuo’s view, Ghanaians will want to stick with President Mahama, who has shown distinction in governance, and, therefore, attempting to beat him at the polls will be a herculean task for any of his contenders.

Speaking to Ekow Mensah Shalders on the Executive Breakfast Show on Class 91.3 FM Tuesday December 29, 2015, Dr Pelpuo said next year’s polls will be decisive because the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), which has been out of power for eight years would be determined to make a comeback, while President Mahama and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) would want to retain power.

The Wa Central legislator said the NDC is determined to fight to make sure the electorate are convinced that “this gentleman [President Mahama], who has done so much for our people would have a second term”.

“Look at all the projects, look at all the commitments he has shown to the people of Ghana, we can’t just leave him and go for another person,” he added.

Dr Pelpuo said 2016 is a year that will require Ghanaians to be circumspect about what they say and do.

“It is also a year that we will be committing ourselves to prayer because Africa is looking at us, the world is looking at us, we need to show that we are truly democratic and we are truly responsible citizens,” he added.