I’ll listen to all - Prez Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has said he will never close his ears to the concerns expressed by Ghanaians about the economy.

Recognising the boldness of Ghanaians to let their voices be heard on critical matters affecting the nation, the President said he would continue to take the concerns in his stride in the interest of the people and the nation.

"Our people are confident and have never been afraid to make their concerns known. I want to assure the good citizens of this great nation that I am listening and will continue to listen," he said.

Speaking at a luncheon he hosted for senior citizens at the State Banquet Hall in Accra yesterday to mark Republic Day, Mr Mahama mentioned the ability to listen as one of the hallmarks of a great leader.

The President’s assurance came at a time a number of Ghanaians had been complaining about what they described as the harsh economic conditions in the country.

Even as the President addressed the senior citizens, a group of Ghanaians were holding a street protest in Accra for the same reason.

Development, a matter for all 

President Mahama said the development of the nation was not the preserve or responsibility of a certain group of people.

"We all have a stake in the destiny of our nation and irrespective of our ethnic, gender or political affiliation, we can work together to make our nation great and strong," he said.

The talking, he said, had passed.

Obstacles 

He mentioned the many obstacles which the government had had to contend with in its quest to accelerate national development.

He stated that while some of the challenges had been addressed, others were being tackled with all seriousness. 

He said while he shared in the frustration of Ghanaians, he was of the conviction that the government would meet the goals set for the nation when the challenges became history.

President Mahama indicated that he had not forgotten the promises he made to the nation and would work assiduously to fulfil them.

“As a citizen of Ghana, I want the same safety and stability for my children's future that you want for your children," he said.

 "I envision the same success and prosperity for this nation that you envision," he added.

Change, the President stated, was possible and rallied Ghanaians to get on board to turn things around, adding, "Together we will build the sort of nation we will be proud of."

History of Republic Day

Tracing the history of Ghana's Republican status, Mr Mahama, himself a graduate of History, said senior citizens could not be left out of the significance of the occasion.

The senior citizens, he said, were worth celebrating, adding, "They helped this great nation of ours and hold within them the memory of the distance that we as a people have travelled to arrive at this place in our development."

He urged society to tap from the wisdom and experience of the senior citizens.

A representative of the senior citizens, Mr David Anaglate, thanked the government for allowing senior citizens to access the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for free.

He called on banks and hospitals to give priority to old people because joining queues in banking halls and hospitals for services brought a lot of discomfort to them, considering their ages.

Mr Anaglate, who was a Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, commended the media for moving away as "the voice of government" to become a critical and vibrant player in national development.

He urged the youth to tap into the experiences of the senior citizens, instead of allowing the wisdom the elderly carried to rot away.

Mr Anaglate was critical of the "whom-you-know" syndrome in the country which had eaten deep into the employment machinery.

He stressed the need for recruitment into various job openings to be carried out through the due process.