There was spontaneous jubilation at the seat of government in
Accra on Wednesday, when the Supreme Court pronounced President
John Dramani Mahama as the legitimate president of the
country.
Moments after the verdict was announced, President Mahama, who was
waiting anxiously for the judgement, in the company of the
Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, and some ministers
of state at the Flagstaff House, hugged one another and sang to the
glory of God.
Meanwhile, staff at the Presidency, some of whom were in white
attires and white armbands, joyously came out of their offices,
jubilated and congratulated one another.
The arrival of the legal team led by Messrs Tsatsu Tsikata and Tony
Lithur, counsel for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC)
and President John Mahama, respectively, reignited the
celebration.
Some of the ministers and other officials took turns to take
pictures with the lawyers, who held the fort for the president and
the NDC in the election petition for about eight months. Most of
them did the victory sign.
The Vice-President, who briefed the media, said “we feel relieved
at long last” but added that there was much work ahead which needed
the efforts of all Ghanaians.
He said the poverty level in the country was unacceptable,
stressing, “This is what the government will tackle now with all
seriousness at all fronts”.
“There is clear certainty now. We are working for growth and have
no doubt, we will work together to put the economy on the right
track and improve the lives of majority of the people,” he
said.
Vice-President Amissah-Arthur said because of the strong response
to the petition, he was expecting that all the judges would score
in favour of the President and added that “notwithstanding that I
have absolute confidence in the justices of the Supreme
Court”.
He commended Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, one of the petitioners in
the case, for accepting the verdict of the justices, calling to
personally congratulate President Mahama on winning the case and
for pledging to support the president to improve the lives of
Ghanaians.
