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President Mahama bids Ghanaians farewell

Xinhua, January 6, 2017 Adjust font size:

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama expressed his gratitude to Ghanaians here on Thursday for allowing him to rule the country for the last four years.

In his last State of the Nation Address, Mahama enumerated some of the achievements chalked by his government, urging a continuation of the country's Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The president contended that his government had inherited an economy that was running a high deficit, with increasing inflation and interest rates. It was also characterized by a rapidly depreciating currency, which created an unfavorable investment environment for both indigenous and foreign capital.

The ECF program has resulted in an improved macro-environment which is seeing a steady decline in inflation and interest rates. A new public debt management strategy is also seeing a steady decline in public sector debt, estimated to have dropped from nearly 72 percent to below 65 percent

"The currency has also enjoyed relative stability, depreciating at just above four percent this year," Mahama said.

The outgoing president urged Ghanaians to give the same level of support he enjoyed from them to incoming president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He insisted that he would prefer to allow history to be the judge of how he had served his nation and how well he had done his part in running his lap of the relay.

"What that verdict will ultimately be, I cannot say. I can only say that I have done my best, given my all and done so with the best intentions for my country, our country."

"This is why I stand here today holding the baton of leadership prepared to pass it on with pride, good will and determination to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and ask all Ghanaians to cheer him on as he runs his portion of this relay for Ghana," the president declared.

Mahama took over the presidency on July 27, 2012, after the sudden death of President John Evans Atta Mills, then went on to chalk a first round victory in that year's election on December 7. Endit