Acceptance Speech By President Elect, Mr J.A. Kufuor

I would like to express my thanks to God for all he has done for me.

I would next like to thank Ghanaians. Your faith in multi party democracy, your patience and fortitude in the face of so many challenges have brought us here to this momentous day.

I would like to thank my entire family, especially my wife, Theresa, for the support l have enjoyed from them in the struggle. To my fellow party members who have toiled for so long without reward, driven on by their faith in our ideals, l say "Ayekoo".

To Dr. Edward Mahama, Professor George Hagan, Mr. Goosie Tanoh, Dr. Wereko-Brobby and Mr. Dan Lartey, the leaders, members and supporters of the People's National Convention, the Convention People's Party, the National Reform Party, the United Ghana Movement and the Great Consolidated People's Party, l say a big thank you for your active and highly effective support. I would like to thank our foreign friends and donors who have stood by Ghana over these many years.

I hope and trust that Ghana can continue to count on your understanding and support in the months and years to come, as we seek to deepen our democratic roots and tackle the tremendous problems that face our nation.

To the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, the members of the Commission and the staff, l say well done.

I hope that the problems encountered in the December 28th run-off election will form a basis for continuous improvement in our electoral process. I would also wish to thank all security and civil services.

We are well aware and appreciative of the contributions you continue to make to Ghana. Let me restate once more that everybody has his or her part to play in my administration; there will be no room for witch hunting of individuals or groups.

We have to look forward, and concentrate on building our nation. I ask for loyal support and help to make the transition from the outgoing government to the new administration as easy and as productive as possible.

And finally l would like to thank His Excellency, Vice-President John Atta Mills for his gracious concession.

My thanks also go his Excellency, President Rawlings who, at the end of his mandated term under a democratic constitution, has presided over this historic election.

I reiterate my intention to accord President Rawlings all the respect and support that is due to an ex-head of state: I will ensure that he is treated as l would like to be treated at the end of my term of office. Yesterday l was the candidate of my party, the New Patriotic Party.

Today, thanks to the votes of so many millions of our citizens, I am the President, not of the New Patriotic Party, but of all Ghanaians. I pledge to always mindful of this and to work as hard as I can each and everyday, to bring about a positive change in the lives of all our people.

Fellow Ghanaians, for the first time in our history we have voted one government out of office and voted another one in to replace it. This is a real achievement for our infant democracy and we deserve all the congratulations we can give to each other.

However, even as we pat ourselves on the back, we must remain mindful that this is only the beginning. Ahead of us lie the challenges of our deteriorating economy, our depreciating currency and other problems of which we are all aware.

We must now together take hold of the challenges that face our country and resolve to solve them in a spirit of unity, of reconciliation, of compassion and understanding. We must move forward into the new century as One Nation and One People with One Manifest Destiny.

In conclusion, I ask all of you for your prayers and support for the incoming government and myself. We are at the start of a brand new century and with your support we can all work to make it the Ghanaian Century.

God Bless Ghana, God bless us all. Thank you.