ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS

Fellow Ghanaians let us give thanks to the Almighty for seeing us through this year¢s general election.

I want to thank you for giving me the mandate to manage the affairs of state after January 7th 2009. I accept the onerous responsibility with all humility.

We have traveled a tough road to get here.

I am very much aware of the anxious moments, sleepless nights, long-drawn days and tension-filled hours that we have needlessly had to endure.

Your enduring spirit and resilience has made it possible for your will to remain supreme.

This year¢s elections featured many candidates representing various parties. The final leg involved me and Nana Akuffo Addo, a worthy son of our nation. I congratulate him and all others for a keenly fought contest.

The election is over and there is only one Ghana; there is no NDC Ghana and NPP Ghana. I renew my pledge that I will be President of all Ghanaians.

I thank the Electoral Commissioner and his team for guiding the nation through a very tough electoral process.

I also thank the security agencies for the important role they have played in the process. The media deserve our commendation for helping Ghanaians keep a close eye on the election.

President John Agyekum Kufuor has in no small way helped broaden Ghana¢s democratic dispensation. And his willingness to hand over to me come Wednesday, January 07, 2009, is a plus to him personally and to Ghana as a nation. I congratulate President Kufuor.

Members of the NDC have cause to celebrate but I am appealing to them to be extremely moderate and circumspect and not be provocative in their actions.

Change has also come to Ghana; let us all embrace it and forge ahead together with a common sense of purpose. Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel and begin to build a Better Ghana.

May God continue to bless our homeland Ghana and make Her great and strong.