Justice Saeed Kweku Gyan, a Court of Appeals Judge has said former President John Dramani Mahama deserved to be applauded and recognised by all people of goodwill for his posture and conduct after the 2016 general election.

He said the gesture of the ex President to concede defeat even before the formal declaration by the Electoral Commission (EC) brought huge sigh of relief to the people of Ghana and as such should be encouraged in the years ahead.

Justice Gyan who was speaking on the theme “Engendering Patriotism, the role of Religion” at the 85th Annual National Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said his posture contributed to the admirably smooth transition.

He acknowledged that the gestures, utterances and observations of the new President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo also deserved to be commended.

He said Ghana was witnessing a new era and therefore fulfilling aspirations of the country depended on the conduct, action, attitude and performance of the citizenry irrespective of their political affiliations, gender, creed, position and religious persuasion.

In this regard, the conduct, posture, transparency and specific performance of the newly elected leaders, particularly the President was of critical importance. He added.

Justice Gyan indicated that it was the patriotic duty of all citizens to put their shoulders to the wheel of development and move the country forward as done by our forefathers in keen anticipation by the future generation.

He noted that the conduct and character of some political and educated elites had bred undesirable cynicism among the citizenry about their own nation and the institutions of the state.

“It is this seemingly negative development that appears to have emerged and taken root in our national psyche which manifestly threatens the peace, unity, stability and sustenance of our motherland,” he said.

Justice Gyan therefore called for an urgent and general rethink about the attitude of the citizenry towards the affairs of the country, especially in its political advancement.

He said religious authorities must begin a vigorous and conscious campaign to build a new Ghana, starting from individual family level, by encouraging and sustaining responsible parenting.