The running mate of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s) flagbearer for the 2016 presidential election, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on Ghanaians to support President John Dramani Mahama to bring about development and end hardship in the country.

According to him, the Mahama-led government required prayers and the support of all Ghanaians in its quest to move the country forward, asserting that partisan politics was not needed at this crucial time.

He was speaking at the ‘Bona’ festival celebration of the people of the Adansi Traditional Area over the weekend at Fomena.

“We are all one people from one Ghana, whether NPP, NDC or CPP; whether you’re a Christian or a Muslim, we all belong to Ghana,” Dr Bawumia stated.

The NPP presidential running mate called for action and hard work to develop the country at a very fast pace, while indicating that the nation did not need political talks and campaigns for now.

In his view, the year 2016 is the political season that will call for such talks and campaigns for the voters to decide which party should be given the mandate for four years.

“The ultimate aim of every Ghanaian is to get development. I hereby urge all and sundry to support His Excellency John Mahama to bring about the needed development we all look forward to.”

“This is not the time for party politics. We need to support the government with our strength and ability for it to prosecute the required development,” Dr Bawumia emphasized.

Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II, the Adansihene, called for unity among the people in the area, noting that he needed all hands on deck to be able to carry out his developmental projects targeted at providing education for young people.

According to him, he would collaborate with government and other stakeholders to transform education and academic performance of pupils and students.

The paramount chief expressed worry about the current academic performance of many of the second cycle schools in the area, indicating that 72 percent of students who sat for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) could not get passes to continue their education.

“We cannot leave everything on the shoulders of government. There is the need to do our part, and education is my priority,” Opagyakotwere Bonsra stated.

The Ashanti regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong, pledged government’s commitment to assist the chief in his quest to transform the area.

He praised the paramount chief for his decision to partner government to provide educational infrastructure for the people of Adansi.

The regional Minister took the opportunity to admonish the youth in the area not to engage in any violent activities that might undermine the development of their area.

On behalf of government he presented a sum of GH¢5,000 to the chief to support in the celebration of the festival, while the Member of Parliament for New Edubiase, Kofi Yakah, also supported the celebration with GH¢1,000.