
President-elect John Dramani Mahama has cautioned members and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to refrain from excessive celebration over the defeat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections, emphasizing that Ghanaians will hold his administration to the same high standards that they used to evaluate the outgoing government.
Speaking in a meeting with the Ghana Pentecostal & Charismatic Council, Mahama stressed the importance of humility and accountability in leadership, reminding the NDC that the expectations of Ghanaians are immense. He said, “We should not be too happy about the defeat of the NPP because Ghanaians are measuring us with the same yardstick. Ghanaians have always held the NDC to a higher standard because we are a social democracy and they are a property-owning democracy.”
Mahama’s statement highlights the need for the NDC to be mindful of the responsibilities they now bear after winning the 2024 elections. He acknowledged that Ghanaians expect the NDC to deliver on promises of social democracy, which includes providing better living conditions, addressing economic challenges, and promoting inclusive development across the country.
Additionally, Samuel Nartey George, the re-elected Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, also underscored the weight of expectations on Mahama’s leadership. Speaking on TV3’s Key Points, George remarked that the 2024 elections had sent a strong message to the NPP and that the NDC must now prove itself worthy of the trust Ghanaians have placed in it.
“It humbles me to know that the people, who have taught Akufo-Addo a lesson in humility, will in four years return to the polls,” George said. He added that the NDC must remember that they hold power in trust for the people of Ghana, emphasizing the responsibility of government officials, including Mahama, to serve the public diligently.
George also pointed out that with the immense expectations placed on the NDC, only divine guidance can enable Mahama and his administration to effectively address the challenges ahead. “To whom much is given, much is expected. The expectations Ghanaians have placed on us are immense,” he said, noting the importance of prayer and counsel for the new leadership to navigate the challenges of governance.
He further remarked that the NDC’s victory in the 2024 elections comes with the task of addressing what he referred to as a “colossal mess” and the “gargantuan damage” inherited from the previous administration. For this reason, George emphasized the critical need for God’s guidance as Mahama leads the country forward.
The caution from Mahama and George highlights the gravity of the moment as the NDC prepares to take office once again, with an acute awareness of the expectations placed on them by the Ghanaian electorate.