At an engagement with profes­sional bodies and party supporters in Kumasi, at the start of his three-day tour of the Ashanti Region, on Sunday, the President highlighted Mr Mahama’s previous adminis­tration as a reason for his defeat in 2016.

“There are four other people who have had the blessing of the Almighty and the support of the people of Ghana to become Presi­dents,” the President said.

“Jerry John Rawlings had a sec­ond term, John Agyekum Kufuor had a second term, and I have had a second term. The only one who was not given a second term was John Dramani Mahama. There is a reason for that—because Ghanaians were unhappy about his abysmal performance, which is why he was voted out,” President Akufo-Addo said.

The President questioned Mr Mahama’s promises, particularly his proposal for a “24-hour economy,” drawing attention to the infamous power crisis, or “dumsor,” during his tenure.

“Today, he is staging a come­back. What is he coming to do? A 24-hour economy? You couldn’t keep the lights on for 12 hours during ‘dumsor’ when you were President, and now you are coming to give us a 24-hour economy? How are you going to do that? Please, don’t let anybody confuse you with these things,” President Akufo-Addo said.

The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to improving the lives of Ghana­ians, emphasizing achievements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

He urged all eligible voters, especially those in the Ashanti Region, to give Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the 2024 presidential candidate of the NPP, an over­whelming support by voting number one on the ballot paper on December 7.

According to him, Dr Bawumia was well prepared to take over from him as the next President of Ghana, to continue his good lega­cies and also implement his great policies and cautioned Ghanaians not to repeat the mistakes of 2008, else they would regret later.

He said, “Dr Bawumia has fresh ideas. We can’t afford to miss the 4th industrial revolution after missing the first, second and third revolutions….Dr Bawumia is well prepared to take over. What is Mahama coming to do? Don’t let anyone be confused by his (Maha­ma) claims”.

According to the President, “the December 7, 2024 presiden­tial election is between a failed president who has nothing new to offer Ghanaians and my deputy, Dr Bawumia, a man of integrity. For eight years as running mate and eight years as Vice President, Bawumia has never lied to me;

“I’m, therefore, pleading with you to go out and vote number one for Bawumia, come Saturday, December 7, 2024,” President Akufo-Addo entreated the elec­torate.

He expressed his deepest appreciation to the people of the Ashanti Region for voting for him in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections and also supporting him to complete his eight-year man­date.

Besides, President Akufo-Addo accounted to the people of the region his achievements in the region, mentioning massive expan­sion of health facilities, aside from the ongoing Agenda 111 hospital projects and road construction.

The Ashanti Regional Minis­ter, Simon Osei-Mensah, and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontu­mi, also enumerated the various projects inherited and completed, including the ones initiated, com­pleted and commissioned, as well as ongoing ones.