Why we lost the 2016 elections - Mahama

Former President John Mahama
Former Ghana President John Dramani
Mahama has opened up on a number of
issues that he thinks could have led to the
National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s loss in
last year’s polls.
The NDC’s eight-year reign came to an end
after Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic
Party (NPP) defeated John Mahama by a
whooping 53.85%.
A committee – led by Professor Kwesi
Botchwey – was set up by the hierarchy of the
NDC in the aftermath of the 2016 polls to
investigate the party’s defeat.
However, the ex-president has now talked up a
number of issues which could have led to his
party’s loss.
Speaking to some minority and leading
members of the NDC in Accra, Mahama said
the party’s loss could somehow be attributed
to a general quest for change by the
populace.
“We (NDC) exited in a historical context and
so we should look at everything that happens
in the context of history. I studied history for
my first degree so I always like to analyze
history.
“There is a certain wind breezing across the
world and so even though there might have
been acts of omission or commissions on our
part that led to our loss it is also part of a
certain wind that is sweeping across the
world,” the ex-president said.
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And Mahama believes it could be down to
impatience on the part of the current
generation, insisting the youth are “in a hurry
to see results.”
“The world’s population is increasing, social
media has brought communications to the
doorsteps of people. In Africa we have a very
young population that is impatient and they
are in a hurry to see results.”
“And so, when you have that kind of situation
then despite your best effort…for them,
change and things must happen at a
breakneck speed. They don’t realize that
change takes time and takes diligence and
perseverance to nurture to be able to grow
fruits.
”And so when you have that kind of situation
then you can understand the context in which
what has happened [happened],” the ex-
president explained.”
Mahama also urged the minority MPs to work
hard in opposition to ensure that the NDC
returns to power in 2020.
“I’m sure that all of you are up to the task.
And you all have to work extra hard in
opposition not only in parliament but also in
your constituencies. Part of the reasons for
some of the loss in some of the constituencies
is how frequently you go back; how you
associate with the people not only in respect
of what you do for them but identifying with
then and letting them know that you’re one of
them,” Mahama said.
He added that the party needs all members to
“overcome the blame game because in the
final analysis it was not the result of one
person’s omissions or commissions that made
us lose.
source: abusuafmonline.com