COMMENTARY ON CHALLENGES AHEAD OF PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA

As preparations get underway to bid farewell to one of Africa's unique leaders' late President John Evans Atta Mills, Ghanaians are gradually shifting their attention to his successor, President John Dramani Mahama, and his ability to step his shoes. President Mahama is recently quoted to have said the shoes that he has to wear are quite big and he welcomes support and patience in the discharge of his new mandate. President Mahama was speaking when a Nigeria delegation led by its Vice President Mohammed Namdi Sambo called on him at the Castle.

President Mahama will surely need the support of all at this time of grief and transition from John Atta Mills to John Dramani Mahama. President Mahama is being sincere to himself and to the people of Ghana when he made a passionate appeal to the family of the late President to "find the heart to forgive". As a mediator at the point, President Mahama admits that President Mills endured a lot of acrimony. A situation the late President's family is yet to come to terms with and has not minced words in speaking about. President Mahama appealed to the family to put everything behind them and forgive and forget the insults that were hurled at the late President. The challenge for President Mahama is to focus on uniting the people in this time of grief and work assiduously to give Prof. Mills a befitting good-bye.

Acclimatising to his new position is definitely on obvious challenge for the new President. Will President Mahama work with his staff at the former Vice Presidents' Office or work with the former Presidents' staff? Sounds like a trivial question but the new President is faced with the challenge of staff management. In line with article 60 clause 10 of the 1992 Constitution. President Mahama has nominated a Vice President, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur. This announcement drew mixed reactions from the public. Some claim they do not know him while others think he is the right person with the flair as technocratic to give President Mahama the support he needs.

Now, to the challenges of President Mahama with regards to the National Democratic Congress itself. The party first of all is yet to approve him as the flagbearer, while the Vice President will also be confirmed as running-mate for President Mahama for the December elections. Inextricably, President Mahama has the onerous task of stabilising the economy, creating jobs, keeping all arms of government functional be conversant with his new position and ensure proper staff management following the transition. He will also have to deal with the challenges within the NDC and a host of others. But topmost of all the challenges is how to give an unprecedented, gargantuan and befitting memorial to his predecessor, Prof. Mills who has been described after his death as a "unique brand in African leadership". This is the brand that Prof. Mills bequeaths to President Mahama and the people of Ghana. I think both the new and old generations of Ghanaians must support President Mahama in the seat in unity and peace and maintain Ghana's image globally as a peaceful country known as Africa's democratic star.

BY: REBECCA EKPE, A JOURNALIST.