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President John Dramani Mahama has once again reiterated his commitment to do whatever it takes of him to solve the myriad of problems bedeviling the country even if that will cost him his second term bid.

According to the president, he is prepared to pay the price, not ruling out losing the 2016 elections, for taking badly needed decisions and policies that will set the country on the path of economic prosperity and make Ghana a safe haven for dwelling.
President Mahama noted that, comprehensively purging the country of its recurring predicaments even if that will be at the expense of his second term bid remain his topmost priority.

Addressing senior citizens at the state house to mark Ghana's 55th Republic day anniversary, President Mahama noted that, he was determined to end what he described as the boom and bust that comes with every election cycle, no matter the political cost.

He indicated that in spite of 2016 being an election year, the government would not engage in any form of excessive expenditure, as had been the case in every election year, for which price he was prepared to pay.

President Mahama asked for the support of all Ghanaians to ensure that the government stayed within its budget, even in the election year of 2016.

He said Ghana had made remarkable progress in economic growth, given its classification as a middle-income country, saying that despite that progress, the country, like any other emerging economy, was confronted with many challenges.

Those challenges, he said, compelled the government to take advantage of an IMF program that would seek to significantly reduce inflation and interest rate.

He said an initial review of the program with the IMF had been very positive, saying Ghana was on track to achieve the deficit target of 7.5 per cent, adding that the fiscal tightening would help reduce inflation and interest rate to create a much improved environment for business and investment.

“This positive review will unlock the next tranche of IMF funding which will help improve the Bank of Ghana’s reserve position,” President Mahama said, adding that the release of the multi-donor budget support from the European Union and other partners was also expected to inject more financial resources into the economy.

The aL-hAJJ recently reported that the President has been confiding in close associates how he is unmoved by threats to vote him and his government out of office in the event the ongoing power crisis is not solved before 2016.

"A source close to President Mahama recently told this paper, President Mahama is least moved by these incessant threats about we will vote your government out if dumsor spills over into 2016. What the president is currently worried about is how to find a permanent solution to the problem he inherited. That is more crucial for him than the political battle ahead…, the next presidential election.

"I can tell you on authority that President Mahama will be more than a happy man if he finds a permanent solution to dumsor and subsequently he is voted out of office. He is not scared of losing election 2016. His biggest concern now is to fulfill his covenant with the people…, solving the energy crisis," the source noted.

"President Mahama could have also chosen the path of past presidents.., to tackle the power challenges piecemeal, and that would have saved him all these threats of voting him out. His Excellency could have decided to adopt similar ad hoc measures in solving the problem just to make his chances in 2016 brighter but he said no, the best way to go is to take the bitter pill today even if it means sacrificing his second term bid to find an end to Ghana's unending and debilitating energy problem," the source added.

He said if by finding a permanent solution to the nation's power crisis is what will cause the President's defeat in 2016 election, so be it, "His Excellency is ready to bite that bullet, unfortunate as that may be though, but, President Mahama believes it would be the last reward Ghanaians will want to present him for the kind of legacy he will be leaving behind."