<<Print>>

President John Dramani Mahama has indicated his resolve to hold breakfast meetings with leaders of the various political parties to discuss national issues. He said he was unable to hold such meetings as promised last year because of the election petition challenging the validity of his victory in the 2012 elections. He was answering questions at a press conference to mark the first anniversary of his term in office at the Flagstaff House in Accra yesterday. The press conference, held on the theme: "One Year of Responsible, Transparent and Accountable Governance," was attended by more than 80 journalists, including editors and hosts of radio and television programmes. Also present at the press conference were the Vice-President, Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur; the Chief of Staff, Mr Proper Douglas Bani; senior presidential advisors, ministers of state and other government appointees. Political meetings In his address to the nation after winning the 2012 elections, President Mahama pledged to hold meetings with leaders of the various political parties to discuss issues of concern to the nation. Answering a question on that pledge, President Mahama said the leaders of the other political parties might not have been prepared for such a meeting last year, considering that his position as the validly and democratically elected president of the country was being challenged at the Supreme Court. The President said now that the election petition was over, he would organise such meetings with leaders of the various political parties.