What Prof Atta Mills said on the day he unveiled John Mahama as his running mate

The unveiling of John Dramani Mahama took place on 7 May 2008 in Accra, as Prof. John Atta Mills pulled his arm and hoisted it in the declaration of who his running mate was.

At the launch, Prof. Atta Mills said, ”I will ensure that resources available to the country, including anticipated oil revenues, are geared in the direction of the four major policies. These refer to the four thematic concepts- investment in people through the creation of jobs, building a stronger economy, the expansion of infrastructure, as well as the provision of a transparent administration.

Prof. Mills explained that they must translate into educating more children, throwing up jobs for the people, and bringing housing, healthier communities, food, and compassion for those who cannot compete.

He said the areas were the culmination of what he described as a retail campaign tour, also known as door-to-door campaigning which saw him interacting with artisans, students, farmers, fishermen, and the business community.

”I chose this style of retail campaigning tour because a bottom-up approach to people management is the pivot around which effective leadership revolves, and it is in listening that you can learn of the real size of the economic burden majority of Ghanaians carry daily”, he said.

Prof. Atta Mills then took a swipe at governments that spent lavishly on what he called ”less important things” like a presidential aircraft, palaces, and lavish anniversary celebrations among others, while the people whose taxes were being used wallowed in abject poverty.

He said, he will work with men and women of integrity, and cautioned that should any member of the future Atta Mills government act in ways contrary to purpose and character, rest assured that Atta Mills will be swift in acting.

His chosen running mate, Mr. John Dramani Mahama said he was ready to support Prof. Mills to win the election, form the next government, as well as uphold the constitution and the protection of human rights. He used the occasion to appeal to the warring factions in Bawku to lay down their arms and foster peace and harmony for the development of the area.