Former President John Dramani Mahama says last year was a difficult one for Ghanaians and businesses in the country as majority of the people had to experience pain and anguish as well as unfulfilled promises.

“Within the last 365 days, there has been joy, happiness and fulfilled dreams for a few but there have been pain, anguish and unfulfilled promises for the majority of us,” he said in his New Year message to Ghanaians.

He however said underscored the need for Ghanaians to be thankful to God because in the midst of the difficulty, they have life, which he described as “the most valuable gift”.

The collapse of businesses, he observed, had ripple effect on a lot of things including quality of life in people’s home.

Mr Mahama who is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress claimed business owners are now in despair because their businesses are collapsing.

“2019 was a difficult year for Ghanaian businesses and by extension it affected the quality of life in many Ghanaian homes. In my rounds, I’ve met many business persons who are despair that their enterprises are collapsing and that they can no longer hold things together,” he stated.

Despite the difficult time, he said it was important for everyone to have hope and keep it alive, stating “we can change things and make our nation better”.

Quoting from one of Prof Kofi Awoonor’s writings, Mr Mahama underscored the need for Ghanaians to hold on to hope, saying “let us hope and work for a prosperous Ghana in 2020 and beyond, let us hope and work for a peaceful Ghana that offers opportunities for all of us and not just a few”

“We must all work together to build our beloved country,” he appealed.

Mr Mahama said it will not be in the interest of anybody for Ghanaians to be in despair and apathetic, particularly in this election year.

Being apathetic, he indicated, will only lead to regrets.

“I urge you not to be despair. I urge you not to be passive and most of all, I urge you not to be apathetic for there is nothing to be gain in apathy except regrets. If we are apathetic others will make the decision for us” he advised.