President John Dramani Mahama has asked Ghanaians to stand solidly behind the government as it works with determination to overcome the current economic challenges.

He said Ghanaians should make sacrifices amid the serious efforts and right policy interventions by his administration to stabilise and grow the economy.

President Mahama expressed optimism about the positive outcomes of the economic policies being pursued and said the impact would show by the end of the year.

Addressing a meeting of the National House of Chiefs (NHC) in Kumasi, he said everything is being done to tackle inflation and the fiscal deficit, solve the energy crisis and enhance internal income-generation activities to fight poverty.

The president said “our challenges are surmountable” and urged the people to continue to build consensus to chart a vibrant path towards progress.

“It is of no use to criticise. Let us all get to work with a singleness of purpose and stop the talking to find solutions to our challenges.”

President Mahama used the occasion to condemn the murder of the Paramount Chief of the Nanumba Traditional Area, Naa Dasana Andani.

He told the chiefs that no effort would be spared to find the killers and bring them to justice.

The President advised the feuding factions to use the appropriate channels to address their grievances.

“We are a country of rule and law and as such will not allow only a few malcontents to destabilise the nation,” he warned.

Wulugu Naba Pugansoa Naa Professor John S. Nabilla, President of the NHC, urged traditional authorities to support the campaign against illegal tree felling and mining.

He said as custodians of traditional norms, of which environmental protection remain critical, chiefs have to educate their people to appreciate the need to safeguard their surroundings.

He advised the youth not to allow anybody to hide behind them to foment chieftaincy troubles in the communities.

He appealed to striking polytechnic teachers to return to the classroom as negotiations go on to address their grievances.