President John Dramani Mahama on Monday said July 24, 2012 would forever remain a shocking and dark day in the political history of Ghana.

He said apart from being the death date of late President John Evans Atta Mills, the day was also the first time that a sitting president had died on the throne in Ghana's political history.

President Mahama said this when he met a cross-section of the media at Flagstaff House in Accra to brief them on government's plans to mark the one year anniversary of the passing of the late President Mills, and to give the media the opportunity to seek clarification on other issues.

President Mahama said late President Mills stood for peace, honesty and sincerity, values he President Mahama would continue to build on to achieve the country's development goals.

He said compared with her neighbours, Ghana was an island of peace which explained why investors were thronging the country to do business. He urged Ghanaians to maintain the unity that prevailed in the country.

President Mahama said the late President Mills had initiated a number of development projects which his administration would ensure were completed to benefit all the communities.

He said projects on energy, transport, and schools, were some of the areas his administration would pursue to make life more comfortable for Ghanaians, irrespective of their geographical location.

On the election petition currently at the Supreme Court, President Mahama promised to respect the verdict of the Judges and appealed to all Ghanaians to respect the judgement given by the Court.

He said:"This country is bigger than all of us and government will do everything possible to ensure peace after the verdict of the Supreme Court."

President Mahama said although there were initial challenges that hindered the smooth development of the country, his administration was working around the clock to overcome those challenges.

"I believe positively that we are going to over-ride the storm as the years roll on in our administration," he said.

In another development, President Mahama would on Monday evening leave Accra to Congo Brazaville at the invitation of President Denis Sassou Nguesso.

While there, President Mahama would also attend a business forum and hold bilateral discussions with other business entities.

He is expected back in Accra on Tuesday, July 23.