President John Mahama has asked all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political dispensation, to “cheer on” President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo as he takes the baton from him to run his part of the “relay” of governance.

“I have the utmost respect for him,” Mr Mahama said in Parliament on Thursday, 5 January, in his last State of the Nation Address, saying: “We are all on the same team as Ghanaians. Cheer Nana Addo on as he runs this relay for Ghana,” Mr Mahama said.

As far as his own performance in office is concerned, Mr Mahama, who leaves office on January 7, said: “I’ll allow history to judge my performance.

“I have done my best … given my all and done so with the best of intentions for my God and our country Ghana.”

Mr Mahama also said he was honoured to have served the people of Ghana as president.

Delivering his last State of the Nation address in Parliament on Thursday January 5, in accordance with article 67 of the 1992 constitution, the president, who will be handing over power on January 7 to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, expressed gratitude to parliament and Ghanaians for the opportunity offered him.

“It’s been a rare honour and privilege to serve my country in the highest office as president. It has been a worthwhile journey and let me seize the opportunity to thank God for his grace and to the good people of Ghana for the opportunity to serve you,” he stated.

“May I also respectfully thank my vice president, the Speaker [of parliament], Her Ladyship the Chief Justice and honourable members [of parliament] of this house for the cooperation and solidarity I have enjoyed during my tenure as president.”

Mr Mahama took office as president on 24 July, 2012, following the death of his predecessor, John Evans Atta Mills. He is the first vice president to have ascended to the presidency due to the death of his predecessor.

He was elected to serve his first full term as president in the December 2012 election. He ran for re-election for a second full term in the 2016 election, but was defeated by the New Patriotic Party’s Nana Akufo-Addo.