President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and peace,and encouraged citizens to take an active part in nation building.

In his first New Year’s address to the nation delivered this evening, President John Mahama said Ghana has among other successes chalked up,has been ranked by the World Bank as one of the top-ten fastest growing economies in the world,a distinction that has caught the attention of many investors and placed the nation in an enviable position not only in Africa but on the world stage as well.

“Our most impressive growth as a country, however,” President Mahama stated, recalling the response to last year’s sudden death of sitting president John Evans Atta Mills and former vice president Alhaji Aliu Mahama, “was demonstrated in our ability during times of great difficulty and pain to come together, to stand together as one people, one nation.”

According to the President,in a region that is overrun by coups and civil wars, Ghana has been consistently praised for its ability to maintain peace within its borders. He said since the country return to constitutional rule in 1992,there have been six elections,all of which have been declared free and fair and have resulted in peaceful transfers of power,the December 2012 election he added is no exception.

President Mahama, who is scheduled to be formally sworn in as president on January 7, added that he has been a long-time advocate for social justice and the rule of law.

President Mahama reminded the citizenry that,the new year comes with a blank page of opportunity,and has charged all to see every challenge to Ghana’s democracy as an opportunity to strengthen the nation.