President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday expressed disaffection at the over politicisation of national issues that is eating deep into the human fabric.

He said it is regrettable that issues pertaining to development such as human rights abuse, religion and even soccer that is supposed to unite Ghanaians are taking divisive dimensions.

President Mahama stated this when he treated senior citizens to a luncheon at the banquet hall of the State House, Accra to mark the 55th anniversary of Republic day.

The state initiated new civic traditions where the National Assembly replaced wigs and robes with Ghanaian apparel.

The republic also created national awards to recognise excellence, dedication and selfless service to Ghana.

The annual luncheon citizens is therefore to honour senior citizens who have paid their dues in terms of carrying out their duties and responsibilities successfully during their working lives.

President Mahama said politics should not be a matter of life and death but competition of ideas that could change attitudes and characters for the betterment of the country.

He said his administration would open a new page to engage leaders from all political parties to reverse the trend for coming generations to enjoy peace and tranquility.

On corruption, President Mahama called on institutions incharge of malpractices to step up their measures to ensure that full scale investigations and prosecutions are meted out to people found culpable.

He said government would play its role responsibly by resourcing the institutions and agencies in the sector to continue with their activities.

Commenting on the recent floods and fire disasters that claimed numerous lives in Accra and Kumasi, President Mahama attributed it to urbanisation and the high attrition of people from the rural areas to cities for non-existent jobs and gave the assurance that government would step up rural development to reduce the drift.

He called on the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to enact and implement by-laws that would deter people from locating their building in waterways and other unacceptable areas of the country.

President Mahama said the International Monetary Fund is yielding a lot of dividends and gave the assurance that government would spend within budget even with 2016 as an election year.

He promised to work hard to serve all categories of citizens in the country, but cautioned all to play their roles responsibly to achieve the country's development goals.

Mrs Benedicta Naana Biney, Representative of the Senior Citizens said the invitation for the luncheon was an acknowledgement of their contribution towards the development of the country.

Mrs Biney who was once a Director-General of Ghana Education Service called on government to ensure that time management is strictly adhered to step up productivity.

She urged President Mahama to step up measures that would continuously reduce absenteeism and loitering to increase productivity.