Ghana leader appeals to rivals for unity before inauguration

Ghanaian newly elected president John Dramani Mahama gives a speech as he attends a victory rally in Accra

Ghanaian newly elected president John Dramani Mahama gives a speech as he attends a victory rally to thank the supporters of NDC (National Democratic Congress), the party of the late president John Atta Mills, in Accra December 10, 2012. REUTERS/Luc Gnago

By Kwasi Kpodo

updated 1/4/2013 11:11:39 AM ET

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ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghana's president called for political unity on Friday, reaching out to rivals who are contesting his election due to suspicions of vote rigging.

John Dramani Mahama, a former vice president who took office in July after the death of President John Atta Mills, won a December 7 election and is due to be sworn in on Monday along with a new parliament.

"For the long-term survival of our nation, we must agree and commit to a multi-partisan process," Mahama said in a speech to parliament. "Whatever our differences, whatever our politics, we must pull together and rise to meet these challenges."

International and local election observers said the December election - in which Mahama won 50.7 percent of the votes - was free and fair despite delays and technical problems that forced voting into a second day.

Ghana's main opposition party launched a legal challenge on December 28, saying the poll involved enough irregularities to affect the outcome.

The opposition NPP party, whose leader, Nana Akufo-Addo, came second with 47.7 percent, has threatened to boycott Mahama's inauguration.

Ghana is one of Africa's fastest growing economies and has maintained three decades of peace, making it a favorite among international investors and an anomaly in a region better known for coups and civil wars.

Mahama said economic growth in the cocoa, oil and gold exporting nation was between 8.5 and 9 percent in 2012, but that political unity was required to ensure the rising productivity resulted in development.

Ghana became Africa's newest oil exporter in 2010 with the startup of Tullow Oil's offshore Jubilee field, propelling economic growth to 14.4 percent in 2011. Mahama said he expected 2012 growth to be between 8.5 and 9 percent.

"We have not only held down inflation and maintained macro-economic stability, but we have also worked to ensure discipline in the government's fiscal regime to avoid unbudgeted expenditures that could distort the economy's performance," Mahama said.

Inflation in Ghana has held under 10 percent.

(Reporting by Kwasi Kpodo; Editing by Richard Valdmanis and Robin Pomeroy)