Vice President Aliu Mahama on Sunday, made his maiden public declaration about his political aspiration to lead the ruling New Patriotic Party NPP) in Election 2008. Vice President Mahama made the affirmation at Gomoa Mozano in the Central Region, where he was the special guest of honour to the Musama Disco Christo Church (MDCC). “I stand here before you as a Ghanaian of Northern Extraction and Muslim, deeply humbled by the opportunity to offer myself to Ghanaians to serve as leader,” he said. This attracted prolonged cheers from the large congregation at the Jubilee Temple of the Church, whose members are in Mozano to mark the annual Peace Festival of the religious organisation, on the theme: “Ghana @ 50 Be Reconciled to God.” “I am proud of Ghana. God willing, together, we can make democracy thrive, united in the purpose of meeting the challenges of affordable and accessible social services and youth unemployment.” Vice President Mahama observed that the forefathers of Ghana fought for freedom and protected minority rights, which had resulted in a Constitution, which aims at making Ghanaians a big family. He said as a developing nation, Ghana was challenged by poverty, ignorance and disease hence the need for all hands on deck to confront the development setbacks. “Wherever we are, we must see ourselves as one people. Together, we can have one aim and reach a common destiny of prosperity and security for all. “National unity is the bedrock of peace and stability. Leadership thrives on stability. With stability, we can groom leaders.” Vice President Mahama said Ghana needed leadership to solve the real problems of the contemporary times. “We need leadership to improve housing delivery. We need leadership to provide law and order, fight corruption and reduce indiscipline. “We need leadership at all levels, in the Church, in schools, in the markets and in public institutions. Together, we can provide that leadership if we rid ourselves of prejudice and pettiness. Together, we can provide quality leadership based on consensus and team building if we focus on what unites us instead of what could divide us.” Touching on the dispute over the leadership of the Church that had bedevilled the peace festival, Vice President Mahama expressed the hope that his visit would mark the end of the period of the seeming instability that nearly destroyed the achievements of the religious organisation. “Now the challenge is reconciliation. I urge you to work hard at bringing all sides together. Effective reconciliation will mean peace. With peace, new opportunities will open up. “Brothers and sisters in Christ, I stand for unity. I believe in national reconciliation. Above all, I believe in the forgiveness of God,” he noted. The MDCC was founded by Prophet Jemisimiham Jehu-Appiah, who started the Pentecostal organisation in 1917 as a prayer group. When he died in 1948, he handed over the mantle of authority to his son, Prophet Dr. Mathapoly Moses Jehu-Appiah who passed away on August 28, 1972. Prophet Miritaiah Jonah Jehu-Appiah became the next spiritual head but was taken to court by some leaders of the Church five years ago, over allegations of misconduct and was subsequently asked by the court to step aside. The Church is currently manned by a five-member Interim Management Committee headed by Rev. Kinakosa Addai. Source: GNA