The US Chapter of the Concerned Students Coalition has congratulated Ghana’s new president, Prof. John Atta Mills. The group commends Prof. Mills for exercising restraint and waiting for the EC to declare him winner. The CSC also expressed gratitude to the presidential candidate of the NPP in the 2008 election, Nana Akufo-Addo for conceding defeat in the interest of the country. These were contained in statement to the media. The full statement is published below: CONCERNED STUDENTS COALITION (CSC)-USA CHAPTER THE PRESIDENT ELECT MUST WATCH OUT The Concerned Students’ Coalition USA – Chapter is much grateful to all Ghanaians for demonstrating maturity that ensured the peaceful atmosphere we all enjoyed in the Nation during the run-off election. But for them the Nation could have been plunged into chaos. We wish to congratulate the president- elect, Pro J.E.A Mills and the NDC for exercising restraints till the elections were over. We also want to congratulate Nana Akuffo Addo and the NPP for conceding defeat in the interest of the Nation. The CSC wants to remind the President-elect that the task ahead is so enormous such that making unpardonable early mistakes could jeopardize the confidence Ghanaians have reposed in him to lead them for the next four years. The president-elect stood as a subject for change which Ghanaians gave him their mandate so as to off-set mistakes made by previous governments. In Prof. Mills’ acceptance speech he promised Ghanaians of all inclusive governance. Nonetheless, the CSC believes some political echelons trickling in his transitional team portends that he has shot himself in the leg. The formal secretary of the PNDC administration, MR. P.V. Obeng to oversee the smooth handing over from the Kuffour-led administration to the incoming administration provides much agitation in the minds of discerning Ghanaians base on his past track records. Many Ghanaians are aware of the series of allegations of financial malfeasances and corruption that have tainted the credibility of people like P.V.Obeng- who still has numerous pending allegations yet to be answered. Kwame Peprah was convicted by the court of law for willfully causing financial lost to the state. After serving four years in jail he received amnesty from the out-going government. In the same vein, Tobgui Afede Aso who has been named chairman of sub-committee on the economy is a chief who we know the constitution bars from actively involving in politics. Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo also has his own track records of interfering with National security as a retired general which could have undermined the sovereignty of the Nation. The CSC therefore finds the above names in the transitional team as very disturbing because Ghanaians can not guarantee the credibility of these people since they have many questions to answer when they tasted national power. If the president-elect stands for change and purports that he believes in all-inclusive government, his transitional team does not reflect his ideals or vision. The CSC would like to caution the president-elect and his team that Ghanaians can no longer be taken for granted-what has befallen the NPP could also happen to them in the years to come. The Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe once said, ‘death that will kill mother rat begins like an appetite” The CSC does not doubt the capability and profound judgment of the President-elect and his team but we feel change must reflect in names that have credibility and can be trusted. It is too early to make mistakes Mr. President-elect. The CSC wishes you and your team success as Ghanaians watch your administration closely. Long live Ghana; long live CSC-USA Chapter The struggle continues……………… We shall overcome Signed PETER JACKSON WADJA COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR 001-617-331-8225 chanebe@yahoo.com WILLIAM YAMOAH RESEARCH DIRECTOR 001-617-412-1309 E-mail: yamolliam@yahoo.com