A lecturer at the School of Communications Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr. Godwin Etse Sikanku has commended president John Mahama for his strong position against Nigeria's Islamist militant group, Boko Haram.  

Dr. Sikanku said the swift response by the president -Chairman of ECOWAS - to the global call for action against the group, which has been holding over 230 Nigerian school girls for almost a month.

"I think that he has been an interventionist when it comes to for instance Nigeria; he said that 'we will dismantle Boko Haram'...So he's shown a strong hand when it comes to that" Dr. Sikanku told Myjoyonline.com.

Meanwhile the political analyst has clarified earlier publication of an interview he granted on the Super Morning Show, Monday, in which he described the president as "an idealistic optimist".

According to him, an assessment by a focus group he put together on the leadership qualities of the president revealed, he is "weak, reactionary" and "complains too much".

"The focus group feels as if he is a reluctant leader, easy going, obligated to go a certain way in terms of his appointments," he told host of the Joy FM Super Morning Show, Kojo Yankson, Monday.

Despite these weaknesses, the political analyst identified some strong but 'limited' qualities of Mr. Mahama which have won him trust from the people.

"He has a good heart... and very calm. People would like to trust people like him and that is good in terms of winning elections," he said.