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President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday pledged to provide dedicated leadership that would enhance the country's socio-economic prosperity in 2014 and beyond. He said: "2014 starts as a year of many things and I believe that many developments will be experienced in spite of the challenges 2013 experienced." President Mahama said this when he presented his new year message on national television- Ghana Television. It has become a tradition for sitting presidents to present new year messages to the citizenry on the eve of a new year to outline some government plans. The new year messages also outline the achievements and failures of government and give the insight as to how to handle those challenges in subsequent years. President Mahama said 2013 was a challenging year for Ghanaians, and government would strive to create better opportunities to restore the confidence of the people in 2014 and beyond. He said government had embarked on infrastructural developments in the maritime, manufacturing and energy sectors to enhance trade and commerce. He called for partnership between government and the citizenry to accelerate the development of the country adding: �There is the need for partnership between government and the citizens especially labour to increase the social and economic development of the country.� President Mahama congratulated the national team- the Black Stars for qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil in June next year and urged them to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them over the years. He said:" They are in a formidable group, but the Black Stars are formidable and as the saying goes 'when the going gets tough, it is only the tough that gets going� and I believe they will perform." The president appealed to Ghanaians to throw their weight behind the Black Stars to win the World Cup for both Ghana and Africa.