President Mills unites Ghana with policy vision

Accra, Feb. 25, GNA - The anxiety that engulfed the impending State of the Nation's Address, cleared up at the forenoon in Parliament, after President John Evans Atta Mills, delivered his policy vision on Thursday, spiced with a sense of humour.

The president adorned in deep blue suit and a brown tie to match got to the House at exactly 09:55 hours in a convoy of four cars and three dispatch riders.

The Police Constabulary registered their presence at the main entrance to Parliament, dressed in their ceremonial blue uniform. At the entrance of the legislative hall was the round fountain spewing water at about 10 metres high with a thunderous buzz like a roaring sea. It was against this rhythmic hum that President Mills inspected a Guard of Honour comprising 101 officers and men of the Ghana Navy, under the command of Lt. Commander Kwaku Attah Bimpong.

The smiling President, who acknowledged cheers from the admiring crowd, was escorted to the floor of Parliament by the leadership of the House. Characteristic of the Head of State he used his one- hour and 10 minutes address to acknowledge the good works of his predecessors. Former President John Agyekum Kufuor was not present to hear the commendation by President Mills that it was during his Presidency that Ghana hit 'black gold'.

"Kwame Nkrumah laid the foundation for the oil and gas, Jerry John Rawlings created the institutional framework for the exploitation, the oil and gas was struck in commercial quantities in the period of John Agyekum Kufuor. Actual commercial exploitation is beginning in the period of John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills," he said, drawing cheers from the Majority and Minority.

The President who was heckled by the Minority when his address did not strike a cord, kept his focus

At one instance the President said: "We will change course when it is in the national interest to do so. In all our undertakings I will be guided by principle rather than quick decision."

The Minority responded by tooting: "Go slow, go slow."

The cheerful Law Professor responded: "When you talk of go slow do me a favour by adding two important words- but sure."

President Mills speech was not carved only for the living but Ghanaians who had paid their dues before going to the land of their ancestors. He graciously asked the House to rise to observe a minute silent for the departed souls.

The role call included Major Courage Quashigah (RTD), former Minister of Health, Mr. B. J. da Rocha, a veteran political activist, Rear Admiral Dzang, a retired army officer.

Accompanied by the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, President Mills left Parliament doing what he likes doing best, interacting with both divide of the House.

The promise of the President when he took the Oath of Office to be "the President of all" was displayed in action and not only in words.