Kufuor invades Parliament

Accra, Jan. 22 GNA - Smiling but focussed on the statutory duty of the State, President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday morning, stormed Parliament House with the State of the Nation Address that reviewed the daunting task of nation building.
Under the watchful and gleeful eyes of Members of Parliament, Council of State, the Bench, Diplomatic Corps, Heads of the Security agencies and Ministers of State, the President was ushered into the Chamber at 1015 hours by the Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, who was robed in his ceremonial dress, amidst the deafening sound of fontonfrom drums and atentenben (flutes).
Sober and confident looking Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr Dan Lartey, Leader of the Great Consolidated People's Party (GCPP) were also present to reinforce the national character and seriousness of the occasion.
On few occasions, Prof. Mills was spotted joining in the funfair with broad smiles.
The First Lady, Theresa and the Wife of the Vice-President Ramatu were present to deepen the gender sensitivity and gracefulness of the day.
Armed security personnel drawn from the Police and the Military filled every nook of the House, reminding those present that the day was meant for serious business.
After all, the Commander- in- Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces was present on the grounds of Parliament hence the need for the coercive arms of the State to be marshalled to protect the foremost personality of the land from any foul game.
As tradition demands the state colours had invaded every space of the House whilst the fountain strategically placed at the main entrance spat water in charitable abundance to acknowledge the occasion. President Kufuor was escorted to Parliament House by the Police Horse Constabulary dressed in their ceremonial attire forming two columns at both sides of the Presidential Motorcade.
The President wearing a black suit stepped out of the Black Limousine Mercedes Benz and took the National Salute before walking gallantly to inspect the Guard of Honour mounted by the Ghana Navy in their white uniform.
After the inspection Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, The Speaker and The Leadership of the House accompanied President Kufuor into the Chamber in a procession that was led by an usher holding the Maze of Parliament.
When the Speaker introduced the President, there were shouts of "Hear! Hear!" from the Majority whilst the Minority taunted the President with the gleam reminder that 2004 was an election year and he was performing his last duty as a one term President.
Filled with humour the President said: "For the third but God willing, not the final time, I have come before this august House as required by the Constitution, to give an account on the State of the Nation."
The Address centred on the Management of the Economy, Infrastructure Development, the Transport Sector, Communications, Agriculture, Enhanced Social Services, Education, Youth and Sports, Health, Good Governance, Peace and Security and the President's Special Initiatives.
The 23-paged Address brought to the fore the political differences between the ruling New Patriotic Party and NDC.
Members of the Minority kept on interrupting the President with dissenting views while the Majority urged him on to continue. In few instances, the President had to pause for a spell of laughter to acknowledge the shouts of the Minority: "Scent-no scent-no!" Giving a slant to a lyric of a hip-life song, to depict the stench of corruption in Ghana.
The Majority countered but gave a positive slant of fragrance of the good works of the President.
The President went philosophical when he ended his speech by quoting legendary American President, Abraham Lincoln: " Charity to all and malice to none."
He said: "To convey the meaning of what I said more clearly, I pray that we all agree to work on this basis, within the laws of the country. "This I believe is the surest way to success for the nation and for all of us, no matter our political stance."
President Kufuor described in political circles as the "Gentle Giant" seized the occasion to wish all members of the House a happy and prosperous New Year.