President Atta Mills yesterday took a swipe at his main contender in his state of the nation’s address, throwing the country’s lawmaking body into a state of confusion and frenzy.
In an address in which President Mills said his major achievement in the past two years was restoration of traffic lights, he noted that he would not allow anybody to take the law into his own hand.
The President fumed “We will not sit idly by and allow some persons to throw this country into a state of chaos just to satisfy their self-centered and inordinate political desires”.
Seen as a direct response to Nana Akufo-Addo’s “All Die Be Die,” statement, President Mills retorted, “Ghana will not die.” He said he had put security agencies, instructing them to deal decisively with any person who attempted to incite people against the government or disturb the peace and stability of the country.
“And let no one think that inciting or priming others for violence is the way to determine the outcome of elections. This country has come too far to travel down that road again,” President Mills stated.
After the one hour and fifteen minutes’ presentation, the Minority in Parliament, led by Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, described the address as the most divisive and partisan statement ever witnessed in Ghana.
“Even though we would be debating this address, I must say this is the most divisive and partisan state of the nation address I have ever witnessed in the country.”
He was seen telling the President that the opposition was unhappy with his brazen attack on political opponents.
To register his anger, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu refused to join the Majority Leader, Cletus Avoka to escort the President out of the Chamber, a protest which incurred the wrath of members of the majority side.
Kobby Acheampong, Deputy Minister for the Interior was seen visibly throwing his hands at the Minority Leader and shouting “who does he think he is?” According to the Minority group, the President’s address had the tendency to divide the nation on partisan lines as well as whip up ethnic sentiments nationwide.
It would be recalled that while addressing party faithful at Koforidua in the Eastern Region, Nana Akufo-Addo urged NPP supporters to stand toe-to-toe with NDC thugs and protect the ballot during the 2012 elections, declaring ‘All die be die’.
According to him, NPP will no longer sit down and fold their arms for its members to be beaten by NDC goons as happened in Chereponi, Atiwa, Akwatia by-elections and Agbogbloshie.
The President warned “As Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, and having sworn to protect the integrity of Mother Ghana, I have put the security agencies on red alert and they are under strict instructions to deal decisively within the ambit of the law with anybody or group of persons, who will attempt to disturb the peace and stability of this dear nation of ours”.
He said although Ghanaians subscribed to the rule of law and free speech, “It is however not enough to believe or proclaim, but rather to practise one’s belief in an acceptable and peaceful manner. “Let us all keep one thing in mind; just because you have the right to say something does not mean you should. Exercising good judgment is important,” President Mills stated.
The occasion was graced by former President Agyekum Kufuor, Members of the diplomatic corps, and ministers of state, chiefs and leaders of political parties.
Touching on a wide range of issues including health, education, infrastructural development, agriculture and the fight against corruption, President Mills indicated that challenges notwithstanding, the policy choices and concrete development programme of his administration would raise Ghana to the next level with its promise of a better future in a Better Ghana.
“In the two years of this administration, our pre-occupation has been to restore the economy to good health, improve living conditions, rehabilitate and expand infrastructure, as well as strengthen democratic institutions and practice.
“My pledge is to build a Better Ghana and I remain anchored to that pledge”, he pointed out.
The police administration, President Mills pledged, would be supported to fight crime in the country.
“This year, with the recruitment of an additional 3,200 personnel to beef-up the Police Service, crime will be fought with extra zeal.”
He said he had ordered fresh investigations into the serial murders of women in the late 1990s when he was a vice president. “I am concerned with cases of unsolved murders and I expect the Police Administration to seek external help and collaboration where necessary,” President Mills said.