Leaders of political parties call on President Mills
Accra, July 9, Ghanadot/GNA -
Camera flashes and warm handshakes preceded by smiles and
jokes in an atmosphere of conviviality heralded a new dawn
in Ghanaian politics on Thursday when the leadership of the
four political parties with representation in Parliament
paid a courtesy call on President John Evans Atta Mills at
the Castle, Osu, in Accra.
For the first time in the nation’s history, stalwarts of the
parties, under the Ghana Political Parties Programme of the
think thank group, the Institute of Economic Affairs, met a
sitting president and congratulated him on his victory at an
election.
The Institute also commended the President for his
collaboration with the Institute and for fulfilling a number
of promises in the campaign in the run-up to the last
general elections.
“I’m delighted you have paid me a visit. This is the kind of
tradition we must nurture,” President Mills said, as he
welcomed his guests into the Castle.
President Mills reiterated national unity, with a reminder
that all political parties, despite their divergent
opinions, had a common agenda of ensuring better lives for
the people.
With a reference to his promise to be a father for all,
President Mills assured the other political parties that his
doors were always open for discussions and consultations.
He reminded political leaders to use the resources of the
state to the benefit of the people so that the people would
renew their trust and confidence in them.
President Mills referred to the appeal of the Institute for
action to be expedited on the review of the Political
Parties Law, the Presidential Transition Bill and the
Political Parties Funding Law and assured the leaders that
Government would act on the constitutional reforms proposed
in his February State of the Nation Address.
Dr Jean Mensah, Administrator of the Institute, said
President Mills would be remembered as one of the fathers of
multi-party democracy in Ghana if those laws were passed in
his time.
The Institute extended an invitation to the President to
attend its 20th Anniversary celebrations scheduled for next
October.
Among those present were Mr Peter Mac Manu and Nana Ohene
Ntow, National Chairman and General Secretary respectively
of the New Patriotic Party; Dr Kwabena Adjei and Mr Johnson
Asiedu Nketia, National Chairman and General Secretary
respectively of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC);
Mr Ahmed Ramadan and Mr Bernard Mornah, Chairman and General
Secretary respectively of the People’s National Convention;
Mr Ladi Nylander and Mr Ivor Greenstreet, Chairman and
National Secretary respectively of the Convention People’s
Party.
Others were Brigadier General (Rtd) Francis Agyemfra, a
Research Fellow at the Institute and Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, a
consultant to the to the Institute.
GNA
