State of the Nation Address
“RAISING GHANA TO THE NEXT LEVEL”
BY H.E. JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2011
 

Part Four

Part Three

Part Two

Part One

SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Madam Speaker, we are not taking lightly the potential threats to the security of the oil and gas industry.

The government has taken steps to enable the Ghana Navy maintain a strong maritime presence.

The Ghana Air Force is also being re-equipped with transport aircrafts, surveillance planes and helicopters.

These will enhance the capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces to ensure the country’s territorial integrity and provide safe sea passage to all legitimate traffic while combating illegal activities including, bunkering, drug trafficking, poaching and pair trawling.
Madam Speaker, without doubt, the Ghana Police Service with the help of other security agencies have clamped down heavily on crime – especially armed robbery.

I am not saying that there are no cases of robbery; what I am saying is that the armed robbers are no longer operating with impunity.

This year, with the recruitment of an additional 3,200 personnel to beef-up the Police Service, crime will be fought with extra zeal.
I am concerned with cases of unsolved murders and I expect the Police Administration to seek external help and collaboration where necessary.

Late last year, I ordered the re-opening of investigations into serial killing of women which occurred in the period 1998-2000.

That sad chapter in our history will not be closed until we get to the bottom of those serial killings.

Still on security, Madam Speaker, fire outbreaks continue to cause havoc throughout the country especially in the markets.

In this action year, I expect District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives to mount a serious check on violations of regulations and bye-laws and remove unauthorized structures which obstruct access to markets, drains and fire hydrants.
Public institutions are also expected to follow up on fire audit reports and improve safety.

This year, the Fire Service is expected to take delivery of a fairly large number of fire-fighting engines and gear for its personnel.

Madam Speaker, 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.

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.

WAR ON DRUGS

Madam Speaker, when I stood before this House in my first year as President, I pledged to wage a concerted and relentless war against the drug menace.

Two years down the line, I can confidently say to the people of Ghana that we have acquitted ourselves very well in this regard.
I have no regrets subjecting myself to a body check at the Kotoka International Airport.

It is the surest way to lead by example as well as energize the NACOB officials not to allow any official or persons purporting to be so to bully them.

Madam Speaker, in the wake of recent startling revelations about the unacceptable extent to which Ghana was used as a major link in the drug trade, I have decided that a full scale investigation into the disappearance of cocaine from the Police vault as well as the 77 parcels of cocaine which entered Ghana's territorial waters aboard the MV Benjamin vessel and mysteriously got missing should be re-opened.

I do this in the knowledge that administrative enquiries were conducted into both cases.

The twist however is that the missing cocaine was not found and the culprits were not identified.

With a Presidential Commission of Enquiry, we hope to be able to do both.

We will not relent in our fight against the narcotics trade and I believe that the majority of Ghanaians are happy not to be waking up to daily stories of cocaine here, cocaine there and cocaine everywhere.

We will continue to make Ghana an unattractive destination for the narcotics trade and will collaborate fully with cross-border and other foreign operatives to flush out the drug barons and their couriers.

DISCIPLINE

Madam Speaker, it is a fact that when it comes to discipline on our roads, we cannot produce a script that we can be proud of.
We are constantly waking up to gory stories about the carnage on our roads, and this cannot continue.

We cannot continue to sit and watch the wanton loss of precious lives.

I have given strict instructions to the Ghana Police and other law enforcement agencies to rigidly apply the appropriate sanctions in dealing with all who fall foul of traffic laws.

I have also instructed the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to conduct an immediate review of internal processes for the acquisition of licenses.

This is to ensure that we do not issue licenses to people who are not qualified to have them.

The Attorney-General’s office is to review and strengthen legislation to ensure drivers and owners of broken down vehicles that stay on the roads and cause accidents and deaths pay the price for it.

LAW AND ORDER AND THE MEDIA

Madam Speaker, all of us subscribe to the rule of law and free speech.

It is however not enough to believe or proclaim, but rather to practice one’s belief in an acceptable and peaceful manner.
Political stability is the gift of political discipline by all actors.
Those of us in leadership positions bear the heaviest burden in ensuring that our actions and utterances do not incite lawlessness and damage our sense of community.

The media has a huge responsibility in the effort we must all make to encourage rational exchanges among reasonable people with different views.

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.

We must not always find fault with each other; sometimes it also helps to tell stories about Ghanaians rising to the occasion.

Madam Speaker, the draft Broadcasting Bill has been too long on the drawing board.

It is time to consider seriously its enactment to help control the excesses that sometimes characterize exchanges in the electronic media.

My expectation is that when the time comes, the debate on its provisions will not fall into predictable patterns of partisan discourse.

FOREIGN POLICY

Finally, Madam Speaker, a word on our foreign policy.
I believe we have abundant experience and expertise in this country in the art of diplomacy and peacekeeping.

We will draw on this expertise in our common desire to help our brothers and sisters in Cote d’Ivoire find a lasting solution to the political impasse there.

This is not the moment for anyone with the interest of Ghana at heart to start beating war drums.

I will always respect and support calm and thoughtful resolution of disputes.

Ghana will continue to participate and support peace-keeping initiatives across the world to the extent that our resources and capacity will permit.

We are keeping an eye on events in North Africa and hope that things will simmer down quickly.

Soon, Africa will welcome Southern Sudan as a new country following the conclusive results of the referendum held recently.
The Government of Sudan deserves commendation for the co-operative spirit with which it has handled the process.

The foundation we have laid for peace, stability, and for the building of a Better Ghana will endure.

Madam Speaker, Ghana will not die; Ghana will live to proclaim the glory of God.

Madam Speaker, we have built a solid foundation; we will build a solid structure; and we will build a Better Ghana.

May God continue to bless our homeland Ghana and make us great and strong.

I thank you for the opportunity, and I thank you for your kind attention

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