Isaac Essel and Kofi Agyepong
15 February 2008
Accra — It was a rather discordant rendition of the national anthem in Parliament House yesterday by a police band that opened President John Agyekum Kufuor's last State of the Nation Address and closed it.
Whether it was a flute, a piccolo, or whatever little wind instrument it was, it seemed more an intruder than a part of the ensemble and the national anthem failed to inspire.
A Ghana Air Force contingent (guard of honour) had earlier, outside the House given a more competent rendition.
The address started on the light note of Valentine/Chocolate Day before delving into heavier stuff. He told the House that the selection of yesterday was not his making but the date given him by Parliament. Falling therefore on Valentine Day, the day of love meant that there was love between the Executive and Legislature. His address therefore, he told the House was in the spirit of love.
He spoke on several themes, but reserved the best for the end, that is, this year being an election year. In his peroration, he called on all political parties to exhibit decorum in their campaigns by telling the electorate what they can do, instead of resorting to "threat and abuse".
The President was responding, if indirectly, to the NDC leaders who have been crying wolf even before the Electoral Commission has blown the whistle for the electioneering to commence. Some NDC leaders have made reference to the current mayhem in Kenya and promised to visit same in Ghana, should they in any way feel aggrieved about the outcome of the December elections.
President Kufuor was right in highlighting it in his speech because after 8 successful years, it would be a blight on his legacy should election disagreements lead to a break down in law and order in a country that has become a beacon of hope in Africa economically and politically.
He told the House: "It is increasingly becoming evident that some prefer the marketing strategy of presenting their opponents in the worst possible light. I dare say they might do better, if they focused more on what they would do different, if they received the people's mandate." Even though the political parties might choose to run their campaigns in the way they like, it should be within the limit of the law, he enunciated.
President Kufuor assured Ghanaians that this year's election would be as peaceful as the previous ones, far from what the "doom mongers" wish for.
"When there is so much going for our electoral process, there is no reason to contemplate extra measures for resolving imaginary scenarios in the coming elections. Far from being at war, we are only going into elections, and not the first time so let all sides heed to this advice," he said.
Giving account of his stewardship, he admitted that even though "within the period, I believe I have made some solid achievements I should remind the House that there is still a long list of unfinished business".
The President commended the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on its proactive stance to fight corruption. He conceded that some of the revelations at the Committee's sittings were "mind-boggling" but said the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Attorney-General's Department will study the PAC's recommendations to prosecute cases that need to be prosecuted.
He said to ensure proper law enforcement in the country, the 15,983 population of the Police Service as at 2001 has been boosted with an additional 10,132 personnel. However, he said that was not enough to meet the UN ratio of police to citizen at 1:500. Ghana currently reports a ratio of 1:994. He said the service is also being assisted with vehicles, communication equipment, ammunition and uniforms.
He called for the revisiting of volunteer units for community protection, but said it should not be mistaken for recommendation for instant justice, which he said must be condemned in no uncertain terms.
He mentioned how his travels as president and AU/ECOWAS chairman have earned the country respect in the international community.
The President said resources are in place for the refurbishment of Job 600 for use by Members of Parliament (MPs). This, he said would enhance the work of the Legislature. He also urged them to consider preparing a comprehensive budget of needs for funding in future.
He said the OSU Castle which is the seat of government is unsuitable hence the construction of a presidential complex at the Flagstaff house in Accra.
He said since the New Patriotic Party took over power in 2001, the government has focused on providing the platform for accelerated growth. He said the next phase of development should therefore be in the area of industrialization, with attendant employment opportunities and value addition to raw materials, especially agricultural produce.
He described any attempt to compare his government's performances with the previous regimes as futile. "To me, it is useless to pretend to be the inventor of the wheel", he said, rather, "the mark of the successful leader is what to do with the wheel that one finds".
President Kufuor said this should not to be thought of as an attempt at belittling what others did, but "rather, it should be appreciated as a report of my government's performance over the past seven to eight years in office, to improve the conditions of our people." He said his abiding principle has always been to leave a place better than he found it when he came to office in 2001.
The performance of his government over the past seven years, he said, has made Ghana progress and the country enjoyed tremendous goodwill both from within and from the international community.
President Kufuor spoke on all facets of the economy, but said the macro-economy of the state was one of the major preoccupations of his government since it assumed office in 2001. The economy, he said, was entrapped by incredibly high levels of inflation of over 40% and interest rates of over 50%.
"The Cedi was in a dangerous free fall while TOR was smarting under crushing debts that had caused it to be black-listed and refused supplies by its regular suppliers", he said. The President said these circumstances led to his government's adoption of the HIPC Initiative. Explaining why he had to adopt HIPC, he said, "The undeniable truth was that the country was broke. It could not sustain the servicing of its debts."
The progress recorded in the past 7 years, he said, has proved beyond doubt that the decision "to go HIPC" was a master stroke. "Ghana is now solvent and the economy is strong and resilient", he said.
The President mentioned some of the HIPC benefits as "the successful and spectacular issuance of a Euro-bond on the London Stock Exchange to raise USD750 million for infrastructural development. This bond was over-subscribed by over USD3billion, and this was Ghana's first attempt ever on the market The ability to withstand the heavy shocks of the price of crude oil which has been sky-rocketing since last year, from USD50 to USD100 per barrel The prompt rallying to the aid of the numerous victims of the unprecedented flooding in the Northern and parts of the Western Region last year."
Others successes, he said "are the dramatic re-denomination of the Cedi without incident. You will all remember that the old Cedi exchanged 10,000 to one dollar. With this exercise now, the Cedi exchanges confidently for one dollar and some cents..the flocking in of many reputable banks and the commencement of International Financial Services (Offshore Banking) in the country, in collaboration with Barclays Bank and the World Bank's rating of Ghana as the most attractive place to do business in the emerging markets."
The speech did not have the kind of thumping beat some might expect of a "last sermon" but its modesty and moderation were also typical of the man who has earned for himself the endearing title of Gentle Giant.
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