9 January 2009
editorial
The Chronicle is a witness to a special covenant that the good people of Ghana made with candidate Mills, and which they have subsequently honoured their part of the bargain, resulting in the grand investiture which was held on Wednesday, at the Independence Square.
As a man who has repeatedly shown to us that he means his word, we also appreciate that President Mills knows what he meant when he made the solemn pledge to the trusting and believing throng, who walked and came in trucks and buses from every corner, including Tain, and the overseas territory to be a part of the celebration.
Indeed, The Chronicle saw the innocent trusting look in the eyes of the people who never expected a cedi from Mills, throughout his grueling campaign, and never complained about money in their pocket -as supporters of the opposition did, and voted in their numbers to secure his victory.
This was no ordinary promise.
His Excellency, as a staunch member of the Christian faith knows the implication of this, as an agreement that went beyond the ordinary and took on something of the supernatural; something akin to the Abrahamaic agreement with God Himself, with conditions and consequences. (Genesis 17vs 4-5).
Anybody who was near the Independence Square yesterday or watched the spectacle, saw the people genuinely pulling themselves to the grounds, a sea of humanity, trudging huddle mass of flesh, willing the good Professor on, and asking for nothing in return.
They expect nothing, but for him to keep his part of the covenant. The Pro Mills press, The Catalyst, also weighed in with an editorial -'Atta Mills will deliver'- 'We on the Catalyst have absolute confidence that he will deliver again as President of Ghana, not only because of his rich experience, but also because he is a man with character.' 'We also expect the people of Ghana to keep the government on its toes through constructive criticisms'.
The Ghanaian Lens in its editorial of yesterday also said, 'The clock has started ticking' for the redemption of those pledges Mills made because 'the Ghanaian people are entitled to expect that they would be honoured'. 'We on the Ghanaian Lens have absolutely no doubt that Professor Mills and John Mahama have every intention to honour their promises to the people of Ghana during the electioneering.'
The Statesman, which is pro-Nana Akufo Addo has a banner headline proclaiming "FUEL PRICES TO GO DOWN? Drivers, commuters in state of anxiety." They went on to remind Ghanaians of Mills' promise to reduce fuel prices in the first hundred days of office, with a pledge to remove the punitive taxes imposed by the Kufuor-led administration.
BACK-PEDALLING?
One person who was at his most eloquent in leading the assault on the tax-ladened petroleum pricing regime of the Kufuor Government, is the current Spokesperson on Energy, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, who was removed from the BOST as managing Director, and therefore had motive to be very critical. He was also the first person who on Tuesday began to shift the goal post for the fulfillment of Mills' covenant with Ghana, pleading that 'we did not say that we will remove the taxes ' preferring instead to fall on global oil prices!.
It is spokespersons such as these that Mills must do everything in his power to distance himself from, in his quest to redeem his covenant.
It is not difficult for Ghanaians to play back on radio or Television the several occasions that those pledges were made, so it is important for the protection of the integrity of President Mills that he comes to the people himself, and explain if - God forbid- there are overwhelming reasons why he cannot deliver on this most important pledge that touches and concerns the teeming Ghanaians who voted for him.
God grant President Mills the courage not to give up on what he thinks is right, or even when he thinks it is hopeless.
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