Ivorians thank Ghana

By Edmund Mingle

The Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, has called on President John Evans Atta Mills with a special message of gratitude from the government and people of Cote d’Ivoire for Ghana’s support in resolving the recent political crisis that hit the neighbouring country.

“We are very appreciative of the assistance you offered us,” Prime Minister Soro, told President Mills at the Castle in Accra.

The Prime Minister, who was delighted to be visiting Ghana, said the government of Cote d’Ivoire respected the Ghana’s position in the Ivorian crisis, adding they would continue to cherish Ghana’s contribution to the peace process in that country.

Apart from the message of appreciation, Mr. Soro also delivered an invitation to President Mills requesting him to attend the investiture of the Alhassane Quattara, who is internationally recognized as the President-elect of Cote d’Ivoire, on May 21.

The political crisis which recently hit that country as a result of Laurent Gbagbo, the incumbent President’s refusal to hand over power to Mr. Quattara, calming he won the elections held in November.

But after fierce battle between forces backing the two leaders, the crisis seems to be over with capture of Mr. Gbagbo.

According to Mr. Soro, the invitation to President Mills was based on his immense contribution and support to the resolution of the crisis, as well as Cote d’Ivoire’s return to democracy.

Mr. Soro, who indicated that Ivorians were prepared to put the crisis behind them and forge ahdead in unity, denied speculations that some Ghanaian mercenaries were engaged to fight Mr. Quatttara, saying investigations revealed that Ghanaians were not involved.

He gave the assurance that President Quattara and himself would continue to seek wise counsel from President Mills towards building democracy in their country, and described President Mills as “a man of wisdom.”

In addition, he gave assurance that the government would not maltreat captured President Gbagbo, since they believe maltreating him would jeopardize the country’s drive for peace and reconciliation.

President Mills, for his part, thanked the Ivorian government for the invitation, saying it has been the prayer of Ghanaians that Cote d’Ivoire would return onto the path of peace, democracy and development.

“We are prepared to offer any support to help Cote d’Ivoire to return to normalcy,” he said, adding that because of the closeness of the two nations, “whatever affects you affects us.”

He gave the assurance that all efforts made by Ghana to solve the crisis was out of a genuine concern for the people of Cote d’Ivoire, saying the government was fully aware of its limits of intervention in the crisis.

“It’s not for Ghana to decide who should lead Cote d’Ivoire. That decision is for the people of Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.

He urged the people of that country to put the past behind them and be united for progress, saying it was critical to ensure that the country does not disintegrate any further.

“It’s our hope and prayer that Cote d’Ivoire will get back on her feet as soon as possible,” he said, and wished the government and people of the neighbouring nation all the best.

Victory will be ours---Prez Mills

By Edmund Mingle

Friday, May 5, 2011

President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday kicked started his campaign for Presidential slot of ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) high confidence of victory, as he picked nomination forms.

Promising a clean campaign devoid of insults, acrimony, mudslinging and fabrications, President Mills said he was sure of victory at the party’s July 8 congress, and another victory in the 2012 presidential elections.

“Victory shall be ours,” he told a mammoth crowd of jubilant supporters during a mini rally, which was held at party’s Kuku Hill Campaign office at Osu in Accra, where he launched the campaign, after picking his nomination forms.

“You don’t need to worry because I am going to win by a landslide victory,” he said, attracting thunderous cheers from the thousands of enthusiastic supporters gathered at the event.

According to the President, who was clad on white and waving a white piece of cloth to signify victory, he was confident of victory at the July 8 Congress because of a number of factors. These, he said, included the fact that God is on his side, and the fact that the delegates were very discerning and believes they would make a good choice.

President Mills, whose main contender for the presidential slot is former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, in his usual peaceful character, called for a clean campaign devoid of insults.

“The NDC should come out of this exercise fully united,” he said, adding that all would be needed to work for another electoral victory in 2012.

“Let us learn to cooperate with one another,” he said, adding that “the contest is not about who can hurl insults the fastest at others, but who can lift the people out of the quagmire of poverty,” he stressed.

According to him, winning was not the end of the road, adding that the essence of power was to serve the good people of Ghana by improving their welfare. Overwhelmed by the magnitude of the support, President Mills thanked those at the rally, including Ministers, high ranking members of the party, delegates and supporters, saying their sacrifices and contributions were what have built the party to its present status.

He promised to continue executing the better Ghana Agenda, and assured the supporters that he and his team would not disappoint them.

“You know what I am capable of doing,” he said, assuring that his focus would continue to be how to improve the welfare of Ghanaians.

He asked the delegates preparing for the July 8 congress and the supporters of the party not to be swayed by deceit and lies perpetuated by the opposition.

“We should always strive for the truth,” he advised, and promised that he would show his opponents maximum respect.
“I will always pursue values that will unite us as one people, with a common destiny,” he added.

President Mills reminded people who think they are powerful being should be ware that they are only humans, and that the only powerful one, is God almighty.

As part of the campaign launch, President Mills outdoored his National Campaign Team, which is headed by J.H. Acheampong, a former Majority leader in 1993, as well as Regional campaign teams.

As early as 6am, the teaming supporters, clad in party T-shirts and white head bands, converged at the premises of the party office to give moral support to the President, as picked his form, and followed him to the campaign office, where another massive crowd had gathered.

Some of the supporters wielded placards some of which read, “Mills is Ghana’s savior,” “Atta Mills will deliver cadres,” “No challenger,” “You are the best driver,” We are marching forward,” “Atta, a man of integrity,” and “Double, Double,” “ We trust our driver,” and “Cadres declare Atta Mills for 2012.”

Vice President John Dramani Mahami, who chaired the rally, described President Mills as “a gift from God,” and expressed optimism that the party would show appreciation for the gift by renewing his mandate to lead the party to victory in 2012.

Touching on the implication of the internal party competition on the progress of the party, the Vice President noted that the NDC was at the cross roads.

He said because the party belonged to all members, and not the property of any individual, the future of the party would have to be decided by the larger support base of the party through the delegates who would be attending the July 8 congress.

“It is for all of us to decide whether we should open up the party to accommodate more members for the expansion of the party, or whether we should let it remain a small party that is tied to the apron strings of a few individuals,” he said.

The Vice President John Mahama there was no need to prematurely change the driver of a bus in a middle of a journey.
He said in the past, the party had supported, encouraged, its drivers even when the journey appeared to be difficult, insisting calls for his (Mills) change is unacceptable.
Apparently responding to claims by a member of the Konadu campaign team and MP for Lower Manya Krobo that the NDC vehicle is good but the driver has to be changed before 2012, Vice President Mahama said President Mills is a good driver who would surely drive the party to a successful destination.

He said the driver knows the condition of the vehicle, and so he alone could determine the pace of the vehicle, irrespective of the insults hurled at him by the passengers.

“The driver of the bus should be allowed to drive us safely to our destination,” he adding that a trusted driver is not changed in the middle of a journey for an untested driver.

The rally, which gave an indication of the contest between contenders for the NDC presidential slot, attracted many top members of the NDC, who are thought to be been either groomed by former President Rawlings and allies of the Rawlingses.

Notable among them were Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment & Science, and Cecelia Johnson, both leaders of the 31^st December Women’s Movement, Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Education Minister and E.T. Mensah, Employment Minister.

Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu, in her remarks, described President Mills as “a man of integrity, humility and a man who has the capacity to lead us.”

Govt to resource Electoral Commission

By Edmund Mingle

Saturday, May 7, 2011

President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday, gave a firm assurance that the Electoral Commission will be fully resourced to effectively conduct next year’s general elections in a credible manner.

“The government would ensure that the Electoral Commission is provided with all the necessary tools to be able to conduct a very fair and transparent election in 2012,” he stated, in what is his first public statement on the conduct of next year’s elections.

Addressing the 39^th Session of the General Council of the Church of Pentecost in Accra, President Mills also assured the Christian community that the government would promote and protect the electoral process in the interest of the nation.

“As the leader of the NDC and President of Ghana, I pledge that I will not do anything that will destroy this nation, and I pray to God for him to be my helper,” he said.

As partners for development, President Mills also urged the churches in the country, to play their role for peaceful elections, by preaching messages of tolerance.He said there was a need not to take the peace in the country for granted, and urged the Christian community to continue to intercede on behalf of the nation toward the sustenance of peace.

“Violence, acrimony and the use of abusive language will only give us minuses,” he said, and urged Ghanaians to live above petty partisan and parochial considerations.

In addition, he reiterated his appeal to the churches shape the moral consciousness of the nation, indicating that as ambassadors of the gospel, they have a cardinal responsibility to uphold the nation’s moral consciousness.

“There is every indication that if we are motivated by acts and deeds that are pleasing to the Lord, we would not fail,” he said.

He lauded the contributions of the religious bodies to national development, particularly in the areas of educational, health, water supply and humanitarian services, saying the government appreciates their partnership.

President Mills assured them that the better Ghana agenda was on course, and that more measures were being pursued to help in improving the welfare of Ghanaians.

“We do not perfection, but I can confidently say that we are doing our utmost best to build a better Ghana,” he told the General Council Session, which is under the theme, “Being led by the spirit of God.”

He thanked the leadership of the Church of Pentecost for the wise counsel it continues to offer the government, and commended it for the various interventions which have gone a long way to complement government’s efforts in improving the education and health sectors.

“May the good works of the Church of Pentecost continue to touch the hearts of Ghanaians, and may you grow from strength to strength,” he stated.

Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah, Chairman of the Church, in his address to officially open the session, gave the assurance that the church, which controls about seven percent of the nation’s population, would continue to partner the government to build a better nation that all Ghanaians yearn.

He commended the government for the many socials interventions it was undertaking for the benefit of Ghanaians and prayed for the success of the government.

In addition, he urged leaders of the nation to allow themselves to be led by the spirit of God, since that was the only way through which meaningful success could be achieved.

He also advised politicians to desist from making inflammatory statement which only incite their followers to act violently, and called for political tolerance.