Accra (Greater Accra), 9th November 99 - Mr. Joseph Henry Mensah, Minority Leader in Parliament, on Monday expressed optimism that the visit of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, will greatly boost Ghana's march towards socio- economic development "if the right approaches are sustained."
Commenting on the visit and the activities lined up for her, Mr. Mensah said apart from enhancing relations between the two countries, the visit would also give Ghana a renewed international recognition.
"This is a classic programme of the Head of a democratic nation," said the Minority Leader, adding that "the significance of the visit should not be lost on Ghanaians".
The visit, he said, would benefit Ghana, especially in terms of investment and enhance the country's credibility before the donor community.
He recalled part of the Queen's speech, which emphasized the importance of peaceful succession through the ballot box.
"We must all agree with her prayer that somebody, one day, will not find an excuse to disrupt the current process towards a peaceful election in the year 2000."
Mr. Mensah said that the Queen found it expedient to address Parliament should encourage MPs to fight for to hold onto their position as the first estate of the realm.
He, however, expressed his disapproval of the way in which the durbar of Chiefs was organized, saying it might cheapen the country's revered tradition and culture.
It should have been held in a typical traditional environment like Kumasi, where the National House of Chiefs, is located.
"Or we take the Queen to Jamestown to meet the indigenous British-Accra people." For Mr Kofi Attor, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, said the Queen's visit and address to Parliament, would uplift Ghana as a developing nation.
It also signifies goodwill from the United Kingdom, which would set the stage for better relations, especially for trade and investment.
Mr. Attor commended the planning committee for organizing the durbar, which he said, reflected the country's cultural diversity.
"We have shown to the world that when it comes to tradition and culture, we are one people." Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Minority Spokesman on Foreign Affairs, said the Queen's speech was a clear message for Ghanaians to uphold democracy and urged the authorities to come to terms with it.
"We have come of age; there is need for tolerance of divergent views. Building a vibrant democracy needs tolerance".
Nana Owusu-Ansah Sikatuo - Morsohene, who was part of the Asantehene's delegation, said the visit and the activities have been "simply great", adding that the durbar really exposed the royal side of Ghana. "We have told them that through culture, we can forge peace, unity and progress."
