President dodges questions

THE HOPES of even the “carefully chosen few” number of Ghanaians who gathered at the Marriot Hotel in London last Thursday to interact with President Atta Mills during his official visit to the UK were dashed when he mounted the podium and announced.

“I have not come here to answer questions from you, but to express my profound gratitude to you for voting me and my party into power during the 2008 elections”.

This turn of events was received with surprise by the attendees, most of whom have purposefully made themselves available at the meeting to ask some pertinent questions on perceived tribalism, the economy, and politics among others.

Some of the people present at the meeting who spoke to DAILY GUIDE observed that the twist was like adding salt to injury.

“We have waited over three hours at this meeting, when we tried to find solace in glasses of water, we were ordered to hand over our glasses to the bar attendants, saying it was for security reasons.

Now that he is here too, he won't answer a few questions for us to know how our dear country is doing in the wake of the global economic crisis; what do they take us for?” they fumed.

There was a bit of shock at the meeting when before the president’s arrival, the security took the microphone and announced that all those holding glasses containing water should return them to the bar.

With confusion written on their faces, one guest wondered aloud if security feared a glass of water or a shoe could be thrown at the President like George Bush.

President Mills apologised for his three-hour lateness to the meeting, explaining that he was late due to equally important meetings he had been holding with some Secretaries of State of the UK.

“I want all of us to note that the elections are over, so are acrimony, bitterness and division and we have to come together as on people to fight for the betterment of our nation,” he said.

Prof Mills reassured that he would be a President for all Ghanaians, devoid of cultural, tribal, political and religious beliefs.

“My government will also give credit to our predecessor where it’s due and also continue with the good projects which were initiated by the NPP,” he added.

He was optimistic that the country would survive the current economic difficulties and would come out even better than before.

He admonished Ghanaians living abroad, especially those in the UK, not to relent in their efforts at supporting the economy of Ghana through remittances.

“We are aware of the biting of the credit crunch but we also believe God always provides for his people so be resilient,” he urged.

President Mills said he would remain focused on the job as President of the Republic of Ghana and would not be detracted by his opponents. He also noted that ex-government officials who would be found to have done anything criminal would be duly prosecuted but also cautioned that it was better to pardon 99 criminals than to jail one innocent person.

“These would be the guiding principles of my government in this regard,” he stated.

The deputy chief of staff, Mr. Alex Segbefia, who was a member of the President’s entourage, told the gathering that the government would continue its car seizure policy so long as it remained within the confines of the Law.

“We have not arrested people at church for taking away government property and have also not put anyone in police cell for the same reason, so I believe we are working within the law,” he said.

First lady, Mrs. Naadu Mills, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, NDC Chairman, Madam Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Hon. Mohammed Munmni, Foreign Minister, were among the President’s entourage, present at the meeting.