Clothing drama in Parliament

Although there is no prescribed attire for Members of Parliament during a President’s State of the Nation Address to the House, the striking difference in the attire of the Majority and Minority during President Mahama’s address could not be glossed over.

While the Majority appeared in white and other bright colours to depict their joy, the Minority on the other hand appeared in black and red colours ostensibly to demonstrate their sad mood.

To interpret their apparels with a cultural perspective, the Minority side dressed to demonstrate a state of mourning, while by the Majority side donned attires fit for a naming or wedding ceremony.

Ghana News Agency’s interview with some of the majority members revealed that they did not plan any uniform attire since they already knew what they were supposed to wear.

"It is a pleasure to have the Head of State to address us and we are, therefore, happy to be part of it,” a member from the Majority said.

The Minority members, on the other hand, said the anguish created by the current electricity load-shedding and economic challenges could be equated to a state of national mourning, hence their appearance in funeral clothing.

"The whole nation is mourning, look at the power crisis, look at the economic hardship and the general living conditions of an ordinary Ghanaian, my brother let's continue to pray," a member of the Minority said.

That clothing drama created moments of laughter and anxiety among the members.

However, the Minority surprised the rest of the nation by receiving the President’s speech in utter silence, a complete departure from the usual heckling, which resulted in the Late President John Atta Mills describing his predicament as “gargantuan heckling”.

“That is the beauty of democracy in Ghana,” was what a foreign journalist said.