Sessional address debate still glued to President's apology

Accra (Greater Accra), 21^st January 2000

Emotional speeches about the excesses of the revolution and the call for national reconciliation continue to dominate the debate of this year's sessional address in Parliament.

President Jerry John Rawlings set the tone in his last address to the legislature which concluded with an apology .

Mr. M.A. Seidu, Deputy Majority leader, said the time has come for Ghanaians to give peace and reconciliation a chance.

" Those who have suffered should learn to forgive and forget," he said adding that the stability of the nation now depends on the deeds and utterances of politicians and media practitioners.

" We should be more responsible in the way we go about our political campaigning and the spread of rumours. We should not ignore our ethics and publish anything"

Mr Francis Kwasi Buor, NPP-Offinso-South, said those whose lives were sacrificed to purge the nation of the evils of corruption and nepotism were wasted because " these evils are still with us," and appealed to all Ghanaians to reconcile with each other in the interest of peace.

Mr. Buor alleged that the NDC is employing certain campaign strategies which do not augur well for the political health of the nation.

" Our farmers are being told that Mr. Kufour has refused to sign cheques meant for them and that is why they have not been paid."

This assertion did not go down well with the majority group who started heckling Mr. Buor but he stood his grounds and asked why the reported 300 million dollars raised to pay cocoa farmers has not been used.

Mr. Abuga Pele, NDC-Chiana/Paga, said it is unfortunate that the President's apology has exposed his personality to attacks and unnecessary remarks adding that the time has come for all and sundry to proclaim the President a great hero.

Mr. Solomon Kwabena Sarfoh, NPP-Mampong, called the sessional address a" perfect handing over notes for Mr. J. A. Kufuor "

He lauded the government's vision of expanding the educational infrastructural base but called for an intensive job creation to reduce the mounting joblessness.

GRi