By Iddi Yire
Accra, Jan. 03, GNA – Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, has hailed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his democratic and visionary leadership of the nation over the last eight years.
He gave the commendation in his remarks after the President presented his last message on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Parliament.
Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana states that “The President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before a dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the State of Nation to Parliament”.
“Mr President, your country is proud of you. Democracy has experienced its best under your leadership,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin recalled that President Akufo-Addo, who in 1997 entered the Chamber of Parliament during the Second Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, had inspired the youth of this country through his advocacy.
He said the Parliamentary Hansard testified of President Akufo-Addo’s great work in the Chamber of this House; saying “Then, as students, we sat at the gallery to observe and to take inspiration from him (President Akufo-Addo).
“Mr Speaker, through resilience, firmness of conviction, he repeatedly tried and made it to the presidency. Today he has fulfilled a constitutional obligation to boldly deliver to the House to maintain his records in office for the eight years”.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said it might be that for some political expedience, some Ghanaians might not appreciate what President Akufo-Addo had done for this country; declaring that “But history, in its fair judgment, will state that there came an Akufo-Addo, whose record in the educational sector of our country was unmatched and unequalled”.
“This is a man who is never afraid of challenges that confront him,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the President had given the House data, which tells them of the record he came to meet and what he had achieved.
He noted that the Agenda 111, a very ambitious policy to revive Ghana’s health sector and to provide for the health needs of the many vulnerable communities, which was also unmatched, and visible for all to see.
Above all, the President and his government had demonstrated that they had what it took to keep the country safe,” the Majority Leader said.
“All around us, and by virtue of my being a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, I am able to say on authority the challenges our West African neighbours are facing in terms of security.
He said Ghana was currently safe and secure, and it had become a haven for many West Africans who would want to invest in the country, adding that posterity would now be the utmost judge of the Akufo-Addo legacy.
GNA