'Corruption Must Not Be A Political Baton'

At the forecourt of Parliament House, one is greeted with splendour. The beautiful landscape and artifacts are back to its normal state.   The lawns, shrubs and other ornamental plants immaculately mowed and trimmed to bring nature closer to anyone who visits the monumental edifice that houses the country's law makers.

By hindsight, one gets the feeling that a very important personality was around to perform a function. That feeling was not far from the truth – the number one public servant of the land was the guest of honour to the law makers.

By 6:00 GMT, the surroundings and entire facility of the magnificent state edifice was secured by the security operatives, making entry without accreditation almost impossible.

With a serene atmosphere to welcome the President, the security operatives at post were at their usual best to sustain the gains they have made.

At exactly 10:00 GMT, President John Dramani Mahama arrived with his entourage, dressed in a blue traditional cloth and waved to the people to signify his preparedness for the occasion.

After inspecting a military parade mounted in his honour, he proceeded to sign the visitor's book before being welcomed and led into the chamber by the Speaker, Rt. Honourable Edward Doe Adjaho, Minority leader Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Majority Leader Dr. Benjamin Kunbour.

Article 67 of the Constitution mandates the President to; “at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the State of the Nation.”

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adjaho, while in the process of introducing the special guest of honour to the law makers, a member from the minority side retorted the now widely acclaimed local axiom, 'tweaa'.

The resurgence of the banned local phrase on the floor of the house and the euphoria that accompanied it, virtually rendered the Speaker helpless, with the President joining the fray, by telling the heckling law makers “to keep quiet and listen,”   adding ” am I   your co equal?”

While also poking his hecklers intermittently, the President told the law makers to join him fight corruption, since its pervasiveness was becoming unbearable. He said the existence of corruption in the country must not be a political baton, noting “the fight against corruption must be holistic.”