<<Print>>

The State of the Nation Address delivered by the President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama at the Parliament House, had little impact on residents of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital. Residents in the city gave little attention to the address, compared to that of 2009 which was delivered by the late President John Evans Atta Mills. The reaction was generally that of apathy, as many of the residents, especially in the Central Business District of Adum, went about their brisk businesses as if there was nothing at stake. Under normal circumstance, occasions like the State of the Nation Address would have received lots of attention, with people glued to their televisions to catch a glimpse of the President and the drama in the house. Residents would often spare a little of their time whilst passersby would converge at some points to watch proceedings but that was not the case yesterday. A walk through Adum witnessed many people busily hawking and trading with some claiming ignorance of the function. The apathy was further heightened when there was radio announcement that minority MPs had walked out of the house in protest against the sitting President. However, a few people who spent their time to watch were also at their criticism best, describing the address as a rehash of old stuff with nothing new in it. Comments and posts monitored on the social media also gave different reactions to the President�s address. Whilst some commended the President for his demeanour and comportment, a feat which is often attributed to his communication background, others said it was full of promises as if he was reading party manifesto. A leading NPP serial caller, popularly known as Kwame NPP, contended that the President said nothing new in his address except to enumerate unfulfilled promises made by the late President Mills. �Instead of giving a true state of the nation address, the President was giving more promises and promises which he knows he can�t fulfil,� he noted. According to Kwame NPP, the President made a mockery of himself and his government when he said that the country had witnessed a tremendous economic growth, knowing very well that Ghanaians are suffering in hardship because of his government�s insensitivity. A member of the NDC Communication team, Kobby Onasis Rosely was, however, full of praise for the President on his stance against corruption, good governance and the economy, stressing that he was particularly happy with the honest and sincerity of the President on the issue of the electricity, petrol and energy supply. Onasis blasted the NPP MPs decision to walkout, stressing that it was shameful, irresponsible and unbecoming of Members of Parliament. THUMBS UP FOR MINORITY WALKOUT Residents could not hide their joy at the �surprise package� given to the President by the NPP MPs following their walkout. Supporters of the NPP in the metropolis were particularly happy about the action of the minority as they believe it will further dent the image of President John Mahama and his government in the eyes of the international community. The supporters, who had initially expressed varied opinion about the announced decision on Wednesday by the NPP MPs participate in the President�s address, said the minority MPs action was in the right order as it is consistent with the party�s ongoing protest against the President until the final outcome of the Supreme Court proceedings.