President John Mills has apologised for what critics say was a deliberate snub of protocol, particularly, ex-president John Kufuor and Chief Justice Georgina Wood during his third state of the nations address in Parliament on Thursday.
The president failed to acknowledge the presence of the two high profile dignitaries in the house before proceeding with his address.
His slip was retaliated with equal breach of protocol by the minority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, who failed to walk the president out of the chamber, as is required by Parliamentary convention.
Mensah-Bonsu told Joy News’ Parliamentary correspondent Sammy Darko their initial impression was that the president deliberately ignored the ex-president and the Chief Justice (CJ)
He said given innuendos made by the president against the CJ and the president in his address he was under the impression that it was a deliberate agenda by the president to run them down.
Asked if his decision not to escort the president out of the chamber was vengeance against the president, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu stated: “By the fruit that he (Mills) borne it will be unmeritorious to [escort him] out” he stated.
But the President has since apologised for his slip.
He told the presidential press corps his failure to acknowledge ex-president Kufuor and the CJ was not intentional.
He has vowed to follow protocol during his next state of the nation’s address to Parliament next year.
President John Mills was equally disappointed with the Minority leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu for not escorting him out of the chamber.
He said rules and protocols must be abided by irrespective of which personality is involved, saying he will not be happy if the minority leader of his party fails to escort the president of an NPP government out of the chamber of Parliament in an event of an NPP government in power.
The Minority leader in his subsequent interview with Joy News said he would perhaps not have reacted the way he did if the president’s apology had come early on.
He would however not concede that his action was harsh and hasty, saying if he had not resorted to those mechanism the president might not even have realised the severity of his slip.
Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Tributes pour in for highlife legend Daddy Lumba following his death
12 minutes -
One stabbed to death at China City Mall in Kumasi
27 minutes -
Auditor-General’s Report: We have normalised corruption, theft and scandals – Prof Abotsi
30 minutes -
Highlife legend Daddy Lumba pass away at 60
52 minutes -
Ghana’s Koogo Atia wins men’s 42km as Kenya’s Nancy Githaiga claim women’s title at 2025 Absa Black Star Marathon
58 minutes -
Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe dominates wheelchair 42km race at Absa Black Star Marathon
1 hour -
Deloitte Africa unpacks Mid-Year Budget Review – Watch Yaw Lartey’s full analysis
2 hours -
Take politics out of anti-corruption institutions – Dr Oduro Osae
2 hours -
President Mahama hails Black Star Marathon as key to Ghana’s tourism growth
2 hours -
Ghanaian community in Côte d’Ivoire pushes for Chamber of Commerce to boost cross-border trade
3 hours -
The Joshua of Our Time: Why Dr Bryan Acheampong is the right leader to guide the NPP into its promised future
3 hours -
Public Financial Management Act must be enforced – Yaw Appiah Lartey on damning Auditor‑General’s findings
3 hours -
Absa Bank Ghana hosts Youth Festival to empower young entrepreneurs
3 hours -
WPRD Festival 2025 closes with PR fireside chat on leadership
3 hours -
Afrofuture and WatsUp TV launch nationwide Rising Star Challenge on university campuses
3 hours