State of the Nation speech, soort troonrede, was geestig dit jaar.
Na mooie woorden over de economie, de olie, de zielige homeless die huizen moeten krijgen, de corruptie en het aantal moorden in het land eindigde deze speech met de volgende woorden van His Excellency John Evans Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana: (denk er voor de grap Beatrix in een mooie jurk en hoed bij die zoiets zou zeggen)
Finally, Madam Speaker, a personal concern.
The "Better Ghana" that we long to achieve cannot be reached without self-discipline in every aspect of our lives: at work, in the office, on the road, in the market place, at the lorry station and above all in our attitude to time!
My addiction to time consciousness is very well known. (Hoera, ik ben dus toch niet de enige hier!) And this year, I will expect this same "addiction" from Ministers and Officials of State.
I expect all Ministers and other Officials to be punctual to functions to which they are invited. (anderhalf uur is geen uitzondering tenslotte)
I want organisers of such functions to draw the attention of the Presidency to Ministers and Officials who become notorious late comers.
Of course those who invite public officials also have a responsibility to stick to time while at the same time shortening their programmes in the interest of time management.
And discipline on the road is also desperately needed. The carnage on the roads, largely avoidable, the loss of dear ones, not only takes a human toll, but also has serious economic consequences.(dagelijks zie je weer vrachtwagens dubbelgevouwen in de berm liggen)
I am charging the Police Service to submit within the shortest possible time a blueprint for a drastic reduction in road accidents.
But discipline, Madam Speaker, can only come from the inner person.
It is each of us therefore in this House today, who bear the responsibility for setting a clear and visible example to our fellow citizens. It is my hope therefore that our lawmakers will be committed apostles of time consciousness as we progress on the path to building a Better Ghana.
Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity and your attention and may God continue to Bless our homeland Ghana and make us greater and stronger!
:-)
