The Speaker of Parliament’s assessment of 2021 as a very significant year with vital lessons for national development and the mourning of Archbishop Desmond Tutu by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo are some of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Monday.
The Graphic reports that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Bagbin has described 2021 as a very significant year with vital lessons for national development.
According to the Speaker in his Christmas Message, the year has been significant in many respects, saying it has been a “a year which holds vital lessons for the future of our political, economic and social agenda.
Mr. Bagbin expressed gratitude to “all Ghanaians for the support, love, prayers and criticisms that have combined to bring us this far.”
He said the interest demonstrated by all Ghanaians in the work of Parliament shows the extent to which Ghanaians have invested in the sustenance of the nation’s democracy and the strengthening of the legislature.
Said the Speaker: “Parliament would not have made it this far, neither would I as a Speaker of Parliament, without the support of the good people of Ghana.”
“I wish you a JOYOUS CHRISTMAS and a new year full of SUCCESS,” he said.
The newspaper says that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Nobel Peace prize laureate who helped end apartheid in South Africa, “run his race set before him, and leaves behind indelible footprints in the sands of time.”
Eulogizing Archbishop Desmond Tutu who died at the age of 90 at the weekend, President Akufo-Addo said he was a “redoubtable priest, arguably the greatest religious leader of his generation, renowned freedom fighter, fearless anti-apartheid activist, committed human rights leader, iconic Nobel Peace Prize winner, he fulfilled his life’s purpose on earth, and receives the plaudits of a grateful posterity.
On behalf of the people and Government of the Republic of Ghana, I extend our deepest condolences to President Matemela Cyril Ramaphosa, the people and Govenment of the Republic of South Africa and his family on the death of one of Africa’s most noble, patriotic sons, Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu.
Redoubtable priest, arguably the greatest religious leader of his generation, renowned freedom fighter, fearless anti-apartheid activist, committed human rights leader, iconic Nobel Peace Prize winner, he fulfilled his life’s purpose on earth, and receives the plaudits of a grateful posterity.
The history of Africa’s struggle for freedom from colonialism, imperialism and the racist ideology of apartheid has been immeasurably enriched by the contribution of this jovial, dedicated and principled defender of the liberties and rights of Africans and oppressed peoples of the world.
His work as chairperson of the historic Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa, established by his outstanding compatriot, contemporary and friend, Madiba, President Nelson Mandela, the 1st President of democratic South Africa, was instrumental in promoting reconciliation amongst the peoples of South Africa in the post – apartheid era, which enabled a united South Africa to emerge from the debris of apartheid, much to the astonishment of many in South Africa and around the world.
The Commission provided an example which was followed elsewhere in several countries in Africa, where systematic violations of human rights had at a given moment become part of their political culture, including in our own Ghana.
He run his race set before him, and leaves behind indelible footprints in the sands of time.
May his soul rest in perfect peace in the bosom of the Almighty, until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again. Amen!
The Graphic also reports that Ghana has recorded 1,158 new Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, bringing the total number of active cases to 5,122.
An update from the Ghana Health Service (GHS), indicates that 136,436 cases have been confirmed in Ghana with a total of 1, 274 persons succumbing to the disease.
The number of persons who have recovered/discharged from the illness is now 130,050.
GIK/APA