Parliament pays tribute to Mandela
Parliament Wednesday observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late former President of South Africa and anti-apartheid campaigner, Mr Nelson Mandela, after members had paid a glowing tribute to him.
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All Members of Parliament who contributed to the statement made by the Majority Leader and Minister of Government Business in Parliament, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, were unanimous that Nelson Mandela had left a rich legacy that should be emulated by African leaders.
Dr Kunbuor's Tribute
In his tribute, Dr Kunbuor said "the life of this great son of Africa is so inspirational and touching, as he was arguably the greatest man of his generation and across three generations, one of the courageous people any individual could ever hope to meet.
"He mentored and role-modelled millions of people around the world. He was an iconic figure of leadership."
Dr Kunbuor said Mandela's life embodied a holistic view of principles and virtues ever lived in the contemporary world, adding that his life as a freedom fighter, prisoner, and as president and past president captured a broad spectrum of valuable moral lessons, principles and philosophies which must be emulated.
He said Mandela was an embodiment of reconciliation, explaining that presiding over the transition from apartheid minority rule to a multicultural democracy, he saw national reconciliation as the primary task of his presidency.
"Even in death, the spirit of Mandela continues to reunite foes urging them towards reconciliation," he said, and used the shaking of hands by American President Barack Obama and Cuba's Raul Castro last Tuesday to buttress his point.
Contributions
Contributing to the statement, the MP for Sekondi, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, said the life of Mandela was a lesson in leadership; leadership which placed the interest of the nation above one's own interest.
He added that the late South African leader was prepared to compromise to advance the cause of the people.
"When we die, our legacy should be enshrined in the people. We will be assessed on the basis of how our lives positively influenced the lives of the people around us," he said.
A Deputy Minister of Education and MP for North Tongu, Mr Okudjeto Ablakwa, said in defeating apartheid, Mandela overcame the stereotyping of African leaders with all the negative accolades.
The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Mr Alex Affenyo-Markin, said as the entire world celebrated Mandela, other freedom fighters should also be remembered for their role in securing freedom for their respective countries.
The MP for Shai-Osudoku, Mr David Tetteh-Assumeng, said the life of Mandela, particularly the way he handled post-apartheid South Africa, should encourage African countries to do away with the-winner-takes-all policy and practise an all-inclusive governance.
A Deputy Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Ibrahim Murtala, also called for lessons to be derived from the life and legacies of Mandela.
The Minority Leader and MP for Suame, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said even though the entire system Mandela inherited was constructed to suit the white minority, he was able to work hard to integrate the society.
He charged African leaders to learn to lead their people by example and not by rhetorics, which he observed had become the order of the day.
Summing up the eulogy, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, conveyed the condolence of the House to the family and the people of South Africa.
He directed that a copy of the statement and contributions by the MPs should be sent to the South African High Commissioner in Accra.