Prez Mahama commended for show of humility

The President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has been commended for showing humility and appreciation for patriotism by reversing the renaming of the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Pitch.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Tema, the Rt Rev Samuel Noi Mensah of the Full Gospel Church International, praised President Mahama for exhibiting good statesmanship by that act.

He described the President’s attitude as an example worthy of emulation and that which would go a long way to encourage the younger generation to sacrifice for the nation.

Rev Mensah underlined that the mark of a good leader was to unify the people and country as a whole.

He disagreed with those who had argued that the action of President Mahama would kill enthusiasm and the initiative of people who are charged with official responsibilities.

Rev Mensah, however, suggested that the President should go further to appreciate Madam Theodosia Okoh for creating the national flag.

‘We must give flowers to the living rather than putting flowers on a casket when they cannot see nor smell its fragrance,” he stressed.

He said when the living is eulogised or honoured, it would whip up patriotism in people to sacrifice for the nation.

During the celebration of the first year of the demise of President John Evans Atta Mills, last month, the Chief Executive of the Accra Metro[olitan Assembly (AMA), Mr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, renamed the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Pitch in memory of the late President

The decision attracted criticisms from many quarters, including Mrs Okoh, who described the decision as very painful because it was done without any consultation with her.

President Mahama stepped in and directed a reversal of the decision.

Addressing a non-denominational memorial and thanksgiving service to round off activities that marked the celebration in Cape Coast on July 28, 2013, President Mahama described the renaming of the national hockey pitch after the late President Mills as a ''sad mistake'' and apologised to Mrs Okoh for the act.

''I wish as President to express our regret as a nation to our grandmother, Mrs Theodosia Okoh, for any emotional trauma she might have suffered as a result of the mistake of renaming of the National Hockey Pitch,'' the President added.

By Rose Hayford Darko/Daily Graphic/Ghana