Accra, Aug. 31, GNA - Minority Leader, Alban Bagbin on Wednesday urged politicians to put an end to the culture of hate politics and instead adopt "constructive engagement" for the common interest and speedy development of the nation.

The Minority Leader, who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Parliament House, said Ghanaians were appalled at the almost daily trading of insults between politicians, particularly between President John Agyekum Kufuor and his predecessor, ex-President Jerry John Rawlings.

Mr Bagbin described as demoralising and counter-productive, the recent verbal attack on Mr E. T. Mensah, MP for Ningo-Prampram by President Kufuor at a rally at Bukom.

The Minority Leader explained that whenever possible, Members of Parliament were enjoined out of protocol and courtesy to be with the President when he visited their constituencies.

The President's description therefore of Mr Mensah's presence in his entourage at the Ningo-Prampram constituency was a wrong signal to the country.

Mr Bagbin also expressed concern about reported attacks by former President Rawlings against the Chief Justice, Mr George Kingsley Acquah and Major-General George Ayiku, Commandant of the Armed Forces Staff College.

The Minority Leader said statements such as those made by the former President were not only unhelpful and provocative but also poisoned the societal fabric.

He called for an end to the politics of intolerance and hatred. "There is the need for us politicians to emulate the good examples of our forefathers instead of focusing on their failure to handle the differences that erupted when they were together in the United Gold Coast Convention."

The Minority Leader urged the National House of Chiefs to push faster the process of reconciling President Kufuor and his predecessor.