The President, His Excellency, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor has been urged to institute periodic “breakfast meetings” with leaders in the opposition parties.

This suggestion was made by Dr Edwars Mahama, the presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC) in the 2001 elections during a chat with “The Crusading Guide” at the party’s Headquarters situated at Abavana junction in Accra recently.

Dr Mahama urged President Kufuor to take a cue from the recent attempted Ivorian coup d’tat, and institute such interactive meetings where issues relating to government, economy and difficulties facing the ruling government would be laid before them.

He was of the view that if President Laurant Gbagbo had accepted the proposal of meeting his opponents in that country, the recent attempt at a coup d’etat wouldn’t have occurred. The PNC leader added that politicians prefer having a first knowledge of the problems and achievements of the ruling government.

He also stressed that governance is a team work, therefore both the players and spectators need to join their forces together in solving the nation’s problems. Dr Edward Mahama explained that at such meeting with the opposition politicians, issues such as the outcome of the recent emergency Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meeting for the 16 leaders held in Accra recently would be discussed on one to one basis.

He states that the country can move forward only when Politicians dialogue on sensitive national issues. He suggested that the meeting could be held on quarterly or yearly basis in a more conducive and friendly atmosphere, which suit all parties.

On the recent problems in Cote d’ Ivoire, he urged the citizens there to remain calm and use dialogue instead of violence to solve their problems. Dr Mahama appealed to the Ivorian President to initiate “breakfast meetings” with his opposition counterparts.

He concluded that such for a would make them feel part of the system rather than being perceived as enemies of the ruling government. On the Kumawu elections, he revealed that the PNC’s campaign and organising machinery was on the ground. During the interview, one Alhaji Abdul Mumuni a leading member of the party who was at kumawu to observe the election, made it clear to this reporter that the election was free and fair.