Accra (Greater Accra) 17 June '99

Parliament on Wednesday commended the out-going President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, for his "political maturity" in relinquishing power voluntarily.

In a statement on the floor of the house, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, NPP-New Juaben North and Minority Spokesman on Foreign Affairs said although some other African leaders voluntarily retired, the Mandela case is exceptional.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman urged leaders on the continent, who have "the penchant for tenaciously clinging to power, even in situations where self-declared provisional periods of reign are over", to re-consider their stance and take a cue from Mandela.

He noted that by retiring voluntarily, President Mandela has made an indelible mark on the universal political landscape as the world's most famous prisoner of conscience.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman pointed out that by refusing to hold on to power in spite of his immense popularity in both South Africa and the outside world, President Mandela is certainly sending a message to all that "it pays to bow out when the applause is loudest".

The Minority Spokesman on Foreign Affairs stated that much as the relative peace, stability and progress in South Africa must be credited to all, its greatest son, Mandela, deserves special commendation.

"Under his leadership, the much feared post-apartheid political and social explosion remained a bad dream, as he skilfully manoeuvred South Africa out of the political minefield, dogged with issues of violence, race and poverty, that triangulated political discourse in that country."

Mr Owusu-Agyeman said by smoothly working with Apartheid government headed by President F W de Klerk, and at times appointing his former political arch-enemy, Chief Mangosutu Buthelezi, Acting President, President Mandela "demonstrated the democratic tenet of tolerance and rejected the infamous winner-takes-all syndrome that has plagued our continent."

He said the political will mustered by President Mandela to oversee the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and to ensure political party representation on the Electoral Commission, are all glowing testimonies to the "saintly attributes of the living legend, Mandela."

Mr Owusu-Agyeman described the smooth and peaceful transition from "Africa's great son", President Mandela, to Thabo Mbeki as "one deserving of two selfless and patriotic nationals, both of whom stood shoulder to shoulder in the trenches of social justice to fight a common cause".

He said President Mbeki's assurance after the African National Congress's overwhelming electoral victory in the National Congress that his party would govern "without arrogance and with a deep sense of responsibility" is a piece of heart-warming news.

The Minority Spokesman on Foreign Affairs hoped as he steps into President Mandela's big shoes, President Mbeki "would continue on the path of tolerance, reconciliation and social justice, and thus leave golden footprints in the sand of time when the time comes for him to also take a bow."

Associating himself with the statement, Mr Mumuni Abudu Seidu, Deputy Majority Leader and MP for Wa Central praised President Mandela for his forbearance.

Mr Seidu further commended President Mandela for building a very healthy multi-racial democracy in South Africa, and urged other African leaders to follow his shining example.

Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, NPP-Offinso North, lauded the leaders of South Africa for charting a "national course of reconciling the people".

Dr Apraku hoped the transition in that country will inspire other countries on the continent to work hard at maintaining the democratic structures they have put in place.

Mr Edward Korbly Doe Adjaho, Majority Chief Whip and MP for Avenor, reminded African leaders and their people that for genuine reconciliation to take place in their various countries, they must show commitment.

While urging African leaders to be dedicated to the course of their people, Mr David Yaw Mensah, NDC-Atebubu North, called for co-operation between President Mbeki and Chief Buthelezi.

Mr Kojo Armah, PCP-Evalue-Gwira, said President Mandela has become for Africa a symbol of tolerance and reconciliation.

He regretted that Ghanaian leaders have not come anywhere near reconciling the people of this country.

Drawing the curtain on members' contributions, Mr Kenneth Dzirasah, First Deputy Speaker who was in the chair, on behalf of the house, congratulated President Mandela and the people of South Africa for consolidating their democratic process through peaceful means.