Accra, July 9, GNA - Camera flashes and warm handshakes preceded by smiles and jokes in an atmosphere of conviviality heralded a new dawn in Ghanaian politics on Thursday when the leadership of the four political parties with representation in Parliament paid a courtesy call on President John Evans Atta Mills at the Castle, Osu, in Accra. For the first time in the nation's history, stalwarts of the parties, under the Ghana Political Parties Programme of the think thank group, the Institute of Economic Affairs, met a sitting president and congratulated him on his victory at an election.

The Institute also commended the President for his collaboration with the Institute and for fulfilling a number of promises in the campaign in the run-up to the last general elections. "I'm delighted you have paid me a visit. This is the kind of tradition we must nurture," President Mills said, as he welcomed his guests into the Castle.

President Mills reiterated national unity, with a reminder that all political parties, despite their divergent opinions, had a common agenda of ensuring better lives for the people.

With a reference to his promise to be a father for all, President Mills assured the other political parties that his doors were always open for discussions and consultations.

He reminded political leaders to use the resources of the state to the benefit of the people so that the people would renew their trust and confidence in them.

President Mills referred to the appeal of the Institute for action to be expedited on the review of the Political Parties Law, the Presidential Transition Bill and the Political Parties Funding Law and assured the leaders that Government would act on the constitutional reforms proposed in his February State of the Nation Address. Dr Jean Mensah, Administrator of the Institute, said President Mills would be remembered as one of the fathers of multi-party democracy in Ghana if those laws were passed in his time.

The Institute extended an invitation to the President to attend its 20th Anniversary celebrations scheduled for next October. Among those present were Mr Peter Mac Manu and Nana Ohene Ntow, National Chairman and General Secretary respectively of the New Patriotic Party; Dr Kwabena Adjei and Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, National Chairman and General Secretary respectively of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC); Mr Ahmed Ramadan and Mr Bernard Mornah, Chairman and General Secretary respectively of the People's National Convention; Mr Ladi Nylander and Mr Ivor Greenstreet, Chairman and National Secretary respectively of the Convention People's Party. Others were Brigadier General (Rtd) Francis Agyemfra, a Research Fellow at the Institute and Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, a consultant to the to the Institute.