Sunyani (B/A) Jan. 17, GNA - Some residents in Sunyani on Wednesday applauded President J.A. Kufuor for the level of tolerance and maturity he exhibited in answering questions in the just ended Jubilee People's Assembly held at the Catholic Christ the King Parish Hall in Sunyani.

They however expressed regret in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that even though the programme offered the opportunity for the citizenry to interact with the President, some of the questioners asked "insignificant and insulting" questions, which marred the beauty of democracy and undermined the image of the presidency.

"Because President Kufuor is a good father, he has the guts and patience to absorb all kinds of questions but that does not give anybody the licence to ask useless ones", Mr. Ansu Kumi, regional coordinator of the School Feeding Programme said.

He stated that even though the concept (of the People's Assembly) introduced by the NPP government was laudable, the time allotted for the programme was very short as many citizens who were in the queues could not get the chance to pose their questions.

Mr. Albert Ansu, a trader, also noted that "the programme was very impressive, except that some few individuals asked irrelevant questions".

He said the limited time was a deliberate attempt by the government to dodge some issues.

Master Kwadwo Amankwaa Antepimbuusa, a student of the Sunyani Polytechnic noted that some people wanted to abuse the kind of democracy introduced by the government to get closer to the public.

Master Antepimbuusa said although there were more developmental issues that could have been dwelt on to know what measures the government had taken or was taking to change such situations, they rather asked questions that were of no importance to national development.

The student suggested the setting up of a committee that would sensitize questioners on the importance of the programme, to check against any misdemeanour.

Mr. Yaw Gyimah, a 38-year old mechanic in Sunyani said he appreciated the programme for the fact that the President came down to the level of the ordinary people and prayed that it would be sustained to give the ordinary people the opportunity to interact with their leaders. He said, he would be happy if the programme was continued by successive governments.

Miss Ama Arhin, a Kenyasi-based businesswoman, expressed joy for seeing the President for the first time and commended the government for the opportunity.

She said she was disgusted by the choice of words of some of the questioners and suggested that in subsequent programmes questioners should be asked to file their questions to be screened, 93because since it is a live programme, such indecent language should be avoided". Mr. Kwabena Tibu-Darko, a bar attendant, said the programme should have been for a whole day to allow people ample time to ask enough questions or give suggestions.

Meanwhile, the attitude of Dr Asemforo and Rev Oppong at the programme has received great condemnation by most residents of Sunyani as both women, children and men have continued to castigate them in taxis, bars, offices and at group discussions.

Most people stated that the two should have exhibited some decorum and give respect to President Kufuor as the father of the nation. 17 Jan. 07