Mr Speaker, thank you so much for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker, I would like to place emphasis on a few selected extracts from the good books, the Bible and the Qur’an about love, since we are talking about love, chocolate and anything that will unify us as a House to build this country with one purpose. In 1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16, 1 Corinthians 13:13, Qur’an 85:14, they all talk about the fact that God is love. Even when it comes to hope, faith, and love, the Bible says that “love overrides all these virtues.” Today is a special day that as Parliamentarians, we need to have a special segment of our time resource to ponder over a lot of issues, to redefine a new relationship between Minority and Majority, and treat certain national issues with love that would benefit the young ones out there.
Mr Speaker, today is a day that all of us should develop a new form of love for the poor children out there. Our love should be shown and illustrated in what we say here, what we do in our various offices as Parliamentarians and Appointees—The resources that the State gives us and the kind of comments we make. Love is not just by words, but by actions. So, I say that for today, I extend my special love to all the wives of the cocoa farmers in our country, to all the former and the present First Lady and to all our beautiful women here, both in the Minority and Majority.
Mr Speaker, this is not about whether or not I am married. I know marriage is important, but Ecclesiastes says that “there is time for everything”. So let us take our time.
Mr Speaker, I think this destructive interference of waves would impair the flow of the conversation when it comes to love. I admonish Members to take their time. I can assure them that at the appropriate time, I will laugh. But before I sit down, allow me to extend this to my 100-year-old mother these wishes. She does not understand the English Language. So, with your indulgence, mepɛ sɛ me ka kyerɛ me maame sɛ me dɔ no, na me wishie no Happy Valentine’s Day.
The last thing I want to say is that— My Brother from the other Side, we are not debating but I want to assure him that with the continuity that they want, we will support them to continue growing and expanding all factors that will ensure that our cocoa farmers and cocoa industry will expand. But I want him to understand that in the last eight years, we did about 70,000 acres or hectors—I think we are already through with about 40,000 acres or hectares. So, it is something that they would continue. I know Hon Eric Opoku is a good man and also very intelligent, and would continue that—
Mr Speaker, apart from that, may God bless Ghana and shower his blessings upon us. Let us love each other now and begin a new wave of love that the outsiders would follow us.
God bless you and God bless Ghana. Thank you.