She thought for a moment that she had not heard right until the others who had come with her all got up to congratulate her.
“Congratulations Madam, you deserve your new position” the National Security Coordinator, Sackey said. The First Lady, Linda Marfo, came over to hug her.
“Congratulations Madam President. You are not only a good person but also a very efficient one. I have always admired you even before my husband chose you to be his running mate. Good luck!” Linda Marfo said.
Gertrude Mensah sat still in her chair. The announcement that was made did not sink in though they kept on congratulating her repeatedly. Though she was the Vice-President, she had not seen herself as the next President after Stephen Marfo. She had decided soon after been sworn in that the moment Stephen Marfo completed his term, whether one term or two, she would leave the Presidency with him.
She was not one who was charmed by the glitz and glamour surrounding the Presidency. She had seen her been chosen by President Marfo to collaborate with him as a call to duty. However, here she was not with the Presidency been entrusted into her hands. Moreover, by the dictates of the constitution, she was the only person who can replace the President if he can no longer perform his duty as President because of ill health.
She could not believe what was happening more so when unknown to even Lt. Victor Clottey, she had come to the hospital secretly nursing the idea of explaining to the President the attempts on her life and her decision to step down as Vice-President of Ghana. However, here she was, instead of announcing her resignation, she is now the President of the country. She took a deep breath, got up and getting closer to the President, shook hands with him.
“There was silence in the room. The Vice-President knew she had to say something. However, for the first time in her life, she did not know what to say. She was a bundle of emotions. Never in her life, from primary to university through to her days as a practicing medical doctor, did she ever dream she would become the President of Ghana.
“Thank you, Ladies and gentlemen” she began, fighting hard to stifle back tears. “First of all, I want to thank God for bringing me this far. I never thought of a day like this. Never ever, for the first time, I now understand the claim that it is God who installed kings and Queens. I thank Him for giving me life to see a day like this.”
She wiped away a tear that had escaped from her eyes and was meandering its way down her cheeks. All around her were smiles.
“Now, I want to thank my boss, President Stephen Marfo. He is an incredible man and though I need to rejoice on a day like this, I am saddened by the announcement of his ill health, which has compelled him to step down as President of Ghana. I pray that God restores him to good health. Ghana really needs him. Going to step into his big shoes is not going to be easy but once he is around, my task would be made easier by the fact that he would be available for me to consult him any time, any day.”
Those in the room broke into applause. The Vice-President smiled, for the first time. The President smiled too. He had never regretted choosing Gertrude Mensah as his running mate and now as he sat in bed and listened to her, he quietly congratulated himself for making a good choice.
“Can I slip in a comment or two?” he asked. The Vice-President paused. All attention turned to the President. The smile on his face vanished as a pensive expression replaced it. No one could guess what he was about to say.