The nation woke up slowly, oblivious about the drama that had unfolded all night long. The sun had risen up very early in defiance to the all night rain and was already blazing high above. The state owned GTV broke the news during its six o’clock news bulletin, stating that the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Kwesi Adu-Tutu and two others had been arrested during the night for plotting to assassinate Vice-President Gertrude Mensah.
Rex Yamoah, the Deputy National Security Coordinator and Derek Gavivi, a junior national security operative were named as his accomplices. Five others, Kruger, Sphinx, Tiger, Phan Xuan and Cpl. Attinka were also named as part of the plot but were killed by loyal forces while resisting arrest.
A shocked nation listened to the news in horror, surprise that no less a person than the Speaker of Parliament would engage himself in such an unholy enterprise. The news item went on to state that they were responsible for the bloodbath that took place at the James Town police station 72 hours earlier as well as the killing of fishermen at the Sakumono Village and beach. The gang, it was announced, was also responsible for the assassination of the National Security Coordinator, Ian Sackey.
The second news item was the announcement that the President, Stephen Marfo, would broadcast to the nation at 10:00 a.m. that day.
Vice-President Gertrude Mensah woke up at 4:45 a.m and had her bath. Then she woke Lt. Clottey up. By 6:40 a.m, the two had dressed up and gone to sit in the President’s living room. At 7:00 a.m., Lt. Badoo joined them. He winked at Lt. Clottey as he took his seat. At 7:25 a.m, President Marfo walked in with his wife. He was in a black three piece suit. He shook hands with everybody in the room before taking his seat. Then he told his guests about the briefing he had earlier that morning from Major-General Omari Duah about what had transpired all night. He congratulated the two soldiers and then announced that he had arranged to broadcast to the nation at ten o’clock that morning. Immediately after that, Vice-President Gertrude Mensah would be sworn in as the new President of Ghana as directed by the constitution.
At 8:00 am, breakfast was served. The President moved to the dining hall with his guests. He told Gertrude Mensah that the Chief Justice was on his way to his residence. So were service commanders and other high ranking officials of the government.
The Vice-President was taken aback by what the President said. She decided to dash home, change into something that would suit the occasion and dash back but the President said it was too late. Then she had a brainwave; quickly, she phoned Anne Marie of VVIP boutique where she buys her dresses and other accessories and told her what she needed urgently and for what occasion. Anne Marie said she would be there in twenty minutes. She knew the dress and shoe sizes of the Vice-President as well as her taste.
Meanwhile, service commanders and senior members of the government began to arrive at the President’s residence. The Chief Justice arrived at 8:35 a.m just after the President and his guest had left the dining hall, having finished taking their breakfast.
Anne Marie arrived at 9:00 a.m. She brought for the Vice-President a wine ladies skirt suit with wine shoes to match. The Vice-President retreated to her room to change into the new dress. The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Kwabena Ankobea arrived at 9:15 a.m. The GTV crew arrived at 9:20 a.m. They were followed by the Military band and then at 9:30 a.m, the Chief Justice (CJ), Justice Senyo Agbenyega arrived. He immediately sent for the Vice-President so he could take her through the swearing of the Presidential oath. Having once sworn the Vice-Presidential oath, it was not a new thing to Gertrude Mensah. She went through with the CJ with ease. At exactly 9:55 am, the President appeared on the lavish green law of his residence where the GTV, BBC, CNN, AFTV and Pan-Afrikan TV crews had se-up their cameras. There were other journalists from electronic and print media houses present as well. Behind them, the army band was ready to play. At exactly 10:00 am, the band began to play the national anthem. Everyone stood at attention while members of the security services saluted. When it ended, the President began to address the nation. He announced that due to ill-health, he was resigning immediately but knew he was leaving the management of the state in the hands of a very competent person.
He described as disgraceful the attempt by some persons to assassinate the Vice-President and called on the country to unite behind her against such persons.
“Our country must continue to be a haven of peace. We must never allow those who want to shed blood to rule this nation. We are each other’s keeper. We must let our diversity be the source of our unity and strength. God continues to bless our beloved country. Thank you and God bless you,” he ended his speech.
The speech lasted three minutes and forty seconds. The army band played the national anthem once more. When it ended, President Stephen Marfo, now a former President, went round with his wife, shaking hands with all around.