On 14th February, 2012, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Convener of the Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP) is reported to have said “Kwaku Baako Jnr., is on a damage control mission for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag-bearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on his latest link to drug barons.”
Felix alleged that the motive behind the February 14th publication of The New Crusading Guide newspaper is to undermine the integrity of the state-owned Daily Graphic and extricate Nana Akufo-Addo on allegations that he issued a diplomatic passport to drug barons as Foreign Minister in the erstwhile Kufuor administration.
“I don’t think Kwaku Baako has succeeded in any way in absolving Nana Addo from blame in this particular matter. It would be in his (Baako's) own interest to prove that Nana Addo did not issue the diplomatic passport rather than seeking to undermine the integrity of The Graphic” he asserted.Read story:[http://politics.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201202/81534.php]
In the first place, I believe The New Crusading Guide newspaper was unnecessarily lenient with the state-owned Daily Graphic newspaper on this particular matter. The integrity of Daily Graphic has been doubtful for quite some time now. The Daily Graphic reporter, Timothy Gobah, who wrote the 13 February, 2012 story, must be sacked immediately. It is important to note that, the same reporter, Timothy Gobah wrote the story about how principled former Attorney General, Martin Amidu practically begged the President for forgiveness at the Castle over the “gargantuan crimes expose” when nothing like that happened. The NDC government seem to have finally infiltrated the state-owned Daily Graphic with an “absolutely ignorant”and unprofessional journalist.
The New Crusading Guide newspaper was right. The Daily Graphic published a story with title “Ghanaian Drug Baron Arrested in Brazil” on Monday, 19 May 2008 written by Nii Marma. Readers, you will not believe that, the same story was reproduced by NDC faithful Timothy Gobah on 13thFebruary, 2012 with twisted facts.
Relevant portions of the original story written by Nii Marma in 2008 says:
“Raymond Kwame Amankwah, a Ghanaian described as one of the most wanted drug barons, has been arrested in Brazil through a collaboration between the German Federal Police and its Brazilian counterpart.
He was arrested alongside two women, Mandy Veit, a German, and Irena Beata Ciaslak, a German-Polish, at the Pinto Martins Airport in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceara State in December 2007.
Confirming the arrest in a correspondence to the Daily Graphic, a Director of the Brazilian Supreme Court, Ms Madeleine Lacsko, said the three suspects were arrested after security personnel searched Mandy’s and Irena’s luggage at the airport while the two were waiting to fly to Lisbon at 7:30 p.m. and found the drugs hidden in false compartments.
It said Raymond, holder of Ghanaian passport number H1878450, was in custody at the House of Deprivation Provisional Freedom of Caucaia, while Mandy, holder of German passport A0883780, and Irena, bearer of German passport number 176705648, were being kept at female prisons at Presidio Desa, Auri Moura Costa.”
Kindly note that the passport number Ms Madeleine Lacsko, a Director of the Brazilian Supreme Court, gave Daily Graphic in the 2008 correspondence was H1878450.
Let us shift our attention to the “new”report the NDC faithful, Timothy Gobah published on 13th February, 2012. The NDC propagandist says:
“The Federal Police Department of Brazil has established that a notorious Ghanaian drug baron, Raymond Kwame Amankwah, who is serving a 14-year prison term at the Provisional Detention Centre at Caucaia in Brazil for drug trafficking, was holding a diplomatic passport issued by the Republic of Ghana.
A report released by the Brazilian police said at the time of his arrest, Amankwah, was holding passport number D1878450, a diplomatic passport.”
Kindly note that the passport number the NDC propagandist, Timothy Gobah gave is D1878450.
The difference between the two passport numbers is the letter “H” and “D” which prefixes both same numbers. I have seen an ordinary passport, its number starts with “H”. I want to believe a diplomatic passport number will start with the letter “D”.
Clearly the agenda of Timothy Gobah and his NDC paymasters is vivid for critical minds. Let us not lose sight of the current Woyomegate that has engulfed the nation. The President’s image has suffered badly. The NDC propaganda machinery is doing everything and anything to repair the President’s image and divert attention. I believe this is one of the strategies but it has back-fired badly.
A discerning mind will ask some questions:
1. Did Timothy actually speak to any officer at Federal Police Department of Brazil?
2. Who did Timothy speak to at the Federal Police Department of Brazil?
3. Was there a correspondence at all between Timothy and the Federal Police Department of Brazil?
4. Raymond Amankwah has been jailed in Brazil years back, why did it take half a decade to establish he was using a diplomatic passport?
5. The color and features of a diplomatic passport is clearly different from a normal passport, how could this elude Brazilian immigration officials for 5 years?
6. What are the real intentions of Timothy in twisting the facts of this story?
7. Who is paying Timothy to undertake this dirty job?
The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo resigned as Foreign Minister in 2007 to contest for the NPP flag-bearership race. The malicious plan to smear him has failed. According to Felix Kwakye “the onus lies with Kwaku Baako to prove that the NPP flag-bearer is innocent and that Nana did not issue a diplomatic passport to Raymond Amankah as it is being alleged.” This was the real intention of the Daily Graphic story reproduced by NDC faithful, Timothy Gobah. The story was supposed to set the tone for the “largely inexperienced and absolutely ignorant”government communicators like Felix to launch attacks on the personality of Mr. Akufo Addo. They have failed miserably.
I have already established per the correspondence with Ms Madeleine Lacsko, a Director of the Brazilian Supreme Court in 2008 that:
1. Raymond Amankwah had an ordinary passport and not a diplomatic passport.
2. The passport number was H1878450 and not D1878450.
3. Timothy Gaboh has gained notoriety for writing propaganda stories for the NDC
If indeed, Raymond Amankwah had a diplomatic passport, he would have enjoyed immunity. Readers will recall the case of Frank Benneh, the diplomat who was arrested with drugs in 1998 in Switzerland. He was transferred to Ghana to be tried because of his diplomatic credentials.
In view of the above, it is clear the mischief Felix Kwakye Fosu and his ilk sought to create did not materialize. He must address himself to the facts before making public statements.
I LOVE GHANA
Patriot Faisal Ibrahim [www.facebook.com/faisal.ibrahim1]
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
RE:RE:Akufo-Addo:Ghana is in a state of leadership paralysis
I am quickly going to respond to an article authored by an “absolutely ignorant and inexperienced member” of the government communication team, Felix Amegashie Mawulolo. His main job is to be doing propaganda for the NDC government on facebook. I wonder why he has veered from his core responsibility. In his article, he attempts to respond to Nana Akufo Addo’s apt observation that “Ghana is in a state of leadership paralysis”. I must say my flag bearer’s observation is shared by many in the NDC. I will cite only three examples.
Let’s start with President Rawlings. He cited an instance where President Mills made an appointment. Only for the Council of State Chairman, Prof. Awoonor to have appointed somebody to same position months before. When the President was told about the development, all he could do was to say “Prof. kwraa awre haw me” to wit Prof. [Awoonor] is worrying me and it ended there.
Micheal Teye Nyaunu, NDC Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo, in the wake of the FONKAR-GAMES said the Yutong Bus driver was sleeping and need to be changed. Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, in a subtle agreement offered a different solution. He said the Yutong driver should be given coffee and not replaced.
Lastly, the recent EOCO report on the gargantuan thievery. According to the EOCO Boss, President Mills gave a “stop payment” order twice. The order was violated twice and nothing happened. Which serious leader will do nothing in the face of such insubordination and disrespect to the highest office of the land.
Back to the article [http://mawulolo.blogspot.com/2012/02/re-akufo-addo-ghana-is-in-state-of.html] under scrutiny. Let me ignore the ignorance and pettiness the author displayed in the initial part of his largely empty piece.
The first point he raised worth addressing is “For the record, Ghana has grown from a single digit economic growth below 7% under the misguided administration of the Kufuor regime to a double digit growth of 13.6% under the able leadership of President Mills and John Dramani Mahama”. Let me number my points.
1. Ghana’s economy grew by 7.3% in 2008.That cannot be “below 7%” unless the author had problems with arithmetic operations in school.
2. The 7.3% growth was recorded when the country was NOT an oil producing nation.
3. The 13.6% growth includes a gargantuan growth in the mining sub-sector-oil production.
4. To show who has managed our economy better, you must compare the figures without the oil contribution.
5. Kindly note that, the Kufuor led administration deserves every credit for the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in 2007.
Secondly, he says “NDC government handled the situation, paid the debts including the TOR debt for which monies stolen from Ghanaians in the Recovery levy was rather used to pay journalists and groups to engage in needless propaganda for the NPP.”
What has crippled this government is its communication machinery. And the author is part of that problem. In the first place the TOR debt propaganda which was led by President Mills fell in a deep ocean. Indeed, last year during the ecomini-state of the nation address, he [President Mills] said the debate on the debt was not necessary. Mind you this sudden “advise” came up when the minority in parliament exposed that the TOR debt was actually GHc 9.27 million per TOR’s own 2008 financial statement. We all recall the inconsistencies in the debt figures.
1. On January 8, 2011, President Mills in his encounter with the media, stated that the TOR debt he inherited was GH¢ 1.48 billion.
2. On April 14, 2009 President Mills said the figure was GH¢1.14 billion. The President had inflated his own initial figure by GH¢380 million
3. On January 23, 2011, Fiifi Kwetey, a deputy Finance Minister in direct response to a question put to him by the host of a 'Talking Point' programme retorted that the TOR debt as reflected in the audited accounts was GH¢1.448 billion.
4. On Good Morning Ghana programme on Metro Tv, Okudjeto Ablakwa mentioned GHc 900 Million as the TOR Debt
Which of these debt figures has been paid?
Then again, the author claims the TOR debts have been paid. As at last year, there was no parliamentary approval for any payment to Ghana Commercial Bank. Neither did it appear in this year’s budget. So how was it paid? This government has only been successful in lies and propaganda.
Thirdly, on state properties, “What about the Ga stool lands and government bungalows that were looted and sold out to their kingpins?” To loot is to steal, plunder etc. The primary responsibility of any government is to protect state properties and interest. If anybody has looted government bungalows and Ga stool lands, why has the NDC government not made any arrests? Who steals and pays for them? Or the author is just using the word “loot” because his sudden-fat belly bosses are using them? Or they told him to use them? Does he even understand the word “looting”?
As a matter of principle, I do not support any politician acquiring any state property under any circumstance. I condemn it though members of my party have done so. However, it should be placed on record that this policy has existed since Nkrumah. The NDC government under Rawlings continued this policy. Embattled Aunty Betty, Foreign Minister Muhammed Mumuni, President Mills, and other top functionaries of the author’s party have acquired numerous properties through this immoral scheme. It must be noted that Nana Akufo Addo, my flag bearer, out rightly rejected that idea. Mills could not resist the temptation so he bought a state land at Ofankor.
On drugs t se author said “There was a big boom in the drugs and narcotics trade. Hardly a day passed between 2001 and 2008 that Ghanaians did not wake up with screaming headlines of on drug haul of the other.” The author and his party are very funny. So because “Hardly a day passed between 2001 and 2008 that Ghanaians did not wake up with screaming headlines of on drug haul” it meant there was “a big boom in the drugs and narcotics trade”? These people should respect the intelligence of Ghanaians. It is as if you say because criminals are being arrested everyday so the government of the day is promoting crime. This is pure idiocy. If drug barons were being arrested, it showed a government that was committed to the fight. The anti-drug fight is beyond the pettiness the author displays.
It requires serious logistical and international support to fight it. This inspired President Kufuor to collaborate with the UK government for the Operation Westbridge. You need policies like making drugs a non-bailable offence which Kufuor initiated and enacted. Unfortunately, this government has given inexplicable bails for drug suspects. Indeed, in one instance CRAZY AKRASI, NACOB Boss said on Joy Fm a drug suspect was a “hardworking young man” so he deserve to be given bail. NACOB actually filed for a bail to be granted that suspect. Since this corrupt party took over power, I am yet to see any concrete policy in the fight against drugs. Apart from President Mills raising his armpit to be checked at the airport, what action has he taken to fight the menace? President Mills has stated that he knows members of his entourage are drug couriers. He has appealed to the UK government to provide him with portable drug detection devices so that the screening will be done secretly to avoid any embarrassment. The anti-drug fight is no joke.
We all remember the arrest of a large number NDC NACOB officials who aided drug barons in their illicit trade last year. One of lady officer arrested was allegedly the “Personal Assistant” of CRAZY AKRASI.
Having said all these, it is clear the author is absolutely ignorant about the things he wrote about. His inexperience was vivid. Ghanaians are still waiting for the 580,000,000,000 cedis this corrupt government rewarded Woyome for allegedly financing the President’s campaigns.
I LOVE GHANA
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM [https://www.facebook.com/#!/faisal.ibrahim1]
Let’s start with President Rawlings. He cited an instance where President Mills made an appointment. Only for the Council of State Chairman, Prof. Awoonor to have appointed somebody to same position months before. When the President was told about the development, all he could do was to say “Prof. kwraa awre haw me” to wit Prof. [Awoonor] is worrying me and it ended there.
Micheal Teye Nyaunu, NDC Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo, in the wake of the FONKAR-GAMES said the Yutong Bus driver was sleeping and need to be changed. Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, in a subtle agreement offered a different solution. He said the Yutong driver should be given coffee and not replaced.
Lastly, the recent EOCO report on the gargantuan thievery. According to the EOCO Boss, President Mills gave a “stop payment” order twice. The order was violated twice and nothing happened. Which serious leader will do nothing in the face of such insubordination and disrespect to the highest office of the land.
Back to the article [http://mawulolo.blogspot.com/2012/02/re-akufo-addo-ghana-is-in-state-of.html] under scrutiny. Let me ignore the ignorance and pettiness the author displayed in the initial part of his largely empty piece.
The first point he raised worth addressing is “For the record, Ghana has grown from a single digit economic growth below 7% under the misguided administration of the Kufuor regime to a double digit growth of 13.6% under the able leadership of President Mills and John Dramani Mahama”. Let me number my points.
1. Ghana’s economy grew by 7.3% in 2008.That cannot be “below 7%” unless the author had problems with arithmetic operations in school.
2. The 7.3% growth was recorded when the country was NOT an oil producing nation.
3. The 13.6% growth includes a gargantuan growth in the mining sub-sector-oil production.
4. To show who has managed our economy better, you must compare the figures without the oil contribution.
5. Kindly note that, the Kufuor led administration deserves every credit for the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in 2007.
Secondly, he says “NDC government handled the situation, paid the debts including the TOR debt for which monies stolen from Ghanaians in the Recovery levy was rather used to pay journalists and groups to engage in needless propaganda for the NPP.”
What has crippled this government is its communication machinery. And the author is part of that problem. In the first place the TOR debt propaganda which was led by President Mills fell in a deep ocean. Indeed, last year during the ecomini-state of the nation address, he [President Mills] said the debate on the debt was not necessary. Mind you this sudden “advise” came up when the minority in parliament exposed that the TOR debt was actually GHc 9.27 million per TOR’s own 2008 financial statement. We all recall the inconsistencies in the debt figures.
1. On January 8, 2011, President Mills in his encounter with the media, stated that the TOR debt he inherited was GH¢ 1.48 billion.
2. On April 14, 2009 President Mills said the figure was GH¢1.14 billion. The President had inflated his own initial figure by GH¢380 million
3. On January 23, 2011, Fiifi Kwetey, a deputy Finance Minister in direct response to a question put to him by the host of a 'Talking Point' programme retorted that the TOR debt as reflected in the audited accounts was GH¢1.448 billion.
4. On Good Morning Ghana programme on Metro Tv, Okudjeto Ablakwa mentioned GHc 900 Million as the TOR Debt
Which of these debt figures has been paid?
Then again, the author claims the TOR debts have been paid. As at last year, there was no parliamentary approval for any payment to Ghana Commercial Bank. Neither did it appear in this year’s budget. So how was it paid? This government has only been successful in lies and propaganda.
Thirdly, on state properties, “What about the Ga stool lands and government bungalows that were looted and sold out to their kingpins?” To loot is to steal, plunder etc. The primary responsibility of any government is to protect state properties and interest. If anybody has looted government bungalows and Ga stool lands, why has the NDC government not made any arrests? Who steals and pays for them? Or the author is just using the word “loot” because his sudden-fat belly bosses are using them? Or they told him to use them? Does he even understand the word “looting”?
As a matter of principle, I do not support any politician acquiring any state property under any circumstance. I condemn it though members of my party have done so. However, it should be placed on record that this policy has existed since Nkrumah. The NDC government under Rawlings continued this policy. Embattled Aunty Betty, Foreign Minister Muhammed Mumuni, President Mills, and other top functionaries of the author’s party have acquired numerous properties through this immoral scheme. It must be noted that Nana Akufo Addo, my flag bearer, out rightly rejected that idea. Mills could not resist the temptation so he bought a state land at Ofankor.
On drugs t se author said “There was a big boom in the drugs and narcotics trade. Hardly a day passed between 2001 and 2008 that Ghanaians did not wake up with screaming headlines of on drug haul of the other.” The author and his party are very funny. So because “Hardly a day passed between 2001 and 2008 that Ghanaians did not wake up with screaming headlines of on drug haul” it meant there was “a big boom in the drugs and narcotics trade”? These people should respect the intelligence of Ghanaians. It is as if you say because criminals are being arrested everyday so the government of the day is promoting crime. This is pure idiocy. If drug barons were being arrested, it showed a government that was committed to the fight. The anti-drug fight is beyond the pettiness the author displays.
It requires serious logistical and international support to fight it. This inspired President Kufuor to collaborate with the UK government for the Operation Westbridge. You need policies like making drugs a non-bailable offence which Kufuor initiated and enacted. Unfortunately, this government has given inexplicable bails for drug suspects. Indeed, in one instance CRAZY AKRASI, NACOB Boss said on Joy Fm a drug suspect was a “hardworking young man” so he deserve to be given bail. NACOB actually filed for a bail to be granted that suspect. Since this corrupt party took over power, I am yet to see any concrete policy in the fight against drugs. Apart from President Mills raising his armpit to be checked at the airport, what action has he taken to fight the menace? President Mills has stated that he knows members of his entourage are drug couriers. He has appealed to the UK government to provide him with portable drug detection devices so that the screening will be done secretly to avoid any embarrassment. The anti-drug fight is no joke.
We all remember the arrest of a large number NDC NACOB officials who aided drug barons in their illicit trade last year. One of lady officer arrested was allegedly the “Personal Assistant” of CRAZY AKRASI.
Having said all these, it is clear the author is absolutely ignorant about the things he wrote about. His inexperience was vivid. Ghanaians are still waiting for the 580,000,000,000 cedis this corrupt government rewarded Woyome for allegedly financing the President’s campaigns.
I LOVE GHANA
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM [https://www.facebook.com/#!/faisal.ibrahim1]
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Akufo Addo Does Not Need to Debunk His Innocence in Drug Addict Accusation!
I read with disbelief an article authored by one Stephen Agyemang with title “Can Akufo Addo Debunk His Innocence in Drug Addict Accusation?” published on ghanaweb.com on the 20th of July, 2011.
As a Ghanaian electorate, I will like to answer an emphatic “YES!”. In fact Akufo Addo does not need to debunk anything. Drug addicts exhibit some physical behaviors that are difficult to conceal. Akufo Addo has been in a politics for over three decades now; I am yet to see or hear of him exhibiting any of such behaviors. I am particularly inspired by of Akufo Addo’s prowess in oratory. His speaks to the inner beings of his audience. He inspires people to achieve greater things in life. It is not surprising that lawyers who practiced under him are top lawyers in the country.
The allegation that Akufo Addo is a drug addict was a key character assassination campaign message of the ruling NDC party in the 2008 general elections. One would have thought having used such wicked ways into power; they will give Ghanaians some peace by at least developing the country. The NDC government is more interested in propaganda and lies. The drug addiction propaganda might have worked in 2008 but I am sure it will not work in 2012. Especially when cost of living has risen to unbearable levels though government says inflation is single digit. In fact the costs of government projects have increased by over 200% since 2008 but inflation we are told is single digit. Some Ghanaians who bought into the propaganda of the NDC in 2008 have resolved to reject the NDC in the 2012 elections.
In the said article, the author suggested some NDC politicians who had allegations around their necks have publicly denied them. “For example, during 2008 general election campaign, the incumbent president, President Mills, was accused of not being a good parent. Accordingly, he (President Mills) came out impeccably to debunk that allegation that he had been more of a good father than been a politician on Metro TV (KSM show) and many FM stations across the country.” So Stephen thinks by merely denying those allegations, Ghanaians must accept it as the truth. This is a clear manifestation of naivety on his part. He goes further to state “Similarly, just recently, Hannah Bissiw, the current Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing was disgracefully accused of grabbing two expensive tax cedis mansions in her hometown (Techimantia) by Daily Searchlight newspaper. She (Hannah Bissiw) also came out boldly to debunk and condemn the report that if she needed two mansions…”
After sheepishly citing these examples, he further expose his deficiencies by stating “Now imagine, you and I as Ghanaians voting such a drug addict into power as the president, his brain might be horribly gingered by cocaine and wee to sign wicked international contracts to put the whole country into a big jeopardy. Moreover trading of drugs would become easy to and from other countries because he himself (Akufo Addo) would be demanding for some to use.”
At this point I couldn’t help but react. The politics of our country has been on the decline to the gutters. People in high public and political offices just say anything. In fact, the system in place now rewards youth who are good at insulting and throwing mud at others. The President has been cited for championing this morally corrupt concept. The youthful ministers in his government are people who were good at telling lies and deceit during the 2008 elections. I can readily mention, Hon. Fiifi Kwetey, who stated categorically that the Kufuor led government has sold all the gold reserves of the country. He said the Kufuor administration have robbed us of all the gold reserves that have been stored since independence. Even when the public relations officer of Bank of Ghana, issued a statement denying it, this man stood by his lies.
In rewarding this passionate liar, President Mills appointed him as Deputy Minister of no less a ministry than the Finance Ministry. The Ministry that supervises Bank of Ghana, what an irony many thought. If this minister had any sense of respect for Ghanaians, he would have at least issued a statement, since he was appointed minister to apologize that he erred. May be his information then was wrong, but NO! He will do no such thing; he holds the view the Ghanaian electorate is a fool. In fact the high position he finds himself has not even helped him polish his behavior. His interviews are full of subtle insults and outright lies. He recently told Ghanaians, a document prepared by his boss to be sent to the International Monetary Fund extolling the prudent management of the economy by the Kufuor administration was not a true reflection of the state of affairs.
The insult-reward system in the NDC has given impetus to people like Stephen Agyemang to waste human effort in writing the said article. May be he will also be rewarded. This notion held by many NDC youth has made the fight against indecent politicking difficult.
In the wonder land of Stephen, by merely denying an allegation then that allegation is false. If that weak logic is anything to go by then Akufo Addo has denied this allegation many times, why is Stephen Agyemang and his visionless government wasting our time? As recent as November, 2010, Akufo Addo humbly stated that “I have never tasted or sniffed cocaine. Why are my detractors attacking my personality, saying that I am a drug addict?” If Stephen was knowledgeable about happenings in the country he would have known this. May be he knew this but as usual, repeat the lies, and paint Akufo Addo black, the reward is on the way syndrome is motivating him to lie. Indeed the Vice President, John Mahama who was a colleague legislature spoke against this drug allegation against Akufo Addo. The VEEP said, he has known Akufo Addo for many years in parliament and he can vouch Akufo Addo is not on any drugs.
Stephen and his NDC party can be rest assured that the 2012 elections will be based on the promises of the NDC against their performance. The drug addiction allegation will be a non starter, even with those allegations Akufo Addo lost by some few thousands of votes. Issues like the One Time National Health Insurance Premium, 250 million start-up fund for SADA, Ghanaians becoming refugees in Togo, Ministers and appointees building mansions in record times, foot soldiers beating MMDA Chief Executives, Road Tolls increase by 1000%, Flow meter on FPSO removed for wooden ruler to be used to measure our crude oil, 70 pupils in a classroom after the abolishment of the shift system, the fishing sector growing by -5%, 320 million Ghana cedis allocation to GNPC without explanation, Agriculture sector decline by over 30% due to 14% decline in budget allocation, price of basic commodities increasing by over 200%, shortage of gas, 3000 steel workers sacked due to power interruptions and many bread and butter issues will dominate the attention of Ghanaian electorates.
It has just been reported that the Chief Executive Officer of National Health Insurance Authority has ordered health providers in parts of the country should demand cash payment for medical treatment. The Rawlings led NDC administration introduced the cash and carry system in the health sector. The Kufuor led NPP government abolished that system because many Ghanaians died under that system. NHIS was introduced to save lives, only for the better Ghana agenda to take us back to the deadly cash and carry system again.
God save us!
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
0262232000
As a Ghanaian electorate, I will like to answer an emphatic “YES!”. In fact Akufo Addo does not need to debunk anything. Drug addicts exhibit some physical behaviors that are difficult to conceal. Akufo Addo has been in a politics for over three decades now; I am yet to see or hear of him exhibiting any of such behaviors. I am particularly inspired by of Akufo Addo’s prowess in oratory. His speaks to the inner beings of his audience. He inspires people to achieve greater things in life. It is not surprising that lawyers who practiced under him are top lawyers in the country.
The allegation that Akufo Addo is a drug addict was a key character assassination campaign message of the ruling NDC party in the 2008 general elections. One would have thought having used such wicked ways into power; they will give Ghanaians some peace by at least developing the country. The NDC government is more interested in propaganda and lies. The drug addiction propaganda might have worked in 2008 but I am sure it will not work in 2012. Especially when cost of living has risen to unbearable levels though government says inflation is single digit. In fact the costs of government projects have increased by over 200% since 2008 but inflation we are told is single digit. Some Ghanaians who bought into the propaganda of the NDC in 2008 have resolved to reject the NDC in the 2012 elections.
In the said article, the author suggested some NDC politicians who had allegations around their necks have publicly denied them. “For example, during 2008 general election campaign, the incumbent president, President Mills, was accused of not being a good parent. Accordingly, he (President Mills) came out impeccably to debunk that allegation that he had been more of a good father than been a politician on Metro TV (KSM show) and many FM stations across the country.” So Stephen thinks by merely denying those allegations, Ghanaians must accept it as the truth. This is a clear manifestation of naivety on his part. He goes further to state “Similarly, just recently, Hannah Bissiw, the current Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing was disgracefully accused of grabbing two expensive tax cedis mansions in her hometown (Techimantia) by Daily Searchlight newspaper. She (Hannah Bissiw) also came out boldly to debunk and condemn the report that if she needed two mansions…”
After sheepishly citing these examples, he further expose his deficiencies by stating “Now imagine, you and I as Ghanaians voting such a drug addict into power as the president, his brain might be horribly gingered by cocaine and wee to sign wicked international contracts to put the whole country into a big jeopardy. Moreover trading of drugs would become easy to and from other countries because he himself (Akufo Addo) would be demanding for some to use.”
At this point I couldn’t help but react. The politics of our country has been on the decline to the gutters. People in high public and political offices just say anything. In fact, the system in place now rewards youth who are good at insulting and throwing mud at others. The President has been cited for championing this morally corrupt concept. The youthful ministers in his government are people who were good at telling lies and deceit during the 2008 elections. I can readily mention, Hon. Fiifi Kwetey, who stated categorically that the Kufuor led government has sold all the gold reserves of the country. He said the Kufuor administration have robbed us of all the gold reserves that have been stored since independence. Even when the public relations officer of Bank of Ghana, issued a statement denying it, this man stood by his lies.
In rewarding this passionate liar, President Mills appointed him as Deputy Minister of no less a ministry than the Finance Ministry. The Ministry that supervises Bank of Ghana, what an irony many thought. If this minister had any sense of respect for Ghanaians, he would have at least issued a statement, since he was appointed minister to apologize that he erred. May be his information then was wrong, but NO! He will do no such thing; he holds the view the Ghanaian electorate is a fool. In fact the high position he finds himself has not even helped him polish his behavior. His interviews are full of subtle insults and outright lies. He recently told Ghanaians, a document prepared by his boss to be sent to the International Monetary Fund extolling the prudent management of the economy by the Kufuor administration was not a true reflection of the state of affairs.
The insult-reward system in the NDC has given impetus to people like Stephen Agyemang to waste human effort in writing the said article. May be he will also be rewarded. This notion held by many NDC youth has made the fight against indecent politicking difficult.
In the wonder land of Stephen, by merely denying an allegation then that allegation is false. If that weak logic is anything to go by then Akufo Addo has denied this allegation many times, why is Stephen Agyemang and his visionless government wasting our time? As recent as November, 2010, Akufo Addo humbly stated that “I have never tasted or sniffed cocaine. Why are my detractors attacking my personality, saying that I am a drug addict?” If Stephen was knowledgeable about happenings in the country he would have known this. May be he knew this but as usual, repeat the lies, and paint Akufo Addo black, the reward is on the way syndrome is motivating him to lie. Indeed the Vice President, John Mahama who was a colleague legislature spoke against this drug allegation against Akufo Addo. The VEEP said, he has known Akufo Addo for many years in parliament and he can vouch Akufo Addo is not on any drugs.
Stephen and his NDC party can be rest assured that the 2012 elections will be based on the promises of the NDC against their performance. The drug addiction allegation will be a non starter, even with those allegations Akufo Addo lost by some few thousands of votes. Issues like the One Time National Health Insurance Premium, 250 million start-up fund for SADA, Ghanaians becoming refugees in Togo, Ministers and appointees building mansions in record times, foot soldiers beating MMDA Chief Executives, Road Tolls increase by 1000%, Flow meter on FPSO removed for wooden ruler to be used to measure our crude oil, 70 pupils in a classroom after the abolishment of the shift system, the fishing sector growing by -5%, 320 million Ghana cedis allocation to GNPC without explanation, Agriculture sector decline by over 30% due to 14% decline in budget allocation, price of basic commodities increasing by over 200%, shortage of gas, 3000 steel workers sacked due to power interruptions and many bread and butter issues will dominate the attention of Ghanaian electorates.
It has just been reported that the Chief Executive Officer of National Health Insurance Authority has ordered health providers in parts of the country should demand cash payment for medical treatment. The Rawlings led NDC administration introduced the cash and carry system in the health sector. The Kufuor led NPP government abolished that system because many Ghanaians died under that system. NHIS was introduced to save lives, only for the better Ghana agenda to take us back to the deadly cash and carry system again.
God save us!
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
0262232000
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Okudjeto Lies Again
On Saturday, 2nd July, 2011, a Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa creted the impression that never in the 8 years rule of the Kufour led NPP government that drugs were destroyed. He made this passionate lie when he sought to divert the attention of Ghanaians to the loose statements made by “Crazy” Akrasi, the NACOB Boss.
“Crazy” Akrasi has been the toast of many social commentators for his unguarded statements that they [NACOB] have pieces of information indicating that some politicians will be using monies from the drug trade to finance their campaigns. Though he suggested he was going after drug-money politicians irrespective of their political party, his open admission that he was a member of the ruling party suggested he was referring to politicians in other parties other than his own. Another reason many believed his objective was to muddy the political environment is the fact that his political party is currently in turmoil. The party and government have received negative media attention, hence to divert peoples mind he made those statements to take the focus off his party’s internal crisis and dooms day.
This issue was placed on board for discussions by panelist on the pro-government political program, Alhaji n Alhaji hosted by Alhassan Suhuyini. In the course of the discussion, the deputy minister of information, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa suggested that during the Kufour led 8 year rule, drugs seized were not destroyed. He made this statement to create the impression seized drugs were used for some questionable purposes.
Having the believe that drugs were destroyed by NACOB as late as 2008, I decided to do some research to confirm my belief. It was not a difficult task to get credible news reports of destroyed drugs by NACOB officials. I wonder why the minister couldn’t have checked his facts with all the “small boys” at his ministry and the information facilities at his disposal.
According to a Ghana News Agency report on June 10, 2008, “The Greater Accra Regional Tribunal on Tuesday destroyed 41 kilograms of cocaine put into 60 cans of Nkulenu Palm Soup.The drug was seized at Aviance Cargo Section of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on September 22, last year (2007).” Indeed this action was taken with the full involvement of NACOB officials. The report further states that “the destruction, supervised by officials of the Narcotics Control Board and court officials took place at the premises of the tribunal. This is the second largest consignment destroyed by the tribunal. Last week the tribunal destroyed 59 kilograms of cocaine seized at the Duty Free Shop of KIA after they had been tendered in evidence. The 60 cans of the Nkuleneu Palm Soup were intercepted at Aviance Cargo Section, KIA when they were brought with tubers of yams to be exported to the United Kingdom.”
Another GNA report on February 2, 2008 states that “An Accra Fast Track High Court on Friday ordered the destruction of 60 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in cans labelled Ghana Fresh palm nut intercepted at the Aviance Cargo Village in October last year. This was after Detective Sergeant Joseph Akwei, Bureau of National Investigations and the sixth prosecution witness testified and tendered the 60 tins of cocaine with the street value of three million dollars in evidence.”. The report also states that “The court, presided over by Mr. Justice K. A Acquaye obliged and ordered that the destruction be supervised by an official of the Judicial Service, officials from the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), Ghana Standard Board (GSB), Environmental Protection Agency and the media at the Independence Square.”
It is clear the deputy minister was peddling falsehood on Radio Gold last Saturday, 2nd July,2011. Ghanaians have not forgotten the invisible 1.6 million jobs this same minister told us the government has created in 6 months. There are many reports of destruction of seized drugs in the 8 year rule of the NPP, I will advise the deputy minister to some research on it.
The issue about drugs should be political but not partisan. We need political will to fight the drug trade. To label any one party as people who dabble in drugs or benefit from the drug trade is a wrong foot to fight the global war. Political parties are made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Every political party has a mixed bag of good and bad people in our society. Political parties must show true commitment to fight against social vices irrespective of who is involved. There have been many cases of crime perpetuated by members of one political party or the other. It is not fair to the sensibilities of Ghanaians, for one political party to tag the other of a particular crime just to score cheap and unsustainable political points.
“Crazy” Akrasi has been the toast of many social commentators for his unguarded statements that they [NACOB] have pieces of information indicating that some politicians will be using monies from the drug trade to finance their campaigns. Though he suggested he was going after drug-money politicians irrespective of their political party, his open admission that he was a member of the ruling party suggested he was referring to politicians in other parties other than his own. Another reason many believed his objective was to muddy the political environment is the fact that his political party is currently in turmoil. The party and government have received negative media attention, hence to divert peoples mind he made those statements to take the focus off his party’s internal crisis and dooms day.
This issue was placed on board for discussions by panelist on the pro-government political program, Alhaji n Alhaji hosted by Alhassan Suhuyini. In the course of the discussion, the deputy minister of information, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa suggested that during the Kufour led 8 year rule, drugs seized were not destroyed. He made this statement to create the impression seized drugs were used for some questionable purposes.
Having the believe that drugs were destroyed by NACOB as late as 2008, I decided to do some research to confirm my belief. It was not a difficult task to get credible news reports of destroyed drugs by NACOB officials. I wonder why the minister couldn’t have checked his facts with all the “small boys” at his ministry and the information facilities at his disposal.
According to a Ghana News Agency report on June 10, 2008, “The Greater Accra Regional Tribunal on Tuesday destroyed 41 kilograms of cocaine put into 60 cans of Nkulenu Palm Soup.The drug was seized at Aviance Cargo Section of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on September 22, last year (2007).” Indeed this action was taken with the full involvement of NACOB officials. The report further states that “the destruction, supervised by officials of the Narcotics Control Board and court officials took place at the premises of the tribunal. This is the second largest consignment destroyed by the tribunal. Last week the tribunal destroyed 59 kilograms of cocaine seized at the Duty Free Shop of KIA after they had been tendered in evidence. The 60 cans of the Nkuleneu Palm Soup were intercepted at Aviance Cargo Section, KIA when they were brought with tubers of yams to be exported to the United Kingdom.”
Another GNA report on February 2, 2008 states that “An Accra Fast Track High Court on Friday ordered the destruction of 60 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in cans labelled Ghana Fresh palm nut intercepted at the Aviance Cargo Village in October last year. This was after Detective Sergeant Joseph Akwei, Bureau of National Investigations and the sixth prosecution witness testified and tendered the 60 tins of cocaine with the street value of three million dollars in evidence.”. The report also states that “The court, presided over by Mr. Justice K. A Acquaye obliged and ordered that the destruction be supervised by an official of the Judicial Service, officials from the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), Ghana Standard Board (GSB), Environmental Protection Agency and the media at the Independence Square.”
It is clear the deputy minister was peddling falsehood on Radio Gold last Saturday, 2nd July,2011. Ghanaians have not forgotten the invisible 1.6 million jobs this same minister told us the government has created in 6 months. There are many reports of destruction of seized drugs in the 8 year rule of the NPP, I will advise the deputy minister to some research on it.
The issue about drugs should be political but not partisan. We need political will to fight the drug trade. To label any one party as people who dabble in drugs or benefit from the drug trade is a wrong foot to fight the global war. Political parties are made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Every political party has a mixed bag of good and bad people in our society. Political parties must show true commitment to fight against social vices irrespective of who is involved. There have been many cases of crime perpetuated by members of one political party or the other. It is not fair to the sensibilities of Ghanaians, for one political party to tag the other of a particular crime just to score cheap and unsustainable political points.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Re: Allotey Jacobs accuses GHACEM
Allottey Jacobs, a member of the communication team of the ruling NDC party has “accused Ghacem Company, manufacturers of Ghacem super rapid and extra cement of conniving with dealers to sell the products at exorbitant prices.” He is reported to have made the accusations in an interview with a pro-government newspaper, The Daily Democrat. He further stated that GHACEM and its dealers are deliberating forcing prices of cement to high in order to sabotage the “gains” recorded by this government. “According to him (Allottey), this is a deliberate attempt by Ghacem and dealers to sabotage and derail the government’s socio- economic gains achieved under the better Ghana agenda.”
When I read this story, I couldn’t help but cry for our dear nation. The long held belief by many that those in power lack ideas and vision to fight poverty, under-development, hunger, diseases etc was confirmed. Allottey Jacobs is typical of the caliber of people manning the destiny of our nation. If you point out their mistakes, then you are either a paid agent of the opposition or you benefited directly while NPP was in power. The NDC government and its functionaries have attacked persons and institutions who want the right thing to be done. The attacked the media and journalists, clergy and pastors, parliament and speaker of parliament, movie producers, and lately the judiciary and the chief justice..Presently they see themselves as gods who must be worshipped. Everything they say is the truth, nothing but the truth even when their pile of lies is exposed in broad day light. They are good at sticking to a lie over and over until they mistakenly start believing in their own lies. At this stage reality eludes them.
Allottey Jacobs, apart from being a member of the communication of the ruling party happens to be a Board Member of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Boards of companies are expected to give the strategic directions. If a business organization has a board made of people who have nothing in the head, the business has a high probability to have nothing to offer. If people like Allottey Jacobs are board members of ECG, how can ECG improve upon its services?
In the wake of cement shortages, Joy Fm called a senior official of GHACEM, Dr. Dawson-Amoah to offer Ghanaians explanation why the situation is so. His explanation was straight and simple. He said “the inconsistency in the power supply is really affecting our production;” He went further to say the inconsistent power situation “is really frustrating”. Dr. Dawson- Amoah disclosed that 12, 400 tons of cement should have been produced and in revenue terms the company has lost about 2.3 million Ghana cedis. This shows that, if we are to engage in blame games at all, the ECG, of which Allottey Jacobs is sadly a board member should be blamed. Indeed the PRO of Tema ECG, Theresa Osabutey, apologized for the situation and assured that work was under way to rectify the anomaly.
But for people like Allottey Jacobs, why will anybody think an important company like GHACEM will connive with distributors to make the market price of cement increase just to make this government unpopular? Is Allottey Jacobs saying GHACEM deliberate caused shortages in order to lose 2.3 million Ghana cedis? Why must Allottey Jacobs and his likes think everything must be seen from a cheap parochial partisan political lens? Allottey Jacobs is one of the reasons ECG is performing worse. If his mind is filled with such thoughts, what contributions can he make to improve the performance of ECG?
President Mills and the NDC promised in the 2008 manifesto, they will reconstitute boards of state institutions and agencies to make it non-partisan through appointing competent people. I am calling on the President to sack Allottey Jacobs as board member because he has nothing to offer ECG and if he (President Mills) is committed to any of his promises at all.
Apart from being a board member of ECG, Allottey Jacobs, is one of the NDC contractors who have benefitted hugely since the NDC government came to power. Recently, he and the Central Regional Minister, Ama Benyiwa Doe were at each other’s throat over who has gotten more contracts than the other. According to the regional minister, she has given Allottey many contracts in the Central Region but he still wants more. I cannot tell if Allottey is one of the people President Rawlings referred to as “greedy bastards”.
It is a sad situation we find ourselves. God save us!
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
0262232000
When I read this story, I couldn’t help but cry for our dear nation. The long held belief by many that those in power lack ideas and vision to fight poverty, under-development, hunger, diseases etc was confirmed. Allottey Jacobs is typical of the caliber of people manning the destiny of our nation. If you point out their mistakes, then you are either a paid agent of the opposition or you benefited directly while NPP was in power. The NDC government and its functionaries have attacked persons and institutions who want the right thing to be done. The attacked the media and journalists, clergy and pastors, parliament and speaker of parliament, movie producers, and lately the judiciary and the chief justice..Presently they see themselves as gods who must be worshipped. Everything they say is the truth, nothing but the truth even when their pile of lies is exposed in broad day light. They are good at sticking to a lie over and over until they mistakenly start believing in their own lies. At this stage reality eludes them.
Allottey Jacobs, apart from being a member of the communication of the ruling party happens to be a Board Member of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Boards of companies are expected to give the strategic directions. If a business organization has a board made of people who have nothing in the head, the business has a high probability to have nothing to offer. If people like Allottey Jacobs are board members of ECG, how can ECG improve upon its services?
In the wake of cement shortages, Joy Fm called a senior official of GHACEM, Dr. Dawson-Amoah to offer Ghanaians explanation why the situation is so. His explanation was straight and simple. He said “the inconsistency in the power supply is really affecting our production;” He went further to say the inconsistent power situation “is really frustrating”. Dr. Dawson- Amoah disclosed that 12, 400 tons of cement should have been produced and in revenue terms the company has lost about 2.3 million Ghana cedis. This shows that, if we are to engage in blame games at all, the ECG, of which Allottey Jacobs is sadly a board member should be blamed. Indeed the PRO of Tema ECG, Theresa Osabutey, apologized for the situation and assured that work was under way to rectify the anomaly.
But for people like Allottey Jacobs, why will anybody think an important company like GHACEM will connive with distributors to make the market price of cement increase just to make this government unpopular? Is Allottey Jacobs saying GHACEM deliberate caused shortages in order to lose 2.3 million Ghana cedis? Why must Allottey Jacobs and his likes think everything must be seen from a cheap parochial partisan political lens? Allottey Jacobs is one of the reasons ECG is performing worse. If his mind is filled with such thoughts, what contributions can he make to improve the performance of ECG?
President Mills and the NDC promised in the 2008 manifesto, they will reconstitute boards of state institutions and agencies to make it non-partisan through appointing competent people. I am calling on the President to sack Allottey Jacobs as board member because he has nothing to offer ECG and if he (President Mills) is committed to any of his promises at all.
Apart from being a board member of ECG, Allottey Jacobs, is one of the NDC contractors who have benefitted hugely since the NDC government came to power. Recently, he and the Central Regional Minister, Ama Benyiwa Doe were at each other’s throat over who has gotten more contracts than the other. According to the regional minister, she has given Allottey many contracts in the Central Region but he still wants more. I cannot tell if Allottey is one of the people President Rawlings referred to as “greedy bastards”.
It is a sad situation we find ourselves. God save us!
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
0262232000
Monday, June 27, 2011
IF EDUCATION IS EXPENSIVE TRY IGNORANCE BUT….
Private universities play a key role in developing the human resources of our country. Let us for a minute imagine where the many graduates from these universities would have been but for these institutions. Private universities arguably offer programs which are relevant and dynamic to the business environment and society. However, fees charged by some private universities are throat-cutting.
I was speaking to a friend over the weekend; he told me he had gain admission into a private university to pursue a Business Administration course. He has been admitted to level 300 because of his prior certificates. Though he expressed joy for getting the admission, the fees remained a burden he will be dealing with. He told me according to his letter he is expected to pay One Thousand, Seven Hundred Ghana Cedis [GHc 1,700.00] or Seventeen Million Cedis [17,000,000.00] for ONLY a semester. A simple addition suggests he is expected to pay Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Ghana Cedis [Ghc 6,800] or Sixty-Eight Million Cedis [68,000,000.00] to complete the 2 year course. A student starting from level 100 is expected to pay Thirteen Thousand, Six Hundred Ghana Cedis [GHc 13,600.00] or One Hundred and Thirty Six Million Cedis [136,000,000.00] for the 4 year program. Indeed, if the manner in which real prices of goods and services are increasing should continue, then these HUGE figures will go up further.
To make matters worse, he told me students offering science related courses are required to pay more than Two Thousand Ghana Cedis [GHc 2,000.00] or Twenty Million Cedis [20,000,000.00] for a semester. How can the average student afford such an amount to get educated?
By the way let us assume my friend is able to raise the money for the course; then he graduates only to meet a hostile job market. The graduate unemployment situation in the country is at a crisis stage. In fact the general unemployment situation in the country is dangerous. Government must provide visible 1.6 million jobs else the situation will worsen.
Back to the main subject, though I do not expect government to issue a directive on fees to be charged by private universities, I believe government can influence this decision in a way. Fees are cost build up incurred by private universities. Government could hold a forum to understand these costs build up; then take part of these costs to ensure the final fees charged are affordable. Just as government is able to give some businesses tax holidays and duty free imports, such concessions could be given to these universities. Students in private universities are tax payers too and deserve some support like their counterparts in public universities.
I challenge civil societies and student bodies to brainstorm on how government could solve this problem. The National Union of Ghana Students was instrumental in the enacting and the implementation of the Ghana Education Trust Fund [GETFund]. Indeed, presently a student representative is on that board. While I commend them for their efforts on issues regarding students in public universities, they hardly speak on problems confronting students in private universities. The Anthony Abotsi led administration of NUGS must show more concern about the plights of students in private universities since they are also part of NUGS.
Another solution the government could adopt will be to establish more universities. While there are some who opt and are willing to pay for private university education because of the programs, flexibility, facilities, reputation etc, there are a substantial number who are forced there because though qualified, inadequate facilities in public universities forced them out. Fees charged by public universities are relatively cheaper. Establishing more public universities will reduce the number of students who are forced to private universities.
I was sad when I read the Deputy Education Minister; Mahama Ayariga says government does not have funding yet for the establishment of the two universities [one in Brong Ahafo and the Volta Region] though the President has cut the sod for its establishment.
Faisal Ibrahim
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
Zenith University College
I was speaking to a friend over the weekend; he told me he had gain admission into a private university to pursue a Business Administration course. He has been admitted to level 300 because of his prior certificates. Though he expressed joy for getting the admission, the fees remained a burden he will be dealing with. He told me according to his letter he is expected to pay One Thousand, Seven Hundred Ghana Cedis [GHc 1,700.00] or Seventeen Million Cedis [17,000,000.00] for ONLY a semester. A simple addition suggests he is expected to pay Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Ghana Cedis [Ghc 6,800] or Sixty-Eight Million Cedis [68,000,000.00] to complete the 2 year course. A student starting from level 100 is expected to pay Thirteen Thousand, Six Hundred Ghana Cedis [GHc 13,600.00] or One Hundred and Thirty Six Million Cedis [136,000,000.00] for the 4 year program. Indeed, if the manner in which real prices of goods and services are increasing should continue, then these HUGE figures will go up further.
To make matters worse, he told me students offering science related courses are required to pay more than Two Thousand Ghana Cedis [GHc 2,000.00] or Twenty Million Cedis [20,000,000.00] for a semester. How can the average student afford such an amount to get educated?
By the way let us assume my friend is able to raise the money for the course; then he graduates only to meet a hostile job market. The graduate unemployment situation in the country is at a crisis stage. In fact the general unemployment situation in the country is dangerous. Government must provide visible 1.6 million jobs else the situation will worsen.
Back to the main subject, though I do not expect government to issue a directive on fees to be charged by private universities, I believe government can influence this decision in a way. Fees are cost build up incurred by private universities. Government could hold a forum to understand these costs build up; then take part of these costs to ensure the final fees charged are affordable. Just as government is able to give some businesses tax holidays and duty free imports, such concessions could be given to these universities. Students in private universities are tax payers too and deserve some support like their counterparts in public universities.
I challenge civil societies and student bodies to brainstorm on how government could solve this problem. The National Union of Ghana Students was instrumental in the enacting and the implementation of the Ghana Education Trust Fund [GETFund]. Indeed, presently a student representative is on that board. While I commend them for their efforts on issues regarding students in public universities, they hardly speak on problems confronting students in private universities. The Anthony Abotsi led administration of NUGS must show more concern about the plights of students in private universities since they are also part of NUGS.
Another solution the government could adopt will be to establish more universities. While there are some who opt and are willing to pay for private university education because of the programs, flexibility, facilities, reputation etc, there are a substantial number who are forced there because though qualified, inadequate facilities in public universities forced them out. Fees charged by public universities are relatively cheaper. Establishing more public universities will reduce the number of students who are forced to private universities.
I was sad when I read the Deputy Education Minister; Mahama Ayariga says government does not have funding yet for the establishment of the two universities [one in Brong Ahafo and the Volta Region] though the President has cut the sod for its establishment.
Faisal Ibrahim
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
Zenith University College
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
THE LENS STRIPS MILLS NAKED!
In what could be described as a show of disappointment in the competence of President John Mills, the pro-NDC Newspaper, the Crystal Clear Lens in its Monday 7th February, 2010 edition carried a front page story titled “OH! Prez Mills- this is sad- too late to arrest “enemies of the nation” authored by its managing editor, Winson V.A. Addotey.
The pro-government newspaper which is noted for praise-singing this time decided to speak some truths about the true nature of President Mills. The newspaper is finally appreciating the concerns being raised by many Ghanaians about the president’s inability to exert his constitutional authority in ensuring the right things are done. The President has been described by many, even within the ruling party as “not in charge’ of affairs. Indeed, Former President Rawlings at the 31st December lecture made some disclosures about how President Mills had knowledge of the corruption his government but has done nothing to correct them. It is this same line of thought that the Crystal Clear Lens has finally come to terms with.
The story in its first paragraph describes the President’s “running to the Tema Ports and Harbour” after Anas’s Exposé as “pitiful”. The paper finds it incomprehensible that President Mills did not act for the many months of reports of corruptions and clear thievery but found it appropriate to only “run” to the Tema Port when Anas released his video. The disappointed NDC editor stated “in fact, I feel very sad and disappointed big time in that His Excellency had to move at this time when the story about these nation wreckers had been told nine (9) good months ago”
The newspaper also posed “was President Mills not in this country between the months of May and June 2010 when the Crystal Clear Lens broke the story on the nefarious activities of some importers and companies that have caused the nation to lose about three (3) trillion dollars through evading of taxes?” It is becoming increasingly clear that the projection of President Mills as honest and humble is hardly converting into any meaningful benefit to the nations fight against corruption. It is not enough to be said to be humble and honest when visible thievery is on going under your nose, and what is worse, you do not act on it.
Many have said the president must show leadership and act pro-actively on critical national issues. His inability to exercise his constitutional powers has apparently given the impression, he is president weak. This may have fuelled the ambitions of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to lead the NDC in 2012.President Mills seem to enjoy complaining about everything that retards the development of the country instead of instituting reforms that would correct them.
The pro-government newspaper asked “was President Mills not in the country when the Catalyst, the Daily Post, and the Daily Democrat gad carried out the same publication?” Going by the mind boggling questions posed by the pro-NDC newspaper, it shows President Mills has either lost touch with the realities on the ground or it goes to confirm the perception that the president is weak.
I LOVE GHANA
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
0262232000
The author is an Associate Member of the Association of Business Executives, UK. He is also a blogger on facebook ( www.facebook.com/faisal.ibrahim1)
The pro-government newspaper which is noted for praise-singing this time decided to speak some truths about the true nature of President Mills. The newspaper is finally appreciating the concerns being raised by many Ghanaians about the president’s inability to exert his constitutional authority in ensuring the right things are done. The President has been described by many, even within the ruling party as “not in charge’ of affairs. Indeed, Former President Rawlings at the 31st December lecture made some disclosures about how President Mills had knowledge of the corruption his government but has done nothing to correct them. It is this same line of thought that the Crystal Clear Lens has finally come to terms with.
The story in its first paragraph describes the President’s “running to the Tema Ports and Harbour” after Anas’s Exposé as “pitiful”. The paper finds it incomprehensible that President Mills did not act for the many months of reports of corruptions and clear thievery but found it appropriate to only “run” to the Tema Port when Anas released his video. The disappointed NDC editor stated “in fact, I feel very sad and disappointed big time in that His Excellency had to move at this time when the story about these nation wreckers had been told nine (9) good months ago”
The newspaper also posed “was President Mills not in this country between the months of May and June 2010 when the Crystal Clear Lens broke the story on the nefarious activities of some importers and companies that have caused the nation to lose about three (3) trillion dollars through evading of taxes?” It is becoming increasingly clear that the projection of President Mills as honest and humble is hardly converting into any meaningful benefit to the nations fight against corruption. It is not enough to be said to be humble and honest when visible thievery is on going under your nose, and what is worse, you do not act on it.
Many have said the president must show leadership and act pro-actively on critical national issues. His inability to exercise his constitutional powers has apparently given the impression, he is president weak. This may have fuelled the ambitions of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to lead the NDC in 2012.President Mills seem to enjoy complaining about everything that retards the development of the country instead of instituting reforms that would correct them.
The pro-government newspaper asked “was President Mills not in the country when the Catalyst, the Daily Post, and the Daily Democrat gad carried out the same publication?” Going by the mind boggling questions posed by the pro-NDC newspaper, it shows President Mills has either lost touch with the realities on the ground or it goes to confirm the perception that the president is weak.
I LOVE GHANA
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
0262232000
The author is an Associate Member of the Association of Business Executives, UK. He is also a blogger on facebook ( www.facebook.com/faisal.ibrahim1)
Friday, January 28, 2011
“PEACOCK” SPIO, YOU MISDIRECTED YOUR “PISS” THIS TIME AROUND!
I read the article titled “Spio Garbrah: Kufour, educate Nana Addo on how to apply wisdom” on myjoyonline.com on the 27th of January, 2012 authored by Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah, a former minister under the Rawlings regime and a failed flag bearer aspirant of the NDC. The article was in support of the hypocritical stance of President Dzi Wo Fie Asem Mills on the Ivorian Crisis. His praise article might come as a surprise to many, knowing that Dr. Spio Garbrah is acclaimed for “pissing in”. Readers would recall the “pissing in and out” banter that happened in this country last year, when Dr. Spio Garbrah published in the Daily Graphic an objective and bold article criticizing President Mills for appointing TEAM B people to manage our national affairs when he, and other TEAM A’s are on the bench. The TEAM B article caused so much confusion within the ruling NDC party. It got so tensed that the presidency through I-DON’T-LIKE-KUFOURS-FACE Koku Anyidoho described Dr. Spio Garbrah as a fake “Doctor” whose doctorate degree was conferred on him by some “TWO BY FOUR” college in the U.S.A. He also described “Dr.” Spio Garbrah as a “PEACOCK” who sees nothing good in others but himself.
Anyway, Dr. Spio Garbrah claims in the second paragraph of his recent article “After the press conference many Ghanaians in Cote d’Ivoire, those in many parts of Ghana, as well as in the Diaspora, breathed a sigh of relief. Some dubbed the president’s wise stance of “dzi wo fie asem” foreign policy, in contrast to the Georg W. Bush- style “democracy- at- the- barrel- of- a- gun” policy being promoted by the Akufo-Addo-led NPP”. I find it very strange and unpardonable for Dr. Spio Garbrah to join the many one-gear NDC communicators who have said time and time again that the NPP is calling for war in Ivory Coast. The Kobby Fiagbes, the Twum Boafos and their likes can be pardoned [they have nothing to lose] for telling this lie over and over, but for Dr. Spio Garbrah to repeat this lie, it is unacceptable. The NPP has NEVER CALLED FOR WAR IN IVORY COAST! In all the press conferences organized by the party since the Ivorian political crisis started late last year, the NPP has been VERY CONSISTENT in their comments unlike our president and government. The first call from the NPP was for the president to make public Ghana’s position on the impasse. Our loud silence on the issue was strange and discomforting, especially when Ivory Coast is our neighbor and Ghana is a front runner in democracy in West Africa and Africa. Our president is a very good friend of Laurent Gbagbo, and it is believed as a good friend of the former President Gbagbo, at least our president could have said something publicly to discourage his good friend from taking the people of Ivory Coast hostage. Presidents from parts of the continent came out publicly to condemn what Laurent Gbagbo was doing to the people of Ivory Coast. So NPPs first call was for President Not-Looking-Like-Cat-Hunter Mills to speak publicly on the crisis, so that the world can know Ghana’s position. Government communicators responded that, our president would be attending an emergency ECOWAS summit in Abuja. The summit went on as planned and a communiqué signed by all presidents present including our president was issued. The relevant portion of the communiqué stated “in the event that Mr. Gbagbo fails to heed this immutable demand of ECOWAS, the community would be left with no alternative but to take other measures, including the use of legitimate force, to achieve the goals of the Ivorian crisis people”. ECOWAS recognizes Alhassan Outtarra as the legitimately elected president of Ivory Coast, and has called on our president’s friend, Mr. Gbagbo to step down. Then our president meets journalist on the 7th of January, 2011 to discuss his 2 years in office. In a response to a question posed on the Ivory Coast crisis, our president makes the Dzi Wo fie Asem statement and includes that, it was not for Ghana to choose for a leader for Ivory Coast[ as though somebody is saying Ghana should do so]. This diplomatic blunder which brought so much shock and embarrassment to Ghanaians did not stop there. The president also said he did not think military intervention would solve the Ivorian Crisis.
At this point, everybody got confused and more disturbed except apologists and hangers-on of the government. International politics experts described the president’s statement as “naïve”, “broken ranks with ECOWAS” and “jumping-the-gun”. It was clear from the emergency Abuja summit communiqué that military option was an option that would be used, but it did not mean, it was the option that was to be considered immediately. So for the President of Ghana, a key player in ECOWAS and AU to make such statements, it was a clear display of dishonesty and bad faith. Especially, when the ECOWAS communiqué signed in Abuja by our president, Dzi Wo Fie Asem Mills, indicated that MILITARY OPTION WAS AN OPTION THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED IF GBAGBO FAILS TO HEED TO ECOWAS’S CALL FOR HIM TO STEP DOWN. How could our president have made a U-TURN by saying MILITARY OPTION IS NO OPTION?
It was on this diplomatic error, that the NPP held its recent press conference on the matter to indicate to our president that he has erred big time. That was the message contained in the statement read by the national chairman, Jake Otanka Obestebi Lamptey and the formidable flag bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo. The NPP made it very clear and unambiguous that, WE ARE NOT CALLING FOR WAR IN IVORY COAST. The NPP supports the ECOWAS, AU and UN stance on this matter. The NPP believes EVERY MEANS NECESSARY MUST BE USED TO ENSURE THE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF IVORY COAST IS INSTALLED AS PRESIDENT. The NPP believes in democracy. The NPP handed over power to the ruling NDC after the closest presidential battle ever recorded. Hence, we are in a good position to advise our president’s friend, Mr. Gbagbo to step down like we did 2 years ago.
The whole article authored by Dr. Spio Garbrah is centred around this LIE that the NPP led by the credible flag bearer, Nana Akufo Addo is calling for war in Ivory Coast. That is not true and no matter the number of times the NDC/ government communicators including Dr. Spio Garbrah repeat this LIE, it would never be TRUE.
I am concerned Dr. Spio Garbrah’s seem to have lost his boldness in pointing out the president’s flaws like he used to. The president committed a diplomatic blunder, and if the likes of Dr. Spio Garbrah would want to “perfume” it, then Ghanaians must take a second look at who fights for their cause. In their bid to score cheap political points, the communication director at the presidency, I-AM-NOT-ON-DRUGS Koku Anyidoho, in his right frame of mind, circulated a confidential document, purported to be the position of ambassadors of African states at the UN Security Council. This document states some points including “MILITARY OPTION IS NO OPTION”. This position was in sharp contrast with that of the ECOWAS body. This document was used as propaganda to tell Ghanaians that, President NOT-CAT-HUNTER Mills has been vindicated. Media houses received copies of the documents. NDC/Government communicators and apologist were all over the place, singing the VINDICATION HYMN composed by I-AM-NOT-ON-DRUGS Koku Anyidoho.
I recall, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko of Danquah Institute, posted on his wall on facebook that government must be circumspect because that position can not be accurate. The likes of Stan Dogbe were quick to extinguish Gabby’s “propaganda”. Just days after Gabby’s post on facebook, the AU envoy to Ivory Coast, Raila Odinga came to meet the president over his DZI WO FIE ASEM statements. Experts described the visit as “whip-in-line” or disciplinary visit. Raila Odinga visited to ensure the president does not “destroy” the efforts being made by every important international organization to resolve the Ivorian impasse with his undermining utterances. The president then changed his position quickly. He told Raila Odinga, he supports FULLY anything the ECOWAS intends to pursue to solve the Ivorian crisis. How sudden and hypocritical many thought. The Foreign Minister, Alhaji Mumuni was all over the airwaves, trying to do some damage control. He told the listening public on CITI FM, the Mills government supports any action the ECOWAS would take to solve the Ivorian crisis even with the use of BRUTE FORCE.
This week, the BBC, apparently seeing it news worthy for Ghana’s president to have broken ranks and concerned about the statements of our president discussed “DZI WO FIE ASEM”. It was an embarrassing episode, with commentators using very uncharitable words to describe our president. Again, the foreign minister was able to secure time on BBC to explain his boss’s position better. He performed so badly, that many NDC communicators and facebookers are calling for his sack. That is how bizarre this NDC government has handled the Ivorian crisis.
The NPP has NEVER called for war in Ivory Coast. The NDC is so embarrassed by their bad handling of the Ivorian crisis that they are using propaganda to hoodwink Ghanaians into believing them. They have gone to the extent of using an important state institution as the military as a propaganda tool. They say, the NPP wants Ghanaian soldiers to be killed, “that is why the NPP is calling for war in Ivory Coast”. This claim by the NDC is simply ridiculous. One wonders how the NDC could even conceive such an idea, but that is how low they think the ordinary Ghanaian is. I have already given facts to indicate that the NPP has NEVER called for war in Ivory Coast. For Gods sake, how will the death of Ghanaian soldiers benefit the NPP in any way? Members of the NPP also have relations and friends who are military men. The NPP worked closely with the military for 8 years. The NPP resourced the military force. The NPP was quick to recognize the potential of the military as a useful partner in the economic reconstruction of the country in addition to its traditional role of defending the territorial integrity of the country. An amount of US$60 million was provided to ensure that all Peacekeeping Missions are provided with sufficient equipment The NPP increased the peacekeeping mission allowance astronomically. The NPP would definitely work with these soldiers when Ghanaians vote us back. So it would be unthinkable for anybody to say, the NPP wants Ghanaian soldiers to be killed.
In Dr. Spio Garbrah’s weak defence article, he says “Is the NPP not aware that Ghana’s Jubilee oil fields is just a stone throw away from the Ivorian border and could be attacked if Ghana invades Cote d’Ivoire?” The NPP can not forget the location of the Jubilee field, especially when that particular oil field was discovered under the Kufour regime. It was under Kufour that Tullow brought the oil samples to the Castle, subsequently it was taken to parliament, the NDC described the oil as “DIRTY OIL”. How can the NPP forget the location of the Jubilee field? Again, has anybody said Ghana should invade Cote d’Ivoire? I feel very sad that Dr. Spio Garbrah is commenting on this very serious matter in such a propagandist manner, unless, he is limited with the facts, this is unacceptable and unpardonable. He better come again because “he is forcing there to be there, when there is not there”
Lastly, it is rumored Dr. Spio Garbrah is to be appointed Minister. If it is true, then let me say CONGRATULATIONS to him. This rumor came to me as a surprise because Ato Ahwoi [arguably the Prime Minister] had swore “over his dead body” will Spio-Garbrah be appointed in the Mills-Mahama administration. Time changes. God works in mysterious ways.
I LOVE GHANA
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
0262232000
The author is an Associate Member of the Association of Business Executives, UK. He is also a blogger on facebook ( www.facebook.com/faisal.ibrahim1)
Anyway, Dr. Spio Garbrah claims in the second paragraph of his recent article “After the press conference many Ghanaians in Cote d’Ivoire, those in many parts of Ghana, as well as in the Diaspora, breathed a sigh of relief. Some dubbed the president’s wise stance of “dzi wo fie asem” foreign policy, in contrast to the Georg W. Bush- style “democracy- at- the- barrel- of- a- gun” policy being promoted by the Akufo-Addo-led NPP”. I find it very strange and unpardonable for Dr. Spio Garbrah to join the many one-gear NDC communicators who have said time and time again that the NPP is calling for war in Ivory Coast. The Kobby Fiagbes, the Twum Boafos and their likes can be pardoned [they have nothing to lose] for telling this lie over and over, but for Dr. Spio Garbrah to repeat this lie, it is unacceptable. The NPP has NEVER CALLED FOR WAR IN IVORY COAST! In all the press conferences organized by the party since the Ivorian political crisis started late last year, the NPP has been VERY CONSISTENT in their comments unlike our president and government. The first call from the NPP was for the president to make public Ghana’s position on the impasse. Our loud silence on the issue was strange and discomforting, especially when Ivory Coast is our neighbor and Ghana is a front runner in democracy in West Africa and Africa. Our president is a very good friend of Laurent Gbagbo, and it is believed as a good friend of the former President Gbagbo, at least our president could have said something publicly to discourage his good friend from taking the people of Ivory Coast hostage. Presidents from parts of the continent came out publicly to condemn what Laurent Gbagbo was doing to the people of Ivory Coast. So NPPs first call was for President Not-Looking-Like-Cat-Hunter Mills to speak publicly on the crisis, so that the world can know Ghana’s position. Government communicators responded that, our president would be attending an emergency ECOWAS summit in Abuja. The summit went on as planned and a communiqué signed by all presidents present including our president was issued. The relevant portion of the communiqué stated “in the event that Mr. Gbagbo fails to heed this immutable demand of ECOWAS, the community would be left with no alternative but to take other measures, including the use of legitimate force, to achieve the goals of the Ivorian crisis people”. ECOWAS recognizes Alhassan Outtarra as the legitimately elected president of Ivory Coast, and has called on our president’s friend, Mr. Gbagbo to step down. Then our president meets journalist on the 7th of January, 2011 to discuss his 2 years in office. In a response to a question posed on the Ivory Coast crisis, our president makes the Dzi Wo fie Asem statement and includes that, it was not for Ghana to choose for a leader for Ivory Coast[ as though somebody is saying Ghana should do so]. This diplomatic blunder which brought so much shock and embarrassment to Ghanaians did not stop there. The president also said he did not think military intervention would solve the Ivorian Crisis.
At this point, everybody got confused and more disturbed except apologists and hangers-on of the government. International politics experts described the president’s statement as “naïve”, “broken ranks with ECOWAS” and “jumping-the-gun”. It was clear from the emergency Abuja summit communiqué that military option was an option that would be used, but it did not mean, it was the option that was to be considered immediately. So for the President of Ghana, a key player in ECOWAS and AU to make such statements, it was a clear display of dishonesty and bad faith. Especially, when the ECOWAS communiqué signed in Abuja by our president, Dzi Wo Fie Asem Mills, indicated that MILITARY OPTION WAS AN OPTION THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED IF GBAGBO FAILS TO HEED TO ECOWAS’S CALL FOR HIM TO STEP DOWN. How could our president have made a U-TURN by saying MILITARY OPTION IS NO OPTION?
It was on this diplomatic error, that the NPP held its recent press conference on the matter to indicate to our president that he has erred big time. That was the message contained in the statement read by the national chairman, Jake Otanka Obestebi Lamptey and the formidable flag bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo. The NPP made it very clear and unambiguous that, WE ARE NOT CALLING FOR WAR IN IVORY COAST. The NPP supports the ECOWAS, AU and UN stance on this matter. The NPP believes EVERY MEANS NECESSARY MUST BE USED TO ENSURE THE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF IVORY COAST IS INSTALLED AS PRESIDENT. The NPP believes in democracy. The NPP handed over power to the ruling NDC after the closest presidential battle ever recorded. Hence, we are in a good position to advise our president’s friend, Mr. Gbagbo to step down like we did 2 years ago.
The whole article authored by Dr. Spio Garbrah is centred around this LIE that the NPP led by the credible flag bearer, Nana Akufo Addo is calling for war in Ivory Coast. That is not true and no matter the number of times the NDC/ government communicators including Dr. Spio Garbrah repeat this LIE, it would never be TRUE.
I am concerned Dr. Spio Garbrah’s seem to have lost his boldness in pointing out the president’s flaws like he used to. The president committed a diplomatic blunder, and if the likes of Dr. Spio Garbrah would want to “perfume” it, then Ghanaians must take a second look at who fights for their cause. In their bid to score cheap political points, the communication director at the presidency, I-AM-NOT-ON-DRUGS Koku Anyidoho, in his right frame of mind, circulated a confidential document, purported to be the position of ambassadors of African states at the UN Security Council. This document states some points including “MILITARY OPTION IS NO OPTION”. This position was in sharp contrast with that of the ECOWAS body. This document was used as propaganda to tell Ghanaians that, President NOT-CAT-HUNTER Mills has been vindicated. Media houses received copies of the documents. NDC/Government communicators and apologist were all over the place, singing the VINDICATION HYMN composed by I-AM-NOT-ON-DRUGS Koku Anyidoho.
I recall, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko of Danquah Institute, posted on his wall on facebook that government must be circumspect because that position can not be accurate. The likes of Stan Dogbe were quick to extinguish Gabby’s “propaganda”. Just days after Gabby’s post on facebook, the AU envoy to Ivory Coast, Raila Odinga came to meet the president over his DZI WO FIE ASEM statements. Experts described the visit as “whip-in-line” or disciplinary visit. Raila Odinga visited to ensure the president does not “destroy” the efforts being made by every important international organization to resolve the Ivorian impasse with his undermining utterances. The president then changed his position quickly. He told Raila Odinga, he supports FULLY anything the ECOWAS intends to pursue to solve the Ivorian crisis. How sudden and hypocritical many thought. The Foreign Minister, Alhaji Mumuni was all over the airwaves, trying to do some damage control. He told the listening public on CITI FM, the Mills government supports any action the ECOWAS would take to solve the Ivorian crisis even with the use of BRUTE FORCE.
This week, the BBC, apparently seeing it news worthy for Ghana’s president to have broken ranks and concerned about the statements of our president discussed “DZI WO FIE ASEM”. It was an embarrassing episode, with commentators using very uncharitable words to describe our president. Again, the foreign minister was able to secure time on BBC to explain his boss’s position better. He performed so badly, that many NDC communicators and facebookers are calling for his sack. That is how bizarre this NDC government has handled the Ivorian crisis.
The NPP has NEVER called for war in Ivory Coast. The NDC is so embarrassed by their bad handling of the Ivorian crisis that they are using propaganda to hoodwink Ghanaians into believing them. They have gone to the extent of using an important state institution as the military as a propaganda tool. They say, the NPP wants Ghanaian soldiers to be killed, “that is why the NPP is calling for war in Ivory Coast”. This claim by the NDC is simply ridiculous. One wonders how the NDC could even conceive such an idea, but that is how low they think the ordinary Ghanaian is. I have already given facts to indicate that the NPP has NEVER called for war in Ivory Coast. For Gods sake, how will the death of Ghanaian soldiers benefit the NPP in any way? Members of the NPP also have relations and friends who are military men. The NPP worked closely with the military for 8 years. The NPP resourced the military force. The NPP was quick to recognize the potential of the military as a useful partner in the economic reconstruction of the country in addition to its traditional role of defending the territorial integrity of the country. An amount of US$60 million was provided to ensure that all Peacekeeping Missions are provided with sufficient equipment The NPP increased the peacekeeping mission allowance astronomically. The NPP would definitely work with these soldiers when Ghanaians vote us back. So it would be unthinkable for anybody to say, the NPP wants Ghanaian soldiers to be killed.
In Dr. Spio Garbrah’s weak defence article, he says “Is the NPP not aware that Ghana’s Jubilee oil fields is just a stone throw away from the Ivorian border and could be attacked if Ghana invades Cote d’Ivoire?” The NPP can not forget the location of the Jubilee field, especially when that particular oil field was discovered under the Kufour regime. It was under Kufour that Tullow brought the oil samples to the Castle, subsequently it was taken to parliament, the NDC described the oil as “DIRTY OIL”. How can the NPP forget the location of the Jubilee field? Again, has anybody said Ghana should invade Cote d’Ivoire? I feel very sad that Dr. Spio Garbrah is commenting on this very serious matter in such a propagandist manner, unless, he is limited with the facts, this is unacceptable and unpardonable. He better come again because “he is forcing there to be there, when there is not there”
Lastly, it is rumored Dr. Spio Garbrah is to be appointed Minister. If it is true, then let me say CONGRATULATIONS to him. This rumor came to me as a surprise because Ato Ahwoi [arguably the Prime Minister] had swore “over his dead body” will Spio-Garbrah be appointed in the Mills-Mahama administration. Time changes. God works in mysterious ways.
I LOVE GHANA
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
0262232000
The author is an Associate Member of the Association of Business Executives, UK. He is also a blogger on facebook ( www.facebook.com/faisal.ibrahim1)
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
NHIS TO COLLAPSE
Mr. Kingsley Bobie was the General Secretary of the National Health Insurance Workers Union. He doubled as the Akuapim South District National Health Insurance Scheme [NHIS] public relations officer. This man has been dismissed by the authorities of the NHIS. The reason of his sack was due to concerns he articulated on-behalf of his colleagues in his capacity as the General Secretary. I will delve into the concerns the union expressed but before I do that, I will like to state that it is improper for Mr. Bobie to have been dismissed by the National Health Insurance Authority[NHIA] headed by Mr. Sylvester Mensah, who rented a plush bungalow just weeks after he was appointed as the acting CEO. Mr. Mensah, popularly known as “Sly”, paid One Billion, Twenty-Two Million, Four Hundred Thousand Cedis [1,022,400,000.00] or $ 72,000.00 for only 2 years rent. Ghanaians were outraged by this reckless expenditure especially when it was during the era the NDC told the world Ghana was “broke” and that the former government was “profligate” in its activities. It was an era of “austerity measures” according to our president so people wondered how “austere” this spending was. We all know $ 72,000.00 could have bought a house for the acting NHIA boss but the Deputy Corporate Affairs Manager of the Authority, Mr. Eric Ametor Quame, tells us “looking at where most CEOs stayed, $72,000 cannot be used to acquire a house for a CEO.” These were preachers of modesty and anti-profligacy when they were in opposition.
So, the Health Insurance Workers Union agreed that a statement be delivered by Mr. Bobie, the General Secretary of the Union to deliver at a Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance Workers (UNICOF) conference in Kumasi. The relevant portions of his statement touched on the over politicization of the scheme which they believed was crippling this social intervention introduced by the previous government. He said among other things that “the [seizure] of the offices of health Insurance by some people who call themselves foot soldiers. They always succeed and I will attest to the fact that whatever they do is what the Health Insurance Authority does.
Elaborating further on this canker which is crippling the scheme, he added that “when they [foot soldiers] [want to] sack Mr. A from this scheme they will be able to do that. I think health insurance, it is about time we realize that it is a socially oriented social governmental institution, not partisan institution where a political party will just say let me dominate the system.”
To further confirm that, Mr. Bobie spoke in the capacity as the general secretary and was indeed speaking on behalf of his colleagues, he concluded that “What WE are saying is that they should not make the Health Insurance a partisan platform it should be a corporate platform based on competence,"
I think Mr. Kingsley Bobie and the union deserve the support of every Ghanaian for being bold to speak out against an evil that is crippling the NHIS. Rather he is being persecuted because, what he said does not sound palatable to the ears of Mr. Mensah and his friends.
Since the NDC party took over power, there has been one seizure of one public office or the other. And the NHIS offices have not been different. We have seen these powerful gangsters even declare the president’s representatives in districts and municipalities ‘wanted, dead or alive!”. How much more people employed by the NHIS. In fact, most recent seizures by these powerfully lawless foot soldiers have targeted the NHIS offices. As late as March, 2010, NDC foot soldiers in Zabzugu Constituency seized the NHIS office in the area. Their reason for the seizure was that they “suspect” the manager is not a member of the ruling NDC. These acts of gangsterism go on with impunity, but our ‘father for all” is with us. People say, “he sees no evil and hears no evil”. What will not be surprising is that, the scheme manager’s service will be terminated. Sometimes one wonders if these lawless agitations are not masterminded.
So the dangers alerted by the Union and ably articulated by Mr. Bobie is nothing but the truth. These workers have a lot to lose if the NHIS is to break down eventually. Their source of livelihood largely depends on the efficient management and sustainability of the scheme. The workers have a high stake in the scheme, hence if they raise red flags over developments they find destructive, they must be rewarded and not persecuted as is being done by Mr. Mensah and his friends.
I suspect the authorities are using Mr. Bobie as a scapegoat to cow other workers of the scheme into submission. So that, tomorrow when something is going the wrong way, people will feel intimidated not to speak against it. This tactics to intimidate people from expressing genuine concerns about the scheme will only go a long way to harm the scheme.The ordinary Ghanaian will be the ultimate loser. This scheme is helping many Ghanaians. My sister benefited from this scheme in 2008.She was operated on at Labadi General Hospital in 2008, the operation costed over 3 million cedis, but we did not pay a pesewa for because of this scheme. Ghanaians including my sister are grateful this scheme was initiated and implemented. The NHIS has made health services accessible to everybody.
Intimidating people from raising genuine concerns is bad governance. Mr. Ametor Quame, the Deputy Corporate Affairs Manager, this time around is telling us the comments made by Mr. Bobie were “embarrassing’ to the scheme and he deserves the boot. It is very surprising this is the best explanation the authorities could tell Ghanaians. When a journalist reminded Mr. Quame that, Mr. Bobie spoke on behalf of the union and not in his personal capacity, Mr. Quame rejected that explanation.
With all these bad corporate governance going on in the scheme, I ask, will this government ever fulfill the one time premium they promised us? I recall a promise by Mr. Mensah in July that the one-time premium will start January, 2011. He said “the one-time premium payment under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) becomes operational from January next year in fulfillment of one of the key pledges of the government “. He made this promise at launch of the sixth edition of the Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) and Essential Medicine List.
There are no indications this promise will be fulfilled. The Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. Rojo Mettle Nunoo, months back told parliament, implementing the one-time premium will be difficult. Quickly his boss, Hon. Benjamin Kunbour who was not in the country then, called into media houses “clarify” the issue, saying his deputy’s statement should be disregarded. It was an interesting drama between the substantive minister and his deputy.
Just last month, November,2010, Dr. Kunbuor, speaking during his Ministry’s turn at the ‘Meet the Press’ series stated that he was forced to say the one time premium would work because he is a minister and since it was a government policy he must support it. In effect, it was a tacit indication that though the one time premium is not possible, he can not say so because he is part of government. He added that “I have raised both hands and legs to show you that it would work and I am saying this because they are playing a drum and I am only dancing to it; when they stop playing the drum and I am still dancing, someone should tap me and say they have stopped playing the drum.” The outright deceit is appalling. Readers, kindly make your own judgment from this quote above.
Again, I ask, will the NHIS survive under this government? The CEO of the scheme has come out clearly that, if extra funding is not provided, the scheme will be in ‘danger”. He proposed that the NHIS levy be increased from its current 2.5 to 3.5 but that proposal was rejected. I heard him on Radio Gold before the budget was presented; explaining the urgent need for this amendment to push through if the scheme must be sustained. The budget was read and nothing was said about the increment in the NHIS levy. Which means until government provides another sustainable way of funding this scheme; we can only pray this scheme does not collapse. But, I remember our Vice President, John Dramani Mahama promised recently that the oil money was to be used to fund the scheme. I thought it was a very good idea. Indeed, I think using the oil money to fund the NHIS is more prudent than building luxurious housing units which are not even within the reach of the middle-income earner, how much more the masses. Having an improved and efficient NHIS benefits everybody including the masses and the rich. Unfortunately, the NDC government prefers expensive Korean housing units for a few to an improved NHIS for us all.
We must pray the NHIS does not also end up like the National Identification Exercise and the Bui Dam Project, which have stalled for reasons the NDC government can answer.
God save us!
I LOVE GHANA.
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
0262232000
The author is an Associate Member of the Association of Business Executives, UK. He is also a blogger on facebook ( www.facebook.com/faisal.ibrahim1)
So, the Health Insurance Workers Union agreed that a statement be delivered by Mr. Bobie, the General Secretary of the Union to deliver at a Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance Workers (UNICOF) conference in Kumasi. The relevant portions of his statement touched on the over politicization of the scheme which they believed was crippling this social intervention introduced by the previous government. He said among other things that “the [seizure] of the offices of health Insurance by some people who call themselves foot soldiers. They always succeed and I will attest to the fact that whatever they do is what the Health Insurance Authority does.
Elaborating further on this canker which is crippling the scheme, he added that “when they [foot soldiers] [want to] sack Mr. A from this scheme they will be able to do that. I think health insurance, it is about time we realize that it is a socially oriented social governmental institution, not partisan institution where a political party will just say let me dominate the system.”
To further confirm that, Mr. Bobie spoke in the capacity as the general secretary and was indeed speaking on behalf of his colleagues, he concluded that “What WE are saying is that they should not make the Health Insurance a partisan platform it should be a corporate platform based on competence,"
I think Mr. Kingsley Bobie and the union deserve the support of every Ghanaian for being bold to speak out against an evil that is crippling the NHIS. Rather he is being persecuted because, what he said does not sound palatable to the ears of Mr. Mensah and his friends.
Since the NDC party took over power, there has been one seizure of one public office or the other. And the NHIS offices have not been different. We have seen these powerful gangsters even declare the president’s representatives in districts and municipalities ‘wanted, dead or alive!”. How much more people employed by the NHIS. In fact, most recent seizures by these powerfully lawless foot soldiers have targeted the NHIS offices. As late as March, 2010, NDC foot soldiers in Zabzugu Constituency seized the NHIS office in the area. Their reason for the seizure was that they “suspect” the manager is not a member of the ruling NDC. These acts of gangsterism go on with impunity, but our ‘father for all” is with us. People say, “he sees no evil and hears no evil”. What will not be surprising is that, the scheme manager’s service will be terminated. Sometimes one wonders if these lawless agitations are not masterminded.
So the dangers alerted by the Union and ably articulated by Mr. Bobie is nothing but the truth. These workers have a lot to lose if the NHIS is to break down eventually. Their source of livelihood largely depends on the efficient management and sustainability of the scheme. The workers have a high stake in the scheme, hence if they raise red flags over developments they find destructive, they must be rewarded and not persecuted as is being done by Mr. Mensah and his friends.
I suspect the authorities are using Mr. Bobie as a scapegoat to cow other workers of the scheme into submission. So that, tomorrow when something is going the wrong way, people will feel intimidated not to speak against it. This tactics to intimidate people from expressing genuine concerns about the scheme will only go a long way to harm the scheme.The ordinary Ghanaian will be the ultimate loser. This scheme is helping many Ghanaians. My sister benefited from this scheme in 2008.She was operated on at Labadi General Hospital in 2008, the operation costed over 3 million cedis, but we did not pay a pesewa for because of this scheme. Ghanaians including my sister are grateful this scheme was initiated and implemented. The NHIS has made health services accessible to everybody.
Intimidating people from raising genuine concerns is bad governance. Mr. Ametor Quame, the Deputy Corporate Affairs Manager, this time around is telling us the comments made by Mr. Bobie were “embarrassing’ to the scheme and he deserves the boot. It is very surprising this is the best explanation the authorities could tell Ghanaians. When a journalist reminded Mr. Quame that, Mr. Bobie spoke on behalf of the union and not in his personal capacity, Mr. Quame rejected that explanation.
With all these bad corporate governance going on in the scheme, I ask, will this government ever fulfill the one time premium they promised us? I recall a promise by Mr. Mensah in July that the one-time premium will start January, 2011. He said “the one-time premium payment under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) becomes operational from January next year in fulfillment of one of the key pledges of the government “. He made this promise at launch of the sixth edition of the Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) and Essential Medicine List.
There are no indications this promise will be fulfilled. The Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. Rojo Mettle Nunoo, months back told parliament, implementing the one-time premium will be difficult. Quickly his boss, Hon. Benjamin Kunbour who was not in the country then, called into media houses “clarify” the issue, saying his deputy’s statement should be disregarded. It was an interesting drama between the substantive minister and his deputy.
Just last month, November,2010, Dr. Kunbuor, speaking during his Ministry’s turn at the ‘Meet the Press’ series stated that he was forced to say the one time premium would work because he is a minister and since it was a government policy he must support it. In effect, it was a tacit indication that though the one time premium is not possible, he can not say so because he is part of government. He added that “I have raised both hands and legs to show you that it would work and I am saying this because they are playing a drum and I am only dancing to it; when they stop playing the drum and I am still dancing, someone should tap me and say they have stopped playing the drum.” The outright deceit is appalling. Readers, kindly make your own judgment from this quote above.
Again, I ask, will the NHIS survive under this government? The CEO of the scheme has come out clearly that, if extra funding is not provided, the scheme will be in ‘danger”. He proposed that the NHIS levy be increased from its current 2.5 to 3.5 but that proposal was rejected. I heard him on Radio Gold before the budget was presented; explaining the urgent need for this amendment to push through if the scheme must be sustained. The budget was read and nothing was said about the increment in the NHIS levy. Which means until government provides another sustainable way of funding this scheme; we can only pray this scheme does not collapse. But, I remember our Vice President, John Dramani Mahama promised recently that the oil money was to be used to fund the scheme. I thought it was a very good idea. Indeed, I think using the oil money to fund the NHIS is more prudent than building luxurious housing units which are not even within the reach of the middle-income earner, how much more the masses. Having an improved and efficient NHIS benefits everybody including the masses and the rich. Unfortunately, the NDC government prefers expensive Korean housing units for a few to an improved NHIS for us all.
We must pray the NHIS does not also end up like the National Identification Exercise and the Bui Dam Project, which have stalled for reasons the NDC government can answer.
God save us!
I LOVE GHANA.
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
0262232000
The author is an Associate Member of the Association of Business Executives, UK. He is also a blogger on facebook ( www.facebook.com/faisal.ibrahim1)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Collateralization of our oil money is for houses for the rich few
In the past few weeks, our media landscape has been dominated with the controversial subject of whether to collateralize our oil revenue or not. There are some interesting trends as far as this debate is concerned that I will like to share with readers.
The Petroleum Revenue Management Bill was drafted by the “ministries”. I suspect the Ministry of Energy, Finance and Attorney Generals Office were involved in the drafting of this bill. When they completed it, they sent it to cabinet. Cabinet deliberated on this bill for sometime. All the necessary adjustments, arguments, debates were exhausted at the cabinet level with our President in the chair as leader of cabinet. In all these deliberations, people with the highest political power made their contributions; I want to believe including the Vice President, John Mahama. Then the bill was finally approved and sent to parliament for approval as our constitution require.
When the bill was brought to parliament, the minority accepted the bill. They thought it was a good bill which will ensure our oil revenue is managed well for the development of our dear nation. They held the view that, the bill in that form was going to ensure that, Ghanaians feel and see the blessings from the oil revenue. During all these deliberations in parliament, the controversial STX Project which was supposed to have been signed long ago has been stalled because of obvious objections raised by the minority some weeks back.
The debate of whether to collateralize our oil revenue can not be distanced from the STX Project which has stalled for some months. The STX Project has stalled because government has not been able to convince the Koreans how they are going to pay back the loan facility for the housing project. The STX Project was hardly approved by parliament because of various factors including the option thrown in by the Ghanaian estate developers that they can provide those housing units at a far cheaper price without compromising on quality. In fact the Ghanaian estate developers provided technical details which the Korean construction firm failed to provide. But government seems to have settled on the foreigners no matter how affordable and reasonable the Ghanaian proposal was. In a nut shell, the proposals from the Ghanaian estate developers were rejected for the foreigners.
A grand and colorful meeting was scheduled at the Castle, seat of government for the final signing of the project. However, the signing could not take place because of the reason I provided above. Indeed the Korean Ambassador to Ghana has reiterated this same reason that government of Ghana had not provided enough evidence to prove how it was going to pay back the loan, though sovereign guarantee and insurance had been provided for. In the heat of the STX debate, the minority raised the issue of the Koreans seeking our oil for the STX Project. It was flatly denied by government officials and spokespersons including the sector Minister, Hon. Alban Bagbin. At a press conference, Hon. Bagbin described the concerns raised by the minority as sheer jealousy. Even though it will be recalled that, when the STX agreement was presented to parliament there was a clause to use the oil as a guarantee for the loan facility, however, after resistance from the minority and other civil society organizations, that clause was removed.
Coming back to the issue of the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill, the executive, who drafted and approved the bill now say they want the clause which they inserted in the current bill which prevents government from collateralizing oil revenue removed. This sudden change of mind by these same drafters of the bill raises a lot of questions. There are suggestions that this bill was drafted by foreigners. If its true foreigners drafted this bill, then how could our leaders just take anything from foreigners without sufficiently amending it to suit our needs and plans? Another question that comes to mind is the issue about competence. Don’t we have competent materials in government who could have drafted this bill? Again, why didn’t the executive amend the clause before bringing the bill to parliament? Why is government now portraying the minority as those who are opposed to development when they, the executive drafted this same bill? We can not forget the assurances given by our Vice President to some Chinese companies that our oil will be given to them in return for some services even though, the bill is yet to be passed in to law.
This government is not managing this nation and our new found oil with the seriousness it deserves. There seem to be no clear direction. I recall how this whole STX Project started. I can say government had no intention of building housing units. Because if government had any such intention, we would have seen it featured in the President’s State of the Nation Address or the Budget for 2010. One gets the impression, the Koreans brought a proposal for building housing units. Suddenly our directionless government decided to adopt the proposal without looking back. It is a difficult situation we find ourselves a country.
I believe that this debate over whether to collateralize our oil revenue has everything to do with the STX Project. Now the question we should ask ourselves is that, should we use this chunk of our new found revenue for housing units? There is no doubt these housing units are far beyond the reach of even the middle class in our society how much more the masses. Why should we spend this much of our oil money in housing units which will benefit just a few rich?
I LOVE GHANA.
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
0262232000
The author is an Associate Member of the Association of Business Executives, UK. He is also a blogger on facebook ( www.facebook.com/faisal.ibrahim1)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Rejoinder: Ghana’s Judiciary Is Corrupt -US State Department
I want to comment on a story with title “Ghana’s Judiciary Is Corrupt -US State Department” carried by ghanaweb.com on 24th August, 2010 authored by Peter Kojo Apisawu [http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=188952]. I must first indicate that am not a lawyer hence my commentary on this story might be far from a lawyer's point of view but its common sensical.
The story I must accurately posit has come at a time the ruling NDC party is at the throat of judges, accusing them of corruption, political bias amongst other unwarranted descriptions. These rancorous attacks from NDC party on the judiciary are mainly because the Attorney General (AG) has lost many “high profile cases” involving members of the erstwhile government. Indeed these strings of lost cases also comes at the background of a shocking promise made by the AG that “I WILL JAIL KUFOUR’S MEN” last year when NDC supporters were calling for her dismissal for dismal performance. The motive of the initial press conference held by the NDC was to show support and solidarity for the AG who has come under fresh attacks from supporters of the NDC because of a high court ruling that set free Kwadjo Mpiani and Dr. Wereko Brobbey who were standing trial for causing financial loss to the state when they managed the Ghana@50 celebrations. It must be indicated that, the two were set free on technical grounds and not acquitted on of those charges. The AG gave the strongest indication right after the discharge she will appeal against that ruling, hence what many discerning democrats who believe in the rule of law expected was for the appeals process to start. I must indicate that, I am one of those who want justice to prevail in this matter so that it cures the lies, deceit and propaganda going on. I am on of those who hold the view that the comments made by the NDC that they will “clean” the judiciary were unwarranted, unfortunate and unbecoming of a ruling political party. I don’t know why the NDC sometimes find it difficult to adhere to simple democratic procedures in achieving their political objectives. It is about time the NDC purges itself of the dictatorial, lawless and undemocratic tendencies. A case in point is the ever growing lawless behavior of its supporters who illegally take possession of anything that belongs to the state or threatens state officials to the extent that a presidential nominee in a municipality was declared “wanted, dead or alive”. What is striking and most shocking, is the fact that not a single “criminal” amongst these known lots has been arrested and prosecuted. When Ghanaians raise these matters of national security concerns, the NDC/government spokespersons quickly and easily remind Ghanaians of what some other political party did some years back. They conveniently forget also, that these were the same instances they cited which informed Ghanaians to vote that other political party out. Sometimes one wonders if the Better Ghana will ever be achieved if such excuses are given by government.
Let me steer back to the main topic. The story takes its authority from 2010 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) released by the US government. The report contains damning findings against the judiciary and the law enforcement agencies. The reports says “…corruption is pervasive in Ghana’s law enforcement community, including sections of the police and the NACOB. Despite the regular arrests of suspected narcotics traffickers, Ghana has a low rate of conviction, which many officials believe is likely due to corruption within the judiciary,” This is where my “unlearned” self have issues with the report and in fact the story. I gather from the above quote that the main reason for describing Ghana’s judiciary as corrupt as portrayed by the author of the story [Peter Kojo Apisawu ] is because of “low conviction despite regular arrests”. I must say am quite surprise at this observation by this US agency. The U.S is arguably touted as trail blazers in democracy and rule of law in the world. It is shocking they could describe OUR judiciary as corrupt based on “low conviction”. Conviction according to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary is “an instance of formally being found guilty of a criminal offence”. Let us be reminded of the dictum “innocent until proven guilty”. Let us also ask ourselves, how do judges pronounce a person guilty or otherwise? I was made to understand, that the prosecution/state must prove beyond reasonable doubt a person is guilty of a crime in a court of competent jurisdiction, that will be the only instance a conviction can be achieved if the rule of law and due process is anything to go by. Hence, if the prosecution who is being vigorously opposed by a defense attorney fails to prove a suspect is guilty of a crime then adherents of rule of law and due process can not expect a conviction. If a conviction is passed when there isn’t enough legal grounds then we are told that is “travesty of justice”.
So if Ghana has a low conviction for drug related crimes, there are many obvious reasons for this situation including poor investigations, poor prosecution, low human capacity, lack of evidence, inadequate resources for investigation etc. For this US agency to allude that corruption is the reason for low conviction is most unfortunate especially when it is come from a country that have practice democracy and rule of law for over 200 years. Unless of course, this US agency is suggesting convictions must equal arrests just because these are drug related cases. That will be an affront to democracy and the rule of law which the US is spending millions of dollars all over the globe to champion. Unless of course the author of the story did not present the full reasons for this conclusion, I hold this US agency can do a better job. My argument is not to suggest that there is no perception of corruption in the judiciary. In fact, I have never seen any judge take bribes but I have been made to unfortunately believe they do because of unconfirmed stories, movies, music etc. Therefore if this US agency wants to pronounce our judiciary as corrupt they must give us credible basis for alluding so than “low conviction”. It is refreshing the news that the judiciary is already engaging in activities that will cleanse itself of the perception of corruption as contained in the press release by the association of magistrate and judges.
In the story was refreshing news about improvement in the fight against drugs. Government must be commended for its efforts in fighting the drug trade. Statistics provided in the 2010 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) as contained in the story shows an improvement in the arrest. The drug trade is a serious issue we must depoliticize. All political parties and civil societies must assist state security agencies in fighting this crime. Reports from countries like Mexico, about the way drug gangs show total disrespect to law enforcement and human life are warning signs for us. I recall a report of drug gangs who robbed a police station in Mexico and injured many policemen. There was another report of a popular Mexican musician who was killed few hours after he had declared he was alive after earlier report that he had been killed by a drug gang.
There is no doubt all governments from independence have had challenges fighting the drug trade. There have been instances where diplomats, MPs, party functionaries, relations of government officials etc have been arrested engaging in the drug business. We must all fish out those characters amongst us who engage in this illicit trade. Ghana must ensure we do not get anywhere close to what is happening in Mexico.
Lastly, I will like to raise an issue with the author of the story. The title of the story might be well intended but I see the likelihood of it being used for mischievous ends. The story seems to confirm and emboldened NDC’s undemocratic desires of undermining the judiciary because the AG has being losing cases. Perceptions of corruption against the judiciary have been with us from Adam and it is not within the authority of any political party to cleanse [kill a cat] it. If any group has a case of corruption or bias against any judge, the basic law [constitution] of this country stipulates how to go about it. What I find intriguing about the NDC is their indecent haste to cast a slur on the any institution or anybody who corrects or disagrees with them instead of “looking inside the mirror”. To the extent that the Deputy AG could describe a judge as a drunkard is telling of the NDC’s mindset. Why does the NDC blame everybody and every institution for its self inflicted woes? We were just recovering from their tongue lashing of journalists [remember causing fear and panic?], and then clergy and now the judiciary. A decorated monkey is still a monkey!
I LOVE GHANA.
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
0262232000
The author is an Associate Member of the Association of Business Executives, UK. He is also a blogger on facebook ( www.facebook.com/faisal.ibrahim1)
The story I must accurately posit has come at a time the ruling NDC party is at the throat of judges, accusing them of corruption, political bias amongst other unwarranted descriptions. These rancorous attacks from NDC party on the judiciary are mainly because the Attorney General (AG) has lost many “high profile cases” involving members of the erstwhile government. Indeed these strings of lost cases also comes at the background of a shocking promise made by the AG that “I WILL JAIL KUFOUR’S MEN” last year when NDC supporters were calling for her dismissal for dismal performance. The motive of the initial press conference held by the NDC was to show support and solidarity for the AG who has come under fresh attacks from supporters of the NDC because of a high court ruling that set free Kwadjo Mpiani and Dr. Wereko Brobbey who were standing trial for causing financial loss to the state when they managed the Ghana@50 celebrations. It must be indicated that, the two were set free on technical grounds and not acquitted on of those charges. The AG gave the strongest indication right after the discharge she will appeal against that ruling, hence what many discerning democrats who believe in the rule of law expected was for the appeals process to start. I must indicate that, I am one of those who want justice to prevail in this matter so that it cures the lies, deceit and propaganda going on. I am on of those who hold the view that the comments made by the NDC that they will “clean” the judiciary were unwarranted, unfortunate and unbecoming of a ruling political party. I don’t know why the NDC sometimes find it difficult to adhere to simple democratic procedures in achieving their political objectives. It is about time the NDC purges itself of the dictatorial, lawless and undemocratic tendencies. A case in point is the ever growing lawless behavior of its supporters who illegally take possession of anything that belongs to the state or threatens state officials to the extent that a presidential nominee in a municipality was declared “wanted, dead or alive”. What is striking and most shocking, is the fact that not a single “criminal” amongst these known lots has been arrested and prosecuted. When Ghanaians raise these matters of national security concerns, the NDC/government spokespersons quickly and easily remind Ghanaians of what some other political party did some years back. They conveniently forget also, that these were the same instances they cited which informed Ghanaians to vote that other political party out. Sometimes one wonders if the Better Ghana will ever be achieved if such excuses are given by government.
Let me steer back to the main topic. The story takes its authority from 2010 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) released by the US government. The report contains damning findings against the judiciary and the law enforcement agencies. The reports says “…corruption is pervasive in Ghana’s law enforcement community, including sections of the police and the NACOB. Despite the regular arrests of suspected narcotics traffickers, Ghana has a low rate of conviction, which many officials believe is likely due to corruption within the judiciary,” This is where my “unlearned” self have issues with the report and in fact the story. I gather from the above quote that the main reason for describing Ghana’s judiciary as corrupt as portrayed by the author of the story [Peter Kojo Apisawu ] is because of “low conviction despite regular arrests”. I must say am quite surprise at this observation by this US agency. The U.S is arguably touted as trail blazers in democracy and rule of law in the world. It is shocking they could describe OUR judiciary as corrupt based on “low conviction”. Conviction according to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary is “an instance of formally being found guilty of a criminal offence”. Let us be reminded of the dictum “innocent until proven guilty”. Let us also ask ourselves, how do judges pronounce a person guilty or otherwise? I was made to understand, that the prosecution/state must prove beyond reasonable doubt a person is guilty of a crime in a court of competent jurisdiction, that will be the only instance a conviction can be achieved if the rule of law and due process is anything to go by. Hence, if the prosecution who is being vigorously opposed by a defense attorney fails to prove a suspect is guilty of a crime then adherents of rule of law and due process can not expect a conviction. If a conviction is passed when there isn’t enough legal grounds then we are told that is “travesty of justice”.
So if Ghana has a low conviction for drug related crimes, there are many obvious reasons for this situation including poor investigations, poor prosecution, low human capacity, lack of evidence, inadequate resources for investigation etc. For this US agency to allude that corruption is the reason for low conviction is most unfortunate especially when it is come from a country that have practice democracy and rule of law for over 200 years. Unless of course, this US agency is suggesting convictions must equal arrests just because these are drug related cases. That will be an affront to democracy and the rule of law which the US is spending millions of dollars all over the globe to champion. Unless of course the author of the story did not present the full reasons for this conclusion, I hold this US agency can do a better job. My argument is not to suggest that there is no perception of corruption in the judiciary. In fact, I have never seen any judge take bribes but I have been made to unfortunately believe they do because of unconfirmed stories, movies, music etc. Therefore if this US agency wants to pronounce our judiciary as corrupt they must give us credible basis for alluding so than “low conviction”. It is refreshing the news that the judiciary is already engaging in activities that will cleanse itself of the perception of corruption as contained in the press release by the association of magistrate and judges.
In the story was refreshing news about improvement in the fight against drugs. Government must be commended for its efforts in fighting the drug trade. Statistics provided in the 2010 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) as contained in the story shows an improvement in the arrest. The drug trade is a serious issue we must depoliticize. All political parties and civil societies must assist state security agencies in fighting this crime. Reports from countries like Mexico, about the way drug gangs show total disrespect to law enforcement and human life are warning signs for us. I recall a report of drug gangs who robbed a police station in Mexico and injured many policemen. There was another report of a popular Mexican musician who was killed few hours after he had declared he was alive after earlier report that he had been killed by a drug gang.
There is no doubt all governments from independence have had challenges fighting the drug trade. There have been instances where diplomats, MPs, party functionaries, relations of government officials etc have been arrested engaging in the drug business. We must all fish out those characters amongst us who engage in this illicit trade. Ghana must ensure we do not get anywhere close to what is happening in Mexico.
Lastly, I will like to raise an issue with the author of the story. The title of the story might be well intended but I see the likelihood of it being used for mischievous ends. The story seems to confirm and emboldened NDC’s undemocratic desires of undermining the judiciary because the AG has being losing cases. Perceptions of corruption against the judiciary have been with us from Adam and it is not within the authority of any political party to cleanse [kill a cat] it. If any group has a case of corruption or bias against any judge, the basic law [constitution] of this country stipulates how to go about it. What I find intriguing about the NDC is their indecent haste to cast a slur on the any institution or anybody who corrects or disagrees with them instead of “looking inside the mirror”. To the extent that the Deputy AG could describe a judge as a drunkard is telling of the NDC’s mindset. Why does the NDC blame everybody and every institution for its self inflicted woes? We were just recovering from their tongue lashing of journalists [remember causing fear and panic?], and then clergy and now the judiciary. A decorated monkey is still a monkey!
I LOVE GHANA.
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com
0262232000
The author is an Associate Member of the Association of Business Executives, UK. He is also a blogger on facebook ( www.facebook.com/faisal.ibrahim1)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
ONLY THE HEARTLESS WOULD CELEBRATE JUNE 4TH
The June 4th coup was nothing but an orchestrated event to enrich a few hungry disgruntled young officers and their cahoots. Deceit was embedded in the plan which saw many Ghanaians fall in love with the lies being bundled around by proponents of the insurrection. The “June 4th ideals” which are being propounded in our ears are “probity and accountability”, there is no doubt in the minds of many that the leaders of the June 4th coup would fall far below the measure they used to murder, maim, detain, execute and destroy other people and their families. Fall outs from that coup are so painful that, it would be irresponsible and wicked for any group of persons to want to celebrate it. However, it is not strange those who are busily engaging in its celebrations are direct beneficiaries of it. The June 4 coup ousted the Supreme Military Council [SMCII]
The Supreme Military Council II [SMC II] chaired by Lt-Gen Frederick W.K. Akuffo was regrettably ousted by the June 4 coup. Ghana was on its way to start a constitutional rule when the June 4 insurrection took place. The SMC II issued a decree [SMCD 203] for a Constituent Assembly to be formed. The mission of the constituent assembly was to draft a constitution. In fact, they completed their work and Ghana had a constitution. The country was in the a campaigning and electioneering mode. Political parties had been formed. A date for parliamentary and presidential elections was set [1st July 1979].
While the country was on this progressive path, a group of hungry junior military officers hijacked the future of our country with the coup. The coup was orchestrated by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) chaired by Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings. It would not be out place to conclude that the June 4th coup denied Ghana constitutional democracy for over two decades. Given this facts, it would be fallacious for proponents of the coup to pontificate that the AFRC/PNDC gave Ghana constitutional democracy.
Members of the AFRC lied to the nation that they had no political ambitions. Their main mission was to do a “house-cleaning” within the ranks of the armed forces. They accused the SMC [the ousted military government] of bringing the name of the military intitution into disrepute. They accused the military leaders of corruption, immorality, thievery, cronyism, profligacy, mismanagement, insensitivity and many ills which they claim had created a bad impression about the military in the minds of the public. Hence their main pre-occupation was to clean the military for a restoration of respect, dignity and honor to the military.
Ghanaians believed what the AFRC preached. Many, including academicians, journalists, students, market women, artisans etc hailed the coup. Many thought the leaders of the coup were going to heed to their words, only for the country to be fooled by these self seeking junior military officers.
The AFRC proceeded to beat, execute, maim and detain many senior military officers in pursuant to their “house cleaning” exercise. Gen. Acheampong, Maj-Gen Utuka, Gen. Akuffo, Lt-Gen Afrifa and other high ranking military officers were executed by firing squad. Civilians who took up political positions were not spared the “house cleaning” exercise
After letting the “blood flow” within the armed forces, the AFRC rather disappointingly unleashed its blood thirsty instincts on ordinary innocent civilians. Many families and businesses have been destroyed by these so-called saviors. The AFRC’s 112 days regime saw an unprecedented number of human rights abuses. The Amisah Nunoo case was a classical case of sheer display of power held by undeserving and blood thirsty junior officers.
On 20th June, 1979, Nunoo, a businessman of Akim Oda was arrested by about seven soldiers. They seized goods in his shop amounting to over ¢1 million as well as some personal effects. The soldiers took him to the Achiase Jungle Warfare School.
Mr. Nunoo gave his own account of the incident as follows [before the National Reconciliation Commission]:
“I was ordered to board their vehicle and taken to the main Oda lorry park. A large crowd
had gathered in front of my house. As soon as we reached the lorry park, I was pushed down violently by about 3 soldiers. Sgt. Kwasi Manu gave an order and almost immediately they started to beat me up with sticks. I recall a number of people screaming and crying. I
remember that a woman who pleaded on my behalf was slapped by a soldier. I was beaten
mercilessly for 40 minutes. In fact I fainted ( I later learnt that I was hurled into the truck).
Everyone who was present believed I was dead and even went to console my wife.
When I came to I found myself at the barracks at Achiase, near Oda. …
…On the 3rd day at Achiase Barracks I was drilled and ordered to lift a rock nickname
“Pharoah”. ...I was constantly beaten. Eventually, I was released after 4 days.
I was never charged or told what I had been detained for. I was sent home and then rearrested after 2 days on the 26th /27th June, 1979.
I can’t remember their names but 2 men came with an army vehicle to re-arrest me; I was
taken again to Achiase Barracks and drilled. For eight days I was beaten, asked to roll on
the ground for 20 minutes etc. I was badly treated. I was shaved with a broken bottle – I
cannot describe the pain which is very vivid in my mind till this day.
There are many who suffered unjustifiably in the hands of the goons of the AFRC regime.
The short lived AFRC regime terrorized many innocent civilians, especially the resourceful in the country. Business men and women suddenly became the target of the blood thirsty junior military officers.
There were instances citizens had to justify reasons for buying 2 cars. Some were asked ridiculous questions, in their humble bid to answer those questions, they are greeted with hefty dirty thunderous slaps by military officers. A case in point was Col Kofi Abaka Jackson’s experience before the Preliminary Investigation Team (PIT) which he describe in his book “When Gun Rules” pages 123 – 127:
“As soon as I sat down, one of the Other Ranks, a Corporal, came to stand behind me. The
other Other Rank stood behind…The Chairman asked the Pilot Officer to bring out my
file…The chairman and the secretary glanced through the folder then started questioning me:
“You alone have three houses. Why?” Before I could open my mouth to answer, the soldier
who was standing behind me gave me a slap on my right cheek and across my face.
…Another slap landed on my left cheek and a third on my right…I explained: “Out of my
reconditioning of vehicles and other machines from 1963, I started to run a family transport
business in 1968…
At this stage, the slaps intensified in both strength and rapidity…
I continued to answer their questions…”My second house…
The slaps continued…
I was given a few more swift slaps, a clear warning to me to shut up. My interrogators then
turned their attention to my cars. With all the hatred he could muster, a member asked:
“You, you have a Benz and a BMW car. Why?” Before I could utter a word, two hefty
slaps landed on my right cheek and eye, followed by another slap on my right cheek…The
questioner asked me how I could afford both a Benz and a BMW car?
The random slaps continued… The chairman gave me a stern look as if he was signaling for
me to be given more slaps. Two heavy slaps landed on my right jaw in rapid succession.
“Why are you looking so fine?”…The soldier, who was standing behind me, gave me more
blows to my head…My answer drew three heavy slaps – first on my right cheek, the second
on my left and the third on my right cheek…Why are you still looking so fine? The
chairman asked.
I ignored the question this time… “Hey, you corporal, you are not slapping him properly;
come this way!” the chairman ordered. Looking into the face of the other corporal who was
standing immediately to his left, he shouted at him to change places with his colleague who
was not ‘performing his duties properly’.
Just as the chairman was about to ask me a question, the new corporal standing behind me
unleashed a sharp, stinging slap across my right eye. This was immediately followed by
another slap from his left hand. Then, as if he was clapping, he fired both left and right slaps
across my face, obviously demonstrating to his boss that he could hit harder, better, and in
style too.”
For the direct beneficiaries of the June 4 massacre, they would argue that, these were mere excesses of the regime. I beg to differ on that. Ghanaians were deceived into believing in an unrealized ideal. The probity and accountability ideal they preached fell in water. When the AFRC handed over power to the PNP government, there were many allegations of corruptions against the leaders. In fact, a planned investigation into the AFRC regime also triggered the 31 December coup that ousted a few months old constitutional regime.
The June 4 is part of our nation’s dark history and there is nothing we can do about that. However, attempts to garnish it for celebrations by direct beneficiaries must be discourage. Most shocking is the youth who are being deceived into celebrating this massacre. I hope they spend more time reading history books for the truth. Conditions that existed before the coup did exist through out the AFRC/PNDC era.
It is not strange that the youth of the NDC [descendants of the AFRC/PNDC] have been exhibiting some traits of the June 4 insurrection by issuing threats to government officials. I bet they wish, we were still in those dark days. They would have subjected these government appointees to instant barbaric “justice” or they would have stripped mothers naked and whipped them in the public.
June 4 does not deserve to be celebrated.
I rest my pen!
God save us.
[ Credit: National Reconciliation Commission Report-2004]
The Supreme Military Council II [SMC II] chaired by Lt-Gen Frederick W.K. Akuffo was regrettably ousted by the June 4 coup. Ghana was on its way to start a constitutional rule when the June 4 insurrection took place. The SMC II issued a decree [SMCD 203] for a Constituent Assembly to be formed. The mission of the constituent assembly was to draft a constitution. In fact, they completed their work and Ghana had a constitution. The country was in the a campaigning and electioneering mode. Political parties had been formed. A date for parliamentary and presidential elections was set [1st July 1979].
While the country was on this progressive path, a group of hungry junior military officers hijacked the future of our country with the coup. The coup was orchestrated by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) chaired by Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings. It would not be out place to conclude that the June 4th coup denied Ghana constitutional democracy for over two decades. Given this facts, it would be fallacious for proponents of the coup to pontificate that the AFRC/PNDC gave Ghana constitutional democracy.
Members of the AFRC lied to the nation that they had no political ambitions. Their main mission was to do a “house-cleaning” within the ranks of the armed forces. They accused the SMC [the ousted military government] of bringing the name of the military intitution into disrepute. They accused the military leaders of corruption, immorality, thievery, cronyism, profligacy, mismanagement, insensitivity and many ills which they claim had created a bad impression about the military in the minds of the public. Hence their main pre-occupation was to clean the military for a restoration of respect, dignity and honor to the military.
Ghanaians believed what the AFRC preached. Many, including academicians, journalists, students, market women, artisans etc hailed the coup. Many thought the leaders of the coup were going to heed to their words, only for the country to be fooled by these self seeking junior military officers.
The AFRC proceeded to beat, execute, maim and detain many senior military officers in pursuant to their “house cleaning” exercise. Gen. Acheampong, Maj-Gen Utuka, Gen. Akuffo, Lt-Gen Afrifa and other high ranking military officers were executed by firing squad. Civilians who took up political positions were not spared the “house cleaning” exercise
After letting the “blood flow” within the armed forces, the AFRC rather disappointingly unleashed its blood thirsty instincts on ordinary innocent civilians. Many families and businesses have been destroyed by these so-called saviors. The AFRC’s 112 days regime saw an unprecedented number of human rights abuses. The Amisah Nunoo case was a classical case of sheer display of power held by undeserving and blood thirsty junior officers.
On 20th June, 1979, Nunoo, a businessman of Akim Oda was arrested by about seven soldiers. They seized goods in his shop amounting to over ¢1 million as well as some personal effects. The soldiers took him to the Achiase Jungle Warfare School.
Mr. Nunoo gave his own account of the incident as follows [before the National Reconciliation Commission]:
“I was ordered to board their vehicle and taken to the main Oda lorry park. A large crowd
had gathered in front of my house. As soon as we reached the lorry park, I was pushed down violently by about 3 soldiers. Sgt. Kwasi Manu gave an order and almost immediately they started to beat me up with sticks. I recall a number of people screaming and crying. I
remember that a woman who pleaded on my behalf was slapped by a soldier. I was beaten
mercilessly for 40 minutes. In fact I fainted ( I later learnt that I was hurled into the truck).
Everyone who was present believed I was dead and even went to console my wife.
When I came to I found myself at the barracks at Achiase, near Oda. …
…On the 3rd day at Achiase Barracks I was drilled and ordered to lift a rock nickname
“Pharoah”. ...I was constantly beaten. Eventually, I was released after 4 days.
I was never charged or told what I had been detained for. I was sent home and then rearrested after 2 days on the 26th /27th June, 1979.
I can’t remember their names but 2 men came with an army vehicle to re-arrest me; I was
taken again to Achiase Barracks and drilled. For eight days I was beaten, asked to roll on
the ground for 20 minutes etc. I was badly treated. I was shaved with a broken bottle – I
cannot describe the pain which is very vivid in my mind till this day.
There are many who suffered unjustifiably in the hands of the goons of the AFRC regime.
The short lived AFRC regime terrorized many innocent civilians, especially the resourceful in the country. Business men and women suddenly became the target of the blood thirsty junior military officers.
There were instances citizens had to justify reasons for buying 2 cars. Some were asked ridiculous questions, in their humble bid to answer those questions, they are greeted with hefty dirty thunderous slaps by military officers. A case in point was Col Kofi Abaka Jackson’s experience before the Preliminary Investigation Team (PIT) which he describe in his book “When Gun Rules” pages 123 – 127:
“As soon as I sat down, one of the Other Ranks, a Corporal, came to stand behind me. The
other Other Rank stood behind…The Chairman asked the Pilot Officer to bring out my
file…The chairman and the secretary glanced through the folder then started questioning me:
“You alone have three houses. Why?” Before I could open my mouth to answer, the soldier
who was standing behind me gave me a slap on my right cheek and across my face.
…Another slap landed on my left cheek and a third on my right…I explained: “Out of my
reconditioning of vehicles and other machines from 1963, I started to run a family transport
business in 1968…
At this stage, the slaps intensified in both strength and rapidity…
I continued to answer their questions…”My second house…
The slaps continued…
I was given a few more swift slaps, a clear warning to me to shut up. My interrogators then
turned their attention to my cars. With all the hatred he could muster, a member asked:
“You, you have a Benz and a BMW car. Why?” Before I could utter a word, two hefty
slaps landed on my right cheek and eye, followed by another slap on my right cheek…The
questioner asked me how I could afford both a Benz and a BMW car?
The random slaps continued… The chairman gave me a stern look as if he was signaling for
me to be given more slaps. Two heavy slaps landed on my right jaw in rapid succession.
“Why are you looking so fine?”…The soldier, who was standing behind me, gave me more
blows to my head…My answer drew three heavy slaps – first on my right cheek, the second
on my left and the third on my right cheek…Why are you still looking so fine? The
chairman asked.
I ignored the question this time… “Hey, you corporal, you are not slapping him properly;
come this way!” the chairman ordered. Looking into the face of the other corporal who was
standing immediately to his left, he shouted at him to change places with his colleague who
was not ‘performing his duties properly’.
Just as the chairman was about to ask me a question, the new corporal standing behind me
unleashed a sharp, stinging slap across my right eye. This was immediately followed by
another slap from his left hand. Then, as if he was clapping, he fired both left and right slaps
across my face, obviously demonstrating to his boss that he could hit harder, better, and in
style too.”
For the direct beneficiaries of the June 4 massacre, they would argue that, these were mere excesses of the regime. I beg to differ on that. Ghanaians were deceived into believing in an unrealized ideal. The probity and accountability ideal they preached fell in water. When the AFRC handed over power to the PNP government, there were many allegations of corruptions against the leaders. In fact, a planned investigation into the AFRC regime also triggered the 31 December coup that ousted a few months old constitutional regime.
The June 4 is part of our nation’s dark history and there is nothing we can do about that. However, attempts to garnish it for celebrations by direct beneficiaries must be discourage. Most shocking is the youth who are being deceived into celebrating this massacre. I hope they spend more time reading history books for the truth. Conditions that existed before the coup did exist through out the AFRC/PNDC era.
It is not strange that the youth of the NDC [descendants of the AFRC/PNDC] have been exhibiting some traits of the June 4 insurrection by issuing threats to government officials. I bet they wish, we were still in those dark days. They would have subjected these government appointees to instant barbaric “justice” or they would have stripped mothers naked and whipped them in the public.
June 4 does not deserve to be celebrated.
I rest my pen!
God save us.
[ Credit: National Reconciliation Commission Report-2004]
Sunday, May 30, 2010
GOVERNMENT WAS RECKLESS, THE REFUGEE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED
“Some 3,500 refugees have crossed into northern Togo from Ghana, Togo's security minister says.” was the first paragraph of a news story on the BBC website titled “Ghanaians flee violence for Northern Togo” published at 11.26 GMT on Tuesday, the 25th of May, 2010.
After reading the full story I was petrified. The story came as a surprise to many Ghanaians. What got many most incensed was the label “REFUGEE”. In my lay mans understanding, I have known this word to be used on people mostly in war countries. So, I asked myself, is there war in my country?
We are all in the know of protracted conflicts in the northern part of Ghana, but little did I know those conflicts could be left to deteriorate to the extent that, our fellow compatriots would be referred to as “REFUGEES” in a different country.
Before I proceed any further, it must be noted, that the provision of law and order is one of the oldest functions of a government.
The refugees were resident of Bunkpurugu- Yunyoo District. The District has been bedevilled with chieftaincy and land conflicts involving communities. The conflict has claimed lives, properties and has displaced many. The most affected in this conflict situation were women, children and the aged.
The Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District does not have a substantive Chief Executive to effectively manage the security situation. The former chief executive was dismissed following agitations by members of the NDC. Many would have expected that due to the volatility of the conflict situation in the District, a replacement would be swift. Currently, the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Sam Nasamu is acting as the chief executive.
On the 9th of May, 2010, 2500 pieces of cartridges were intercepted by the Northern Regional Police command. The cartridges were being imported into the district to fuel the already volatile conflict in the District. This news caused so much fear in District.
Only a day (10th May, 2010) after this news broke, the police at the District withdrew their services. The reason for their withdrawal was because of FOOD. It was worrying to know that the lives and properties of the tax payers resident in that District could no more be protected because of food. When the news of police withdrawal was reported, many expected government would quickly respond by providing just food to these police men so that life and property would be protected, strangely, that was not the case.
The withdrawal of police service in the District greatly influenced the mass movement of people out of the District. The presence of the security in the District gave residents some assurance of safety. To think that the police had to withdraw their service because of food is most regrettable and shows how reckless government has treated those tax payers.
While our relatives are living under dehumanizing circumstances, government seems to be more interested in challenging the BBC over the numbers they put out. I find that most unnecessary.
However, I am inclined to believe the number provided by the UNHCR. Awurabena Hutchful, the Assistant Public Information Officer, for the UNHCR office in Ghana, stated that as at 17th May, 2010, the number of Ghanaian refugees in Togo was 3,247,000. She said this number was arrived at after a HEAD COUNT. The operative word is head count. Government seems to be giving different figures at different times.
The second reason I am convinced to believe the UNHCR figure is because a GNA news report on the 20th of May, 2010 stated “The conflict involved six communities where some 368 houses were completely burnt, with 4,048 displaced persons while two lives were lost in the latest conflict, which occurred last April. The initial conflict was between Bufuok and Tobong communities over the rehabilitation of a grinding mill and later spread to the other four communities, namely Gbankoni, Kambatiak, Gbadauk and Nasiabuak and brought untold hardships to the residents, 3,000 of who are now seeking asylum in neighboring Togo.” This was a report of a state news agency. Clearly this report makes it comfortable for any serious minded person to stick to the over 3000 figure. What baffles my mind is, what action was taken after GNA reported this.
It is refreshing to hear government is all of the sudden working to make sure the right thing is done. According to the Deputy Information Minister, Hon. Okudjeto Ablakwa, the President was aware of this situation some months back. This disclosure raises questions in the mind of many. What did our President do about the situation since the 25 April, 2010 when he got to know? It took a news report in the international media for government to be frantically working to relocate our relatives back home.
It would have been appropriate for our humble President to take a trip to Togo and see first hand the condition our relatives are living under. However, the president rather received a delegation from Togo. The host of our refugees had to make the trip to the castle to solve this matter. I don’t think that was proper. The Togo government took up a responsibility our government failed to deliver. They provided shelter, food and security for our relatives. It was only proper our government showed appreciation and respect by going to their country to resolve this matter not the other way round.
In conclusion, government has been very reckless in the handling of this matter. The situation our relatives found themselves could have been averted if government had been more responsible. Currently the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Sam Nasamu is acting as DCE for the District. Because of other responsibilities he has, he is not able to manage the District well. The president must as a matter of urgency appoint someone to take charge.
The only hope the residents had was the presence of police. The withdrawal of police service due to the inability of government to provide them food was another worrying factor that led to this unfortunate situation.
It is my fervent hope that, after relocating our relatives back home, government would ensure that law and order is maintained in that District.
After reading the full story I was petrified. The story came as a surprise to many Ghanaians. What got many most incensed was the label “REFUGEE”. In my lay mans understanding, I have known this word to be used on people mostly in war countries. So, I asked myself, is there war in my country?
We are all in the know of protracted conflicts in the northern part of Ghana, but little did I know those conflicts could be left to deteriorate to the extent that, our fellow compatriots would be referred to as “REFUGEES” in a different country.
Before I proceed any further, it must be noted, that the provision of law and order is one of the oldest functions of a government.
The refugees were resident of Bunkpurugu- Yunyoo District. The District has been bedevilled with chieftaincy and land conflicts involving communities. The conflict has claimed lives, properties and has displaced many. The most affected in this conflict situation were women, children and the aged.
The Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District does not have a substantive Chief Executive to effectively manage the security situation. The former chief executive was dismissed following agitations by members of the NDC. Many would have expected that due to the volatility of the conflict situation in the District, a replacement would be swift. Currently, the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Sam Nasamu is acting as the chief executive.
On the 9th of May, 2010, 2500 pieces of cartridges were intercepted by the Northern Regional Police command. The cartridges were being imported into the district to fuel the already volatile conflict in the District. This news caused so much fear in District.
Only a day (10th May, 2010) after this news broke, the police at the District withdrew their services. The reason for their withdrawal was because of FOOD. It was worrying to know that the lives and properties of the tax payers resident in that District could no more be protected because of food. When the news of police withdrawal was reported, many expected government would quickly respond by providing just food to these police men so that life and property would be protected, strangely, that was not the case.
The withdrawal of police service in the District greatly influenced the mass movement of people out of the District. The presence of the security in the District gave residents some assurance of safety. To think that the police had to withdraw their service because of food is most regrettable and shows how reckless government has treated those tax payers.
While our relatives are living under dehumanizing circumstances, government seems to be more interested in challenging the BBC over the numbers they put out. I find that most unnecessary.
However, I am inclined to believe the number provided by the UNHCR. Awurabena Hutchful, the Assistant Public Information Officer, for the UNHCR office in Ghana, stated that as at 17th May, 2010, the number of Ghanaian refugees in Togo was 3,247,000. She said this number was arrived at after a HEAD COUNT. The operative word is head count. Government seems to be giving different figures at different times.
The second reason I am convinced to believe the UNHCR figure is because a GNA news report on the 20th of May, 2010 stated “The conflict involved six communities where some 368 houses were completely burnt, with 4,048 displaced persons while two lives were lost in the latest conflict, which occurred last April. The initial conflict was between Bufuok and Tobong communities over the rehabilitation of a grinding mill and later spread to the other four communities, namely Gbankoni, Kambatiak, Gbadauk and Nasiabuak and brought untold hardships to the residents, 3,000 of who are now seeking asylum in neighboring Togo.” This was a report of a state news agency. Clearly this report makes it comfortable for any serious minded person to stick to the over 3000 figure. What baffles my mind is, what action was taken after GNA reported this.
It is refreshing to hear government is all of the sudden working to make sure the right thing is done. According to the Deputy Information Minister, Hon. Okudjeto Ablakwa, the President was aware of this situation some months back. This disclosure raises questions in the mind of many. What did our President do about the situation since the 25 April, 2010 when he got to know? It took a news report in the international media for government to be frantically working to relocate our relatives back home.
It would have been appropriate for our humble President to take a trip to Togo and see first hand the condition our relatives are living under. However, the president rather received a delegation from Togo. The host of our refugees had to make the trip to the castle to solve this matter. I don’t think that was proper. The Togo government took up a responsibility our government failed to deliver. They provided shelter, food and security for our relatives. It was only proper our government showed appreciation and respect by going to their country to resolve this matter not the other way round.
In conclusion, government has been very reckless in the handling of this matter. The situation our relatives found themselves could have been averted if government had been more responsible. Currently the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Sam Nasamu is acting as DCE for the District. Because of other responsibilities he has, he is not able to manage the District well. The president must as a matter of urgency appoint someone to take charge.
The only hope the residents had was the presence of police. The withdrawal of police service due to the inability of government to provide them food was another worrying factor that led to this unfortunate situation.
It is my fervent hope that, after relocating our relatives back home, government would ensure that law and order is maintained in that District.
Rejoinder-Nana Addo: Arrogance And The Culture Of Entitlement
I read an article with title “Nana Addo: Arrogance And The Culture Of Entitlement” authored be Abdul Sidibe on 21st May, 2009. Summarily, readers of the article could only conclude that the article was borne out of emotions and not logic. Readers expected the author to give basis for his claim that Nana Akufo-Addo is arrogant.
However, author failed to give any credible basis for his assertion. Why should people spend time to make damaging allegations against people without giving any shred of evidence to back them?
Nana Akufo-Addo has come a long way in life; he has struggled to build a reputation for himself which any young person like the author should emulate. Nana Akufo-Addo is one of the finest lawyers our country can boast of. He has tutored many seasoned lawyers of our time.
In a desperate attempt to justify his claim, the author stated “In 1992 when the party lost by over 20 points in the Presidential election, Nana Akufo Addo lead charge in writing The Stolen Verdict to delegitimize the Rawlings government even though the NPP knew from their heart of heart that there was no way they could win an election against a very popular incumbent head of state.”
How on earth could any serious minded person use this as a basis to justify an act arrogance by an individual (Nana Akufo-Addo). In the instance given by the author, a political party (NPP) felt cheated in the 1992 election, a decision was taken for a book(The Stolen Verdict: Ghana, November 1992 Presidential Election Report of the New Patriotic Party) to be published, why would anybody regard that as show of arrogance by an individual in that political party?
Again, this can not justify the assertion that Nana Akufo-Addo has a sense of entitlement to the presidency because; Nana was not the presidential candidate for the NPP in 1992.Clearly this is difficult to comprehend by discerning minds.
Another basis, borne out of emotion given by the author was that “When it became very obvious that Nana had lost in 2008, the conventional wisdom was that he would accept the result and congratulate Professor Mills. Given that he tinted himself as a firm believer in democracy and the rule of law. But Nana did not do that, rather during the second round of election he activated his plan B, connive with some in the Ashanti Region to inflate voting numbers as they come in, putting the nation on the verge of a nervous breakdown.”
I wonder how the author expected Nana Akufo-Addo to have conjured that the NPP had lost when the Electoral Commission was yet to receive some results from parts of the country. Is the author suggesting, Nana Akufo-Addo should have conceded defeat before the Electoral Commissioner had declared the final results?
In any event, even the second round was inconclusive as there was a need for a third round in TAIN.
Again, Nana Akufo-Addo did concede defeat and congratulated candidate Atta Mills when the electoral commission finally declared him (Prof. Atta Mills) winner. Nana Akufo-Addo was very swift with the concession. The electoral commission declared the final results on Saturday the 3rd of January 2009. Few hours after the declaration Nana Akufo-Addo stated "I acknowledge the Electoral Commission's declaration and congratulate Prof. Mills".
If the author wants readers to believe President Mills is humble because he conceded defeat for the 2000 and 2004 elections, then that logic (no matter how hollow) should equally apply to Nana Akufo-Addo in this instance.
The allegation being put out by the author and his political party (The NDC) that figures from Ashanti Region was inflated is laughable and regrettable. They make these allegations without any documentary proof.
In any event, how does this logically justify Nana Akufo-Addo is arrogant? Glaringly, the author has not given readers any basis to believe Nana Akufo-Addo is arrogant and has a sense of entitlement.
Indeed, Nana Akufo-Addo humbly combed through the whole country to canvass for votes. He never relented in his quest to serve the good people of this country during the 2008 electioneering campaign. Almost half of the population of this country saw the need to vote for the man.
How can anybody describe this man as having a sense of entitlement to the presidency? As a democrat, Nana Akufo-Addo believes in the power of the thumb. He believes he can only be the president of Ghana if the good people of this country give him the mandate.
Am also amazed the author who is cooling it off in Canada spends time to write such baseless article about an individual when there are many social and economic challenges facing the masses. The conditions of many Ghanaians have worsened since the author’s party (The NDC) took over the governance of this country. The NDC government has imposed very wicked fiscal policies which has further deepened the woes of many Ghanaians.
Amidst this draconian fiscal environment is the high sense of insecurity in the country. We have a situation where NDC members take the laws into their own hands by threatening to KILL District Chief Executives, sacking civil servants, closing down revenue agencies, closing down NYEP offices. No single person has been dealt with according to our laws.
Strangely, President Atta Mills rewards these “criminals” by heeding to their demands.
God save us!
However, author failed to give any credible basis for his assertion. Why should people spend time to make damaging allegations against people without giving any shred of evidence to back them?
Nana Akufo-Addo has come a long way in life; he has struggled to build a reputation for himself which any young person like the author should emulate. Nana Akufo-Addo is one of the finest lawyers our country can boast of. He has tutored many seasoned lawyers of our time.
In a desperate attempt to justify his claim, the author stated “In 1992 when the party lost by over 20 points in the Presidential election, Nana Akufo Addo lead charge in writing The Stolen Verdict to delegitimize the Rawlings government even though the NPP knew from their heart of heart that there was no way they could win an election against a very popular incumbent head of state.”
How on earth could any serious minded person use this as a basis to justify an act arrogance by an individual (Nana Akufo-Addo). In the instance given by the author, a political party (NPP) felt cheated in the 1992 election, a decision was taken for a book(The Stolen Verdict: Ghana, November 1992 Presidential Election Report of the New Patriotic Party) to be published, why would anybody regard that as show of arrogance by an individual in that political party?
Again, this can not justify the assertion that Nana Akufo-Addo has a sense of entitlement to the presidency because; Nana was not the presidential candidate for the NPP in 1992.Clearly this is difficult to comprehend by discerning minds.
Another basis, borne out of emotion given by the author was that “When it became very obvious that Nana had lost in 2008, the conventional wisdom was that he would accept the result and congratulate Professor Mills. Given that he tinted himself as a firm believer in democracy and the rule of law. But Nana did not do that, rather during the second round of election he activated his plan B, connive with some in the Ashanti Region to inflate voting numbers as they come in, putting the nation on the verge of a nervous breakdown.”
I wonder how the author expected Nana Akufo-Addo to have conjured that the NPP had lost when the Electoral Commission was yet to receive some results from parts of the country. Is the author suggesting, Nana Akufo-Addo should have conceded defeat before the Electoral Commissioner had declared the final results?
In any event, even the second round was inconclusive as there was a need for a third round in TAIN.
Again, Nana Akufo-Addo did concede defeat and congratulated candidate Atta Mills when the electoral commission finally declared him (Prof. Atta Mills) winner. Nana Akufo-Addo was very swift with the concession. The electoral commission declared the final results on Saturday the 3rd of January 2009. Few hours after the declaration Nana Akufo-Addo stated "I acknowledge the Electoral Commission's declaration and congratulate Prof. Mills".
If the author wants readers to believe President Mills is humble because he conceded defeat for the 2000 and 2004 elections, then that logic (no matter how hollow) should equally apply to Nana Akufo-Addo in this instance.
The allegation being put out by the author and his political party (The NDC) that figures from Ashanti Region was inflated is laughable and regrettable. They make these allegations without any documentary proof.
In any event, how does this logically justify Nana Akufo-Addo is arrogant? Glaringly, the author has not given readers any basis to believe Nana Akufo-Addo is arrogant and has a sense of entitlement.
Indeed, Nana Akufo-Addo humbly combed through the whole country to canvass for votes. He never relented in his quest to serve the good people of this country during the 2008 electioneering campaign. Almost half of the population of this country saw the need to vote for the man.
How can anybody describe this man as having a sense of entitlement to the presidency? As a democrat, Nana Akufo-Addo believes in the power of the thumb. He believes he can only be the president of Ghana if the good people of this country give him the mandate.
Am also amazed the author who is cooling it off in Canada spends time to write such baseless article about an individual when there are many social and economic challenges facing the masses. The conditions of many Ghanaians have worsened since the author’s party (The NDC) took over the governance of this country. The NDC government has imposed very wicked fiscal policies which has further deepened the woes of many Ghanaians.
Amidst this draconian fiscal environment is the high sense of insecurity in the country. We have a situation where NDC members take the laws into their own hands by threatening to KILL District Chief Executives, sacking civil servants, closing down revenue agencies, closing down NYEP offices. No single person has been dealt with according to our laws.
Strangely, President Atta Mills rewards these “criminals” by heeding to their demands.
God save us!
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