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A tale of two citizens
There was once a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen, feed sumptuously and live a daily life of luxury. And there was a poor man called Lazarus so destitute that he habitually lay at the rich man’s gate in the hope of scavenging for the leftovers from the big man’s table. Besides, he was covered with sores which the rich man’s dogs came and licked at will.
This is a classic example of a case of two extremes, one having beyond measure and accustomed to extravagance, the other in extremely dire straits, acquainted with grief, and pining away in agony and misery. It is a tale of two citizens.
All over the world, this tale of two citizens is pervasive. Inequality in wealth and income is stark. Recently, a group calling itself the World Inequality Lab, produced a report that says wealth and income inequality remains pronounced across the globe. Lucas Chancel, lead author of the report says that the richest 10 per cent of the global population currently take home 52 per cent of the income. The poorest half of the global population earn just eight per cent.
And, when it comes to wealth, that is, valuable assets and items over and above income, the gap is even wider. The poorest half of the global population own just two per cent of the global total, while the richest 10 per cent own 76 per cent of all wealth.
The report concludes that “inequality is always a political choice and learning from policies implemented in other countries or at other points of time is critical to design fairer development pathways.” In other words, the state has a big role to play in bridging the huge gap.
In advanced countries, various socio-economic interventions have been adopted to alleviate the dire circumstances of the masses who involuntarily find themselves perennially getting the short end of the stick. Not so in Ghana. In our dear country, the tale of two citizens continues unabated. The population is sharply delineated into a few rich men and an uncountable number of “Lazaruses.”
I do not have much problem with those born with a silver spoon in their mouth, or private citizens who strive and move from rags to riches. My beef is with those who are draining the nation’s coffers with impunity while the economy is reeling from numerous setbacks partly caused by themselves.
Salaries are in arrears for many workers, including paltry allowances for National Service personnel. Even the chicken feed wages for graduates engaged under the Nation Builders Corps (NaBCO) scheme, are not forthcoming in terms of regularity. Yet, a certain category of Ghanaians insists on having, not just fat salaries but also numerous unjustifiable perks for unprofitable work.
A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) runs a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) aground through huge losses yet, as part of his contract, demands certain perks such as responsibility and inconvenience allowances without any scruples. And this is in spite of all the subvention from government! What trouble or difficulty do Ghanaians cause to their personal comfort for them to be paid inconvenience allowance?
Why should they be paid responsibility allowance when they have failed time and again to prove their mettle as corporate leaders capable of producing the desired results? Most of them cannot even pay for the power generated by the Electricity Company of Ghana, (ECG), their sister SOE, thus pulling it down with their own failing establishments and contributing to ECG’s constant struggle to keep its head above water. That does not mean the ECG does not have some explanation to do for its own failure.
Our fingers are not equal in size implying we cannot all be at the same level of blessing or have an equal share of what the world has to offer. But the system we operate in Ghana which treats some CEOs as super-human, is a major cause of the huge inequality gap between the haves and have-nots.
Recently, Samson Lardy Anyenini, host of Newsfile, a current affairs programme on JOY FM, listed some of the perks of these CEOs which, in my view, are outrageous given that the organisations they manage post regular losses.
Among them are the following: a monthly clothing allowance of GH¢10,000; responsibility allowance, GH¢1,500 per month, entertainment allowance, GH¢1,500 per month, a daily inconvenience allowance of GH¢500, satellite television connection on DSTV, GH¢500 per month, as well as household allowance and utility subsidy.
The CEO is entitled to a personal vehicle loan and a monthly vehicle maintenance of GH¢1,000 in addition to an executive official vehicle with a driver. Even eyeglasses are taken care of with GH¢1,000 as well as grants for his funeral expenses. Also included are benefits such as: holiday facilities, both local and abroad, for not more than six persons, not more than three rooms and not more than five nights per year.
A housing loan of GH¢6,000 is also available in addition to home enhancement loan of GH¢2,000; travel per diem, $1,500,salary increment at 20 per cent, mandatory full medical examination abroad annually, medical care for spouse and children, medical care after retirement, retirement packages depending on the number of years served, and a host of others.
In short, everything that other Ghanaians pay out of their own pocket is taken care of by the state for the almighty CEO. And what do they have to show for all these? Losses galore, year in, year out. There is no capital structure efficiency even though the state provides guarantees for commercial loans to boost their operations.
In 2019, some SOEs posted losses totaling about six billion cedis, according to Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta. Knowing how badly they had performed, only 14 out of the 126 SOEs responded to the ministry’s directive to submit their annual statements that year. Besides, 47 SOEs failed to submit any at all for five years.
Between 2015 and 2019, SOEs consistently recorded negative operating margins averaging around 10 per cent due mainly to operating expenses constantly rising more than revenues coming in. And these are the people draining our resources with fat packages that do not make any sense.
The inequality report alluded to earlier, concludes that “inequality is always a political choice and learning from policies implemented in other countries or at other points of time is critical to design fairer development pathways.”In other words, the state has a big role to play in bridging the huge unjustifiable gap.
The perks enjoyed by the defaulting CEOs are just an icing on the cake, yet many do not have any cake at all to eat. There should be analogous pay for analogous qualification across board. There should be proper entry-level pay for all levels of qualification.
Besides, the working conditions of employees in the public sector should be similar to those in the private sector while fixation of wages, salaries, and rules for incentives, should be streamlined. How do you explain a situation where the CEO’s remuneration package is about 20 times better than his subordinate because he has his master’s degree, and his junior has a bachelor’s?
On what basis should just his entertainment allowance be more than twice the salary given to a bachelor’s degree holder, who is actually doing full-time work under NaBCO, but is designated as someone whose work deserves only a stipend of GH¢700?
Is it charity or employment? Where is the justice when for one class, life is an exotic bloom and boom whereas for the majority, it is gloom and doom from the womb to the tomb? A tale of two citizens, indeed!
Until the country restructures its remuneration system; unless the CEOs are compelled to adopt high standards of corporate governance and made to sacrifice, they would continue dissipating our coffers, there would never be enough money to go round, and financial stability would elude us.
“Equality is the heart and essence of democracy, freedom and justice; equality of opportunity in industry, in labour unions, schools and colleges, government, politics, and before the law. There must be no dual standards of justice, no dual rights, privileges, duties, or responsibilities of citizenship. No dual forms of freedom,” African American civil rights leader and trade unionist, Asa Philip Randolph, (1889 – 1979), said.
British judge, philosopher, and writer, Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, (1829-1894) also said: “The only shape in which equality is really connected with justice is this – justice presupposes general rules. If these general rules are to be maintained at all, it is obvious that they must be applied equally to every case which satisfies their terms.” In other words, what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander.
Education pays but the payment must not be at the expense of the poor masses. In every country where justice reigns without let, even the poorest enjoy a certain modicum of justice and fairness in the distribution of the national cake. But in certain jurisdictions like Ghana, it is a tale of two citizens.
Injustice is a symbol of tyranny. Let us return to sanity
Contact: teepeejubilee@yahoo.co.uk
By Tony Prempeh
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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