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The consequences of our leaders’ unfavourable statements
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I don’t envy the position of President or Head of State, especially on the African continent, precisely my own beautiful country, Ghana. The position of a head of state or president is a revered one, because it comes with a lot of respect and accolades. A person entrusted with that position, must hold himself or herself in high esteem because, as the saying goes, you are either the number one gentleman or gentle woman of the land. That person is responsible to the day-to-day administration of his or her country and, therefore, he or she is held accountable and liable for what happens under his or her tenure.
THE PRESIDENCY
The presidency is a sacred and noble institution which is an important embodiment of a tangible or visible form of idea, quality and feeling. Therefore, persons associated with this noble institution, must be upright, selfless, passionate, endurance, perseverance, foresight, high-handedness, forward-looking among other positive attributes.
However, even though the position of head of state or president is juicy and comes with a lot of goodies and sometimes with some comfort and some form of enjoyment, in spite of the heavy schedule, I will be the last person to accept that leadership role in this country even if I am the most qualified person to take – up that position. Why am I saying so? The insult, acrimony, name calling, incrimination, bashing, character assassination, vilification among other negativities associated with leadership role, just put me off completely. I am a sort of person who will always want to be a simple and committed journalist, who is interested in using the power of the pen and for that matter, the computer, to right the wrongs in our dear country and put leadership on their toes. I will always say things as I see them and possibly suggest tangible solutions to emerging problems.
PERFORMANCE AS PRESIDENT
It is a fact and the gospel truth that if you are a president or a leader of a country and you are performing well to the satisfaction of your country men and women, you will be hailed and cherished by the people because of the confidence they have reposed in you as their leader. On the other hand, if you are president or head of state who performs abysmally, you will definitely incur the wrath of your people and they will criticise and insult you at the least opportunity. Even you will not find things smooth sailing with supporters from your own party. That is the time you will ‘smell pepper’, because you may think your own supporters have deserted you completely.
THE BEDROOMS OF PRESIDENTS
I cannot be in the bedroom of any president because that is not a place for me and I am not qualified to be there, but I can conveniently and confidently say that, non-performing heads of state or presidents go through hell in their bedrooms. The unsurmountable problems hanging on their necks become a major headache for them in the bedrooms and sometimes generate heated arguments between them and their spouses. In some rare cases, their spouses would have wished that they resign because of the insults and bashings from the people. The problems of the country are so pronounced that they would be having sleepless nights, always thinking about where solutions will come from so that they can have their peace.
THE PRESIDENT OF GHANA TODAY
The picture I have painted is just the situation in our dear country today in which the high cost of living among the people, with inflation constantly rocketing and the local currency, the cedi, depreciating in value against the major international currency, the dollar, as well as fuel increases, forcing transport fares to go up, thus depriving majority of the people their comfort, have been the major headache of the ruling government. Since the buck stops at the president, he is being accused, insulted, maligned and incriminated for supervising the weak economy. Currently, we have started negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout of the serious crisis within our economy. Not even the explanation from the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to the extent that the economic turmoil was as a result of COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated by the Russian-Ukraine war, was enough to convince the people to tone down their regular bashings on social and other media outlets.Even from the stronghold of his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region, people are not sparing him the ordeal he is going through. He was reported to have been hooted at, during his recent tour of the Ashanti Region.
THE INCIDENT IN KWABRE EAST
In the Kwabre East Constituency in the Ashanti Region, the President was reported to have told the people that he was not perturbed by the threats from residents in the constituency over the state of poor roads. He said the threats by some of the constituents to vote for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 elections if the roads were not fixed, was much ado about nothing.
Apparently referring to a comments purported to have been made on one of the local FM radio stations in the constituency by an interviewer, that people had vowed not to vote for the NPP in 2024 if their roads were not fixed, the President said, “No problem, no problem, people make those kinds of threats to me, they don’t frighten me. Somebody votes for you, somebody supports you, it is because they want you to do things for them, so I understand that. There is no need for people to say if I do not do it, this or that. That is your own problem. Of course, I will fulfil my promises. But if it so happens that you decide to vote for the NDC, that is your problem, that is not mine. Nobody will hold your hand to thumbprint for any candidate, the most important thing that I understand is the responsibility and will deal with it”.
PRESIDENT’S UNFAVOURABLE COMMENTS
These comments by the President have incurred the displeasure of the people, especially the numerous supporters of the NPP, because they felt the president had looked down on them and betrayed the course of the party since he is in his last term in office. However, be that as it may, one can understand the reaction of the President because of numerous insults and bashings on him of late by most Ghanaians. He, therefore has to stretch his anger to the people in the Kwabre Constituency in the Ashanti Region.
It is most unfortunate that in reaction to the various insults on the President, the Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, should adopt an insulting posture that did not befit a chief of his calibre. Saying that those who are insulting President Akufo-Addo, are uncivilised villagers, witches and wizards who have no sense of appreciation, is also below the belt because what he has to know is that, people are insulting and criticising the president out of anger and severe hardship in the country and the person who has to take the blame is the President.
EMPTY CAMPAIGN PROMISES
You see, politicians and for that matter, those who want to take leadership roles in governance, do not learn their lessons and, therefore, keep repeating same mistakes of the past. As they crisscrossed the country in the wake of their campaigns to solicit votes from the people, some of them virtually went on their knees begging that they should be tried and tested because they had the capacity to turn this country into a state of “bread and honey”. They vowed to provide all the necessary basic infrastructural requirements when given the chance to govern, knowing very well that it was a difficult task to carry out because the resources to accomplish that were not available. They lied through their teeth to become president and when they were given the mandate to rule, they would perform miserably and then the problems start.
The people are now discerning and more experienced than most of our politicians and, therefore, cannot allow themselves to be fooled any longer. A time will come when nobody will even go to the polling station to vote people who will turn round to feed fat on them and make them look like stooges and undesirables.
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By Charles Neequage
Some things do not change in this country. The rains shall fall in May, and June and even July. That is out of our control. It is an act of God and he decides how often and the intensity. Who are we to question God?
However, there is something man-made that is gradually becoming something that is also not changing and it is worrying. A week ago the President initiated a national clean up campaign to address the issue of sanitation in the country, especially in Accra.
Citizens enthusiastically got involved and engaged in cleaning their environment and other places but afterwards, the issue that is becoming a permanent feature resisting change, reared its ugly head again.
The rubbish and the silt that were dug out of the drains, were heaped on the shoulders of the drains and left there. Any little rain will render the whole effort futile because the rubbish and silt will be washed right back into the drains.
This is what is not changing in the country and the various assemblies must ensure that this issue is dealt with and must become a thing of the past.
There is the need to engage the citizenry across board, in connection with mindset change, as far as sanitation is concerned. At this juncture, I must acknowledge the thoughtful initiative of the current crop of Abenfo (i.e. students both present and past) of SUTESCO of Suhum, with support of the school administration for decorating the area under the overpass on the Accra Kumasi highway, near the school, with fascinating paintings. This is an example worthy of emulation and makes me proud as one of the Abenfo.
An example not worthy of emulation is an eyesore currently existing behind a cemetery along the Atta Mills link as you branch left, off the main Accra-Cape Coast road at Old barrier and head towards the beach through Aplaku, Bortianor, Oshiyie, Korobite through to Tuba and beyond.
The drain along the walls of the cemetery also lying astride the road, is choked with silt and rubbish. This has created a problem near the end of the cemetery wall just before you enter Bortianor.
Water has accumulated at that point, creating potholes and also gradually creating a channel across the road, creating a nightmare for motorists using that route. This route is the main link between parts of Kasoa and the Accra – Cape Coast road and whenever it rains and the Atala stretch of the road is blocked, that is the route most motorists from Kasoa uses.
It is also the route used by tourists going to the beaches along the sea of the towns stretching from Bortianor to Kokrobite and so it does not speak well of us, as a nation at all.
A few days ago, I had to pass through Tema Station, the place where a major clean up exercise was conducted just fews days ago and it was very shocking to see the level of wanton littering that had taken place.
One begins to wonder if this whole exercise initiated by the President was worth it. People just do not care and are not willing to change their attitude towards sanitation.
We cannot continue like this and to win this battle against insanitary conditions in our environment, the NCCE must be resourced to embark on a serious educational drive. The MMDCEs must also be held accountable for sanitation lapses in their administrative areas, by making sanitation part of their KPIs among other innovative policies. This is one of the surest ways to overcome this sanitation challenge confronting us. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
THE discussion lasted only ten minutes. Mr Philip Sampson, Eunice’s father, had asked to see him, and he was led to the sitting room for the first time. Mr Sampson indicated that he should sit down.
‘Yes, Kakraba. I know that you have been, er, friends with Eunice for some months now, and naturally, as her father, I thought it would be important to meet you, and to reach an understanding with you on, er, some basic issues. So, I hear you are a graduate in building technology. Now, tell me about what you do’.
‘Okay. I worked with the Electricity Company for two years after National Service. During that time I interacted with some lawyers and land surveyors on our project sites, so I suggested to some of them that we take some dilapidated buildings in some parts of Accra, rehabilitate them and find new owners. Soon after starting that I got a job as Project Manager with a group of development agencies who are executing projects in the Northern Region, so I have been balancing the two positions’.
‘I see. That sounds like a bold step. So is it going well, financially?’
‘Well, sir, I absolutely enjoy what I’m doing now. Financially, I would only say that I am a work in progress. A lot of what I’m doing now involves some risk taking, as it involves trust issues with land and property owners.
I am partnering with prominent lawyers and land surveyors, so I am not taking any serious risks. So currently I am doing okay financially, but it will take me some time before I reach the level where I can say I am comfortable financially.’
‘Okay. Now tell me about your parents’.
‘My father was an Agricultural Extension Officer, so we spent some time at several locations with him. He is now enjoying his retirement. And my mother is a retired nurse. I have three elder sisters, all married’.
‘So you live with your parents?’
‘Yes and no. My dad built his home on one acre at Pokuase, so he gave me one plot, and I have done a three-bedroom house, where I live’.
‘Okay, fine. Thanks for the answers. You see, in addition to my position socially, I spent many years in the diplomatic service, so I’m sure you will understand that I need to ensure that my kids, especially my daughters, maintain suitable relationships. For now I think it is fine that you and Eunice are friends. I’m sure you understand what I mean’.
‘Yes sir. I understand perfectly well.’
‘Great, okay, that would be all.’
Kakraba stood up, bowed and said thank you to Mr Sampson, and walked to the garden where his girlfriend Eunice, her mother Mrs Elaine Sampson and her two elder sisters, Yvonne and Emma, were seated, busily discussing some dresses being offered for sale online.
‘So,’ Mrs Elaine asked him, ‘you and Daddy had a good discussion?’
‘Yes, Ma. We certainly did. I really appreciate Dad for the discussion. It was really good.’
‘Great. Although he has met you here on quite a number of occasions, I think it is good that you have met for a chat.’
‘Yes indeed, Ma, and I really appreciate it. So Eunice, I will be on my way. I will call.’
Eunice led him to his car, and after driving off he exhaled and shook his head. Although he had long concluded that Eunice’s family were so snobbish that a future relationship with her would be problematic, this discussion, or was it interrogation, had virtually cancelled any likelihood.
Mr Sampson just told him, in no uncertain terms, that the Sampson family was so prominent and socially connected that a union between his daughter and him was undesirable.
He had a good relationship with Eunice. They shared some beautiful moments together, and often went out to entertainment joints, often with her three friends Marian, Patricia and Amanda. But Kakraba was often uncomfortable with their preferences.
Eunice regularly spoke about her family’s experiences during her father’s postings in Europe and Asia, and her three friends were always discussing the latest fashion trends, always noting the importance of placing themselves among the best-dressed ladies in town.
Eunice, her mother and siblings had indicated in several ways that he did not quite fit into their social standing. They had only said a mild ‘thank you’ when he brought them a goat or sheep and a generous amount of foodstuffs from the north every month.
But Kakraba did not really take it to heart, because they were quite inexpensive up north. Moreover, he always went to the food market and arranged with the truck drivers for a big package which was picked up by his buddy Paa John and delivered to his family and a few others, including the Sampsons.
By Ekow de Heer
