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Allotey-Jacobs on assassination anvil?
When assassination becomes a political business, then as a modern democratic nation, we are dangerously gravitating towards real hell on earth.
What at all will compel a fully-grown adult brother to kill his fellow brother over disagreement on mere political questions?
What then is the value of our touted democracy; pluralism, free speech, freedom of expression, free press, rule of law, human rights, freedom of association and free and fair elections?
That is, when we cannot agree to disagree on matters related to our own political parties and national political issues? What then is the essence of tolerance in democracy and nation building?
Readers, I am appalled to read on social media that my good friend, Bernard Allotey-Jacobs, is running for cover over alleged assassination attempt on his dear life.
Allotey-Jacobs is now a political household name in Ghana. For the records, he was a former Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Recently, Allotey-Jacobs fell out with his political masters in the NDC. First, he was suspended from the party and about two weeks ago, he was knocked out from the NDC, with a dismissal letter.
What saddens my heart is that just about a week ago, he posted this on his social media platform: “If you hear I’m dead, point a finger at the NDC. They sent assassins to kill me in Cape Coast.”
According to Allotey-Jacobs, some faceless NDC members had sent a death-squad after him.
He said, he was alerted by a high-profile member of his party, adding that, it was also confirmed by his friend, Honourable Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central.
Allotey-Jacobs said: “The assassins have been stationed in Cape Coast to search and kill me by any means,” contending that, “the NDC thinks I will reveal their secrets to the public.”
According to him: “The NDC is capable of assassinating me; I trust the NDC in some of these things … I’ve been around for a long time in Ghanaian politics and I know a lot of things.”
In a language not good for the health of our national politics, the Central Regional branch of the NDC has, however, denied Allotey-Jacobs claim that the party is after his life.
But years and years ago, a high profile NDC personality, Dr Obed Asamoah, held a press conference in Accra and announced to the nation that some elements within his party wanted to assassinate him. At that time, there was intense power struggle within the NDC.
Some of us were initially surprised to hear this, but it is said that; when a baby-crocodile suddenly jumps from beneath the pond and publicly announces the death of his mother-crocodile, who can challenge such baby-crocodile?
Readers, which human can courageously descend beneath the pond to ascertain whether what the baby-crocodile is announcing about the mother is true or false?
So, the answer is: You either believe it or disbelieve it. This is because if you descend beneath the pond to ascertain the truth, you may not return alive.
Honourable Kennedy Agyapong has, however, added another twist to Allotey-Jacobs predicament. According to him, Allotey-Jacobs may be killed like the way J. B. Danquah-Adu was assassinated in his own house.
The late J. B. Danquah-Adu was a prominent Member of Parliament, representing the people of Abuakwa North Constituency in the Eastern Region. His assassins have still not been established since he was killed about eight years ago. But two persons were arrested and are presentlly standing trial at an Accra High Court in connection with the MP’s death.
Relating his own experience, Mr Agyapong said, some people attempted to assassinate him in his own house and in the process, they ended up shooting and killing three police men.
He urged Mr Allotey-Jacobs not to joke with the matter at all “because the assassination threat on his life is real” and advised him to hire security guards to protect him.
Allotey-Jacobs, assures that he has reported the matter to the Central Regional Police Command and expects appropriate actions to be taken.
My professional cousins, Kwesi Pratt and Kweku Baako , can produce a tall list of names of people who went missing during the regimes of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
Such missing individuals were never found. They were believed to have been “captured” like animals and killed by the goons of the AFRC and PNDC regimes and their bodies buried in secret locations.
One may say that those days are gone but why and how was Ahmed Suale recently assassinated in broad daylight in Accra?
Ahmed Suale was an investigative journalist with the renowned Tiger Eye Group. His assassins are still walking free because they have not been arrested yet.
Readers, I think we must start asking very critical questions: What is the motive of the contractors who hire the assassins? And the assassins; have they “registered” their ” businesses” of killings?
How and where are the assassins located, identified and hired by the contractors? And who recruits the “killing contractors” too?
Contact email/WhatsApp of the author: asmahfrankg@gmail.com (0505556179)
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
