Features
Construction crew or demolition squad? [Final Part]
The twin evil of bribery and corruption in the country appears to defy all forms of exorcism. Given that Ghana’s anti-corruption laws criminalise active and passive bribery, extortion, willful exploitation of public office, use of public office for private gain, and bribery of foreign public officials, among other offences, what is the problem? Is it about enforcement? Who enforces the laws? Are they blind?
I hope my friends in the police are reading this. Years back, during the funeral of my late father, Odehye3 Akwasi Agyeman Prempeh, (God bless his soul), one of his surviving friends who had not seen me since I morphed into a man, approached me, and slipped his right hand into mine. My heart leapt with excitement as my thought raced to the possibility that he was going to give his funeral donation“nicodemously” as some sympathisers prefer to do. How wrong I was!
Instead, he whispered in the twi language: “Ohenenana, kyia me apolisifuornkyia,” which translates loosely to, “Prince, greet me like the way the police do it.” I understood him. He wanted some money and I obliged him. Instead of me receiving, I ended up giving.
I believe our police are doing a yeoman’s job, especially under the leadership of the no-nonsense, businesslike, uncompromising new IGP, COP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare. I was thrilled when I read that the police had traced and arrested a 31-year-old driver following a social media post by a good citizen about his reckless endangerment of lives through a scary and deadly overtaking on the Accra-Kumasi road on December 30 last year.
But a few bad eggs are tainting the image of an otherwise excellent service by their proverbial style of greeting. IGP, keep up the good work! Drain the swamp! COP Rev. Dr. David Ampah-Bennin, greetings to you. You are an exemplary member of the inky fraternity and the clergy.
Dear pastor, man of God so called! You call yourself a shepherd. Agreed! But whom do you feed, the flock or yourself?Why do you feed fat off the hard labour, sweat and tears of the congregation? Why are you exploiting their ignorance and gullibility to make a fortune out of their fears?
By your cunning methods you rip people off and line your pockets while most of your church members merely scrape by. Occasionally, you conjure a trick which you claim to be “a direction from the Lord, “using the Book of Psalms to reap an uncommon harvest. Starting from the highest number in the Psalms, that is, Psalm 150 you tell the congregation that the Lord says each member should sow a seed of 150 cedis times the number of their children. That means if you have four children, you ought to pay 600 cedis in obedience to a so-called “direction.”
And you prefer the three-digit Psalms – from 100 to 150. As the number drops to two digits, you apply new methods to keep the seed up where you want it. And so, if it is Psalm 20, you may say: “We are in the twelfth month and today is the 20th day. The Lord says we should sow a seed of 240 cedis which is 20 times 12. This is a direction from the Lord.”How did you receive that “direction?” Through dreams, visions, slumbering upon your bed after a bowl of fufu, or was it God’s audible voice? God sits on His throne and says, “You rascals!”
God commands us to honour mothers and fathers, but you teach people to dishonour their parents, especially their mothers. With unproven claims of clairvoyance, you label certain mothers witches. By what foul spirit did you receive that vision? Do you have any idea about the magnitude of the chaos your lies have caused among some families? Why should you so callously tarnish somebody’s image and pierce her heart with the sword of your untamed and poisonous tongue? “Thou shalt not bear false witness,” but you do just that under the guise of speaking the oracles of God. And the last time I checked you were still hunting for more prey.
Mr. and Madam Honourable, what is happening in Parliament? Are we tearing the nation apart with unnecessary squabbles bordering on pettiness? Parliamentary rules of engagement should not be a replica of the ideas of Joseph Paul Goebbels, master propagandist of the Nazi Party who notoriously said: “We do not come as friends, nor neutrals. We come as enemies. As the wolf bursts into the flock, so we come.” That tone is the beat of war drums. Do the recent events in the nation’s parliament reflect the words of Goebbels? This is an “urgent question” on the floor.
Our nascent democracy demands the thinking of the 19th century British lawyer, judge, philosopher, law reformer, and writer, Sir James Fitzjames Stephen (1829-1894) who famously said: “Parliamentary government is simply a mild and disguised form of compulsion. We agree to try strength by counting heads instead of breaking heads, but the principle is exactly the same… The minority gives way not because it is convinced that it is wrong, but because it is convinced that it is a minority.”That is some food for thought.
The majority, on its part, must learn to accommodate opposing views that can be proven to conduce to our national development aspirations.Every political party with a genuine desire to develop the country has only one option as espoused by that charismatic president of the United States, John F. Kennedy. “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.”Spot on! That is all we need to forge ahead.
Democracy thrives on the exchange of ideas but in an amicable atmosphere. Needless to say, two wrongs do not make a right. Is it not appalling that while most Ghanaians are beset with some of the most monstrous inequalities in the world, the seat of Ghana’s democracy, Parliament, which should lead the way in correcting those wrongs, should turn into an arena of confusion and melodrama?
For those who took part in the recent brawl in Parliament, what do you think you were teaching your children?In this era of social media, your disgraceful behaviour gained much currency in no time. It is likely that some of your children spotted you in the thick of affairs.When they queried you about your conduct, what did you tell them? Defending democracy?
Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, apologised on behalf of his colleagues on both sides. As admirable as it was to eat humble pie,an impression had already been etched on the minds of Ghanaians about the kind of people we elected to represent us. The only way people will hit the delete button in their memory, and consign the incident to history,is for our parliamentarians to work together and accelerate the pace of our national development in a manner that can be felt by all and sundry.
There are plenty of policy differences to discuss that do not warrant any unnecessary distraction. By any acceptable means, let your differences be ironed out but let the process lead to development for the longsuffering people of this land of gold and oil.
And for those who are so blinded by politics that they can stoop so low as to utter unprintable words against another, why do you even go to the house of God on occasion; to seek forgiveness and repent, or to deceive God? Of course, no one can hoodwink God. I believe politicians do not hate one another but unfortunately, they allow politics to make their blood boil.
We should all take a cue from the late President J.J. Rawlings and President Akufo-Addo who were sworn political enemies, yet, made some room for accommodation. Why would these guys reconcile, at least, to some extent? It was all in the interest of nation building.
Fellow Ghanaians I leave you with two quotes from Nelson Mandela: “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” He said also: “It is in your hands to make a better world for all who live in it.”
Where do you stand, with the Construction Crew or the Demolition Squad? As the King James Version of the Bible would put it: “Choose ye this day!”
And remember that a stitch in time saves nine!
Contact: teepeejubilee@yahoo.co.uk
BY TONNT PREMPEH
THE state of feeling rejected, could be a terrifying experience especially for those who have become used to fame. If not properly addressed, it could lead to depression and the consequences, could be disastrous.
When you are on top of your game in whatever profession you find yourself such that you become famous, a lot of people try to associate with you. The phone never ceases to ring and one is tempted to feel loved and very important.
When a disaster strikes and the fame or the money which was the source of the attraction fades away, the circle of friends and fans begin to shrink and the phone will start to stop ringing until the call stops voting completely.
You will be shocked at how people you considered friends, will no longer be calling you or pay casual visits as they used to. You will begin to notice that messages you leave after calling them and not getting a response are not replied to and that is when you begin to know who your true friends are.
One of the most popular movie stars was an actress called Sharon Stone. In an interview with one of the media houses that was published, she spoke about how people who should have come around to encourage her in her moment of depression, shunned her. The calls stopped coming.
This is what the Bible admonishes that the arm of flesh will fail you and therefore we should put our trust in God. It could be a very frightening experience and can easily lead to depression.
Human nature being what it is, people will want to get close if things are okay. Everybody wants to associate themselves with interesting things, famous people, rich people etc for mainly selfish reasons.
We need to develop the habit of putting our trust in God and relying less on human beings. The lesson we have to take along in life is that, no one marries his or her enemy so how come people who took vows that they will love each other become so hostile to each other that they want to go their separate ways in life? Such is the reality of life.
It is therefore prudent for people to recognise that, life is full of uncertainties and so there is the need to prepare your mind for uncertainties so that when they occur, they do not disorganise your mental sanity.
A lot of people have experienced situations where people who they could have sworn will never betray their trust have disappointed them when they were through challenging moments.
If there is one thing famous people should desire, it should be the ability to identify who are true friends are. Countless stories abound regarding incidence of celebrities who have lost their shine and their wives divorcing them soon after.
It is sometimes useful as a famous or rich person to sign a prenuptial agreement before marriage to safeguard or protect yourself from any future unpleasant surprises.
People can be very pretentious these days, it goes both ways. There is this real life story where a man married a divorced wealthy woman and convinced her to sell her house so they could build a new one together, with the excuse that people are gossiping that he is being housed by a woman.
The woman agreed and they put up a new building. After a few years the man asked for a divorce, only for the woman to realise that the land on which the building was situated, was bought in the man’s name.
This can drive a person insane, if you are not mentally tough and this happens to you. When people hear that you are homeless, a lot of your so-called friends will stop calling, so that you do not become a burden on them.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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‘But, er …. I don’t even know your name’.
‘Paul. Paul Allotey. I’m Sarah, by the way. Paul, why don’t you leave me here, since this is the last important thing I’m doing today’.
‘Okay. Now Sarah. I was just thinking. You will be here at the cafe for about an hour. By then it will be about twelve thirty. Then, you would be thinking of buying yourself some lunch, to eat here or to take home. So if you would please allow me, I will take you to one of the nicest eating places in town, and after you have sorted that one out, then I can drop you home. Just that one errand, then I won’t bother you again’.
‘You are not bothering me at all. You are being very kind to me. And I just realised you are a mind reader too. The last item on my agenda was lunch’.
‘I’m so glad I appeared at your doorstep, just in time’.
‘Okay. Now Paul, since you say the cafe is a comfortable place, let’s go in together, and you can do your work while I get my application done’.
‘Okay, Sarah. Thanks. Let’s go’.
We got back in the car at eleven forty-five.
‘So where are we going, Paul?’
‘To Royalty restaurant. It’s a twenty minute drive away’.
‘So, do you enjoy your job?’
‘Most certainly. I won’t change it, not even to be President. And am I right to say that you are preparing to enter the university?’
‘That’s my plan. I hope it works’.
‘It will, if you are determined, and disciplined. You look very much like a disciplined person’.
‘Thank you very much’.
We arrived at Royalty in twenty-five minutes, ‘You are joining me for lunch, Paul’.
‘Thanks for the honour, Sarah. But the bill is on me’.
‘Aren’t you taking on too much for one day?’
‘I never do anything that is bigger than me, Sarah’.
Over the next hour and a half, we discussed fashion, local and international politics, and sports, as we ate and relaxed. Finally, he drove me to the shop.
‘I will never forget you, Paul’.
‘I’m glad to have been helpful. But if you don’t mind, I’ll say it again, your husband is extremely lucky. You are really beautiful’.
‘Thanks again. But do you mind if I call you sometime in the future?’
‘Certainly not. Let me write it here. I will not ask for your number, for obvious reasons. But I will be looking forward to hearing from you. And hopefully, I will see you next month, when I call to drop your bill’.
‘Okay Paul. See you then’. What a lovely day, I said to myself as I opened the front door. I closed the shop and got home by seven. I went straight to the bedroom, stood in the mirror and took a good look at myself. ‘You are a very beautiful woman, Sarah. Never forget that’. I will not forget that, again.
Over the next several weeks, Martin and I had very little to do with each other. In the morning he ate his breakfast and after a shabby ‘I’m going’, he left. He came home around eight at the earliest, ate his dinner and, already soaked in beer, went off to sleep.
He spent the greater part of the weekends at the club house with his friends, playing tennis and partying. My mind was focused on furthering my education, so I didn’t complain to him, and didn’t bother to inform my parents about what was happening. I had decided that I would only take action if he lifted his hand against me again. I spent my free time reading all manner of interesting stuff on the internet, and chatting with my sister on WhatsApp.
One evening, he came home at about eight, rushed to the bedroom and rushed out. An envelope, obviously containing money, dropped out of his pocket, and I picked it up and followed him. I was going to call him and give it to him, but I noticed that there was a young woman in the car, so I went back in, counted it and put it in a drawer in the hall. He came back after some ten minutes.
‘Excuse me, I dropped an envelope containing money. You must have seen it’.
‘Yes, I saw it. Actually, I followed you, and was about to call you and hand it over to you when I realised that there was a woman in the car, so I came back in. I counted it. One thousand cedis.
‘Well let me have it. I have to be going’.
‘I will let you have it if you will tell me who the woman in the car is, and why you are going to give her that amount of money’.
‘Listen, if you waste my time, I will teach you a lesson you will never forget. Give me the money now!’
‘Here’s what we will do, Martin. I know you will give money to her anyway, so I will give it to you, if you will withdraw the threat you just issued. But I want you to know that I will be taking some steps from tomorrow. Things are getting out of hand’.
‘Okay, I’m sorry I threatened you. Can you please give me the money’. I handed it over to him, and he ran out’.
The following morning, I waited for him to finish having breakfast, and told him I wanted to have a word with him urgently.
‘You better be quick. You know I’m going to work’.
‘Well, I want to inform you that I will inform my parents, and your parents, about the situation in this house. As I said yesterday, things are getting out of hand. You spend most of your time drinking. You get drunk every evening, and through the weekend. And you are also spending your time and money on a prostitute’.
‘How dare you? One more stupid word from you …’
‘Am I lying, Martin? You have just started life, yet you are behaving like a rich, elderly man who has already seen his children through university, and can afford a life of fun. As I said, I’m going to inform our parents. Maybe your parents can straighten you out before it is too late’.
‘Look, we can talk this evening. It’s nothing like what you are saying’. He walked away, shocked.
That evening, I was expecting to have a meaningful discussion with him, but his mother called early in the evening to offer me some ‘advice’. Her son had called to say that certain developments at home were disturbing him so much that they were beginning to affect his work.
And, ‘as a loving mother to her daughter’, she was advising me to submit to my husband, and support him in prayer, and not ‘drive him from home’. Men would always be men, and she was telling me ‘from experience’ that no matter how much time Martin stayed away from home, he would always come home to me.
She had been a young wife before, so she understood the challenges I was facing. So I could be assured that if I followed her advice, all would be well. And, of course, she didn’t allow me to tell my side of the story.
Martin came home very late, and very drunk. And from the next morning, he carried on as before. With some hesitation, I called my dad and told him all that had gone on.
‘Well, my daughter. I’m not going to say “I told you so”. I was only trying to protect you. So here’s what we’ll do. Continue doing the best you can, and try not to give him any excuse to harm you, but if things continue to deteriorate, I will take you back.
A couple of days later, my cousin Dinah arrived in Accra from Brussels, having completed her medical course. With Martin’s agreement, I went to Koforidua and spent a couple of days. I spent most of the time chatting about her experiences in the US, but we also discussed my relationship with Martin, and she endorsed Dad’s decision to take action if Martin’s behaviour did not change after two weeks Elaine informed Mom and Dad. We endorsed Dad’s decision to take action if there was no change in two weeks.
Dinah returned with me to Takoradi. Her plan was to spend a couple of weeks, and return to Accra to be posted. I called Paul Allotey, and asked if he would meet her for lunch and, if possible, show her some interesting spots. Delighted, he suggested that we meet at Royalty the next day.
I told Martin about it, to remove any possibility of future disagreement over ‘going out with men’.
‘It’s fine with me’, he said, ‘if, of all the people who could show your sister round this town, you chose a borla man. Doesn’t that indicate the kind of person you are?’
‘ First of all, Martin’, I’ve spoken to him a few times, and he comes across as a decent guy, so I think it is rather unfortunate that you are writing him off when you don’t know him’.
By Ekow de Heer
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