Features
If I were a President
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
When Moses was a shepherd, all he needed was the direction to which he pointed his staff and his sheep obeyed the command. But when God asked him to lead His people, the Israelites, out of Egypt, Moses began to have issues with his own kind. This seems to suggest that it is easier to lead sheep than fellow humans. But leading your kind is both an art and a science.
I imagine being introduced as His Excellency Dr. Akofa Kwame Segbefia, President of the Republic of Ghana. Then I ask myself what is excellent about my being president? No answer. But would I want to be president of this country? This is a question I have had to deal with from friends, my students and many others.
Because I totally agree with Prof P.L.O. Lumumba when he said the African electorate’s affinity for electing people with no ideas is amazing, I have never seen myself being up for the presidency. All I can do is wish.
Writing to criticise or critique a leader or public office holders is a daunting task, given the volatile African political climate. As a writer, I am minded to understand what I am likely to put my Editor through with each sentence I write, especially since this is a State owned newspaper. So far, my Editor has not reported being taken on for my writings. Though encouraged by this, I try not to press my luck to any insane heights.
But on Social Media, I write what is on my mind without any care in the world as no one will be held responsible for what I write. However, as a professional, I try not to cause slander or defamation. In all of these it is healthy to speak truth to power, no matter how unpalatable it might be.
Now, first thing I will do as President is to empower all statutory institutions to do as their mandates allow without let or hindrance. CHRAJ, NCCE, EC, the Judiciary, OSP, the security services and the media, especially the state owned ones. All these institutions must be as “fiercely independent” as the Kenyan judiciary is noted for.
When these institutions are really independent, Mr. President can relax and run affairs. When corrupt officials are exposed, all the president has to do is the easiest job of acting on recommendations of the independent bodies and cannot be blamed for nepotism, favouritism or cronyism. This way, round pegs will always find their way into round holes.
As President, I will call for a review of provisions in the constitution that give me too much powers. This is to ease unnecessary headaches on the president once these independent bodies can handle many of those provisions. The Council of State must be constituted only by our traditional rulers who, by custom, are custodians of our traditions. They ruled us before the European foray into our lives. Each Regional House of Chiefs must elect one of their members to serve on the Council.
The Civil Service must be made more professional such that the Head of the Civil Service reports only to Parliament. The Civil Service Council must have the free hand to recruit the right caibre of staff to various positions. Each head of department must sign a performance contract with the Council. Sanctions must be applied on anyone found to have performed below expectation.
No one identified with a political party will be appointed to head any State-owned enterprises, unless the qualifications required for the job cannot be found among the apolitical group. A president can make things simple and uncomplicated for himself and the nation by allowing the system to work.
On Sunday, October 30, 2022, I watched and listened to President Akufo-Addo deliver his latest “Fellow Ghanaians” but I did not hear him save for one sentence. This was his admission that the country was in crisis. I was sorely disappointed overall.
Just a week or so earlier, over 80 Members of Parliament from his own party called on him to sack the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta. Though news filtered in that he had met with the group and told them Ken would go after the IMF negotiations and the 2023 Budget, he should have addressed the issue to the nation. He did not. To him, it was a non issue.
Nowhere in our national life has public opprobrium to a government been so heightened, yet Mr President ignores the people. Assuming, touchwood, Ofori Atta is incapacitated today, will the IMF negotiations come to a halt? Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked in the middle of Finance Ministers meeting and replaced. What is it about Ofori Atta that Ghana can burn if he has to go?
That Nana Addo tells his Cabinet that Ofori Atta be left alone because his Databank financed his campaign is very revealing. So, Ken Ofori Atta was put at that Ministry to recoup the money his Bank prosecuted his electioneering with, not so? Astute politicians are mindful of what they say, but not my President. He simply cares less.
Meanwhile, Ofori Atta himself has been quoted as saying he is the best person to handle our economy. I want to believe he has been misquoted because the question he must answer is: where was he when the cedi began its free-fall? Which Ministry was he in charge of all this while? To run the economy down and turn around to say you are the best to fix it is the ultimate insult to the sensibilities of the people. This insult must stop.
One of the issues that will not leave the front burner is the size of our government. Too many ministers, too many deputies and CEOs and too many hangers-on, but the president chose not to address them. Instead, Mr President decided to only repeat the 30 per cent reduction he ordered long ago in the remuneration of his appointees as if it is a new directive. I expected Mr. President to tell us how much was saved to the State since this directive.
Another issue he refused to address is the fifty-plus vehicular convoy he moves in at a time that fuel prices have breached the roof. Mr President does not care. Again, he rather decided to go on a tangent unrelated to what the mood of the country is at this moment. Money does not like noise!! What has this got to do with the despondency in the land? What has this got to do with the hunger we are facing?
Personally, I feel sad when the President’s party communicators publicly defend him yet are quick to admit the nation’s dire situation to friends in private. Are they afraid of a reprisal or backlash from the hawks in their camp? Is the Party interest above the national interest?
And the reference to our neighbouring countries, who, clearly, are managing the global crunch better, is nauseating. Do we all not remember our president, when he was on the campaign trail, saying if he were the then president, he would apologise to the people for the exchange rate of the cedi? I thought his October 30 address was the forum for him to render that apology with the fall of the cedi breaking the sound barrier. But he would not
President Addo would rather blame the economic situation on speculators . It seems our leaders do not yet know that speculation is the pivot on which commerce thrives. Only those who are in denial will blame speculators for the performance of our currency.
Today, even drivers’ mates, ordinary market folks and children are talking about the issues that affect them. No more do they talk about personalities. This is a pointer to our politicians that there is a greater awareness among the people.
I am sorely embarrassed by my people booing the Vice President at the Hogbe Za at Anloga, but our leaders must admit that they have brought this upon themselves.
Writer’s email address:
akofa45@yahoo.com
By Dr Akofa K. Segbefia
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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