Features
Mr. Big Stuff
In 1971, American singer, Jean Knight, released her hit single, Mr. Big Stuff. The lyrics say in part: “Who do you think you are, Mr. Big Stuff; you’re never gonna get my love. Now, because you wear all those fancy clothes (oh yeah), and have a big fine car, oh yes you do now; do you think I can afford to give you my love (oh yeah)? You think you’re higher than every star above, Mr. Big Stuff! Who do you think you are, Mr. Big Stuff? You’re never gonna get my love ……’cause when I give my love, I want love in return (oh yeah), Now I know this is a lesson Mr. Big Stuff you haven’t learned. Mr. Big Stuff, tell me, who do you think you are?
The song speaks of an amorous relationship gone bad because the man gives himself some airs and graces after his social status improves. But it also describes the irritatingly abominable streak of egotism inherent in most Ghanaian politicians. Just as Mr. Big Stuff feels he is higher than every star, these officials think they are above the supreme law of the land (Constitution). Sometimes, they behave as proudly as Lucifer did. Yes, Lucifer wanted to establish his throne over and above God’s. And if you fail to pay obeisance to these megalomaniacs, their ego is bruised badly and they seek revenge by “changing your situation” using various tools, including transfers as we found out from events in Takoradi.
The aberration dates back to the days of yore. Ghanaian folklore relates the story of Krobo Edusei, one time, Minister of the Interior under Nkrumah’s administration. He paid a working visit to a certain region where a police officer had earned rave reviews for his sense of integrity and professionalism. But he courted the displeasure and disdain of some members of the ruling CPP in the area, peeved that he would not play ball with them when they broke the law, which they did often just as present-day political folk also do. So, they reported his “bad conduct” to Krobo Edusei.
At a durbar, the police officer was pointed out to the minister. While he addressed the people, Krobo Edusei said in the twi language: “Hei, Papa polisi, nea woy3 no nyina, mate. MekՉ sremu aba. M3ba no, naw’ayi mataade3 abobՉagu me hՉ.”This translates to: “Look here, policeman, I have heard all that you are doing here. I am travelling to the North. Put off my uniform and fold it nicely for me to pick it on my return,” suggesting he owned the police uniform. Of course, he was not going to come back anytime soon. It was a display of clout to publicly shame and threaten the policeman to stop “messing” with party people. Sounds familiar?
In 2014, the then DCE of Ahafo Ano South in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Gabriel Barimah, threw a tantrum and stormed out of a programme after he overheard someone in the audience making an interjection while he was addressing a meeting attended by chiefs, government officials, health workers and some town folk, among others.
While the people were all ears for news beneficial to them, the DCE turned attention to himself, bragging, perhaps, in a veiled reference to someone he thought envied his office, that he, as the DCE, rather than somebody else, had been offered the platform to speak and grace the occasion. What did those effusions have to do with the programme? Someone not the least enthused about the speech, could not stomach the nonsense and shouted “Tweaa!” an interjection that can mean, “to hell with your statement.” In a fit of uncontrollable rage, Mr. Barimah demanded: “Who said tweaa?”
He stormed out of the programme, repeating questions like: “Are you my co-equal?” “Am I your friend?” “Why did you say tweaa?” Then, he returned momentarily and declared: “Take your programme. I am not talking again. I have handed my speech,” [sic]. Just because he was challenged, he childishly and impudently snubbed everybody at the meeting as if they did not exist. In his estimation, there was no one as important as himself. He was suspended but reinstated after some intervention by party members. What made him assume that in his jurisdiction, his word was law, or that he had a licence for autocracy? Mr. Big Stuff, who do you think you are?
The latest in the line of arrogant politicians competing for a dishonourable mention in the nation’s hall of shame, is the MCE of Sekondi-Takoradi, Mr Abdul-Mumin Issah. On Wednesday, February 2, he exhibited gross abuse of political power by spewing unprintable (words) against a police officer at a checkpoint, and even threatening to beat him to death if he dared him. The severity and bitterness of temper with which the mayor spoke showed a palpable demonstration of the presumed power and might of some political appointees in Ghana. The officer’s only crime was insisting that for orderliness to prevail at the checkpoint, the MCE’s vehicle should join the queue like any other to be properly cleared to move.
This was after the mayor allegedly drove dangerously and carelessly while approaching the checkpoint at the Kwesimintsim cemetery in an attempt to drive past the queue. A police officer in charge of the operation, identified as Inspector Sarfo Andrews, detained him, and told him he had called for the patrol team to come and handle the matter. Mr. Issah went ballistic, breathing fire and brimstone, and insisting that as the MCE, he had the right to just drive past without submitting to any check, and that the police could not treat him like any other citizen. I do not know where he found it in the statute books that the police should recognise that a mayor is above the law. Mr. Big Stuff, who do you think you are?
An exchange of words ensued during which the MCE told the officer he was stupid, ugly and many more. “I will change your situation…I will send you to Enchi,” (that is, on transfer), as if that town were inhabited by beasts of prey. Unfazed by the MCE’s threats, Inspector Andrews called his bluff with accurate, intelligent reasoning that exposed the mayor’s scant capacity for scholarship, etiquette, and leadership as well as earn respect and commendation for the police. Those who charge the police officer with insubordination should not forget the Akan proverb: “S3 wone kraman di agoro a, Չtafrew’ano, to wit “If you play with a dog, it will definitely kiss your mouth.”What did you expect from the officer when the mayor displayed such brazen incivility towards him?
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has swiftly suspended the MCE for his misconduct while the police have also processed him for court charged on three counts of assault of a public officer, offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace and disturbing the peace in a public place contrary to Sections 205, 207 and 298 respectively, of the Criminal and Other Offences Act of 1960, Act 29.
In another development, the youth of Enchi, aggrieved by the disparaging remark made against their town by Mr. Issah, are reported to have asked him to apologise and retract his statement or face further action. But, rather unashamedly, the embattled mayor has issued a statement promising that the whole truth will come out. What exactly he meant by that is not clear because the whole encounter was captured by the smart policeman and posted on social media for all to judge for themselves. He must be told that truth is absolute and there is nothing like alternative truth. He might have some interesting ideas, but nothing can obscure the essential truth portrayed vividly by the viral video.
Mr. IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, your determination to transform policing in Ghana is already showing results. Your leadership by example such as your reported obedience of traffic laws even when movement is at a snail’s pace, undoubtedly influenced Inspector Andrews to apply the rule without fear or favour. I trust your sense of rectitude will prompt you to “mention” the gallant officer “in dispatches.”
While swearing in his appointees on the first day of his presidency, US President, Joe Biden, gave them a grim and straightforward warning: Show respect to all or I will fire you.“I am not joking when I say this, if you are ever working with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect… talk down to someone, I promise you I will fire you on the spot,” he emphasised. “On the spot. No ifs, ands or buts. Everybody… everybody is entitled to be treated with decency and dignity,” he added.
“The only thing I expect with absolute certitude is honesty and decency — the way you treat one another, the way you treat the people you deal with. And I mean that sincerely,…Remember: The people don’t work for us. We work for the people. I work for the people. They pay my salary. They pay your salary. They put their faith in you. I put my own faith in you. And so, we have an obligation,” Mr. Biden stressed.
This is the plain truth that all the narcissists parading as tin gods should know and apply. Otherwise, Mr. President, take a cue from your US colleague. Fire them!
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By Tony Prempeh
Features
The Cop, press and lost fingers
The job of a policeman, whether he is short or tall, is not a cheap one. He is supposed to keep the peace, protect society and monitor the activities of local magicians and money doublers who are specialists in making civil servants lose their pay within seconds.
By far the most difficult job of the policeman is when he is expected to arrest a murderer who is not only armed but also has a record of appearing and disappearing at will. Even if the tough cop is in the company of other policemen all armed to the teeth, his stomach will turn to water when the criminal suddenly appears.
He is terrified not because the criminal is a better marksman, but because nobody dies twice. The problem also is that a criminal might be prepared to die in a bid to shoot his way to freedom. But is the police-man prepared to risk death in the course of duty when he has a family to rear.
If he had just acquired a new girlfriend with whom he is enjoying life, should he not run away with his tail between his legs and tell his boss that the criminal is uncatchable?
Before some policemen go on patrol duties, they actually pray solemnly. “God send me into the wilderness and bring me back safely with my nose intact because I’m worth more than a common rat. I also do not want to die like a stray dog. If a bullet is targeted at my forehead, Holy Spirit please let it go over the bar, because six children is not a small palaver. If I die, who will look after them? Lord keep me safe day by day. Amen!”
The Sikaman policeman’s job is a risky one because he is not properly equipped with even a trained dog to help track down criminals easily. So he has to use his own nose judiciously in sniffing out suspects while making sure a bullet doesn’t catch him square on the jaw.
My friend Sir Kofi Owuo, a.k.a. Death-By-Poverty was telling me journalists are in an even riskier profession. Apparently, he had been reading about the palaver of journalists in places like Algeria and Columbia. Algeria, even women journalists are not spared assassin’s bullet. You’d see them lying in front of their homes with their heads full of bullet holes.
In Columbia, no journalist is safe. When a journalist is leaving home, he has to tell his wife. “Darling, when I don’t come back by 7 p.m. check the mortuary
The drug trade in Columbia has made journalism a profession not worth practising. If you write on cocaine and the harm it is inflicting on society, you’ll certainly receive a phone call.
“Hello, Mr Journalist, your article yesterday was great. Congratulations! We never knew you were such brilliant writer, championing the cause of society. Again we say congrats! But you know something, by your article, you want to take the bread out of my and that of my family. You don’t want us to beak. We are aggrieved beyond measure”
“Oh, I was just… “You’d try to say something
“You don’t have to explain. The harm has already been done by your award-winning masterpiece. We have an appointment with you. You’ll hear from us.
Rest In Peace!” After such a phone call, you just have to pray to your soul, sing a hymn or two and get prepared fort appointment with death. For, death will surely come
I think pressmen in Sikaman would also have start informing their families appropriately before leaving for work now. “If I don’t come back early, I’m probably at the Ear, Nose and Throat Department of Korle- Bu checking a leakage in my left ear due to a gendarme slap from an AMA official. If you don’t see me there, track me down to the emergency ward. If you see a newly-made cripple, I’m the one”
What about referees? These days they are guarded during football matches so that the risk they bear in terms of lost teeth is minimal. Formerly, it used to be a job full of woes and tribulations.
You were expected to oversee a match in such way that would favour a particular team. If that is not done, you’ll get back home and your wife will not recognise you. She’ll mistake you for Frank Bruno who had just lost a bout. When she finally recognises you, she’ll fix some hot water to massage your poor face.
I hear that these days, apart from the protection referees receive, some are well-armed with Damfo Dzai, a kind of jack-knife that can carve a rowdy supporters face in several designs.
My Press Secretary and part-time bodyguard Devine Ankamah, was telling me if he happens to be a referee, he’d surely carry a Kalashnikov AK 47 rifle with him, complete with loaded magazine, before officiating matches. According to him, that is the only way to do the job without fear or favour. Anyone dares will lose his jaw.
Anyway, risky jobs require good remuneration. As Kwame Korkorti once said, risky jobs require risky salary. A policeman would require a good pay so that when a criminal targets his left ear it would be worth the ‘amputation’. Same for journalists and cameramen.
But go round private workplaces and factories and you’d see really risky occupations where workers are receiving salaries they can’t see with the naked eye.
In fact, in some private workplaces, environmental safety is completely absent. Workers breathe in fumes, poisonous gases and risk lung and respiratory problems. Their employers do nothing about protecting them against these hazards. Check out their payer.
In other places, workers have their fingers chopped off on the job, some losing as many as four fingers in stretch. The compensation they get can best be described as “wicked”. Their employers live big, chop big, ride big but are not willing to pay more than ¢120,000 for lost fingers.
Actually the more fingers you lose, the more money you get. So if you intend losing your fingers on the job, it is advisable to lose as many as possible so that you can get more cash. Those who have lost one finger have not benefited much and are encouraged to lose more next time around.
Sikaman Palava is undertaking to investigate some of these cases of very risky jobs in private setups and companies where workers are being exploited to unnecessarily but not offered protection against health hazards, and not properly compensated when they sustain injuries.
This article was first published on Saturday, September 28, 1996
Features
Position yourself for God’s blessings
Motivated by the impending 40-day fasting and needless to add prayer programme, preceding the Greater Works Conference scheduled for August in Accra, I would like to draw attention to how believers can receive blessings from God.
There is a scripture in Hebrews 11:5 that “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: and before his translation, he had this testimony that he pleased God”.
This clearly shows that in order to receive blessings from God, you must please God. How can one please God? You can only please God by obeying him and walking in line with God’s word. Just like how children who obey their parents, enjoy special treatment, so does God deal with his children who obey his word.
There are ways by which people receive blessings from God and holiness is an important criteria in the whole equation. Holiness is a process and not a one day event.
It is a mindset borne out of walking in obedience to God’s instructions i.e. his word. In order to have a mindset of living to please God, requires studying God’s word coupled with praying and fasting.
This helps us to develop trust in God by knowing his nature, what he likes and dislikes. This is what will enable us to live to please him and for our faith in him also to increase.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”
Fasting is one of the required criteria for blessings to be released and it goes with prayer because fasting without prayer is just a physical exercise. Fasting enables a person’s inner man to be in tune with the spirit of God and also becomes spiritually empowered to hear from God and also obey God.
Fasting enables a person’s spirit to feed on God’s word in a much more focused manner as compared to studying God’s word in normal times. As a result our spirit gains the upper hand to dominate the body and the soul, so that we are more conscious of the presence of God in our lives which causes us willingly the desire to live to obey God.
Holiness which is a prerequisite for pleasing God, can only manifest in our lives if we are able to overcome the desires of the flesh and this only happens when the flesh is subject to the spirit.
Apostle Paul said that “But l keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should not be castaway”, according to 1 Corinthians 9:27.
In order to bring the body or flesh into subjection so that believers will be able to live to please God, we have to study, God’s word in a certain state of mind which fasting and prayer appropriately provides.
Our minds are the battle grounds for decisions that either please God or the Devil. In order to please God so his blessings can be released upon our lives, we must continuously engage our minds with thoughts that is in line with God’s word.
Philippians 4:8 says that “Finally Brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things”. May God help us to live to please him by meditating on things that please the Lord, so we shall be blessed in all aspects of our lives. God bless.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
