Features
Speaking the truth and damning the consequences
Sometime last week, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, did something amazing but justifiable and that demonstrated the type of King he has been and further, strengthened the respect most Ghanaians have for him. No wonder, he continues to be used as a channel by successive governments to resolve most of the hydra-headed and dreadful chieftaincy disputes and other problems in the country.
SHOCKING HIS AUDIENCE
The revered King shocked his audience in his speech delivered at the first edition of the Regional Consultative Dialogue on Small-Scale Mining in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Capital, when he exposed the Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah and the Lands Minister, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, who have apparently asked him in confidence, to stick to the speech that had been prepared for him in order not to generate controversy in the country. But knowing this great King for what he is, he rather made the secret intention of these two personalities to him known to the gathering, explaining that it was necessary to stress these issues which he believed were obstacles to winning the galamsey war.
Hear him, “Yesterday (Tuesday), the regional minister and my son (Samuel) Jinapor came to me and said, ‘Nana, please say what is in the speech and I said alright I will.’ They felt I will say something else that is controversial”.
The Asantehene was reported to have said in plain language that, ‘on issue of galamsey, when we divide the audience in this room into 10, 30 per cent of them will know those involved in galamsey…if you are not truthful, we will keep deceiving ourselves and be organising conferences such as this’. He told the gathering that, on his part he had already warned his chiefs and elders against their participation in such illegalities and that he would not hesitate to strongly sanction such infraction. According to him until the government and all stakeholders confronted the truth about the galamsey threat, the fight would be unsuccessful.
PROFOUND SPEECH BY ASANTEHENE
This is a profound speech from a great leader who does not mince words and must be applauded by all right thinking Ghanaians who are interested in the fight against this illegal business which continues to threaten the survival of our dear nation, Ghana. Just as his strong and straight to the point remarks received thunderous applause from audience in the auditorium, the entire nation must take a serious view of the wise counselling from the Asantehene, if we really mean serious to fight this canker which for so many years had destroyed our water bodies, farm lands, food crops, the forests and drinking water. At the moment, our sources of water are polluted to the extent that the colour of drinking water is brownish, thereby posing serious threat and danger to the lives of Ghanaians.
INVOLVEMENT OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN GALAMSEY
The most worrying aspect of the situation is the complicity of chiefs, elders, opinion leaders and even powerful forces in government who are deeply connected to this illegal, dirty and dangerous business. They have sold their conscience to the so-called Chinese businessmen for peanut and they keep plundering and polluting our environment with abandoned glee. Just visit some of these galamsey sites and you will be shocked about the extent of damage caused to the environment by these so-called small-scale illegal miners. Even the activities of these illegal miners have been extended to places of abode and people’s room just for the sake of money. Children who are supposed to be in school, are being used as child labourers in some of these mining sites with their pictures trending on social media. The continued usage of these sophisticated machines, excavators and other degradable equipment to destroy our God-given environment are difficult to imagine.
IMPORTATION OF WATER IMMINENT DUE TO POLLUTION
If this dangerous and dirty illegal business is not brought to a halt as quickly as possible, it would not be long when this country starts importing water for the citizens because, already, the extent of pollution of our sources of drinking water is quite unimaginable. You cannot just withstand the offensive scent of water that flows into our homes from the laid- out pipelines. The impunity of it is that these Chinese nationals who have dominated the business and are on the fore-front continue to use our military and other security personnel to threaten and attack Ghanaians who oppose their wicked activities and we look on unconcerned. I don’t think this situation can be tolerated or allowed to persist in their home country China, where security of the state is on high alert. I toured China on a number of occasions and I know what I am saying. It is just not impossible for a foreigner to transact such an illegal business in that country, period!
HIDING THE TRUTH WILL AFFECT FIGHT AGAINST GALAMSEY
As righty pointed out by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, if government and other stakeholders decide to hide the truth and sit back for the galamsey threat to continue, this fight will be unsuccessful. We will expect the President as the Chief Executive of the state to lead this crusade now than ever, without fear or favour, partisan and other considerations to fight this dangerous canker in our midst.
It is a fact that previous administrations tried to confront the menace in various ways but to no avail just because the very people who were then at the forefront to deal with the problem, were themselves deeply engrossed in the business. Allegations were ripe about some politicians using proceeds from this illegal business to fund their political campaigns. Those eras were gone and we need to tackle the problem head on in a more purposeful and aggressive manner because of the serious dimension it has taken.
SUSPENSION OF LICENCES TO FRESH MINERS
If it can be possible, the government should suspend the issuance of licences to small-scale miners, deal with the situation on the ground first to an appreciable level before thinking of starting of issuing new licences to prospective small-scale miners with genuine papers. This will be a step towards sanitising the business to conform to the rules and regulations of the business. The use of excavators and other heavy earth moving equipment in small scale mining, should be banned outright because that is the root cause of the extensive destruction of the environment and our water bodies.
HOLDING REGIONAL MINISTERS, DCEs LIABLE
The Regional and District Coordinating Councils under whose jurisdiction some of these small-scale mining businesses operate, must liaise with their various security councils to stem the tide of the activities of these illegal operators as a step towards dealing with the situation. The Regional Ministers and District Chief Eexecutives of these coordinating councils who serve as chairmen of their security councils, must be held liable for any infractions in this illegal business.
EMULATING ASANTEHENE’S COMMITMENT
It is important to acknowledge the forthrightness and commitment by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II towards the fight against this disturbing phenomenon. His determination and steadfastness about the worrying situation, are issues that should prick the conscience of every Ghanaian, guide other traditional leaders and people in positions of trust to do what is just and right in our quest to confront this illegal galamsey business entirely from our society. How many of our traditional leaders will have the courage to resist attempts of being gagged by our politicians to conceal or supress the truth?
The truth must always prevail and reign supreme.
Contact email/WhatsApp of author: ataani2000@yahoo.com
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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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