RENDER UNTO CAESAR WHAT IS CAESAR'S.

Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo - MP, Dome Kwabenya

The is a popular proverb in Dagbani that says, "Kundung yelmang'li yizani, nyi nzangtou ka ozang kpe mogu". Literally translated as, when truth is the hyena's give unto it, so it takes into the bush!  This proverb buttresses the fact that, there is no alternative for truth. When your enemy/rival is right, accord him/her the honour if even he/she does not need it.

After the 2016 landslide victory of the New Patriotic Party (N.P.P), I was removed from a WhatsApp group platform that was formed to garner support for N.P.P and its president candidate now, president of the Republic of Ghana - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I was expunged from the group "Crusaders For Change" for speaking a palpable truth about the outburst of Honourable Alhassan Suhuyini - the Member of Parliament for Tamale-North Constituency during the Vetting Committee of Parliament's sitting and the subsequent over ruling of Honourable Joseph Osei Owusu. As if the expulsion was a deterrence for speaking the truth. Though, one of the group administrators spoke to me and wanted to put me back but I declined, because I would continue to express my views in the same or similar fashion if I deemed them right and truthful, any time issues of national nature were on the burner. I would not praise-sing my leaders just because they are leaders. Why should I ignominiously sing your name when in fact, I know you are roundly wrong? I Can not praise when there is no course to praise. That would be hypocritical of the highest height and amounts to blandishments. I, rather, would speak with my instincts and personal conviction. I would tell you the hard truth in the best and most respectful possible means for you to sit up or correct your mistakes.

I hope we have heard the revelations made by Rojo Mettle Noonu on reasons why N.D.C lost the 2016 general elections. The leaders wanted to hear their praises which N.D.C foot-soldiers and faithfuls dished out to them in multitudes. Some supporters of the party knew that, they were not being frank with themselves. But that was what their leaders wanted, so, they pretended as everything was on course and  behaved like the proverbial ostrich. 

They could not believe what they heard and saw after their infamous quotation "John 2016: Thou shalt forever be in a comfortable lead thy kingdom cometh". They have come to terms with the reality, though they are yet to recover from the shocks of the piles of lies and denials of the economic hardships Ghanaians were going through. 

Revelations from the Professor Botwey's Committee and other quarters paint picturesque plot of the erstwhile N.D.C government. And, many amongst the reasons for N.D.C's  shameful defeat were propaganda by party functionaries, show of arrogance and avarice by some government officials. Ineptitude, economic mismanagement and misappropriation. Lackadaisical attitude towards fighting corruption. Trying hard with all their minds and mights to justify obvious lies and defend the indefensible. Parading a bunch of incompetent guys and apparatchiks. Showing gross disrespect and disdain for wisdom and common sense. When leaders are observed to be fond of acting these ways, followers feel cheated, dumb, stupid and taken for granted, so they count their days. Most politicians after obtaining our mandates, become obviously oblivion to their obligations. Yes! Meanwhile, true power belongs to us. So, when this happens, we will wait patiently for the right time to show them the exit, especially in a democratic society such as ours.

Not to sound pessimistic whatsoever, in all sincerity and honesty, it seems to me that six (6) months into office, a good number of government appointees and N.P.P adherents have soon forgotten why the party was voted into power. If this voice in my mind is right, I have no advice to give except to say, the ordinary citizens of Ghana are still aware of the reasons why they voted N.D.C out of power. We are witnessing weird repetitions of some mistakes of N.D.C in an N.P.P government. I do not know whether these mistakes are occasioned to underscore the popular notion that, "all politicians are the same".

We have witnessed some unpleasant developments in the Akufo-Addo led government and no concrete solutions have been designed to resolve or prevent their recurrences. We have heard and seen the apparent disturbances meted out by hoodlums in N.P.P regarding nominations/appointments of DCE/MCEs and some local government officials (Savelugu readily comes to mind), the Bugri Naabu and Afisa Djaba's row, Honourable Kennedy Agyepong's serial outbursts in the media and the 'Bost' boss brouhaha and most recently, Mr. Ahomka Lindsay's whining comments and the social media trolling of Honourable Sarah Adwoa Safo. These are many concerns among others that, some of us who believe in the prospects of Akufo-Addo's government are disquieted with.

Despite the above examples, I still have unflinching but unfettered faith in Nana Akufo-Addo's government and believe strongly that better things will happen to Ghanaians in his administration. Just yesterday, he launched the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan. This is a flagship programme that is primarily geared towards providing funds for startups and small businesses. One hundred million US dollars ($100 million) is to be injected into this programme and government has already allocated ten million dollars as seed capital for the fund. This would inherently curb the unemployment menace Ghana currently faces. So the teeming unemployed youth have no excuses any further than to be innovative and genius in ideas. 

Despite the president's good intentions and great ideas, some of his appointees are indulging in acts that have the potentials to take the shine away from his efforts. And, I am particularly not happy as a citizen about some of these happenings and I would like to talk about them, especially the most recent instances. My disappointment and disheartening are premised on the fact that, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as our head has shown us the lead. He encouraged us in his maiden speech to be "... citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects." The following quotes from his inaugural speech should be our watch words especially those in government. "There should be no higher praise than to be able to say I AM A GHANAIAN. Being a Ghanaian must put certain responsibilities on each one of us. Calling yourself a Ghanaian must mean you have signed up to a certain definable code and conduct. Being a Ghanaian puts an obligation on each one of us to work at building a fair, prosperous and happy nation.

And calling yourself a Ghanaian must mean we look out for each other. The change we have voted for has to start with each individual. I ask you to be responsible citizens."

These words of the president are very powerful and inspiring. But over the weekends, some video clips went viral on both social and mainstream media about comments made by Mr. Robert Ahomka Lindsay - the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and Honourable Sarah Adwoa Safo - the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya who doubles as Deputy Majority Leader and Minister for Procurement. These are no mean, small persons in government. 

Mr. R. Ahomka Lindsay - Dep.Min. of Trade and Industry

In the case of the former, he made a comment which was clearly innocuous in all respects but some people understood it out of context and tried to make issues with it. Mr Ahomka Lindsay was reported to have passed a comment that did not sit well with some people when he spoke at a Diaspora Homecoming Summit at the Accra International Conference Centre. To me, this was an admonition proffered by the deputy minister to the 'diasporans'. He advised that, “Nobody likes whiners, people that spend all the time whining all the time really get on people’s nerves so stop whining,”. Good and gentleman as he is, has since apologised. "I wish to assure the people of Ghana and all those who have been offended by my comments that I did not in any way intend to sound offensive in my presentation. I hold all Ghanaians in the greatest respect and would not in any way do or say anything that would impugn their integrity." I'm humbled by Mr. Ahomka Lindsay's humility and I salute him. As it is said in Dagbani, "Gilma gari salma" (meaning, humility is worthier than gold). We all rise each leg up against the other on the ground in order to wear a boxer shorts or under pants. So, why should you feel bigger than apology, especially when you are wrong. An apology would not take anything away from you as a leader except to enrich your personality. 

On the other hand, Honourable Adwoa Safo was reported to have claimed that, Kwabenya Senior High School, constructed as one of the two hundred (200) Community Day Senior High Schools promised by president John Dramani Mahama and his N.D.C government during the 2012 electioneering campaigns, was actually built through her hard work, intense lobbying and connections with the World Bank. She claimed to have lobbied the World Bank to build that Senior High School in her constituency. She contended that, when she contacted the World Bank for such assistance, the World Bank asked her to provide it with a litigation free land so, she acquired a parcel of land for the current location of the said school from Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) for the construction of the school. 

Even on the surface of this, it would be very difficult for any Ghanaian to believe her words because we all knew that, the two hundred (200) Community Day Senior High Schools project was a counter campaign promise by the N.D.C during the 2012 general elections when N.P.P promised Ghanaians free SHS education if they won power. Sadly enough, N.P.P did not win that election, but N.D.C did. The N.D.C government was not able to fulfill this promise in its entirety, it so managed to build only fourty-six (46) or so out of the two hundred (200) promised. So they is no denying the fact that, the few built is President Mahama's legitimate legacy. So how do we believe Honourable Adwoa Safo's claims?

Again, checks conducted by Mannaseh Azure revealed that, Honourable Adwoa Safo never contacted the World Bank and in fact, the World Bank said, it does not deal with individuals. The World Bank said, it dealt with the government of Ghana (the then N.D.C government led president John Dramani Mahama), and funded twenty-three (23) of the fourty-six (46) or so Community Day Senior High Schools. It said, aside specifications it did not determine locations or preference in terms of siting the 23 schools it funded. That was entirely the government's decision.

Kwabenya Senior High School

It is also an open secret that, these Community Day Senior High schools though, a failed campaign promise, were built across the ten regions of Ghana in districts which did not have Senior High Schools. These included some districts from Ashanti and Eastern Regions - the stronghold regions of N.P.P. Because Honourable Adwoa Safo wanted to claim credit for one of these schools, she peddled a very palpable falsehood to her constituents and told them that the Senior High Schools built by the N.D.C government were all sited in its strongholds. So it is evident that, Kwabenya Senior High School is not one of N.D.C's. And that, her constituency was the only N.P.P stronghold in the whole country where we had the Community Day SHS. So Kwabenya Senior High School is after all not N.D.C government's project. As revealed by Mannaseh Azure once again,  "Adugyaman SHS near Mankraso in Ahafo Anor and Agric Nzema SHS near Kwadaso" are among the Community Day Senior High Schools built by president John Dramani Mahama.

I thought she together with all persons who associated themselves with these lies would have kept mute if not apologised, especially when the facts on this matter were brought to the public know. Because, this was a case of broad daylight prevarication with malicious intent. Instead, the Communications Director of N.P.P for the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency - Nana Nkrumah came out to say that Honourable Adwoa Safo negotiated for land for the construction of the school at its current site. He brandished a letter from Honourable Adwoa Safo’s office, in which she requested the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) to release a track of land for the school project. I see this attempt of Mr. Nkrumah - the N.P.P Communications Director of Dome-Kwabenya Constituency as diversionary, because Honourable Adwoa Safo's claims was mainly not about acquiring a parcel of land for the project. If she wanted to say so, she could have said that plainly.

Mr. Nkrumah's Exhibit Letter.

I do not wish to impugn the verisimilitude of the said letter, but I shudder to think, why it did not have a reference number. The letter also referred to the project as "as part of the One Hundred (100) [200*] Secondary School Project initiated by the government" and not Honourable Adwoa Safo. This letter is purported to have been written on 4th May 2015, and we all understand that, the party in power at that time was N.D.C. Unless, Honourable Adwoa Safo wants to re-write Ghana's political history. The first sentence of the second paragraph of Mr. Nkrumah's exhibit letter indicates that there were some prior deliberations which Honourable Adwoa Safo was part of, as contained in the first paragraph of GAEC's letter to the Municipal Chief Executive of Ga East Municipal Assembly. What baffles me is that GAEC only copied Honourable Adwoa Safo's office. This presupposes that, Honourable Adwoa Safo was not the original or the intended recipient of that letter. So how can we believe Honourable Adwoa Safo's claims and Mr. Nkrumah's subsequent lame defence that Honourable Adwoa Safo single handedly worked hard, lobbied for both acquiring the parcel of land and securing funding from the World Bank for the construction of Kwabenya Senior High School? 

GAEC's Letter.

The last straw that broke the camel's was the definite debunking of Honourable Adwoa Safo's claims by The Communications Director of GAEC - Mr. Kwasi Sarfo “The first request was from the Ga East Municipal Assembly, so we responded to the Ga East Municipal Assembly giving them where the secondary school has been situated now,”. He also refuted the assertion that, that portion GAEC land was purchased with Honourable Adwoa Safo's Common Funds. “I don’t know about demarcation of the said land. I only know about land being given to Ga East Municipal Assembly. I don’t know about any payment whatsoever. According to the record available to the commission they wrote requesting for the land we responded to them giving them that piece of land.”

This is nothing more than a complete case of prevarication and fabrication of facts to obtain political mileage over one's opponents. The people of Ghana are watching; we are discerning and not zombies. Honourable Adwoa Safo or better still, the Communications Director - Mr. Nkrumah should have rendered an unqualified apology to the constituents and Ghanaians, rather than mounting this porous weak defense.

My little advice is, lets all learn to honour credit where it's due! We should not try to usurp or paint black people's glory and good name if even we assisted in their achievements or successes. Create your own success story. If you carved a niche for yourself, no one could take it away from you. It would be seen and acknowledged by all. You would not even have to tout it yourself. People will sing it in your praise and glory. 

Thnx!

Naa Gbewaah Sidiq's Folder!

MAJOR MAXWELL MAHAMA ADAM - A FALLEN HERO

A Fallen Hero

On Monday the 29th of May, 2017, Ghanaians woke up to the unpleasant news of a murder of a military personnel - Major Maxwell Mahama Adam in Denkyira Obuasi, a mining community in the Upper Denkyira West District of Central Region. This has since become topical in the media and public due to the circumstances that led to his death. His death is utterly incomprehensible, it beats human imagination and we are yet to come to terms with the devastation his death has caused to some of us. We are told that, his death was as a result of a mistaken identity which to me, begs the question! Even toddlers can tell a military personnel from an armed robber by their looks. So, what at all went wrong with the people of Denkyira Obuasi, for them to have called this nice military personnel an armed robber, lynched and burnt him when he had told them in plain language that he - Major Maxwell Mahama Adam was a soldier? This might be a grand plot or the culture of senseless mob action which has insidiously eaten up our morals as a people time immemorial. I cannot still come to terms with this. How can an armed robber single handedly rob a whole village in broad day light?

We are all aware and most of the time, witnesses to mob justice in our communities. It is not uncommon to hear or see suspected offenders in our societies been summarily prosecuted and executed by wrong thinking individuals. This is because our society believes that power belongs to the people. This is true, however, prosecutorial power does not lie in the hands of the people! This mindset is nourished by the conspicuous silence of people, especially those in authorities who neither publicly condemn nor exact punitive actions against such miscreants. As a result, this has continually existed and festered, and one of its various manifestations is what happened in Denkyira Oboasi. 

Before this Denkyira Obuasi madden murder of Major Maxwell Mahama Adam, we have heard news of innocent women and men suspected of witchcraft, wizardry and other forms of crimes, more often involving crimes of misdemeanour. And, these persons are beaten to pulp and in worst cases to death on the grounds of mere suspicion and no one says nothing. No suspect is guilty until proven by a competent court of jurisdiction! Is this just a cliché?

In my observation, our society continues to suffer this cancerous menace because the following; 

First, no one finds it needful to wage war against mob action which has been with us for years. No one, not even government agencies such N.C.C.E, the Information Service Department and human right non-governmental organisations find it necessary to educate Ghanaians and create awareness on the need to report suspects of any sort to the police or even the traditional authorities and not take the law into their hands.

Again, the society has no much trust in our justice system. This is a society where more often than not, the justice system is believed to have allowed offenders walk freely from the grips of the law. With this in the minds of some members of the society, they prefer taking the law into their hands to resorting to the rule of law. And, when evidence of crimes is relegated, confidence of the society is affected!

Another factor that has contributed greatly to this barbaric culture in our society is political intolerance and impunity. History will side with me that, both past and recent developments in our political discourse and advancement have been many at times dotted with chaotic scenes. We can talk of excesses of the military regimes in the past and the present political party vigilantism. Most of these groups in their attempts to protect their political parties's interest indulge in violence of excessive proportions. Perpetrators of these perpetual brutish behaviours are often shielded and at the end, left off the hook by the powers be. We are all witnesses,  and we can cite instances, and both N.D.C and N.P. P are the worst culprits. When this is not bated, it becomes the order of the day.

One cannot genuinely talk about causes of mob actions without taking into accounts our educational system. The kind of educational system we run is also to be blamed for some of these excesses and atrocities by members of the public. Why? You will notice that, most of the persons involved in this so-called 'mob justice' are the youth. These attackers on the average, are Junior or Senior High School leavers. These people have passed through the JHS and/or SHS system(s) but do not have a modicum of civic knowledge or awareness that, suspects when arrested are to be handed over to the police or in its absence the traditional authorities. If you take a cursory look at video clips of the many public brutalities of innocent people, most of the perpetrators are either in their thirties or below. Which means, they are products of the current educational system. The national curriculum has confined  civic education and home knowledge to the garbage bin. When mere and ordinary teachers like some of us call for inclusion of civic education in our curriculum, no ear will pay heed. The society only listens to  persons with lists of titles.

The untimely death of Major Maxwell  Mahama Adam should be enough a lesson for us all. But, it should not be left, as usual, off the hook. Those idiotic imbeciles should be hunted down and brought to book. His killing was not only dastardly cruel but barbaric at the highest level. Look at how short his life is ended. This was a bright and promising citizen of our land. But, Ghana, the nation he defended and fought for gave him out. What a wicked place to live. The people involved in this heinous cruelty have robbed the nation a precious gift of a personality that has no substitute and can never be traced. Put together the entire Upper Denkyira West District and tell how many second degree holders can be counted of. 

A Tribute From University of Leicester

Here was an individual with great prospects who was pursuing a Master of Science in Criminology, a discipline with a chasm in Ghana. How many criminologists can we boast off as a country, aside Prof. Ken Attefuah, Dr. Kwesi Anning and Mr. Alex Segbefia. There is no shreds of doubt that, this handsome gentleman was not going to be a perfect personality in that field taking into account, his military background, educational prowess and his amiable disposition. He was a loving husband and caring father. Yet his life was snappily stupidly snatched away from him.

Major Maxwell Mahama Adam & Family

The wife together with the family has not lost but Ghana has.  Because, every well meaning and patriotic Ghanaian is pained to the marrow, the actions of these animalistic elements of our society. Tributes from his burial and memorial service have made me more than convinced that Major Maxwell Mahama Adam was by all standards a military personnel with different orientation. Those who unscrupulously joked with his death should by now bow their heads in shame. 

The tributes showed how caring, loving and compassionate Major Maxwell Mahama Adam was to all. Who in the face of death by attackers will not use any possible weapon? He had a weapon that he could have taken the lives of his lynchers with him. However, he wanted these stupid raging people to give him a listening ear, so he chose the path of compassion and protection. How many of us will not pull the trigger in the name of self defence in the same instance? Especially, when he had the means and in this regard, an expert in using that weapon. He showed them love but in return the people of Denkyira Obuasi reciprocated hatred which they will in due course pay for. I strongly believe that, even on the day of judgment, when we will all stand before our maker - the Almighty, Major Maxwell Mahama Adam will still be compassionate and ask the good Lord to forgive his killers. But, until that day, they should face the full brunt of their deeds. I support the call for the trial of the offenders to be televised for all to see so that the public learns lessons.

A True Inspiration

For the fact that he is given a state burial clearly shows that he - Major Maxwell Mahama Adam has triumphed over these callous murderers. A grand funeral ceremony of befitting! He will forever be a national hero and a martyr. A golden spot in our minds and a glistening example to the youth of this country. Not many at his young age attained this higher heights. We pray for Allah's guidance and protection of his family most especially the widow, the two sons and the unborn baby.

I am however, gladden by the fact that, government and the security agencies are committed to get to the bottom of this case and exact appropriate punitive sanctions to all found guilty of his murder. Also, the trust fund set for his family with a seed money of Ghc 500,000 by president Akufo Addo is heart warming and great consolation. It is also laudable the idea to immortalise him by erecting a statue or constructing a monument in his honour. I hope and pray that Major Maxwell Mahama Adam's gruesome murder would mark the beginning of an end to the mob 'justice' menace in Ghana. This should be the last ever to be occasioned in our society. And, it should be a 'spiritual bloodshed' to cleanse all future mob lynching and related killings. 

Rest in Perfect Peace

I am also heartened by the tenacity and patriotism of the father. Upon the trauma, grief and loss, he had promised to take upon himself, the task to educate and create awareness in the public the need to stop mob or instant 'justice' of suspects. I entreat all, especially corporate entities to support his noble intentions in all aspects. 

To the bereaved family, my condolences!

And to you, Major Maxwell Mahama Adam! My thoughts are with you! Rest in perfect peace.

Naa Gbewaah Sidiq's Folder!

"THOSE WHOSE PALM KERNELS WERE CRACKED FOR THEM BY A BENEVOLENT SPIRIT SHOULD NOT FORGET TO BE HUMBLE "

"THOSE WHOSE PALM KERNELS WERE CRACKED FOR THEM BY A BENEVOLENT SPIRIT SHOULD NOT FORGET TO BE HUMBLE"

Essentially, this write-up is a response to Manasseh Azure Awuni's attempt to rationalise and justify the guff of Multimedia. He in fact, wants all to accept the move by the News File's team that derogatorily denied an NPP youth the opportunity to rep the party on their flagship programme. If we allow this to go un-condemned, it will be a very big blow;  an indictment to the youth of this country and of course an affront to our intelligence. 

Manasseh's reaction to this fellow on Facebook in my view was not the best and more over unappreciative of his benefactors. For the purposes of fairness here are the fellow's question and Manasseh's subsequent response. Halid Blewusi: Today you are here talking about standards and referring to others as "anyone at all". Remember where you were and grace found you. Until you won the journalist of the year award and people like Sefa Kayi interviewed you, where were you? If you don't believe people should be given opportunities to develop, then you don't deserve the grace you have enjoyed so far.

Manasseh Azure Awuni: Where was I? I was doing journalism with impact. Kwame Sefa-Kayi interviewed me because I was worth being interviewed for that purpose. Or? Why have you not been celebrated by him so that you can become a star or?

If Manasseh cannot be humble enough but finds answers in rhetorics as appropriate, then, there are so many of such. So, don't you; Manasseh think the interview granted you by Mr. Sefa-Kayi presented you some opportunities and attention for which you are what you are today? 

Let's learn to give opportunities to the young ones to grow their capacity. Is intelligence about the individual or the position of the individual? Like president Nana Addo said in his so-called plagiarised inaugural speech, "Our success or failure should be judged by the quality of the individual, by his knowledge, his skills, his behaviour as a member of society, ...". In this statement, I reckon;  the individual's ability should be measured by his skills, intelligence and quality. Mind you, you are not Mr. Manasseh because you're a journalist in Multimedia, but because of your intelligence and your capacity in that profession. And, you will agree with me that, your standing in journalism didn't happen out of the blue but by years of practice, hard work and determination brought to fruition by the magnanimity or good-will of others. Remember, no matter how good you are, you still need the platform of others to stand on their shoulders to showcase what you got. Did you just burst into the media scene at the time you were a rookie? No! You passed through a process to where you are today. So what do you want to deny others?

I remember in one of your Facebook write-ups, you talked about how you literally went on your knees for television stations to play your news works which eventually won you awards. If opportunities were not granted you, would you have become the Manasseh that we know today? Haven't those indulgence and people's 'obligeness', be them on merit or not, developed your capacity?  Before I go on, let me remind you of a saying from one of your favourite authors - Chinua Achebe in his evergreen book; "Things Fall Apart" and this should be our watch word, "Those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble" 

Once again, let me remind you of the recent happening in your outfit since you talked about not lowering standards of your flagship programmes. Where were you when the issue of someone's response to your Facebook message about African leaders having economic submits in Geneva became a topic of discussion on the "Super Morning Show"? I hope that wasn't lowering of standards in Multimedia! Was that not trivializing your programmes? The Super Morning Show to be precise. I in particular jumped to your defence on WhatsApp group platforms. 

You should understand that it is one thing to talk about someone not being the appropriate discussant due to the issues tabled for discussion and another thing to talk about the person not meeting standards. I would like to find out the standards you are talking about? In any case, what are the minimum standards for choosing panelists for News File. Tell us to see whether people like Sam George, Felix Kwakyi, Otokonor, David Annan and the likes met those standards at the time they were been paraded on New File. How exceptional are these guys from Nana B? The electronic media in Ghana are fanciful of parading individuals with big titles meanwhile, the ideas and views they express are not exceptionally different from the ordinary Ghanaian's. 

We say the youth are tomorrow's leaders. So, how can they lead tomorrow when they are not given chance to develop themselves today? How will they lead if the old folks do not afford the new ones some room to operate. How will the youth handle the mantle of leadership tomorrow when today's leaders decimate young ones' initiatives? 

I believe in the youth of Ghana and I challenge the News File team to give the youth wings of political parties the chance most especially, the gentleman in question and he will prove them wrong. I do not even understand where this supposedly lack of confidence in the gentleman comes from. Didn't some of our current leaders namely Haruna Idrissu, Mustapha Hamid and the rest passed through this show? The recent crop of young politicians who are doing very well such as Sammy Awuku, Sammy Ablekwa just to mention a few all passed through this programme. So what is changed about the programme that, young ones can no more participate in the programme? If the News File's team takes this stance then, I am not certain that, after four or five years that programme will exist any longer. For the benefit of doubt, I challenge the News File team to empanel Nana B. in their subsequent editions and I strongly believe that, he will put his critics to shame.

You and my cherished media personality - the vintage Samson Lardi Anyenini benefited from people's benevolence to become the brands you are today and not just only by sheer dint of your hard-work, determination and intelligence. I remember the first time I heard of Mr. Samson on radio was as a reporter of Joy FM. Though, by then, a host on Luv FM - a subsidiary media outlet of Multimedia. So how did he arise to become the host of the number one sociopolitical programme (The News File) in Ghana. I know, at the time the job of a host for News File became vacant, they were equally competent and more qualified media personalities who could have handled this most respected programme the same as Mr. Samson if not better. There were media giants who were more positioned and well known in the media circles and to the Ghanaian public than Samson Lardi Anyenini. But, grace found him and he was preferred against all those guys by the employer. Many were the doubting Thomases. A lot of News File's external publics sat on the fence to see whether he was going to pass the test. Because, the bars and standards for the show were already raised to its apex by media gurus such as Kweku Sackyi Addo  and Matilda Asante. So, any personality who wears their shoes was expected to walk in their space if not talk with their pace. Mr. Samson as fallible as human, made some mistakes in the course, but no one can take it away from him that, he improved over the years from experience and has grown to become the finest and in that regard, the best talk show host in Ghana. I believe all will concur with me that he has covered more miles in that journey than even his two predecessors put together. So if he, a first timer for such a gigantic programme has been overwhelmingly successful, what shows that a first time panelist will not be creditably good for News File programme? 

I think Multimedia should give chance to others especially the youth and they will grow to become the kind of persons they want to empanel on their programmes. If this is done, it will help break the monotony of voices on the electronic media and also avoid the monopoly of the usual politicians/journalists. Let the public have variety no matter how novice their submissions will be. We all learn from practice! 

I faintly remember a well known programme on either DW TV or Aljazeera which one time empaneled Kwamena Ato Dadzi from Multimedia then. Not to berate his capability, but they were senior media persons DW TV/Aljazeera could have invited for that programme because, he was not the best of all in the Ghanaian media but at least, it indicated that, the Ghanaian media is made up various kinds of personalities and not only the famous ones.

Lest I forget, Mr. Manasseh might be better informed than me on this matter. Bernard Nasara Shaibu was Manasseh's senior colleague in Multimedia. But he left Multimedia because favour and grace did not either stretch their boughs to him or did not find their way to dawn on him by the powers that be in Multimedia. But we all know that in the run-up to Kojo Oppong Nkrumah's exit from Multimedia, Bernard was paired with Kojo on the Super Morning Show for several months in a bit to groom him for a take over. He even single handedly handled and some times co-hosted the show with Francis Abban for a couple of weeks before Kojo Yankson came. No single listener of the Super Morning Show doubted Nasara's ability to host it, but he was not given the opportunity to challenge himself and develop his capacity. Though, he is making it on a different platform which is not substantially different from what he would have been doing in Multimedia. But, the fact is that, if he were to be hosting the Super Morning Show, he could have performed far more perfectly and better build his experience and capacity than where he is, due to Multimedia's brand. I think this scenario gives us a better reason and more forceful understanding why people, especially the youth should be given opportunities to exhibit what they are inertly made of. 

My humble advice to Multimedia is that, with the advent of social media, the mainstream media should understand that, the power of media today is in the hands of the consumer ie, the reader, listener or viewer and not the journalist, editor or the owner. And to my brothers in Multimedia, permit me to say as a Northerner, I see you as our torchbearers and for that matter, I employ you to  be more reflective of your decisions, actions and reactions.

Thnx!
Naa Gbewaah Sidiq's Folder.

SANITY AND HUMANITY - THE BANE OF OUR LEADERS.

There is a proverb in Dagbani that, Lani pilgu ka ayen bang ni dini lebi poli. This literally translates, balls that will grow into hernia can be spotted day one. In other words; "coming events cast their shadows". This lends credence to what transpired at the vetting committee of parliament yesterday, though, I am hesitant to believe this, due to the fact that, president Nana Addo, has shown his readiness and commitment to bringing change to Ghana and also, upholding  and restoring the good name of Ghana. This alone should give us some respite. To me, the change president Nana Addo wants to bring to Ghanaians should not be only developmental but attitudinal.  

The fact of the matter is that, no leader can achieve greatness or success single handedly. A leader needs to be supported in the execution of his/her functions by his/her lieutenants. The behaviour and demeanour of some of the leader's appointees can cause him or her a great deal and the consequences will be dire. Their behaviours can also tell whether they are ready to serve the interests of the people or not. So, the leader is expected to be meticulous in taking decisions as to, who represents him/her in/at what, when and where. 

During this moment, there are intensive angling and lobbying for positions which could put undue pressure on the leader. The lucky persons who get to be chosen must be men and women of reputation, integrity and credibility. They should be personalities who can command respect from all directions. But as it is said respect is earned. So, who ever gets to be selected must work hard to earn the respect of the people. How is respect earned? We earn respect not by accident or by sheer dint of our riches, certificates, lineages, status, eloquence or pulchritude. But, by the piquancy of our words and actions. These cherish(ed) values but easy to accomplish acts, are gradually becoming an expensive commodity amongst most of our leaders who get to be appointed.

The behaviours of some of our leaders are concerns for many. The reason being that, these categories of people are the face of our society and most importantly, role models for the young ones. So we cannot afford, as a people to give them a leeway to put up attitudes and behaviours that are alien to our norms. Because, this will have the tendency to corrupt the young ones who will assume leadership positions tomorrow.

In the not quite distant past, we have witnessed massive rot and decay concerning our leaders and they seem not to be helping resolve these problems. These problems of our leaders bother on several moral aptitudes which are inimical to our society. This ranges from issues of intemperate language, lies, malice, incompetence to sexual immorality, bribery and corruption. One may ask how did this come to be part of us, as a people? Especially, as we are made to believe that political leadership means high levels of education. Is it our religious institutions that do not instill in us the appropriate teachings of manners and orientations. Or it is our upbringing and societal perceptions? In all this, it appears to me that, our educational system is not working as expected. The sense and spirit of nationalism and patriotism are not suffused in us from the onslaught, hence this problem. However, they may be other contributory factors. 

Name calling used to be common in our body politic. We heard terms such as 'sasabrusam', poodle, konongo kaya', womanizer, short man devil, murderers, gay, cocaine sniffer etc. Most of these pronouncements were made on campaign platforms by politicians so people did not take them seriously. But whenever they came up, the authors of those terms unreservedly apologised. Until recently, I thought this has become a thing of the past. It has rather unfortunately, found its way into our politics once again. This ugly "animal" has surfaced again and now what we hear are "wicked president " and "a president with a devil's heart". The disgraceful part of it is, the perpetrators of this hideous act are neither ashamed nor apologetic. They stand by it and try to justify it with pride. If we indulge them, what will then become the future of the young ones? what will be our culture, our heritage, our dignity and identity?

The media most often than not, is the very brewery pot, in which these problems are distilled. The media is inundated with foul language and insults. Political discussions that are to inform, apparently turn to assaults. Hate speeches which do not yield results. As all this goes on, the young ones emulate and grow up with these cyclical faults. A case in point is the ongoing ministerial vetting. 

As a teacher and for that matter a stakeholder, I write to condemn this in no uncertain terms. And, I wish to register my utmost disgust and repulsion to one of the nominees who took her turn yesterday. Though, I did not follow her vetting through out, the snippets I have heard are enough to make an informed take on her vetting. 

I am highly disappointed in the minister-nominee for children, gender and social protection - Madam Otiko, Afisa Djaba for her rudeness and childishness. I least expected this to have come from a nominee, whose core mandate and function would bother the vulnerable section of the society. She will be occupying a very most sensitive ministry amongst the lot. So, she needed to be very apt and frank with the questions posed by the committee members even in the face of provocations. But was she aware that, she was before the august House of Parliament? The house of national representatives. Did she take into knowingness the young minds which were listening or watching? What was all this attitude of hers for? Did she think she was on a radio discussion panel or what? Maybe I am not getting the travesty right! But in all seriousness, any mature and sensible person will have a disposition and humility to accept his or her shortfalls. Especially, when they are brought up for him/her to have a moment of reflection and solemness. 

After months of making these palpable irresponsible comments, she was categorically not ready to accept the fact that her act and comments about the former president were unsavoury. Ah! What kind of empty pride is this? The unbelievable thing is that, some people praise her for this disgrace. This 'blockheadedness'! These actions of hers were completely, adamance and arrogance and certainly not confidence. 

She was trying to exhibit a show of bravado and defiance. This could not have tickled the fancy of any well-meaning Ghanaians. In any which way, she got it all wrong. She is not the reason why the NPP won the 2016 elections and she must get this in her "empty head". No one is sacrosanct! We did not, at least I, vote for president Nana Addo for appointees of her sort to show senseless and needless defiance to simple issues such as retraction and apology. Even the senior minister, to whom she will be reporting, retracted and apologised to the committee when his attention was drawn to portions of his submissions that were unparliamentary.

Maybe, she needs to be reminded that, arrogance and pomposity of government officials were the biggest part of the reasons why we booted the NDC out of power. She should have been a bit considerate and moderate to eat the humble pie instead of being cheeky. After all what are we but mere mortals. So, why did she find it so difficult to accept her mistakes and apologise. I still dot not understand her. I used to admire her for her boisterous and vocal nature on the political scene and consider her a fine personality. But, she has rather clearly shown that, she is naively obstinate, which is an apology of womanhood. 

She repeated exactly what she was been guided against. This for me, was a deliberate attempt to disregard the humble suggestions or wisdom by some members of the appointment committee, for her to show some civility and decorum in her response. She intentionally put up this conspicuous contemptuous misdemeanour towards the honourable members. 

I am utterly surprised that some people are hailing her for taking that unpopular stance and describing her responses as sophistry and eloquence of tapestry. This is far from that. I see those responses of hers to be naked cheekiness rather than wittiness. 

If this group of people wants us to go by her standards, then I will not be far from right, to term her countenance on the vetting committee as "witchlike" or "prostitute-like". I hope she will take this kindly! Why not! She said, she was only describing the former president and above words are also descriptive. What! Were those, the best of descriptions she could have afforded former president Mahama? What a shame! 

If I was one of those who hailed her yesterday for her fortitude I will most definitely be part of those who will tell her the truth today for her servitude. Especially, when she alluded to the fact that, the former president needed to be told the fact as it was. She also said the former president is her brother hence, her malicious comments. I consider her attacks on the former president as personal, and if that is the case, she should find means of settling her differences with former president John Mahama rather than venting her frustrations and empty pride on national television. 

So by this, is she trying to tell us that, if president Nana Addo happens to repeat similar mistakes, his sisters should come out and make same comments about him right. Or she will gather courage and momentum to repeat same comments for president Nana Addo. If no, then her own logical reasoning defiles the potency of her very insistency to stand by her words.

I believe in the NPP and president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I shudder to think that, her attitude at the vetting committee is a potential weaponry that can instigate the opposition and its media outlets to negatively and unduly castigate  Nana Addo's administration. She should understand that, with this sort of attitude, she is providing a loaded arm for the opposition parties to harm her government. 

In all this, I will heap all blames on parliament. It is considered to be a toothless bulldog. It can only bark but cannot bite. Oftentimes, it appears partisan and divided, so, each shields its own. And, I do not foresee any deterrence or scapegoatism in their recommendations.

I wish recommendation for her designation in particular, would be withheld consensually by both sides of parliament until she apologises to parliament and the entire country. 

Let's send a positive signal to the young ones if we truly want to model them.

I'm Just thinking aloud!!! Thnx! 

Naa Gbewaah Sidiq's Folder.

ARTICLE 71 - A DRAIN ON GHANA'S RESOURCES.

Article 71 is a provision of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana that deals with

emoluments and salaries of certain public officers. This category of office holders comprises the top brass - the "pseudo" servants class of the country. It includes, the three arms of government, ie, the executive (the president, vice-president, ministers etc), the legislature (the speaker of parliament, deputy speakers of parliament, members of parliament and/or members of parliament with ministerial portfolios) and the judiciary (the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court).

There have been numerous committees for article 71 office holders in the fourth Republic. These committees are set to look into their welfare as they are considered to be selfless servants of the state. The ones I can readily mention are the Chinery Hesse committee set up by president John Agyekum Kuffour, the Ewurama Addy committee by Prof. John Evans Ata Mills and most recently, the Prof. Francisca Dora Edu-Buandoh committee by president John Dramani Mahama. This particular committee's report was ready in September, 2016, but, because of the political heat of that moment, it did not receive attention in the media and hence, most members of the public were unaware of its content.

It is interesting to note that, none of these committees has ever recommended a reduction in the emoluments, salaries and retirement packages of these article 71 office holders. They have always recommended upwards adjustments of their end of service benefits. This has necessitated a lot of concerned citizens of Ghana to wade in the discussion of this issue. The echoing voices on this topic have been that of resentment, repulsion and remonstration. 

In my mushroom mind, I think, most of the pegs that come with the retirement packages are clear wanton dissipation of the nation's resources, complete extravagance and a cheat against the poor tax payer. In this write-up, I intend to zero in on, the president's retirement benefits and find out, with all humility and reflection, whether the demands of our immediate past president, is in good faith, whether his request to have the official residence of our vice-presidents is indeed, a need, or a perfect case of greed. 

Even though, the several committees have always increased the emoluments and salaries of these public office holders, members of parliament have at all times disagreed and rejected their recommendations, especially when they feel that, these recommendations do not meet their expectations. They have on several occasions, forced incumbent presidents to yield to their whim, caprice and avarice. For example, when Prof. Atta Mills rejected the Ewurama Addy report on emoluments and salaries of article 71 public office holders, because, Ghana's economy did not have the wherewithal, parliament forced him to implement it, though, not to the latter. For instance, up to date, former president Kuffour is yet to be given, after eight years, the two houses - one in Accra and another in a place of his choice outside the capital. Not withstanding the above, some of these office holders bagged home colossal ex-gratia packages and in the case of the speaker of parliament - Hon. Begyina Sakyi Hughes, ripped off and emptied his office and residence including even the flower pots. Hmmm! Was this action a complete loss of sanity or humanity?

Similar thing happened when the Prof. Dora Edu-Buandoh's committee 's report was sent to parliament. Though, the government accepted the report, members of parliament rejected portions of the committee's report. Especially, recommendations that had direct bearing on their benefits, such as, the percentage increments, salary relativity, ex-gratia and provision of residence for the president. Instead of parliamentarians to receive 60% of the president's salary, they pushed for 78% of the president's. Again, instead of the 10% backdated  increase in the president's salary and 40% of his salary to be used to carter his rent bills, parliament amended it or reversed it to the Chinery Hesse's recommendations of 2005. Among other benefits the Prof. Edu-Buandoh's report mentioned as part of the former President's retirement package are, a state-provided staff not exceeding four and a furnished office with communications equipment and house helps consisting of a cook, steward and gardener. It was not mentioned in anywhere as part of the committee's recommendations that, the former president should be given two houses. One in Accra and another in a location of his choice. But parliament, for whatever purpose reverted the committee's report for end of service benefits (ex-gratia) of the president to what the Chinery Hesse committee's report recommended in 2005 as reported below by Jonas Nyabor of Citi fm.

The Chinery-Hesse Committee Report (2001-2005) which said, "former Presidents should receive “one fully furnished residence in the national capital and one out-of-capital residence at a location of the former President’s choice; all of which should not revert to the state in the event of the demise of the former President.” In the area of security, “the state will provide two security persons to be chosen by the former President from state security. Two vehicles for security.”

For transport, President Mahama will be given two vehicles, a chauffeur, maintained and comprehensively insured by the State and changed every four years for life.

For overseas official travel, the state will fully pay for all such trips with his spouse and two security persons.

The state will however, sponsor only two of such travels per year and those not exceeding two weeks in duration. President Mahama and his wife will also be entitled to free healthcare. Other benefits include, the payment of utilities at his residence." Wow!

Questions! Is the economy of Ghana strong enough to take care of these arrangements? Do the countries we go to beg for economic assistance have same or similar retirement benefit arrangements for their presidents? Does the work of the president commensurate these packages? Is it fair and equitable to incur these humongous costly expenses for our former presidents? Do they actually, if not deserve, but need these benefits? Are these ostentatious largesse out of their means or reach? Indeed there are more questions than answers! But, if all of the above questions are in the negative, then where lies the integrity of our leaders specifically, the article 71 office holders?

For God sake, president John Agyekum Kuffour was living in his private house before his ascension to the highest office of our beloved country - Ghana. I believe the same applied to president John Evans Atta Mills. But for president John Dramani Mahama, minds cannot "think far". 

Prior to him becoming the president, he was a member of parliament for three consecutive terms, that is, twelve solid good years. He doubled as a deputy minister and later a substantive minister, and for that matter, a cabinet minister. He also headed various committees in parliament. He was the vice-president of Ghana for more than three and half years. So, in effect, out of his fifty-eight years, president John Dramani Mahama lived in a state funded residence for twenty years. One is forced to ask questions, in the wake of the former president's demands to keep for himself and forever, an official residence that is allocated to vice-presidents of the Republic of Ghana. What has he been doing with his salary and the uncountable ex-gratia for all those years he has been in public office. Does he not have a house that he could move in to? If he does not have a place of abode of himself, why was he allegedly, indulged in a free spree of dashing out houses at prime areas in the city and expensive vehicles to people including madam Akua Donkor. He could have done himself, the public and the state a lot of good, if he should have kept those houses to himself. 

Another possible question is that, can't the president buy or build for himself a decent and befitting house from his ex-gratia? President John Dramani Mahama is supposed to be taking Ghc30,359.43 per month. This is a non-taxable salary, backdated to 2013. A poor civil servant who struggles to make far less this amount in a year, still makes ends meet, able to save and build a house for him/herself how more a president? It will take almost five years for an average civil servant on the single spine salary structure to earn what president John Dramani Mahama will earn a month as a former president. The least paid civil servant on the single spine salary structure, who still renders service to develop the country, takes a gross salary of Ghc 600:00 a month. The disparity and unfairness in this instance are crystal clear for us all to see.

I think as a president, despite the opportunity, to rip off the citizenry you should be rather grateful for their magnanimity, and live a life of austerity, so that you could be judged favourably by posterity.

President Mahama's request to have our vice-presidents' official residence for keeps is hard for me to understand. It is like a bitter pill for me to swallow or better still, a huge bill to settle. Why do I say so? If the whole country should yield to his demands and permit him take the house, fifty years to come, how many official bungalows would have been relinquished to former presidents? Especially, if we want to use president John Mahama's one term presidency as a yardstick. That will be like thirteen bungalows plus one. This will be like creating an estate of elite class of bourgeoisie. So, you can see the level of poverty, in the argument of the proponents for dashing out state property. The rest of us who would not have the sheer opportunity to be president one day can never have the chance to live in such an area even if we have the means financially.

In any case, if the state is willing to dash houses to former presidents, then I think it should be for accommodation purpose and not for keeps. So that, after the demise of the former president, that asset is reverted to the state. 

The president and his advisers or spokespersons did not do a thorough retrospection, good reflection and convincing engagement on this issue when it came to the attention of the public. Due to the immediate public lash out and resistance, the former president's office put out a very lame argument, which in my view, was a statement of shame. Dr. Omane Boamah was heard apparently trying hard to put up a defence for this palpable ignominy. That it was an agreement reached between the transition team of the then out and incoming governments. See who is talking about agreements! Why didn't the both sides of the transition teams agree or consult each other on the last minute appointments made by president John Mahama? Because this one is about your fiendish ends you speak of agreement right? The people of Ghana are neither naive nor zombies!

The Presidential Transition Act, 2012 is the eight hundred and fourty-fifth act of Parliament of the Republic of Ghana. It is an act of parliament that establishes or spells out explicitly the arrangements for a smooth political transfer of one administration to another. It also carters for the transfer of political power and its related matters. Section 10(1) of this act which is sub captioned "Vacation of Official Residence" states that "The incumbent president and the incumbent vice-president shall each vacate the official residence before the day of the swearing-in of the person elected as president, and, if either of them so desires, move into an alternate official residence". The operative or controlling word for me, in this section, is "shall". I am not a lawyer, but the education in legal realm is that, "shall" means mandatory, the president should have compulsorily vacated his residence at midnight of the 6th January, 2017. But, he acted contrary to the laws of the country. The truth is that, he should have vacated this bungalow on the very day he seized to be the vice-president of Ghana. This law - The Presidential Transitional Act was only passed by parliament in October, 2016, only to be broken by president John Mahama in January, 2017. What kind of country are we? A country of lawless presidents? And, they talk of bad faith on the side of the NPP transition team. Who is acting badly? How do you have a deal, outside the confines of our laws and expect us to seal it? 

Let me spare readers the rhetoric

. But, if only they would pay heed, the sentiments of the people should sow a seed, of advice to the article 71 office holders especially, the executive and the legislative arms of government that, the ordinary citizen is losing faith and trust in them because of the profligacy and redundancy associated with the manner and way they manage public funds. And, if they think, this  is nothing to go by, then they should remind themselves, the massive low return outs of electorates in the just ended general elections. This is a significant signal. We would not be worried when the country goes back to the era of military rule. They always deceive us to being our servants. After they receive our mandates they become tyrants. We are watching! 

Thnx! 

Naa Gbewaah Sidiq's folder.