The Rawlingses are crying for the MOON!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings is in the news again, making utterances that indicate the depth to which her family has sunk itself as it continues to seek needless public attention over non-existent concerns. She is reported to have “lashed out at the government for failing to take proper care of the former first family.”

Mrs. Rawlings made the remarks when she addressed her supporters in the Upper East Region as part of her “Thank you” tour, which she also used to refute claims that the Rawlings family was being catered for by the government.

She indicated that “the government has turned a blind eye to the needs of her family and neglected certain privileges that should be accorded the husband as a former President.”

These utterances by Nana Konadu should make every Ghanaian want to puke. What at all do the Rawlingses think Ghanaians owe them? And what is the “proper care” that they are demanding to be given?

Let’s bundle these Fulanis out of Ghana now!!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Many communities in Ghana have suffered for far too long at the hands of the Fulanis whose anti-social activities have now become a major national problem to confront with vigour and determination. Most of these Fulanis are accused of committing crimes such as cattle rustling, murder, rape, plain theft, and complete disregard for our laws wherever they go.

The continuing show of anger against this Fulani menace by the chiefs and people of Agogo in Asante-Akyim is just one instance of how the situation has boiled over. Other incidents attributed to the Fulani menace have already occurred in several parts of the country, the latest one being the armed robbery on the Mafi Kumase-Ho road last weekend.

There must be a curb on this wanton misconduct by all these non-Ghanaians using the country as a safe haven to perpetrate crime or abuse the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality. Let’s get rid of these Fulanis now!

As Cape Coast Humiliates Nana Konadu….

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Many factors have combined to make the NDC steadily unattractive these days. Whether by design or miscalculated manouevres, the party is moving toward an unpleasant Fate. Obviously, the situation in the party has degenerated to such an extent as to alarm every genuine supporter of the party whose commitment, sacrifices, and prayer have sustained the party thus far.

Apart from the harm being done the party’s interests by internal wranglings and factionalism, it is clear from events happening all over the country that the party’s activists are more interested in goring each other than working in a concerted manner to build the party. No wonder, the party’s future viability is at stake.

When state secrets leak… Don’t blame Wikileaks

Friday, September 16, 2011

As we focus attention on the Wikileaks report, trying very hard to find fault, apportion blame, or use the contents of the report to deepen the political divide between the NDC and the NPP, we must remember that the overarching negative impact of the report on the country is huge.

We must not simply dismiss the contents of the US Embassy’s cables as part of the exercise of the freedom of speech by those loose talkers in a democracy. In most cases, those who made those contacts with the US Embassy to make those comments would have been questioned thoroughly by the appropriate state institutions to ascertain the extent to which they exposed the country’s interests to harm.

Empty Slogans and Ghana’s Diplomatic Imperatives (Part II)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Condemning Ghana for recognizing the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) at this stage in the Libyan political situation is hollow. There is no denying the fact that the NATO aggression against Gaddafi and his government is reprehensible. Despite protests, the aggression hasn’t ended and its objective has been achieved. Gaddafi is toast. What is the sense in withholding recognition and support for the new administration?

Will Ghana reject the NTC because it expects Gaddafi to return to power to add more to the 42 years of what has made him an anathema to his own people and all those in the world critical of his tyrannical rule, his concrete achievements in terms of infrastructural development and improving living conditions notwithstanding?

Empty Slogans and Ghana’s Diplomatic Imperatives (Part I)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

My recent three-piece article on Ghana’s diplomatic manouevres toward Israel and the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) attracted diverse responses from readers.

I have received e-mails with different messages, some expressing alarm, others commending my being open-minded, and some simply disagreeing with my stance and hurling insults at President Mills and me for whatever the readers might have objected to about the government’s action and my support for it. I appreciate those perspectives. That’s the beauty of this kind of discursive event.

Isn’t Mr. Kufuor better off when silent? (Part II)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Under the First Republic, there was no position of a Vice President or Prime Minister. Dr. Nkrumah wielded enormous powers and virtually had Ghana in his hands. He wielded a clout that hit anywhere at any time, leaving in its trail very serious consequences. 

Although difficult to substantiate, we can guess that his manipulation of the political situation to outlaw all other political parties to make the CPP the only legitimate political party and himself as the Life President of Ghana was the most troubling problem within the period. No wonder that Nkrumah created many enemies in almost all sectors of national life and suffered for it.

Isn’t Mr. Kufuor better off when silent? (Part I)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

One peculiar fact about former President Kufuor is that he is not a good speaker. He lacks the flourish that characterizes the rhetorical manouevres of political figures who captivate their audiences with their speeches. He is more admirable for being a careful listener and thinker. That is why when he chooses to speak, he must hasten slowly. He will be better off respecting silence as golden.

As Ghana welcomes Israel and the Libyan National Transitional Council… (Part III)

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Despite the savagery against dark-skinned Africans, all hope is not lost for them in Libya. They still have a role to play in the diverse sectors of Libya. The government must take advantage of this situation to create a labor pool and a reliable database for all Ghanaians who may want to go to Libya for work purposes. 

As is done in other countries that rely on their citizens working in other countries, the Ghana government can streamline matters with a clear-cut mechanism to support prospective job-seekers and create channels through which to monitor their status in Libya.

As Ghana welcomes Israel and the Libyan National Transitional Council… (Part II)

Saturday, September 10, 2011

I firmly believe that Ghana has a lot to benefit from this restoration of diplomatic ties with Israel. It must be clear to all by now that any insistence on isolating Israel because of the original factor that necessitated the severance of ties is absurd. The Palestinian cause that was at the heart of the crisis has proved to be an endless conundrum that cannot be resolved through the breaking off of diplomatic ties. 

More importantly, Ghana is so far removed from this Israeli-Palestinian conflict as to make its continued pooh-poohing of Israeli the highest form of laziness, stupidity, and immaturity.

As Ghana welcomes Israel and the Libyan National Transitional Council… (Part I)

Saturday, September 10, 2011

In the past few days, the government made two important diplomatic moves that give glaring pointers to the direction in which it wants to move Ghana. After decades of being at odds with Israel, the government has decided to normalize relations and, consequently, restored diplomatic ties between Ghana and Israel.

Then, the government announced that it has decided to give diplomatic recognition to the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) as the legitimate governing body in Libya. These two moves in diplomacy have diverse far-reaching implications and deserve our attention.

After dismissing Dr. Frimpong-Boateng, what next?

Thursday, September 8, 2011

True to his word to come out with his version of the circumstances surrounding his controversial dismissal from the honorary directorship of the National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC) at the Korle Bu Hospital, Dr. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng addressed a press conference last Monday. 

In clearing the air, he raised serious issues to confirm claims that most of the problems hindering our country’s development are either self-created or worsened by lack of proper judgement on the part of decision-makers in officialdom. That is why despite all the abundant resources at our disposal, our country is still under-developed.

Has Wikileaks worsened Akufo-Addo’s Problems?

Monday, September 5, 2011

Like the proverbial Sword of Damocles hanging over the NPP’s Akufo-Addo, the never-fading allegation of drug-use against him continues to dangle in the public domain. It continues to dent his public image as it assumes wider dimensions.

A Wikileaks report, based on a cable from Pamela Bridgewater (the former United States Ambassador in Ghana), has added a new complexion to the allegation. Her cable was entitled “‘GHANA AND THE 2008 ELECTION: PROSPECTS FOR THE RULING NPP.”

Another Wikileaks report saying that Akufo-Addo was worried about the narcotics trafficking going on and his intentions to equip the relevant state institutions to tackle it don’t really absolve him from anything concerning the allegation on his own drug use. Nor can anybody say that the report itself is not worth our bother. 

It is, coming from observations by the former US Ambassador and not a Ghanaian political entity who might be accused of colouring issues with biases for political capital. I accept the report as part of what we need to probe issues, regardless of the vacuous threat of legal action against anybody uttering the allegation.

And Akufo-Addo goes wild with empty promises

Sunday, September 4, 2011

As he intensifies his public appearances to catch the eye (and sympathy) of the electorate, the NPP’s Akufo-Addo continues to confirm claims by his detractors that he has nothing new to offer Ghanaians and doesn’t deserve the Presidency that he is craving for. 

Indeed, it has been bandied about that he has nothing to recommend him for that high office. He seems to be setting himself up for unpleasant times waiting for him at the end of his vote-seeking campaigns.