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Friday, August 21, 2015

The NPP’s “concert party” shows and the voters register of Togo

Thursday, August 21, 2015
Folks, you must have heard of the latest in the NPP’s package of electoral laughables that has pushed its “Concert Party” shows to the most bizarre level. It clearly has taken the shows beyond the ridiculous to the absurd and contemptible point. Here is the substance:
“New Patriotic Party's (NPP) 2016 Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has revealed that a team commissioned by the party to go into Ghana’s voter register has identified 76,286 persons with the same data in both Ghana and Togo’s voter register.

Instead of going after Stan Dogbe…..

Saturday, August 15, 2015
Folks, one sticky point in the agitations by members of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is the publishing of the document containing their demands. Accusing fingers have been pointed at Stan Dogbe, a member of the Presidential Staff, as the “culprit”. He has been condemned as the one who “unscrupulously” published the document on his Facebook page to the chagrin of the GMA; and some are even calling for his dismissal from office.
The Offinsohene, Nana Wiafe Akenten II, was very loud in condemning Stan, accusing him of impropriety while members of the GMA (especially the President and Secretary) insisted that publishing that document ran counter to the understanding between the GMA and the government to keep the “proposals” close to their chests. Their main beef is that by this disclosure, Stan has embarrassed all and created a bad public image for the GMA.

Thursday, August 6, 2015

The Ghana Medical Association and its striking doctors will lose out

Thursday, August 6, 2015
Folks, the head-butting going on between members of the Ghana Medical Association (Ghanaian doctors in public service) and the Mahama-led administration will likely not end soon; but I can stick my neck out to say that it will eventually not end in favour of the doctors.
First, now that the striking doctors' demands (be they proposals or substantive ones) are known and quickly dismissed as "outrageous", there is every indication that they can't win public sympathy to their cause.
Unlike previous occasions when the public seemed to tilt toward them, this time, the issues are different; and it is likely that the doctors won't win any support to warrant their persisting on being satisfied.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Isn’t it time to privatize the government hospitals?

Monday, August 3, 2015
Folks, the perennial striker actions embarked on by Ghanaian doctors working in public health institutions should set the stage for the government to privatize public health institutions and enforce other measures aimed at curtailing the enormous pressure being put on it and the Consolidated Fund. The current strike action by members of the Ghana medical Association (GMA) should be the clarion call to change the existing paradigm so those who cannot fit in can go into private practice to stop harassing us all with their huge demands for improved service conditions. In private practice, they will get to know what it takes to function as doctors. No pampering of anybody!!

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Why has Ex-President Kufuor become a cry baby?

Thursday, July 23, 2015
Folks, it is becoming clear that ex-President Kufuor is crying all over the place over anything that touches on happenings related to him. And he is not able to explain sufficiently all those happenings to disprove them or to give us anything more tangible with which to conduct public discourse on national affairs.
The latest in the series involving him is the news report about a "secret" meeting that he convened at his Airport West residential Area in Accra to attempt resolving the internal crisis in the NPP. The news reports informed the public about what transpired at the meeting and those who attended. All of a sudden, Kufuor is wailing, blaming the newspapers that carried the reports and attributing malice to them.

Another indictment... and Kufuor goes wild too

Wednesday, July 9, 2015

Folks, the Sole Judgement Debt Commission has really stepped on big toes; and they are hurting!
After putting Akufo-Addo on the spot, the Commission's leaked report has turned the searchlight on former President John Agyekum Kufuor, indicting him on a $2.64 million land compensation payment case involving a British Family.

The Judgment Debt Commission has questioned the appropriateness of a $2.64 million land compensation payment authorized by former President Kufuor to a British Family on his last day in office. (See http://www.ghanaweb.com/…/Kufuor-accuses-Judgment-Debt-Comm…).

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

The NDC regains Talensi and deflates the NPP

Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Folks, the Talensi by-election is over and victory belongs to B.T. Baba and the NDC. This victory underscores the NDC’s strength in that area and others that it can clinch despite the dry, irritating noise made by its opponents. Those rooting for the NDC do better in political mobilization than their loud-mouthed opponents can ever do, which explains why despite public outcry against existing conditions in the country, reinforced by the NPP’s campaign of disdain, the party could still bounce back to reclaim the Talensi Parliamentary seat. It can do so in other areas if need be because it is connected to the people.
Not so for its opponents, especially the NPP, which is still stuck in anachronistic political gimmicks and self-righteous postulations on governance. And their reaction to their electoral defeat? “NDC shared state money to Talensi voters to secure Parliamentary seat” (See http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/NDC-shared-state-money-to-secure-BT-Baba-Talensi-seat-NPP-367202).  

The indictment of Akufo-Addo says a lot more

Monday, July 6, 2015
The Sole Judgement Debt Commission’s indictment of the NPP’s Akufo-Addo over the controversial circumstances in which the GNPC’s drill ship was disposed of and the money handled during the Kufuor era is nothing to enthuse over even though it has rattled and nettled the Akufo-Addo camp. It is no news after all.
We had known directly the matter cropped up that something really went wrong. Responses from K.T. Hammond and his handing over of the “huhudious” envelope containing documents on the deal that he claimed to have received from a “Good Samaritan” worsened matters. The fire set by his reference to Akufo-Addo in the matter piqued much interest and we expected the Commission to invite Akufo-Addo for grilling. It didn’t but came out with a report indicting him on the transaction. That is the only reason why I will damn the Commission for not being exhaustive in its inquiry. Everything else is no news.

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Is the future of the NPP truly in “safe hands”?

Sunday, July 5, 2015
Folks, the NPP’s third-time flagbearer, Akufo-Addo, is reported to have said that the future of the NPP is in safe hands. His reason? “The emergence of young, intelligent men and women who have been elected in the ongoing parliamentary primaries of the party”.
According to him, the courage exhibited by delegates in the constituencies that have seen young candidates being elected is a clear sign that delegates of the party have faith in their abilities, and are confident that they can also deliver victory for the party in the 2016 elections. (See http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/NPP-s-future-in-safe-hands-Akufo-Addo-365435)
My reaction? A long yawn…..; then, questions to prove him wrong!!! 

Friday, July 3, 2015

The Ghana Bar Association and its wild goose errand

Thursday, July 2, 2015
Folks, the suit filed at the Supreme Court by the National Council of the Ghana Bar Association (as a corporate entity) and four members (as individuals, be they the executive officers of the GBA) against the appointment of Justices Apau and Pwamang to the Supreme Court by President Mahama implies a lot. For purposes of unpacking the suit, let us begin by saying that the suit has come after the fact—when the two justices have already been nominated (and not questioned by anybody or institution), vetted, confirmed and approved by Parliament, and sworn into office by President Mahama with a call on the Judiciary to help the government fight corruption, even if he blamed the Judiciary for not being active enough for that purpose.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

These NPP-oriented Men-of-God again?

Sunday, June 28, 2015
Folks, all those so-called Men-of-God doing anti-Mahama politics in diverse ways and prophesying electoral victory for Akufo-Addo know that they are fast becoming a public nuisance, especially after the barrage of prophecies from them prior to Elections 2008 and 2012 ended in smoke.
We heard a lot from them in the pre-election season; but when reality struck, they changed the rhythm and began striking ugly discordant chords to create the impression that supported the useless petition before the Supreme Court. The loudest and most pitiable of them all—Rev. Owusu Bempah—even prophesied death for President Mahama and went ahead to make subversive utterances that Ghana would burn if the Supreme Court didn't declare Akufo-Addo the winner.
What happened?

Friday, June 19, 2015

In what capacity are Afoko and Agyepong acting now? (Part II)

Thursday, June 18, 2015
Even before Afoko and Agyei were voted into office by the party’s delegates, back-handed measures had been used against them. Afoko was manhandled at the party’s conference to choose the flagbearer for Election 2008. He and Agyei have been accused of being unalloyed supporters of Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen (a so-called protégé of former President Kufuor, allegedly the prop of the Kufuor or Asante faction in the party), meaning that they were automatically opposed to Akufo-Addo. Therein lies the rivalry between the Asante-Akyem factions in the NPP. Their winning of the national delegates’ confidence and trust at the party’s conference nearly two years ago hasn’t stopped the campaign of calumny against them. Their detractors continue to make efforts at undercutting them; but they have prevailed and settled in office to do what they have up their sleeves.

In what capacity are Afoko and Agyepong acting now? (Part I)

Thursday, June 18, 2015
Folks, let’s be blunt to say upfront that happenings in the NPP regarding the status of Paul Afoko (National Chairman) and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong (General Secretary) give us a comedy of errors to fear and not enjoy. Here are two high-ranking party administrators declared as “enemies” and chased out of office; yet, they are still doing things and making public statements being followed by the party’s functionaries without question. The NPP is grinding to a point of disrepute.
The rumpus rocking it, caused by agitations against Afoko and Agyepong and their continued stay in office, portrays an ambivalent picture of the entire NPP setup. It is a litmus test that the leaders of the NPP, the Akufo-Addo camp instigating the agitations, and the unwitting elements being used against Afoko and Agyepong have woefully failed. And it portrays the NPP as a laughable political entity to be watched lest it plunges the country into chaos if put in office. In politics, ambivalence portends danger!!

It is long past time to abolish the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)

Saturday, June 20, 2015
Folks, the prevalence of malpractices in examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is nothing strange. It is perennial. In the era of the "O" and "A" level exams, leakages occurred and students suffered the negative backlash.
When the tide changed for the basic level (beginning with the Junior Secondary School part to be fused into the BECE at the SSS level because of the continuous assessment process to determine students' fate in the end), the malpractices haven't vanished. Instead, they have calcified and turned the entire examination system into an "auction", where those who know how to bid always win. And such people are those with the means to influence those who have access to examination papers/questions.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

The NPP’s own flawed voters register undermines its credibility

Monday, June 15, 2015
Folks, the NPP’s main beef against the electoral system in place is that the voters register is bloated and shouldn’t be used in general elections. It has accused the EC of incompetence on that score and made all kinds of ugly noises all over the place, threatening to move heaven and hell for a credible voters register to be put in place for Election 2016. As to what they will do if their demand is not met, they know that they have only two options: go to court or boycott the general elections. Either course of action has dire consequences for it.
Being led by their pride and self-righteous acclamations that they are “legal luminaries” and the cream of Ghana’s “interrectuals”, they will snatch at the first option, which is to go to court to compel the EC to do their bidding. They trust their friends in the Judiciary to fight that cause for them; but it won’t be an easy choice. The court will need a lot more before it before compelling the EC to clean up the existing register.

Dr. Amoako-Baah sustains the NPP’s “Concert Party” shows

Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Folks, we are still waiting to hear from President Mahama who will head the Electoral Commission when Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan retires (His 70th birthday falls June 18 and staff of the EC have already held a befitting durbar to honour him.).
We have so far heard loud noises of protestation from the NPP camp about the replacement and from so-called academics and others doing politics disguised as civil or social work. The clergy haven't left themselves out either. So have our traditional rulers.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Did Sudan's Omar Bashir flee from arrest In South Africa or...?

Monday, June 15, 2015
Folks, those of us who have been critical about the one-sided activities of the International Criminal Court (ICC) haven't hidden our concerns about its fixation on only African leaders or politicians and their prominent backers in its hunt for so-called war criminals. We have made our voices heard and accused the UN itself of being at the beck-and-call of those funding it to turn a blind eye to the horrendous happenings involving them.
Any talk of war crimes will not be complete without the inclusion of happenings in Libya, Iraq, and many others for which the real war criminals are known but remain untouchable. The UN's blind eyes don't see them nor do its deaf ears hear the cries of living victims or the relatives of the perished. Whole countries and systems not working in favour of the paymasters of the UN have been devastated and turned into breeding grounds for terrorism (Libya on my mind now!!); yet, the UN is so narrowly focused on pursuing African leaders as to make itself irrelevant to Africa in our time.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Is it really nobler to be a chief than a politician in Ghana?

Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Folks, the controversy surrounding the status of Robert Nachinab Doameng Mosore, NPP MP for Talensi, seems to be coming to an end with his choice to be a Paramount Chief of Talensi and not a politician (MP). (See http://www.myjoyonline.com/…/it-is-nobler-to-be-chief-than-…)
The 1992 Constitution is clear on why a traditional ruler shouldn't be involved in partisan politics and why some chiefs seeking to be politicians have quickly relinquished their chiefly status to engage in partisan politics for weal or woe.
Even though the late Dr. Hilla Limann of Gwolu was our President in the Third Republic, we didn't bat our eyelids when he doubled as a chief and a politician before being kicked out of office in the Rawlings-led putsch. Many others in the PNDC era come to mind: Nana Akuoko Sarpong of Asante Agogo; Nana Obuadom (Mr. E.G. Tandoh); former Nandom Naa Konku Polku Chiiri; and many others actively participated in politics for good or bad.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

No Ghanaian should be a guinea pig for Ebola experiments

Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Folks, you must already have heard the news report about the trial of a vaccine for the deadly Ebola that is either already being done in Ghana or is about to be done. When I first heard about this experiment, I cringed seriously for many reasons:
1. When Ebola struck Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea (the three worst affected in the West African sub-region), Ghanaians panicked and prayed hard that the disease shouldn't spread to the country. Indeed, many measures were taken, especially in connection with citizens of the affected countries travelling to Ghana or in terms of Liberians living in the Buduburam camp.
2. The Ghanaian government rallied all agencies under the Ministry of Health to prepare for any case occurring in Ghana, especially after some alleged "victims" had been taken through diagnosis and proved negative. The panic mode persisted for long.
3. President Mahama personally participated in relief efforts and visited Sierra Leone (refusing to shake hands with that country's President at the time---fear of contracting Ebola?).
4. At the government's initiative, Ghana became the command and control centre for the Ebola relief efforts.
5. Ghanaian health officials physically participated in efforts to solve the Ebola problem in the affected countries. None contracted Ebola.
At the end of the day, no Ghanaian contracted Ebola; no Ghanaian is on record as having died from Ebola. As the United Nations declared the affected countries as being free of Ebola, the world heaved a huge sigh of relief. The disease came from no-one-knows-where and left in its trail massive devastation. The affected countries are still counting the cost, even as the rest of the world prays that Ebola shouldn't recur.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Why is the government setting such a bad example?

Monday, June 1, 2015
Folks, much has been said about the government’s handling of the country’s finances, which speaks volumes. There is much concern that things are not being done properly, which is why the government is either borrowing funds from sources and not accounting for such funds. We have heard about the government’s inability or failure to sustain the GETFUND, to pay workers’ contributions to SSNIT, to release funds to the NHIS, to provide funds for the Schools Feeding Programme, and many more. It is more than alarming. Why should it be so?
Today, we are being told that the “government has defaulted in the payment of workers contribution to the Tier 2 pension scheme, to the tune of GH¢1billion—plunging the state into a nonpayment crisis”. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Employment and Labour said so.

The NPP’s “Invisible Forces” must be tackled immediately

Saturday, May 30, 2015
Events culminating in the nastiness tearing the NPP apart have been long in the offing. They have been fuelled by deep-seated self-seeking manouevres, self-righteousness portrayals, and self-serving manipulations. I lay the blame at the doorstep of Akufo-Addo whose persistence to have things done as he wishes has deepened factionalism in the party and resulted in his followers’ bitter opposition to the tenure of Paul Afoko (National Chairman) and Kwabena Agyepong (General Secretary). The remote causes of this open show of hatred for Afoko and Agyepong can be traced to their supposed dislike for Akufo-Addo and a so-called covert “Agenda 2020” to botch his attempts at winning Election 2016.
But the immediate cause is the acid-bathing of Alhaji Adam Mahama, which is now spelling their doom, even though nothing has emerged so far to prove their complicity in a crime committed by people other than Afoko and Agyepong. Solving this problem is an uphill task; and as is being suggested, no one in the NPP seems ready or capable of dousing the fire that is consuming both its setters and their opponents. After all, who among the so-called NPP bigwigs is not either an Akufo-Addo follower or what?

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Prof. H. Kwesi Prempeh exposes the NPP as incapable of governing Ghana

Thursday, May 28, 2015
Folks, the rampaging going on in the NPP won’t end anytime soon because it has a deep-seated genesis, fuelled by many factors at the emergence of the NPP from the ashes of the Danquah-Busia Club, and nurtured by the political philosophy woven around the Asante/Akyem/Brong-Ahafo origins of its Godfathers (J.B. Danquah and K.A. Busia).
That political philosophy revolved around the two personalities until adroit means were found by their latter-day adherents to add a “Dombo” afterthought to it in a vain attempt to entice our compatriots of Northern Ghana extraction who might bite the bait to create the impression that they are an integral part of the “Kabonga” NPP. Of course, S.D. Dombo did his best to advance the cause of the United Party but hasn’t been given as much prominence as the Akyem Danquah and Brong-Ahafo Busia.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Can’t Akufo-Addo win political power without sacrificing Afoko and Agyepong?

Monday, May 25, 2015
Folks, I have been pondering the trouble shaking the NPP out of joint and wondering why there is so much venom against Paul Afoko (National Chairman) and Kwabena Agyepong (General Secretary) and why backhanded moves are being made to remove them from office—as if kicking them out will be the solution to the problems hindering Akufo-Addo from becoming Ghana’s President at general elections.
My conclusion is straight-forward. To win political power, the NPP doesn’t have to eat its own babies. It is not a party born out of a revolution to do so. Only revolutions end up eating their own babies. For the NPP, eating up its own children is a sure way to grab political power in our time.
The truth is that putting Akufo-Addo in power needs more than side-swiping Afoko and Agyepong. They are not the stumbling blocks. They are just people caught in unfortunate circumstances wrought for them by their own overzealousness in pursuing a political cause that they barely know how to relate to.

Rawlings descends into the gutter again and fades

Monday, May 25, 2015
Folks, the inability of former President Rawlings to put his past behind him and move on into the future to be respected as a statesman of high repute is assuming ugly dimensions. He is known for daring the devil and thriving thereby; but as is known too, if you keep saliva for far too long in your mouth, it turns into water. And that water isn't pleasant; it is dirt to be spat out in disgust.
Rawlings is known for making outrageous utterances and going away with them, unscathed, even if his opponents tongue-lash him in an attempt to paint him as uncouth and a nuisance. He has survived worse circumstances than such a verbal abuse. Indeed, he has been protected by the "system" to live his life the way he does. And his wife and children also benefit from that protection.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

The rumpus in the NPP: A wake-up call to the NDC and President Mahama

Saturday, May 23, 2015
Folks, no reason exists for anybody to under-estimate the ramifications of the rumpus tearing the NPP apart, especially in the wake of the gruesome and barbaric chemical warfare that has killed Alhaji Adam Mahama, the party's Upper East Regional Chairman.
In truth, the NPP is reeling terribly and will continue to do so for as long as inflammatory utterances continue to be made by those in it vested with some kind of authority and power to open their mouths anyhow. And there are many of such people, led by the imbecile called Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a daft charlatan and upstart previously supported by the Kufuor system to be what he is but turning round to bite the finger that fed him before the fall of the NPP government.

Friday, May 22, 2015

So, ex-President Kufuor is now a murderer?

Friday, May 22, 2015
Folks, the problems of the NPP are just beginning to simmer and will boil over for us to know everything that we need to know about its main followers, leaders, and financiers. With that knowledge, we can confidently work for the voters to bury them in the grave that they have dug for themselves.
I have already opined that the acid-bathing of Alhaji Mahama might be a well-calculated move to paint Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong black for them to be forcibly divested of their status and kicked out. Those responsible for the dastardly act could be the hirelings of those setting the stage for the coup against Afoko and Agyepong, two party kingpins known to be disinclined toward Akufo-Addo (for whatever reasons best known to them and the NPP cabal itself).

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The NPP is doing better outside Ghana than within Ghana

Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Folks, I will stick my neck out again to comment on happenings in the NPP, damn the personal attacks that its buffs will unleash on me as usual. After all, what haven't I seen or felt before from them anytime I take them on? Phew!!!
We have had enough from the NPP camp to conclude that it is better at projecting its angelic face outside Ghana than it does at home. Charity seems not to be beginning at home for it, given the on-going head-butting and nasty incidents here and there to threaten its ranks and once again portray its flagbearer, Akufo-Addo, as not a unifier.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

And here comes the most ludicrous court case

Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Folks, there is no ambiguity about the provisions of the 19923 Constitution that mandate the President of the Republic of Ghana to appoint the Chair of the Electoral Commission or others to serve there. Neither is there any cause for alarm regarding the constitutional mandate of the President to appoint the public officers needed to run the affairs of state.
So far, the Presidents that have ruled Ghana in this 4th Republic have performed such constitutionally mandated responsibilities without any hubbub. Why should there be any grumbling and complaining, especially in the case of the EC Chair?

Monday, May 18, 2015

The "dumsormuststop" street demonstration should open the government’s eyes

Sunday, May 17, 2015
Folks, those of us who have been bold enough to challenge the government's handling of the energy crisis in the country are relieved that despite all the childishness that characterized the rhetoric preceding the May 16 street demonstration by those angry at the prolonged "Dumsor" albatross and their opponents, the event passed off without any untoward happening.
It is only one in the series of practical actions and negative outbursts by Ghanaians feeling the pinch of the energy crisis and compelled beyond all reasonable doubts to make their voices heard. No matter what happened before, during, or after the May 16 show of anger---or how the bitter criticisms against the "Dumsor" crisis have been received or rebuffed by the government---the street demonstration has sent a clear message that the government has no other option but to respect: that Ghanaians are fed up with its inability to solve the electricity problem and will do whatever they can to register that sentiment.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Why is the United States pampering Iran to its own disadvantage?

Monday, May 11, 2015
Folks, in international politics, the United States is known for taking (in some instances, unilateral) action against countries and systems that it considers to be a threat either to its peculiar interests or to those of its allies. And the US has no friend but permanent interests to defend!
In contemporary times, it doesn't even have to wait for the United Nations mandate in some instances. And its actions are known to be devastating, leaving in their wake wailing, weeping, and gnashing of teeth by the victims. Its military-industrial complex is designed for such purposes, come-what-may. And its military precision ensures massive destruction to bring "recalcitrant" countries/systems to their knees.
How many military actions hasn't the US taken against such countries and systems in living memory? Count them and you should know that when it comes to military might to defend its interests (or the interests of its allies), the US doesn't brook "nonsense" or overlook any threat to such interests. It acts resolutely to prove that its might is right!!

Increasing Electricity Tariffs under “Dumsor” is Insane

Saturday, May 9, 2015
Folks, have you read the news report attributed to Dr. Kwabena Donkor that electricity tariffs will be raised despite the persistence of “Dumsor”? I have, and I am outraged by that intention. Before it become a damaging reality, I want to caution the government against doing anything of the sort.
It shouldn’t push the people to the wall; they can be dangerously resilient in times like these when there is much already happening to set them on edge. (Read the news report here: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=357393   )
Indeed, this “Dumsor” crisis will go down in history as the worst-ever challenge to have rocked the government. How it is going about solving it is irritating. Promises upon promises and declaration of grand designs on paper haven’t helped in any way. Neither have they allayed public concerns, apprehensions, and resentment against the deprivations resulting from the “Dumsor” evil. So, against this negative background, should a social-democratic government go ahead to increase electricity tariffs? No!!!!!

Sunday, May 3, 2015

The Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry is right

Sunday, May 3, 2015
Folks, when I read the news report attributing utterances to President Mahama on the occasion of May Day, I cringed. I wondered what made him go the way he did. The aspects of the utterances that “touched” me were:
i.              the crippling power crisis which has seen electricity consumers enjoy power for 12 hours and endure power cuts for the next 24 hours, is a temporary challenge.
ii.             smart businesses recognize this fact and are therefore “not laying off workers,” but "are rather investing more resources to expand their production in Ghana."
I considered such utterances are overly brusque and needless, especially given the temper of the workers and the inscriptions on placards that they paraded. I wondered why the President would choose to be so audacious at the time, given the fact that the energy crisis has so far harmed national life and that he needed to say something to placate nerves and not burn them all the more. Yet, he said what he said.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

What a useless Parliament Ghana has?

Saturday, May 2, 2015
Folks, we have on several occasions accused our Parliament as the weakest link in the chain of our kind of democracy that exists only as a mere constitutional formality but isn’t worth its name or the sacrifices that the Ghanaian tax payer continues to make for its existence.
In every sense, this kind of Parliament cannot be relied on to inject dynamism into governance or to make the Executive function effectively to solve national problems. It cannot validate itself through effective performance, which is why anytime I hear a Parliamentarian accuse President Mahama and his team of incompetence or mismanagement of national affairs, I feel like biting my tongue and spewing it away.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Buhari for Nigeria doesn’t mean Akufo-Addo for Ghana

Friday, April 24, 2015
Folks, the common saying that "coming events cast their shadows ahead of them" is at play in the affairs of the NPP's Akufo-Addo vis-a-vis the electoral victory chalked by Nigeria's Gen. (rtd.) Mohammadu Buhari.
True to my prediction in an opinion piece just after Buhari had won the Presidential elections, Akufo-Addo is doing exactly what a desperate power-seeker of his kind is expected to do. He is scratching around for anything to hang on to just to keep his political ambitions alive!!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Kwaku Baako whitewashes “CORRUPTION”

Thursday, April 23, 2015
Folks, there is much public talk and concern about how bribery and corruption are entrenched in Ghana, eating the country alive. All manner of public figures (be they the clergy, traditional rulers, politicians, public servants, lawyers, ordinary Ghanaians, or just anybody at all at home and abroad) are complaining that corruption is endemic in Ghana and destroying not only the moral fibre but also the national economy and the country’s image.
Politicians talking about the vice(s) have narrowed everything down to the public sector to suggest that this endemic vice isn’t being eradicated because it is pervasive and propped up by the powers-that-be.

Monday, April 20, 2015

The NPP’s “Concert Party” shows hit the KNUST

Monday, April 20, 2015
Folks, you must have heard reports that a group of “senior lecturers” at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) supporting the NPP have come together to do what they think will boost the NPP’s electoral chances at Election 2016.
Calling themselves “KNUST NPP Frontliners”, the group has the goal of helping the opposition party to offer policy alternatives and ideas to help improve the country’s socio-economic development.
“Our main aim is to organize KNUST NPP faithful who will serve as a think-tank ready to serve the party to win power in 2016 and beyond,” stated Dr. Kwabena Boadu, Chairman of group at the inaugural ceremony.

“Our vision is to be recognized as an elite group of supporters to influence policy direction. Our mission is to serve as an interface between the party and the electorate in explaining party policies and canvassing for votes”.(See: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=355220).

The xenophobic violence in South Africa: A lot more than mere hatred for immigrants

Sunday, April 19, 2015
Folks, news reports about the xenophobic violence against immigrants in South Africa are disturbing. So also are reports that 12 Ghanaians (considered to be Christians) among a group of Africans emigrating to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea had been thrown overboard by their Muslim migrating counterparts to perish just because of “religious differences”.
The happenings in South Africa are particularly troubling for several reasons; and they raise very serious questions:

Sunday, April 12, 2015

On the appointment of Ghana’s Electoral Commissioner: Why is the NPP paranoid?

Monday, April 13, 2015

Folks, let me be brazen to say upfront that elections are won at the polls, not by any manipulation by an Electoral Commissioner, which reduces to absurdity the useless apprehensions being expressed by the NPP leaders regarding the procedures for Election 2016.
The illustrious son of the Brong-Ahafo Region and Ghana, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, has served Ghana with sterling performance and is to retire in June, having chalked the ripe age of 70 years in this wretched, troubled, and sickened world. He has contributed hugely toward Ghana's stability and deserves tons of commendation and appreciation from anybody who knows the checkered history of Ghana.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Our democracy is wobbling on its head… (Part II)

Saturday, March 14, 2015
The situation in Ghana over the years, especially since the emergence of this 4th Republic, has confirmed that this democracy is designed to serve the large interests and self-acquisitive purposes of the wily, slimy politicians and not those whose sweat, labour, and toil generates the wealth to sustain that kind of run-away, reckless politics.
And for the sake of political expediency, anything bothering on ethnicity can be used by such unconscionable politicians to divide ranks. Don't ask me why. Beyond it all are the real problems that are often glossed over just because those paying the piper are doing overtime. Too bad!!

Our democracy is wobbling on its head… (Part I)

Saturday, March 14, 2015
Folks, I am poised to touch raw nerves, having sat back all this while to critically observe and analyze issues pertaining to Ghana's developmental challenges to conclude that the kind of democracy being practised is sham and shameful.
And there is always a fad to drive it in full throttle. Many negative happenings at all levels attest to the fact that this kind of democracy is not designed to solve problems but to compound existing ones, even as it creates new ones to confound Ghanaians and create fertile grounds for those walking the corridors of power to exploit.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

As March 6 approaches, what will Ghanaians genuinely hope to celebrate?

Thursday, January 5, 2015
Folks, much water has passed under the bridge since Ghana emerged from the ashes of the Gold Coast at independence on Thursday, March 6, 1957, with a national identity encapsulated in a national flag,  anthem, and political rhetoric highlighting the entrenchment of the "black man" in positions hitherto occupied by representatives of the British colonial enterprise. As Nkrumah put it, everything had been done to prove that "the black man is capable of managing his own affairs".
Since then, the “black man” has occupied the shell of political office but not proved that what the white colonial masters couldn’t do to improve the lot of his people, he can do. Problems making it difficult for Ghanaians to live their lives have remained insoluble; and they are even being worsened each passing day. Pan in hand, the “black man is chasing the white man around the globe for redemption. Did we come or did we go?
Over the years, much has happened to challenge this political rhetoric of independence. In our contemporary political era (this 4th Republic), the challenges are really life-threatening. They have proved to be insurmountable and are steadily pushing the country toward the precipice of self-destruction. You shouldn’t be surprised at the spate of street demonstrations!!

Monday, March 2, 2015

Is Ghana still a secular state?

Monday, March 2, 2015
Folks, many happenings in our contemporary Ghana leave me wondering whether we really are serious about spending time and resources solving problems to improve living conditions. We seem to have too much time and too little to do and make ourselves idle enough for the devil to give assignments to.
And our leaders are happy that we have all the zeal to do such unproductive assignments, even as they (themselves) do worse assignments but manage to exploit the situation for personal gains. Too pathetic!!
The heads of some second cycle (mostly Christian) institutions have intensified efforts to ensure that students attend church services against their will and religion. Recently, Muslim women were also asked to remove their hijabs before they would be allowed to take passport pictures for their examinations.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

So, nothing refreshing ever comes from Akufo-Addo and his NPP?

Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Folks, the ceremony to celebrate 50 years of Joseph Boakye Danquah (No one who needs any description of him) has turned out to be the usual occasion for anti-Mahama rhetoric by the NPP and its Akufo-Addo as if doing so will endear them to the hearts of the electorate.
Here is how Akufo-Addo's hot-headed but empty rabble-rousing speech is "headlined" by the ever-declining MyJoyOnline: "JB Danquah would want Mahama out of office - Akufo-Addo"
(See more at: http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2015/February-4th/jb-danquah-would-want-mahama-out-of-office-akufo-addo.php#sthash.CJi8tWYN.dpuf)
At the same time, the rusty Professor Mike Ocquaye is claiming that Danquah had anticipated the energy crisis facing Ghana and made plans for it. The claim is that he would have put Ghana in a better shape had he been voted into office.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Is the African Union now waking up?

Saturday, January 31, 2015
Folks, the 24th Ordinary Session of the African Union  (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government currently going on Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has provided two interesting developments worthy of our attention. This year’s session is on the theme “2015: Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development Towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.”
1.      AU Chairman
The Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, was elected head of the continental to replace Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz in the rotational position for one year. (See: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31057151).
2.      Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF)
The African Union backs plans for a West African task force of 7,500 troops to fight Boko Haram militants. Four of Nigeria's neighbours—Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger—have agreed to contribute troops to the task force.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Election 2016 in focus: It is not publicity that Akufo-Addo lacks

Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Folks, I have continued to deride these NPP people for not being politically savvy enough to do productive politics. Their members rush to insult me for daring to question their political jingoism; and I laugh them to scorn.
As I said a few weeks ago, I am working on an opinion piece to explain what exactly lies beneath Akufo-Addo's desperate struggle to become Ghana's President. He has already thrown his weight about to say that he is not in politics to enrich himself or that he is neither corrupt nor corruptible. Hogwash!! Complete nonsense. Which Ghanaian politician will announce his intentions to the electorate and expect to be believed? Thieves, liars, and self-centred abusers of opportunity they all are!!
Does Akufo-Addo even have to declare his rationale for being in politics for us to place him where he rightfully belongs? As the MP for the Abuakwa area for 12 years, how did he perform? And as a Minister in the Kufuor regime, what lasting positive impact did he leave at the two Ministries (Justice/Attorney-General's Department and Foreign Affairs) to warrant his being elevated to the highest office of the land in the hope and expectation that he will uplift standards for the collective good?

These fire outbreaks need decisive action to tackle

Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Folks, I am now more than persuaded that the spate of fire outbreaks at important state (not government) installations cannot be caused by faulty electricity cables, transformers, or air conditioners at offices. My hunch is that there is much instigation behind it to cause  havoc and undermine the government. In truth, then, my position must be clear: that the fire outbreaks are politically motivated.
Those hiding behind such a dastardly act to destroy state property and blame it on the government's incompetence or to create disaffection for the government thereby should bow their heads in shame.
I don't want to point any finger at any particular political camp but the persistent occurrence (recurrence) of these fire outbreaks throughout the country cannot just be happening on the spur of faulty equipment.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Polling Station Guards can’t win the elections for Akufo-Addo

Monday, January 26, 2015
Folks, you must have read the news report that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has inaugurated the DAZOTA youth group to protect all polling stations in the Upper East region during the 2016 general elections.
DAZOTA group secretary, Asukuga Adongo George, told Citi News that the group was formed to avert the occurrence of the alleged widespread irregularities that characterized the 2012 general elections.
He said the group will form an effective and efficient communication force and collaborate with existing youth groups in various constituencies in the region and will also adopt available campaign strategies to help the NPP win the 2016 elections. (See: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=343957)
I laughed out really loud when I read this news report. POLLING STATION GUARDS? What for, when the party would already have had its polling station agents in place? Complicating the situation for nothing? Surely, these NPP people have too much time ( and resources too) and too little to do. The real route to the presidency lies with the electorate. Go to them with good messages to win their minds and hearts, not forming any kind of group at all to display MILITANCY to scare the electorate instead.

This innovative approach toward “energy” generation is what Ghana needs

Sunday, January 25, 2015
Folks, how many of us have not complained about the energy crisis rocking our country, which has assumed so huge a political dimension as to create the unfortunate impression that political opponents of President Mahama are gloating over and gearing up to use against the NDC at Election 2016?
Yes, the energy crisis is disturbing, and the government’s inability to solve it is regrettable; but anybody who narrows it down to conclude that it is a confirmation of the incompetence of the Mahama-led administration will be going too far. No wonder that unrepentant critics of the government such as the NPP-oriented Sydney Casely-Hayford (a so-called financial analyst) are back-pedalling to admit that the “Dumsor… Dumsor” phenomenon is not the making of President Mahama. They will “talk true” under no compulsion.

Is DCOP Kofi Boakye pinching The NPP too much?

Sunday, January 25, 2015
Folks, we know that Ghanaian politicians love operating in darkness, where they scheme to reap where they haven't sown anything. If you doubt it, tell me which single Ghanaian politician can be described as selfless and so public-spirited as to use political power for the good of the citizens.
Operating in the dark to them is the surest way to survive. And they do so with unprecedented alacrity, driven by vindictiveness against anybody they consider as a threat.
We know of situations where public officials perceived as allies of political opponents are persecuted, hounded out of office, and punished in diverse ways. The see-saw situation that has characterized the exchanges between the NDC and NPP administrations that have ruled Ghana in this 4th Republic is dotted with vindictiveness. Don't ask for any elaboration.

Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings is crying out loud, indeed

Saturday, January 24, 2015
Folks, Nana Konadu is in flight. She is all over the place, making all kinds of noise that portray her as “haunted”. Such noises won’t salve her conscience or earn any credit for her husband and her family in any way. What they are is already known and nothing new will come from them to change the equation.
She has said a lot already to throw the searchlight on herself and her husband, not to bring in her parents. Here are some of the major aspects of her utterances:

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Akufo-Addo still doesn't get it!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Folks, the NPP's Akufo-Addo is reported to have said that he has 'ener­gy' and 'commitment' to lead Ghana as president.
"I believe I have the energy; I also have the commitment, and those are the two things that are driving me," the experi­enced politician said on BBC's Democracy Day panel discussion in Lon­don yesterday. (See more at: http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2015/January-21st/i-have-energy-to-floor-mahama-in-2016-akufo-addo.php#sthash.UIGU1WNC.dpuf)
MY COMMENTS
It is not a matter of ENERGY (whatever it means to Akufo-Addo) of COMMITMENT (whatever it means to Akufo-Addo). It is a matter of APPEAL to the electorate, based on how they perceive the candidate bombarding them with calls to be elected into office.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Will this AFRILEAKS venture help solve governance problems in Africa?

Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Folks, when it comes to bold initiatives to break the back of seemingly impenetrable, invincible, and overly self-confident systems, there is no doubt that Julian Assange and his Wikileaks have done a lot to excite interest in "hidden truths", especially what lies in the diplomatic cables (gathered by the United States' covert intelligence operations).
So also have the revelations of Edward Snowden stunned the almighty US and proved to it that, after all, its “fortress” of covert manouevres in intelligence work is nothing but a house of cards. At the poke of finger, it could collapse with damaging consequences.

"Militarizing" the Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict won't solve the fundamental problems

Monday, January 12, 2015
Folks, social unrests in Ghana can be traced to two major factors: chieftaincy and land disputes. We also have conflicts resulting from ethnic or tribal differences. Anything else sparking spontaneous unrests may include politically motivated disputes, breakdown of law and order, or any other spur-of-the-moment or flash-in-the-pan occurrence.
The perennial conflict between the people of Alavanyo and Nkonya, not to mention the Tsito and Awudome one) in the Volta Region has bothered the various governments and people, but no permanent solution has so far emerged to resolve that conflict.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Taking care of personal security at the Presidency

Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Folks, the world today isn't as safe as it used to be, especially with the proliferation of all kinds of terrorist organizations and pockets of malcontents who snatch every opportunity to register and confirm their notoriety. Daily reports of the carnage wreaked on countries by terrorists and such malcontents are alarming.
We in Ghana can congratulate ourselves for not being caught up in such carnage, even if internecine ethnic conflicts—bordering mostly on land and chieftaincy disputes—have endangered limb and property. We are far better than countries that have been ravaged by home-grown terrorists and others operating under the banner of dissatisfied political camps.

This Rev. Owusu Bempah and his doomsday prophecies again?

Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Folks, the madness called “prophecy” is in full flight, so early in this year. The first one came from an Odiyifuo Tawiah barely two weeks ago that we quickly dismissed as obnoxiously opportunistic.
As if not wanting to be overdone, none other but the Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah (Founder and Leader of the Glorious Word Ministry International), has sprung into action, gushing out a string of figments of an infested fertile imagination he labels as “prophecy”. He was speaking on OKAY FM’s Ade Akye Abia programme.

The fault is not within the Electoral Commission, Akufo-Addo and Co.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Folks, I have been wondering why all manner of people and so-called civil society groups, politically motivated ones, and the clergy cannot contribute anything useful to enhance Ghana’s democracy apart from targeting the Electoral Commission and making utterances to suggest that it is the cause of the woes that they alone have perceived as afflicting Ghana’s political system.
Our political developments over the years have attracted attention all over the world, and we have been commended for ensuring political stability and national cohesion, especially since the coming into being of this 4th Republic. No doubt, a lot has gone into creating that impression and proving to the world that despite the acrimony exhibited by malcontents who cannot accomplish their political ambitions, Ghanaians know and value peace, national integrity, and oneness as mechanisms for political stability. Ghana has remained an enviable oasis in the desert of instability, plain carnage, and brimstone and hell in our part of the world.

Monday, January 5, 2015

This “ghost names” problem: Withholding workers’ salaries won’t solve any problem

Sunday, January 4, 2015
Folks, the Controller and Accountant-General's Department is warning workers that if they don't update information on their employment status by a deadline to be given, their salaries will be withheld. According to the Department, the directive is in response to the problem being caused by the huge wage bill that is weighing heavily on the government's management of public funds.
Once again, a directive has been given, aimed at the wrong target. Workers don't employ themselves nor do they impose themselves on institutions in the public sector. They are employed after going through laid-down procedures, meaning that records on their employment status should be available and that anybody not in active service should be known. That is if the proper steps are being taken by the management of the various institutions.