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.

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.

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!!

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…).

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.

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!!! 

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.