Reflecting on my journey through Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), I’ve come to recognize the profound impact that lighthearted memes and casual jokes about mental health can have on those who struggle with such conditions.

While memes often aim to bring levity, they can inadvertently trivialize the severity of mental health issues.

Imagine experiencing a stroke and losing control of your body—similarly, grappling with mental health challenges can feel like navigating a mind beyond your command.

Despite increased awareness about mental illness, there remains a pervasive lack of comprehensive understanding.

My personal journey began in February 2021, when I lost my father, Seidu Osman suddenly. The shock was overwhelming, leaving me unable to comprehend his absence.

Despite a complicated relationship, the reality of being fatherless hit me hard—I mourned the loss of future milestones we’d never share.

As I struggled to cope, I withdrew from social interactions, masking my pain to appear strong for my grieving mother, Mariam Ibrahim.

It wasn’t until I found myself isolated during school vacations that I realized something was amiss. I recognized I wasn’t depressed, but I certainly wasn’t okay.

After researching my symptoms, I discovered I was experiencing PTSD—a condition triggered by traumatic events.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

The condition may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions.

Symptoms may include nightmares or flashbacks, avoidance of situations that bring back the trauma, heightened reactivity to stimuli, anxiety, or depressed mood.

With the support of my sister, Samira Ibrahim who played the role of counselor, I began to navigate the complexities of my mental health.

However, fallout with a childhood friend in August 2022 reignited my struggles, prompting my sister to seek professional help.

Unfortunately, my mother’s lack of understanding made seeing a psychologist challenging.

Undeterred, we took matters into our own hands, seeking alternative methods to manage my symptoms.

Through self-education and guidance from supportive friends, I embarked on a journey of self-medication and coping mechanisms.

Despite the hurdles, my experience underscores the importance of taking PTSD seriously and providing adequate support and treatment to those in need.

There’s a pressing need for society to move beyond superficial awareness and engage in meaningful discussions about mental health disorders like PTSD.

By prioritizing education, de-stigmatization, and access to affordable treatment options, we can create a more supportive environment for individuals living with PTSD.

Reflecting on my experience, I urge readers to contemplate the impact of memes and lighthearted approaches to mental health.

While momentarily soothing, they often fail to acknowledge the severity of our struggles.

Together, let’s foster a culture of understanding and compassion—one where those grappling with mental health challenges can find the support they need to heal and thrive.

Farida Seidu is the writer of this article; she is a national service person with Adomonline.com.

Sometimes, one wonders what lens people are looking through when vice presidential hopeful nominees are being named and no one remembers to bring up the woman who single-handedly changed the face of the NDC in 2020 after their humiliating election results in 2016.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by presidential candidate, President John Mahama and late Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur as Vice, lost the 2016 election by a margin of almost one million votes, the biggest ever recorded in the country’s electoral history.

But following that, apart from the abysmal performance of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Mahamudu Bawumia’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) led government, what could have led to the strong comeback John Mahama made in 2020?

In 2020, Ghanaians were presented with the same NDC they had just voted out a term ago with John Mahama once more as flag-bearer. The campaign messages remained largely unchanged, the only difference this time was Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman and the fresh air of patriotism she breathed into the toxic political landscape, making John Mahama’s ticket more attractive to women and others who otherwise would have never given the NDC the time of day, at least in 2021.

The conversation, therefore about who becomes John Mahama’s running mate in the 2024 elections has since been quite inconsiderate when we take into account the complete “ghosting” of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku, and how she isn’t even considered as someone who should be in the race.

In her stead, several names from the global business magnate have been floated, from Sir Sam Jonah, who has refuted it and outrightly stated he is not interested should he even be offered the slot, to the Former Auditor General, Daniel Domelevo, Former Chief of staff Julius Debrah and now RTD Commissioner of Police Kofi Boakye.

Personal preferences aside, it is objectively distasteful that we as a people would ignore the impact of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku in the 2020 general elections.

One of the events that made significant impact on women voters was “In conversation with Prof. Jane Naana Opoku”. The event assembled apolitical women in business, education, health, etc to meet prof. and to be convinced as to why NDC should be their party of choice in the 2020 elections.

Women groups who would not ordinarily associate with any political party much less the NDC showed up to listen and actively engage and in the end promised to campaign to get John Mahama elected, again.

As a result, women actively campaigned for the NDC off the strength of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku. They were proud to have a woman as running mate to John Mahama who himself has been a big advocate of women’s rights in Ghana. These efforts were evident in the 2020 elections results.

For reference, the 2016 election results for the NDC with John Mahama and Amissah Arthur were 4,771,188 representing 44.53% of the voting populace, while the NPP with Nana Akufo Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia saw 5,755,758 votes, representing 53.72%.

This, at the time, was an outright rejection of the NDC by Ghanaians. But when In 2020, the NDC re-presented the same Presidential candidate and campaign with the only clear difference being their candidate for Vice in Prof. Jane Naana Opoku, the results were staggering. More than just an improvement, the margin was considerably thinner, and a clear indication to all that the NDC was very much still alive.

There were some who were convinced that the 2020 results would be worse than 2016, and yet when the time came, the NDC pulled in 6,213,182 votes compared to NPP’s 6,730,587. For context, while the NPP’s votes may have gone up by 974,829 votes from the previous elections, the NDC’s support had increased by 1,441,994 which is no small feat.

The NPP’s lead of over 900,000 was however, quickly squandered. They would soon throw the country into chaos passing a widely unpopular E-levy bill, tanking the economy & scrambling for an IMF bailout to support an even more unpopular Domestic Debt Exchange programme.

Now, in the heart of a real crisis, the people need the experience of John Mahama to salvage what is left of the economy and the country.

So, if Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang’s partnership has yielded this much benefit to the NDC so far, why would any rational person want anyone else at reins?

In these tumultuous times, VAT is up by 2.5%, there’s a 10% tax on bet winnings, a further threat to add ECG and emissions taxes. The Cedi keeps plummeting against the dollar, and unemployment rate at an all-time high, 2024 calls for real change; A change in government and not a change in who partners John Mahama.

Back in 2020, Prof. proved her mettle then, just as John Mahama has done so often in the past so as to become indispensable to the party today. She is a thoroughly educated, scandal-free woman who represents the best of what Ghana has to offer.

An examination of criticisms against her finds them to be mostly laced with childish sentiments like “she’s not ‘out there” and “she’s not mounting platforms to scream and perhaps insult everyone in the way we’re used to” and “she needs to match Veep Bawumia”. But those sentiments, if followed will only yield more of the same. Because at the end of the day, are we really in the market for “another Bawumia”? Or are we trying to do something different this time? Something better, something useful.

This is our country, these are our lives. We can’t continue to squander it 4 years at a time on articulate con artists, and so called economic gurus whose only legacy is to have taken our exchange rate from 3.8 to 13 cedi to a dollar in record time and launching unnecessary apps and platforms that are not only already available on Google but also useless when the basic infrastructure to support them isn’t even functional.

A woman who has taught thousands of people in academia will not be mounting political platforms to insult opponents in the name of appeasing a base. She stands tall and unblemished, bringing an aura to John Mahama and elevating his image which has until 2020 been badly battered by an avalanche of Propaganda by the NPP.

Changing Prof. now would simply mean the NDC lied to Ghanaians in 2020 when they said they believed in women, when they said they wanted an elevated aura around the presidency.

The NDC going with any other candidate will be a betrayal of Ghanaian women. Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is exactly what the country needs at this time.

A cool head, a voice that can calm nerves; she speaks from her heart, and most importantly, tells Ghanians the TRUTH.

At a time when Ghana is reeling under the economic crisis brought on by the insatiable greed of the Nana Addo & Bawumia Cartel, so corrupt that even corruption crusaders have given up on them. The last thing we need is another Bawumia, a man who a cursory internet search reveals as one of the most prolific liars of modern politics.

It would be a grave mistake to change Professor Jane at this time. She is a proven partner for John Mahama, one who is not in competition with him and is efficient at playing her position and supporting him as needed to get the best results.

She is the perfect embodiment of the Ghanaian old adage ‘awene pa 3nkasa’. We need more Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemangs, not fewer.

Counseling the NDC Council of Elders

Dear Seniors,

I wish to salute you for all your dedication and sacrifices for our party over the years. I read on social media that our flagbearer John Mahama will be meeting with you on March 7, 2024 to discuss his options for running mate.

I am an ordinary party foot soldier who lays no claim to experience and knowledge on matters of our party but I wish to plead with all of you to act in the best interest of our party. You have a responsibility to save our collective future.

Our flagbearer needs your expert guidance on the major decision of running-mate and I am praying that you will rise to the occasion.

I have noticed that supporters of our mummy Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman have taken their campaign for her to be retained to another level in the last few weeks. I even read a news story suggesting that she is already confirmed.

My checks indicate that John Mahama has yet to disclose the list of persons he is considering. I know you are experienced enough to discern the attempt to stampede all of you in the direction of Prof. Naana by a few shameless individuals.

I have nothing against Prof. Naana. She is a wonderful and admirable person whose profile makes me feel proud to be a foot soldier of our party. But the more I think about her as our running mate, the more I wonder whether our interest as a party is in staying in power for long or only interested in the remaining one term of John Mahama.

We have before us an opportunity to choose a running-mate with a succession plan in mind, and I doubt very much if at 76 years of age now, Prof Naana can carry us forward after John Mahama.

I have also observed that several major newspapers including Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times have all placed Prof. Naana on their front pages showcasing her as the chosen running-mate. I don’t believe Prof. Naana is behind such recklessness.

She would not do such a thing. Those behind the publications have attacked the reputation of our Council of Elders who are yet to know who John Mahama has in mind.

Creating the impression in the press that the Council of Elders has received a list from John Mahama is erroneous and dangerous for the future of the NDC.

I feel scandalized by the publications because I am convinced that the publications are intended to scandalize you the members of our Council of Elders.

Never in the history of our party has a purported running-mate been confirmed before the meeting of the Council of Elders; never in the history of our party have few individuals hidden behind their access to resources to hijack the duties of the legitimate structures of the party; and never in the history of our party has the party itself been disrespected as we are witnessing now.

But I know that you the members of the Council of Elders are all knowledgeable and noble statesmen and women with tremendous experience. I pray that you rise above any special interests and give us the rank and file, a younger firebrand running-mate upon whose shoulders our long-term fortunes as a party will rest.

Your reputation and credibility are under attack and if you succumb to the mafia tactics and political machinations being deployed, the young people in our party will not forgive you.

Close to 70% of our voting population is in the youth cohort. Most of them are disillusioned by what appears to be deliberate mismanagement of our economy by power holders.

Most of them want someone they can relate to, someone who shares their frustrations and can inspire them to an optimistic future. Our youth wish you to choose a running-mate that reflects their worldview and aspirations. Let’s not disappoint them to disappoint ourselves.

Even from my less vantage point, I know that many well-meaning Ghanaians across diverse backgrounds in our society have expressed interest in seeing the NDC choose a younger running mate.

In it all, let us be careful not to dent the hard-won reputation of the good Professor, whose calm nature is very assuring and disarming.

The decision is ultimately John Mahama’s but trust me, people in his circle have been playing all manner of games to shift any future blame to the party and especially you the Council of Elders. We the foot soldiers demand you see through the veil and avoid the traps. Finally, whatever names are submitted to you, please demand a thorough intelligence report to ensure your reputations are not sacrificed.

My elders, please be reminded that John Mahama was a beneficiary of wise decisions by Professor Mills, so he cannot act in a manner inconsistent with the strategy that paved his way to the presidency.

Let’s not make the vice presidency a stepping stone into political oblivion. This requires that the decision for a running mate must be guided first and foremost by a deliberate succession strategy.

In effect, the decision is for John Mahama to choose who he can best work with, as much as, it is about the state in which he wishes to leave our party when he completes his tenure in office.

Please forgive a poor ordinary foot soldier for trying to counsel a whole council of elders, but I write this piece for two reasons.

First to save the integrity of our Council of Elders as well as the party, and second to call out the faceless people who think they can hide behind the media to throw dust into the eyes of the unsuspecting public.

It is not everyone in the public that is unsuspecting, some of us are quite alive to all the scheming and machinations. We shall speak openly if pushed to the wall.

But be rest assured that I shall return in the coming days.

The Worried NDC Foot Soldier

Introduction:

Globally renowned for its professionalism and integrity, KPMG is a world class auditing firm, which is also one of the top four accounting firms. Nonetheless, there are a number of issues with the firm’s decision to accept an engagement to conduct a special audit of a supposedly contentious contract between SML and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). Some of the criticisms have come from IMANI-Ghana, ACEP, and the Fourth Estate (supported by MFWA). Some of the main arguments against KPMG’s decision to accept the Government of Ghana’s request to conduct the special audit include:

1. the difficulty to complete the assignment within the stipulated time period,
2. the independence of KPMG considering the fact that it has accepted multiple public sector engagements, and
3. the inadequate terms of reference in the contract or narrow scope of assignment.

Audit assignment completion deadlines

It has been argued that the deadlines established for finishing the audit present additional challenges to KPMG for the special audit assignment. Thus, with the complexity of the contract and the need for close examination, the two weeks allotted to KPMG are not sufficient to conduct a comprehensive audit. However, we find this argument untenable because KPMG is a globally recognised audit firm with a large pool of the crème de la crème audit professionals ready to execute the assignment within the allotted time period, timeously and professionally. Again, if after the expiration of the time period and the assignment has not been completed, KPMG could negotiate with government for an extension of time to enable KPMG to carry out an exhaustive audit without sacrificing the content of their output.

Independence challenges

In Ghana, think tanks such as IMANI-Ghana and ACEP have expressed concerns about the possible impact on KPMG’s independence with their acceptance of this special audit engagement. They maintain that the Ghanaian government has given KPMG multiple public sector contracts, which might lead to a conflict of interest. Therefore, accepting this special audit engagement might make it more difficult for KPMG to evaluate the GRA-SML contract objectively.

Again, we find this argument weak. Professionally, in order to preserve their independence in accepting this special audit engagement, KPMG needs to make sure that sufficient safeguards are in place. This entails assigning an independent team to carry out the special audit that is unrelated to their other agreements with the Ghanaian government. When these safeguards are in place, then KPMG is absolved from arguments of independence.

Terms of reference for the special audit engagement

Another area of concern levelled against KPMG’s acceptance of the special audit engagement is the contract’s terms of reference. The argument continues that crucial topics like the procurement procedure, which are necessary to assess the contract’s validity, are left out of the contract. Hence, KPMG might not be able to carry out an exhaustive audit that covers all pertinent facets of the GRA-SML contract without a comprehensive scope. When this happens, it could result in erroneous or incomplete conclusions drawn by KPMG, which would damage the audit’s credibility.

The crux of the matter regarding terms of reference for an audit engagement lies with the assignor of the contract. KPMG has the right to accept the special audit engagement. However, in order to incorporate important aspects and expand the audit scope like the procurement process in the audit’s terms of reference, KPMG and the assignor of the contract should collaborate. Again, KPMG could propose to the assignor/President to expand the scope of the special audit based on the preliminary audit findings. This would make it possible for KPMG to carry out a more thorough audit that covers every pertinent facet of the contract.

Summary

In conclusion, KPMG in Ghana has legally and professionally accept the special audit engagement considering its tract record of public sector audit engagements. The potential impact on their independence, the inadequacy of the contract’s terms of reference, and the challenging two week timelines set for completion are all significant concerns that were taken into consideration before the acceptance of the engagement. In this case KPMG prioritised once again integrity and professionalism in their decision-making process to uphold their reputation as a trusted audit firm.

Written by Prof Samuel Antwi

Dean of School of Graduate Studies

University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA)

The recent reshuffle of the Majority Caucus leadership in Parliament has caused some apprehension within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and among segments of the public.

The apprehension resulted from how the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was ‘removed’ from office.

The reshuffle of the Majority leadership was necessitated by the recent ministerial nominations made by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo where the First Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Lydia Seyram Alhassan,  was nominated for ministerial appointment. Consequently, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) felt the need to consider a substantial change to the party’s leadership in Parliament and not just to fill Ms Alhassan’s position.

New Standing Orders 

Traditionally, the party’s NEC makes such decisions and communicates its decision through the party’s General Secretary to the Speaker of Parliament. This corresponds with the party’s constitution and the old Parliamentary Standing Orders. However, with effect from this year (2024), a new Standing Order has been adopted that empowers the Majority and Minority Caucuses to make such decisions in consultation with their parties to strengthen Parliament and promote democracy. This was because the old arrangement was not democratic — it gave the parties’ leadership outside Parliament to impose leadership on their parliamentary caucuses. 

Thus, consistent with the existing conventions, the NPP leadership outside Parliament carried out a reshuffle and gave the Majority Leader’s position to his deputy,  Alexander Afenyo-Markin. This was done at a time when the former was outside the country. The media rumoured this and the NPP Majority Caucus in Parliament held a press conference on February 20, 2024, to dismiss the rumours. At the press conference, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu emphasised that the caucus had no plans to change their leadership – they had confidence in their leaders, therefore, the rumour should be disregarded.

Later, the party’s leadership outside Parliament and some members of the parliamentary caucus met at the Presidency and it was there that the Majority Leader ‘voluntarily’ resigned to pave the way for peace and unity within the party. This was because his removal was causing disquiet within the party. As he puts it, in my absence from the country, certain issues had been raised to which I have been connected. I do not want to be in the eye of the storm. Nothing should be done that would cause catastrophic consequences. That is why I am stressing peace and unity. It must be recalled that the minority leadership outside Parliament had made similar changes in the recent past to remove the Minority Leader that precipitated demonstrations in Tamale South, the then Minority Leader’s constituency. Going forward, political parties should follow the new Standing Order in selecting and altering their parliamentary caucuses to protect Ghana’s democracy.

Executive powers

Given that the reshuffle of the NPP’s parliamentary leadership was triggered by the First Deputy Majority Whip’s nomination for ministerial appointment, it reignites the debate about the extensive powers of the President vis-à-vis Parliament. The 1992 Constitution requires that the President appoints most of his ministers from Parliament. This makes Parliament subservient to the President and allows the President to ‘encroach’ on Parliament and ‘twist’ its hands to get what he wants. A President who is very calculative can cause much harm to Parliament. As Ghana is considering constitutional review, this must be addressed to protect Parliament’s independence. Scrapping the position of the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs would also safeguard Parliament’s independence because that office extends the President’s hands into Parliament and asserts the President’s authority over Parliament. 

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s removal also shows how we treat people who have distinguished themselves in public service. The way he was ‘dispensed with’ is very questionable and is demotivating to people who aspire to be like him. This could have been handled better if the NPP were to take a cue from our traditional political arrangement where incoming leaders ‘sit on the laps’ of outgoing leaders to gain experience and receive their blessings. This would have spared us the tension and discomfort that Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s removal has caused. The party could have also engaged in extensive consultations before the reshuffle. The new Majority Leader, Mr Afenyo-Markin and the immediate past Majority Leader, Mr  Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu are great men, it is just unfortunate how the transition was executed.

Representation 

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s removal and the issues that followed also raise the issue of representation and accountability. The question is who are Members of Parliament (MPs) accountable to? Are they accountable to their political parties on whose ticket they contest elections, to their constituents who voted for them or both? If MPs want to protect their career, they should be more accountable to their constituents. This is because we have MPs who lost their party primaries and gone ahead to win the election as independents. For this reason, MPs should be accountable to their parties to promote party discipline but their ultimate loyalty should be to the people they represent. 

The writer is a Political Scientist. 

In the past years, crowding funding in Ghana’s creative arts industry has become prevalent as players are seen or heard raising funds for their illnesses or to solve one issue or another.

It is very sad to note that some of these people who brought smiles to many homes years ago have been reduced to nothing and most at time subjected to public ridicule.

It breaks heart that some of them have become charity cases and depend on public funds for survival until there are no more.

The transition always come as a surprise, considering the extravagant lifestyle some of them paint to the public to create the impression that the industry is glamorous.

Though their lifestyle may be mere pomp and pageantry, there is always definitely an exception.

This discussion brings to mind late Psalm Adjeteyfio of Taxi Driver fame, popularly known as T.T, who is 2022 made headlines after purportedly begging for leftovers.

In September 2021, he revealed he was unable to raise money to pay for his rent and appealed for support.

Scores of donations poured in from philanthropists, including a notable gesture from Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, who presented him with ¢50,000.

Ayawaso Central Member of Parliament (MP), Henry Quartey also committed a monthly ¢1,500 out of his parliamentary salary to ensure his well-being.

However, the once celebrated actor was tagged a notorious beggar after he continuously run to the public with his problems.

Unfortunately, he passed on April 8, 2022.

Aside from him, other veteran actors including William Addo popularly known as Akpatse, late Kofi Laing aka Kohwe who died on September 16, 2021, Adwoa Pee, Funny Face, Emmanuel Armah, Okomfo Kwadee just to mention a few have publicly appealed for support.

Kohwe stated it is important for the public to care for the plight of old actors who through their gift brought laughter and eased tension in many homes.

He noted what they did cannot be quantified, considering the positive impacts it brought in many homes and the country as a whole.

The late actor revealed some of his colleagues died as paupers because there was no assistance from anywhere.

For him, in their days, the movie industry was not rewarding in monetary terms, and it was against that backdrop, those in the helm of affairs must care about their plight in old age.

He said it was unfortunate that when they are in need, they are left to their fate, adding they must be shown love while alive and not when dead.

As if these pleas for support from the veteran actors are not enough, Ghanaians were taken aback in January 2024 about Moesha’s predicament.

Although Moesha is an actress, she became popular through social media and popular after her interview with CNN’s Christine Amanpour went viral.

Her brother, Ebito Boduong announced she had a suffered stroke and the condition has affected her ability to move and talk.

Ebito therefore requested that the public assists him to foot bills $10,000 (GH₵ 123,600) incurred as a result of Moesha’s sickness.

The announcement was met with mixed reactions as her colleagues and other well-meaning individuals heeded to the call.

Some netizens questioned how the actress who once lived a lavish lifestyle and could not now cater for her medical needs.

This piece is not to ridicule anybody but the big question is, did they forget to invest for the future at the prime of their career and therefore had to beg to survive?

Fortunately, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has taken a significant step by expanding its basic social security scheme to include self-employed individuals, including our industry players who were previously not mandated by law to participate in the program.

But have they even heard of this new initiative to consider signing unto it?

This new initiative, known as the Self-Employed Enrolment Drive (SEED), aligns with SSNIT’s mission to extend pension coverage to all workers, including those who work for themselves.

Not only does the SSNIT SEED provide retirement benefits, but members are entitled to invalidity pensions, survival lump sums, emigration benefits, disability support, and free access to National Health Insurance Scheme.

All this contribution helps beneficiaries to secure a life and with this, the SSNIT SEED creates the opportunity for our celebrities to insure their future and career.

In the face of any unlikely event, they would not come begging their followers and the general public for support.

It is better for them to take advantage of this initiative and make the best they can out of it.

Happy new month (March 2024)!

And special greetings from the NDC Elections and IT Directorate.

In this open letter, I deploy definite statements and questions to draw the attention of Ghanaians, the Electoral Commission itself, the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) and all stakeholders, including development partners to the immutable truth that, the EC is behind schedule regarding preparations towards elections 2024.

I wish to remind the Electoral Commission that the calendar of activities to guide the December 07 presidential and parliamentary elections this year is still not available to political parties and major stakeholders.

Quite disappointing!

Why has the EC not published the calendar of activities (Timetable) to guide our programmes?

Note that there are many issues to be addressed ahead of the December 07 elections, such as:

• Addressing major discrepancies in the Voters’ Register.

• When the Commission intends to conduct the Limited Voters Registration Exercise to register new voters.

• The projected (nationally & regionally) registrable voter population for the 2024 Limited Registration Exercise.

• How the Limited Voters Registration Exercise will be conducted – Is it going to be electoral area-based or district office-based as it happened in 2023? (District office-based registration should not be repeated as it leads to voter suppression).

• What is the state of the EC’s Data Center and Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits and Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs)? Are we going to experience the avoidable and frequent breakdown of the devices as occurred during the 2023 Limited registration exercise?

• Does the EC intend to procure additional BVR Kits and BVDs?

• Does the Commission intend to introduce new laws (Constitutional Instruments) or administrative and other operational reforms for Election 2024?

• If yes, what are those laws and reforms?

• How does the Electoral Commission intend to comply with the ECOWAS Protocol on Good Governance and Democracy, that directs Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of ECOWAS Member States not to introduce major laws or reforms six (6) months prior to General Elections… Today is March 2024, with eight (clear months to December 2024.)

Madam Jean Mensah, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, in this friendly conversation in the interest of Ghana’s democracy, I further wish to advise the Electoral Commission as follows:

• The Commission must not make the Ghana card the sole identifier for voter registration in 2024 because well over 60% of registrants used the Guarantor System to register just a year ago in 2023. This shows that Ghanacard and passports are still not available to many a Ghanaians.

Finally, let me ask:

• Will the Commission create additional polling stations for Election 2024?

• If yes, how many polling stations does the Commission intend to create, and what is the operational and demographic basis for creating those additional polling stations?

Furthermore, is the Commission genuinely committed to the people of Santrokofi, Akpalu, Likpe and Lolobi (SALL) voting on December 07, 2024 as a Constituency? This cannot be compromised!

Time is limited…

Therefore, the Electoral Commission must immediately sit up and release the calendar of activities (Timetable) to guide the December 07, 2024 elections.

Thank you.

Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah

Director of Elections and IT, NDC &

Medical Doctor and Health Policy Planning and Financing Analyst.

I liked the confidence with which President Nana Addo told us that his government has paid billions in coupons to bondholders.

He also compared economic data not with the opposition NDC’s tenure, but during his own tenure, when all the macro economic numbers reached astromically dizzying heights of 54% inflation, nearly 40 % lending rate and innumerable killer taxes, to what certainly does look like a respite now with inflation around 23%, although taxes have increased in number and value with the highest unemployment rate in a generation with 75 % of Ghanaians financially stressed ( Old Mutual study).

The president and his government deserve no praise in both scenarios. The government supervised debt exchange program occasioned the suspension of coupon payments with most debts restructured amidst wicked financial haircuts. If you deliberately kill your mother and later make a billion dollar contribution towards her funeral, you don’t deserve praise but outright indignation and opprobrium.

In offering rare praise, however, l have to say I do agree with the President’s verdict on the new Agric Minister, Hon. Byrne Acheampong for his dedication and focus on fixing the challenges with the Planting for Food and Jobs. I hope his interventions further reduce food inflation drastically.

Something else caught my attention for rare praise. It was this statement, “
Mr Speaker, Government, through the National Film Authority, is committed to supporting the production of world class content and films, as well as increasing the cinema infrastructure in Ghana and, by extension, on the continent. To this end, a favourable fiscal (tax) regime for cinema projects, including income tax and VAT incentives, import duty exemptions on film production equipment, twenty percent (20%) tax rebate for strategic film productions and film financing reliefs, is being elaborated by Cabinet, which should be out-doored very soon, and should provide another tangible reason for the choice of Ghana as a film production country”

Good tax policy if implemented right, in addition to a general low cost of production. This shouldn’t lead to the National Film Authority circumventing and abusing the Tax Exemptions Act as we have seen the government do in the 2024 budget with suspicious tax exemptions totaling 12.5bn cedis while everyone gets harrased for 11bn cedis in additional taxes.

This undoubtedly will make our film making industry finally come close to what our brothers in Nigeria are enjoying, for which most of their productions are simply fantastically produced and truly world class, like the latest Netflix produced political drama series I watched a few hours ago- “War: Wrath and Revenge”. Everyone must see the series – with not your usual Naija stars. But the cast, in Mofe Duncan, Rahama Sadau, Yakubu Mohammed, Patrick Doyle, Ayoola Ayolola, Ifeanyi Kalu, Theresa Edem, Bikiya Graham Douglas, Daniel Okosun, Maikudi “Cashman”, Mickey Odeh and Sophia Muhammed, are just amazing!!

Franklin Cudjoe,
Lolobi-Kumasi Kumasi
SALL ‘Republic’

In politics, promises are the currency of hope. Politicians often make pledges to their constituents, outlining ambitious visions and bold agendas aimed at addressing societal challenges and improving the lives of citizens.

Yet, despite their best intentions, the journey from campaign rhetoric to tangible results is fraught with complexities and obstacles.

Invariably, no politician can fulfill all their promises, and the inability to do so does not necessarily equate to deceit.

Across the globe, from democracies to autocracies, leaders face a myriad of constraints that hinder their ability to fully realise their campaign commitments.

Economic downturns, geopolitical upheavals, bureaucratic inertia, and unforeseen crises are just a few of the factors that can derail even the most well-conceived plans.

Moreover, the intricacies of governance often reveal nuances and trade-offs that were not apparent during the campaign trail.

Take, for example, the case of Kwame Nkrumah, the visionary leader who spearheaded Ghana’s independence movement and served as its first Prime Minister and President. Nkrumah’s tenure was marked by grand promises of economic prosperity, social equality, and pan-African unity. While he achieved some notable successes, such as infrastructure development and advocacy for decolonisation, there were also glaring gaps between his rhetoric and reality.

Nkrumah’s failure to fully realise his promises was not solely due to a lack of sincerity or effort on his part. Rather, it was a consequence of the formidable challenges inherent in governance. Economic constraints, internal dissent, and external pressures from former colonial powers all played a role in shaping the trajectory of his presidency. Additionally, Nkrumah’s own leadership style, characterised by centralisation of power and suppression of dissent, exacerbated divisions within the Ghanaian society.

However, the case of Nkrumah is not unique. Throughout history, leaders from diverse ideological backgrounds and political systems have grappled with the limitations of power and the unpredictability of governance. From democratically elected presidents to authoritarian rulers, the gap between promise and reality is a recurring theme.

A comprehensive study of manifestos of various political parties in Ghana since 1992 has revealed a striking pattern: not a single party has fulfilled all their promises. This empirical evidence underscores the inherent challenges of governance and the gap between political rhetoric and actual outcomes. Despite the best efforts of politicians and policymakers, the complex realities of governance often defy simplistic solutions and require nuanced approaches.

Recognising the inherent complexities of governance is crucial for fostering a more nuanced understanding of political leadership. While holding leaders accountable for their promises is essential, it is equally important to acknowledge the constraints they face and the imperfect nature of policymaking. Moreover, the ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances is a hallmark of effective leadership.

Ultimately, the gap between political promises and outcomes underscores the need for humility and pragmatism in politics. No politician is infallible, and no agenda is immune to the realities of the world.

By embracing a spirit of collaboration, dialogue, and compromise, leaders can navigate the complexities of governance more effectively and work towards building a better future for all.

“Money is not sinful or evil. The kingdom of God needs it desperately! Making money is what I do best but it must be made for God’s glory and not mine.

As a Christian entrepreneur, my company relies on prayer and inward confirmation by the Holy Spirit before making any decision. I believe God is interested in my business if my business is His business.” ~Robert Norman Edmiston, Evangelical British Billionaire

Remember how we defined a Financial Evangelist as someone who dedicates their resources to furthering the gospel? Today, we embark on a journey through scripture, encountering real-life examples of individuals who embodied this powerful principle.

Prepare to be inspired by these remarkable figures who leveraged their financial means to amplify God’s kingdom. We’ll dive deep into their stories, uncovering the motivations, strategies, and impactful outcomes of their financial evangelism.

Ready to discover heroes of faith who put their money where their heart was? Let’s begin!

Financial Evangelist 1: King David David, a true financial evangelist, wholeheartedly invested his resources and himself into the cause of the kingdom.

He spared no effort, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to God’s purpose. His dedication was such that he willingly presented the best portion of his possessions to the Almighty.

On that particular day, Gad approached David, relaying the divine command to erect an altar to the Lord upon the threshing floor owned by Araunah the Jebusite. True to Gad’s instructions and in alignment with God’s will, David ascended the hill.

As Araunah spotted the approach of the king and his entourage, he came forward, bowing before the king with profound respect.

He inquired, “Why has your majesty, the king, come to his servant?” David’s response was clear, “To procure your threshing floor and construct an altar to the Lord, in order to avert the pestilence from the people.”

Araunah’s generous offer included oxen for a burnt offering, along with threshing sledges and yokes for the oxen, even offering the land itself. However, David emphatically refused, declaring, “No, I will purchase them from you at their full value.

I will not present to the Lord my God offerings that have cost me nothing.” And so, David acquired the threshing floor and the oxen, paying fifty silver shekels.

He then proceeded to erect an altar to the Lord, offering burnt sacrifices and peace offerings. Consequently, the Lord heeded David’s prayers, leading to the cessation of the plague upon Israel. ~2 Samuel 24:18-25

This passage unfolds after David had undertaken a census of Israel, an action that displeased God. In response, a devastating plague afflicted the nation.

Following considerable harm caused by the plague, the prophet Gad directed David to construct an altar on Araunah the Jebusite’s threshing floor, a site for making offerings and seeking divine forgiveness.

Despite Araunah’s offer to provide the land and materials without cost, David insisted on purchasing them, underscoring his belief that authentic sacrifices demand personal sacrifice.

David’s purchase of the land, subsequent altar construction, and offering of sacrifices ultimately led to God’s intervention, halting the plague.

This narrative stands as a poignant reminder of the significance of sincere and sacrificial worship. It underscores the principle that genuine devotion entails personal investment and dedication.

Furthermore, David’s monumental contributions to the construction of the temple further exemplify his fervent commitment to God’s dwelling place.

He not only directed others to contribute, but also dedicated vast quantities of gold, silver, brass, iron, timber, and stone to the house of the Lord.

His words to Solomon, his successor, encapsulate his dedication,

“Now, in the midst of my difficulties, I have readied for the house of the LORD one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, along with an abundance of brass and iron—weightless.

Additionally, I have prepared timber and stone, and you may add to it as needed. Skilled craftsmen, hewers of stone and timber, and artisans of every kind are at your disposal. The gold, silver, brass, and iron are beyond measure. Therefore, rise and act, with the LORD’s presence guiding you.” (1 Chronicles 22:14-16, KJV).

Financial Evangelist 2: King Solomon Solomon, deeply influenced by his father King David, embraced the art of giving wholeheartedly.

He channeled substantial financial resources into the construction of the temple, distinguishing himself as an exemplary supporter of God’s kingdom in the Old Testament.

Interestingly, Solomon’s generous giving prompted a remarkable encounter with God. He beseeched, “Grant me wisdom and knowledge, that I may govern this great people of Yours.” God’s response was both revealing and profound, acknowledging Solomon’s unselfish heart.

God commended Solomon for not seeking material riches, wealth, honor, or the downfall of his enemies. Instead, Solomon’s request for wisdom and knowledge to guide his role as a just ruler over God’s people resonated deeply. In light of this, God granted Solomon not only wisdom and knowledge, but also unparalleled riches, wealth, and honor—unequaled by any previous or subsequent kings.

The narrative further unfolds in I Kings 3: 5 to 7, shedding light on Solomon’s reverence and devotion. He placed the bronze altar crafted by Bezalel, son of Uri, before the Lord’s tabernacle.

At this sacred location, Solomon and the assembly sought divine communion. In a profound act of worship, Solomon ascended to the bronze altar and presented a thousand burnt offerings upon it.

It was on this transformative night that God materialized before Solomon, extending a momentous invitation: “Ask! What shall I give you?”

Solomon stood as an exemplar of a premier financial evangelist, unhesitatingly dedicating all resources at his disposal to advance the kingdom’s cause. His desire to magnify the splendor of God’s dwelling was evident, as he pursued the beautification of God’s house with unwavering commitment.

Financial Evangelist 3: St. Joseph of Arimathea According to all four Gospels, Joseph of Arimathea was a discreet follower of Jesus, quietly embracing his teachings. In an act of profound reverence, he personally interred Jesus’ body within his own tomb.

Notably, Mark 15:43 and Luke 23:50’s reference to him as a “member of the council” suggests his affiliation with the esteemed Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.

This virtuous and affluent man, occupying a significant position, demonstrated courage by securing Pontius Pilate’s authorization to retrieve Jesus’ body. Mark 15:43 cites his motivation as eagerly anticipating the arrival of the kingdom of God.

Joseph’s intent was twofold: to avert the defilement of Jewish law, which prohibited a crucified body from remaining on the cross overnight, and to grant Jesus an honorable burial.

An intriguing mid-13th-century narrative insertion recounts Joseph’s journey to Glastonbury in England, a place where he is revered as the patron saint. In this account, attributed to St. Philip the Apostle, Joseph led a group of 12 missionaries dispatched to Glastonbury.

Matthew 28:57-61, in the New King James Version, provides a vivid depiction of Joseph’s devoted act. This passage emphasizes Joseph’s meticulous care, as he personally wrapped Jesus’ body in a clean linen cloth and placed it within a newly carved tomb hewn from rock.

Subsequently, he sealed the entrance with a sizable stone. Notably, the presence of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary near the tomb underscores the solemnity of the occasion.

The narrative highlights Joseph of Arimathea’s extensive commitment to according Jesus a dignified burial. This serves as a poignant reminder of the lengths to which believers should be willing to go in propagating the gospel across the globe today.

Just as Joseph’s sacrificial actions ensured a fitting farewell for Jesus, modern believers must also exhibit a readiness to invest in spreading the message of Christ to all corners of the world.

Financial Evangelist 4: Mary Magdalene She stands recognized as a vital benefactor in the early ministry of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her name resonates prominently within Luke 8:1-3:

“As He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.”

In this passage, these women undertook the role of supporting Jesus and the Twelve. This indicates their affluence and respectability, portraying a glimpse into the commendable role prosperous women fulfilled during that era.

It is plausible that this attribution reflects the influence of prosperous women in later years, harkening back to the time of Jesus.

But who was she? From the New Testament, a portrait emerges of Mary of Magdala, hailing from a village along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, as a prominent figure drawn to Jesus. Amidst the hour of mortal peril, when his male companions faltered, Mary of Magdala remained steadfast by his side, even through the agonies of the Crucifixion.

Witness to the tomb and recipient of the initial resurrection appearance of Jesus, she was the first to herald the “Good News” of this miraculous event. These assertions in the Gospels provide some of the limited insights into Mary Magdalene’s role.

Additional writings from the early Christian epoch suggest that in the years following Jesus’ passing, her standing as an “apostle” rivaled even that of Peter.

This elevated status sprang from the profound intimacy she shared with Jesus, with some accounts alluding to a physical dimension that included acts of affection.

From these early Christian records, spanning the first to the third centuries, the framework was crafted, culminating in a portrayal of St. Mary Magdalene. One critical element that looms large in her legend—that she was a penitent prostitute—seems largely erroneous.

This misconception has shaped the dual narrative of her legacy, both as a means of undermining human sexuality and subduing the empowerment of women.

Financial Evangelist 5: Lady Joanna

Lady Joanna stands as yet another remarkable and affluent woman who channeled her financial resources to propel the cause of God’s kingdom forward. As the wife of Chuza, the esteemed chief steward in the court of Herod, she harnessed her position and financial prowess to bolster the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Joanna’s benevolent contributions were pivotal; without her compassionate support, the ministry of Jesus might have encountered substantial financial challenges.

May the divine grace bring forth more such individuals to uplift and fortify the church!

Wikipedia details Joanna’s profound impact:

“Joanna, a woman mentioned in the Gospels, experienced healing by Jesus and later emerged as a dedicated supporter of him and his disciples during their journeys. She is one of the women chronicled in the Gospel of Luke who accompanied Jesus and the twelve apostles, bearing witness to the miraculous resurrection of Jesus. Joanna was united in matrimony to Chuza, entrusted with managing the household of Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, in his capacity as steward.

As it unfolded, Jesus journeyed through cities and villages, proclaiming the uplifting message of the kingdom of God. Alongside the twelve apostles, a group of women who had been liberated from malevolent spirits and infirmities by Jesus’ grace journeyed with Him as well.

This company included Mary, also known as Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been cast out, as well as JOANNA, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward. Susanna and numerous others were also part of this assembly, wholeheartedly providing sustenance for Jesus from their personal resources.”

Indeed, the narrative of Lady Joanna underscores her pivotal role in ensuring the continuation of Jesus’ mission. As a steadfast benefactor and witness to the miraculous, her influence exemplifies the profound impact of using wealth for a higher purpose.

Financial Evangelist 6: Lady Susanna Susanna emerges as a significant figure among the women who contributed financially to Jesus’ ministry, as documented in Luke 8:1-3. There is speculation that she might have been the spouse of Joseph of Arimathea, a prosperous trader in tin who possessed a fleet of ships and harbored a concealed devotion to Jesus Christ.

The scriptural account in Luke 8:1-3 paints a vivid picture:

“In due course, as Jesus traversed every city and village, proclaiming the joyful tidings of the kingdom of God, the twelve apostles accompanied Him. Also, in their midst were certain women who had been liberated from malevolent spirits and afflictions. Among them was Mary, known as Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been expelled. Another was Joanna, the wife of Chuza, a steward in Herod’s service. Additionally, there was Susanna, along with numerous others, who extended their support by contributing from their own resources.”

This depiction highlights Susanna’s active participation in nurturing Jesus’ mission through her financial contributions. Moreover, intriguing speculation revolves around her potential connection to Joseph of Arimathea, a prosperous merchant renowned for his ownership of an extensive fleet of ships.

He is noted as a secret disciple of Jesus. This association adds depth to Susanna’s role, suggesting a network of committed supporters working in harmony to advance Jesus’ cause.

Financial Evangelist 7: Lady Lydia Lydia, a pioneering European convert and a shrewd businesswoman, dealt in the luxurious trade of purple fabrics, items of remarkable value during that era. Originally hailing from Thyatira, she had established herself in Philippi, where her path converged with that of Paul during his second missionary journey.

Her specialty in purple cloth, closely associated with Thyatira’s renown as a hub for the indigo trade, hints at her expertise and trade connections. While the Bible does not explicitly verify her membership in the dyers’ guild, inscriptions discovered among Thyatira’s ruins hint at such a possibility.

Embarking from Troas, we navigated a direct route to Samothrace and proceeded to Neapolis, eventually reaching Philippi—the preeminent city in that Macedonian region. In this city, we lingered for a span, and on the Sabbath, we ventured to the riverside, where the customary place of prayer was situated. Seated amidst a gathering of women, we engaged in dialogue.

During this encounter, a woman named Lydia, hailing from Thyatira and known for her trade in purple, intently absorbed our words. She was devout, a worshiper of God, and in a remarkable turn of events, the Lord unlocked her heart, rendering her receptive to Paul’s teachings.

This profound transformation led to her baptism, alongside her household. Filled with gratitude, she implored us, proclaiming, “If you consider me faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” Her heartfelt persuasion resonated with us, and we accepted her gracious invitation.

Lydia’s exceptional success as an entrepreneur is evident through her ownership of not only a residence in Philippi, where she conducted business, but quite possibly another in her hometown Thyatira, modern-day Turkey.

Remarkably, she opened her dwelling to accommodate missionaries, which ultimately resulted in her own salvation. Her passion for both business and ministry became intertwined as she fervently urged Paul to take lodging under her roof during his ministry journey.

This narrative serves as a compelling testament to Lydia’s multi-faceted character—a savvy merchant, a devout believer, and a generous host. Her story continues to inspire, showcasing how her entrepreneurial acumen and fervent faith intersected to contribute significantly to the spread of Christianity.

Financial Evangelist 8: Priscilla and Aquilla Priscilla and her husband Aquila encountered the Apostle Paul during his visit to Corinth around 50 C.E. This trio would go on to forge an unbreakable camaraderie, embark on shared journeys, and collaborate in ministry.

However, our story begins nearly a year earlier, in 49 C.E., when Emperor Claudius, as documented by Suetonius, expelled all Jews who followed “Chrestus” (likely a misrepresentation of “Christ”) from Rome.

Among those exiled were Aquila and Priscilla, who resettled in Corinth and established a thriving leather goods business (Acts 18:2). By the time Paul crossed paths with them, they were already fervent disciples of Jesus.

Subsequently, they accompanied Paul to Ephesus, staying on to provide unwavering support to the burgeoning congregation. While in Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila offered precise guidance to the eloquent preacher Apollos, particularly regarding the gospel’s teachings on baptism (Acts 18:26). After Claudius’ decree was overturned, they returned to Rome (Rom 16:3-4).

Priscilla and Aquila are explicitly mentioned six times in the New Testament, consistently acknowledged as a united pair (Acts 18:2-3; Acts 18-19; Acts 26; Rom 16:3-5; 1Cor 16:19; 2Tim 4:19).

They held influential positions within the fledgling churches and commanded profound respect. Their collaborative partnership serves as an exemplary model of early church ministry (see Rom 16:7; 1Cor 9:5).

Paul designates them as his “partners” in spreading the gospel, praising their willingness to face adversity on his behalf (Rom 16:3-4), and noting twice that congregations gathered in their homes (Rom 16:5; 1Cor 16:19).

This dynamic duo also excelled as entrepreneurs within the early church marketplace. Priscilla, a savvy businesswoman, displayed a deep understanding of spiritual matters. She actively contributed to fortifying Paul’s ministry.

Historical records indicate that Priscilla held a prominent position, as evident in Acts 16:26; 18:18; Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:9. Aquila, whose Latin name signifies “eagle,” embarked on a journey from Pontus, his homeland in northern Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) near the Black Sea, to Rome.

He practiced the trade of tentmaking, a skill often pursued by emancipated slaves, analogous to Paul, a Roman citizen by birth, who also engaged in such labour.

About The Authors:

Nelson Semanu Boandoh-Korkor is a distinguished figure, renowned as an Author, Publishing Consultant, Christian Business Coach, and an enthusiastic Financial Evangelist. Nelson is also a proficient forex trader, cryptocurrency investor, and metaverse enthusiast.

Elizabeth Boandoh-Korkor (CA) is an accomplished Chartered Accountant with extensive experience as a Financial Management Consultant, accumulating nearly two decades of expertise in both the not-for-profit and banking sectors.

For inquiries, you can reach out to them via email at nelsonmbnbooks@gmail.com.

To maximise the effectiveness of your prayer, it is important to consider what prayer truly is. I have accepted the truth about prayer as being a means by which one sends spiritual energy i.e. from the person praying to the object of the prayer, e.g. a person or a situation.

This was taught by Dr George King who was a Master of Yoga. Spiritual energy is sent through prayer from the person praying to the subject of the prayer to bring a positive change to the person or the situation. So for instance if you are praying for a sick friend, you are sending spiritual energy to that person to help bring healing to the person. And if it is a situation like disaster by flood or earthquake etc, spiritual energy goes to help the victims and help bring normalcy to the situation.

So when we pray, we visualize tapping into this universal life force in the form of a brilliant white light from the ethers above you and through the palms of your hands towards the focus of your prayer.

If it is a person, you visualize the brilliant white light surround this person. If it is to a disaster area, you still visualize the universal life force in the form of this brilliant white light going to this area. This will hopefully bring a change for the better to this person or this area.

Other factors that also affect the effectiveness of prayer are the power of your visualization, the strength of your concentration and karma, among others. So your Karma and the Karma of who you pray for has an effect also on the results

It is also important to consider the best mudra to use while we pray. The best mudra is with palms open and arms up and by your side, roughly parallel to your shoulders. This would enable the energy to flow freely through your palms towards the object of your prayer.

Before delving into the art of effective prayer, it is crucial to ponder upon what exactly we should be praying for while some may assert that the answer is straightforward – “Pray for whatever I desire!” – such a perspective is in actuality highly misguided.

As the wise may remind us, “You can get what you want, but do you want what you get?” This highlights the importance of not blindly praying for our immediate, materialistic cravings, as these desires may well not always align with our ultimate well-being.

True spiritual growth and the resulting happiness do not arise from satisfying our worldly desires. Instead, they spring forth when we train ourselves to focus on spiritual aspirations, elevating our basic desires into something nobler – a purer manifestation of love.

Indeed, this journey is far from easy.

Erring in the physical realm is one thing, but misusing the subtle forces of nature through prayer is an entirely different matter. This can lead to what is often termed as dark or negative magic – harnessing the sea of mental energy for harmful purposes.

Here are some categories of prayers to steer clear of:

1. Self-centered or materialistic prayers, like praying for great personal wealth and luxury to flaunt before others.

2. Prayers that infringe upon someone else’s free will, such as praying for someone to develop romantic feelings for you, or to change the person’s mind to give you favours, do your bidding, or to conform to your beliefs entirely.

3. Prayers that wish harm upon others. While some may be evident, like not praying for someone’s suffering, there are subtler forms of such negative prayers. For instance, it may be ethically wrong to pray for personal victory if it means someone more deserving will lose out.

Conversely, positive prayers encompass:

1. Praying for global peace and freedom.

2. Praying for those dedicated to spiritual work, such as authentic spiritual teachers, genuine spiritual healers, aid workers, and individuals in similar roles.

3. Praying for the victims of catastrophes.

4. Praying for spiritual healing or inspiration, whether for oneself or others.

5. Praying for something genuinely necessary to attain a spiritual objective. For instance, if you operate a hospital and require funds to keep it running, this can be a legitimate use of prayer, driven by the intent to aid others.

Regardless of whether prayers are good or bad, they all tap into the same universal life force. The crucial factor is the intention behind the prayer, the emotions that fuel it, determining whether it constitutes positive

magic, negative magic, or falls somewhere in between. For the betterment of ourselves and others, it is vital to maintain the utmost purity in our prayers.

To ensure your prayers never inadvertently take a negative turn, it is advisable to request that your desires materialize only if they align with the Divine Will – meaning what ultimately serves the best interests of all life.

When channeling energy for a cause like world peace and freedom, refrain from praying for specific alterations in someone’s beliefs. Instead, pray for them to be inspired to embark on an inner journey, to discover the courage to heed the counsel of their Higher Selves – their Divine Nature. Your prayer energy can empower them to make the right choices, liberating them from constraints and allowing their spiritual motivations to shine through.

Enough with theory; it is time to offer a prayer.

Why not begin with one of the finest examples?

‘The New Lord’s Prayer’ is a beloved and exemplary instance of positive spiritual magic that comes highly recommended:

THE NEW LORD’S PRAYER

Oh Divine and Wondrous Spirit!

Oh Everlasting Lord of Hosts!

Send forth, now, through me

Thy great and lasting Power.

Allow me, oh mighty God, the lasting privilege,

Of radiating to all the world Thy great Love,

So that those who suffer may be given the

Power and energy to rise above their weaknesses.

Oh mighty God, in great humility do I ask you

To send forth Your Power.

To give to me this great lasting privilege,

Of being a channel so that my suffering brothers

May be helped and guided and healed and lifted into Thy Light.

So that they who know not may look up,

And in doing so, receive through their Higher Selves,

Your Divine Counsel.

Oh mighty God, this day have you granted me a Divine privilege.

I ask you, now, to give to me the strength,

So that never again will I turn from my inner vision of you;

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

In praise of your Greatness, oh God, doth my Soul sing.

Grant it energy to sing on

Forever and forever.

Channeled by the Master Jesus through Dr George King in 1961.

(Copyright is retained by The Aetherius Society)

Now let me share with you this magical spiritual formula of success for praying effectively.

In the realm of King Yoga, we believe that the spiritual path is not about merely hoping for random miracles from God, but about our capacity to create miracles ourselves – for God.

Prayer, in the context of King Yoga, departs from the conventional request for Divine favour. Instead, it embraces the yogic practice of radiating spiritual energy.

Now below in detail, you will discover a straightforward technique, as taught by the Master of Yoga Dr. George King (1919-1997), that anyone can employ to channel energy to those in need Follow these steps to experience it for yourself:

1. Commence by either standing or sitting serenely, ensuring your back maintains a comfortably straight posture. Take unhurried, deep breaths, gently closing your eyes. Then, raise your hands so that they align roughly with the tops of your shoulders, with palms facing forward.

2. Envision a radiant white light descending from above, entering your head, and suffusing every cell within your brain with its vibrant vitality. Guide this luminous energy downward, traversing your neck and shoulders, and continuing through your chest until it reaches your heart chakra, positioned a few inches in front of your breastbone. Fill this chakra with the brilliance of the white light.

3. Proceed to visualize the light descending from your shoulders through your arms, ultimately streaming into your hands.

4. Now, direct this revitalizing energy outward, generating a stream of spiritual healing white light emanating from your palms and heart chakra. At this juncture, you are ready to say your prayer, typically spoken aloud.

You can steer this energy towards your selected recipient, whether it be an individual in need of healing or a troubled region. Envision the person or area not in their present state but as they have the potential to be— radiating spiritual happiness and well-being.

5. Upon concluding your prayer, finalize the practice by brushing your right hand over your left, moving it away from your body. This act serves as a symbolic seal for the energy and signifies the completion of the exercise.

Even without explicit mention of the Divine Source, this technique retains its potency. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended to request the assistance of the Divine Source, or whatever name you prefer, to empower your prayer.

It is a commendable custom to wrap up your prayer with expressions of gratitude to this Divine Source.

Gratitude functions as a positive affirmation of the prayer’s potency and aids in detaching from the process, shielding against doubts that may disrupt the energy you have radiated.

The outcomes of your prayer hinge on the quantity and quality of the energy sent out through you. A solitary prayer won’t instantaneously usher in world peace on its own. Nevertheless, every prayer contributes – and if a sufficient number of individuals pray consistently, earnestly, and skilfully – the world will undergo a remarkable transformation for the better.

May Almighty God bless you all!

This article was written by Rev. Kwame Asare of The Aetherius Society in Ghana. Rev. Asare will be presenting lectures on various topics. Watch out for the adverts.

This article is inspired by the book Prayer Energy – how to channel the power of the universe by award- winning international bestselling author Richard Lawrence with Mark Bennett

Policy think tank, IMANI Africa has thrown its support behind the National Democratic Congress (NDC) bid to investigate the contentious Agyapa deal.

IMANI Vice President, Bright Simons alleges that if the deal is allowed to proceed, it will serve as a conduit for corruption.

Speaking on Newsfile, he expressed agreement with those who have criticised the arrangement, stating that the NDC’s determination to probe the deal and hold accountable those involved is commendable.

He is also seeking clarity on the government’s stance regarding the future of the controversial deal.

This follows revelations that the government expended $12 million on the suspended royalties deal, which ultimately did not materialise.

Watch his full presentation on Newsfile below:

Hajj is a major pillar as far as Islam is concerned. Being the fifth pillar, we are encouraged to embark on Hajj when we are of age, sound mind and financially fit.

I have yet to see in any of the good books of Islam that encourage the use of some “other means” to perform Hajj.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) issues visas to prospective pilgrims during the Hajj period. This is usually done, in the case of Ghana, through the Pilgrims Affairs of Ghana (PAOG), known as the Hajj Board. Aside from the Hajj Visa, the KSA issues other visas which include Student visas, Business visas, Employment visas, Tourist visas and many other visas.

The Umra and tourist visas are mostly acquired through accredited agents recognized by the KSA Embassy here in Ghana. Some of them are the International Air Transport Association, IATA Certified.

The KSA authorities have made it categorically clear to both residents and non-residents, that no visa issued by their embassy, aside from the Hajj visa, can be used to perform Hajj.

They place so much importance on this directive to the extent that even Saudi residents will require a Hajj permit (at a fee) before they are given the chance to perform Hajj.

In some cases, the resident pilgrims are charged more than foreign pilgrims for Hajj permits, depending on the number of times the person performs Hajj in five years.

The only foreigners who can enter the Kingdom without visas are the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) citizens. KSA is part of the GCC though. Even with that privilege, they are required to obtain a Hajj permit to be allowed to perform Hajj.

With this, it means it is illegal to perform Hajj with another visa or permit which is not a Hajj visa or Hajj permit. The Kingdom warned that “anyone caught transporting people without a permit for Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia is subject to six months imprisonment and a fine of up to $13,332 (SAR 50,000).” In Ghana cedis, that will be around Ghc164,983.50.

The fine is multiplied depending on the number of “illegal” pilgrims transported. The vehicles in which the pilgrims are transported may be confiscated. In the case of expatriate offenders, they will be deported and banned from entering the kingdom.

Every year, the KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umra gives every country a quota for Hajj. This means the country is allocated the number of pilgrims they can send for the pilgrimage.

Ghana is hovering around a quota of a little over 6000 except for the year 2022, where Ghana was given 3069, due to the covid-19 protocols set by the KSA Hajj and Umra Ministry.

All these precautions are being taken so that both local and foreign pilgrims will have a smooth pilgrimage throughout the Hajj season. It will therefore be very suicidal for an individual or a group of people to embark on Hajj with a tourist visa, Umra Visa or any other visa.

Aside from the fact that they may be made to face the law, if caught, they might be performing an “illegal” Hajj on the part of Islam (if only they succeed in performing the Hajj).

The KSA, like any other country, will not deny anybody a tourist visa, provided the person is qualified or eligible. Tourism gives the KSA so much capital. Unless there is a major issue, the Embassy will not deny anybody a tourist visa. The Saudi tourist visa is also the only visa that is issued throughout the year, unlike the Umra, which is not issued during the Hajj season.

The unfortunate thing is that, when one intends to perform Hajj with a tourist visa, they will have to be in Saudi Arabia (at least a month) before Hajj. Either they will travel during Ramadan or right after Eid-al-Fitr. Imagine the cost of living till that time. And if one is caught too, everything goes to waste. During that time, one may fall ill, one may fall into any form of trouble, or even one may die. How can such situations be handled?

Last year, it was revealed that some individuals and some groups of people succeeded in performing Hajj with either tourist visas or Umra visas from Ghana. The story would have been different if they were caught.

However, the worrying issue today is that, this year too, there is another revelation that some individuals in Ghana are or have applied for tourist visas to use for the 2024 Hajj.

This is to appeal to all Ghanaian Muslims who intend to perform Hajj this year, to try as much as they can, to do so, using the legal channel – paying the right Hajj fare to the accredited Hajj agents, who will process the travel documents, through the Hajj Board or deal directly with the Hajj Board.

If they succeed in performing such a Hajj, it means the paid-up pilgrims will be burdened at their camps in Mina and Arafat. Because there will be pressure on the amenities budgeted or allocated for the paid-up pilgrims from Ghana. If they are caught, it may also be a dent in the image of Ghana as far as the Hajj organisation is concerned.

The Ghana Hajj Board may not tolerate or accept any “illegal” pilgrim in and around where the Ghanaian pilgrims will be residing, especially at Mina and Makkah. This is because they are also dealing with a quota or numbers they traveled with. They will not risk keeping more than the number they have on their list. Especially on accommodation, feeding, transportation, etc.

All pilgrims with Hajj visas wear wristbands that have QR scan codes on them for easy identification by the Saudi Police or the authorities. It would be suicidal to be walking or sleeping around Mina without those wristbands. Security is always on the lookout in Mina for pilgrims without identity wristbands because at that time, only pilgrims are supposed to be staying in Mina.

When arrested without identity as a pilgrim, offenders will be made the face the law. So there will not be the need to be walking around with fear, when you should be worshipping Allah with peace of mind.

Information has it that prospective pilgrims resort to this “illegal” channel of performing Hajj because it costs less. It takes a maximum of Ghc35,000.00 to go to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj using a tourist visa.

The officially announced Hajj fare for the 2024 Hajj is Ghc75,000.00 or $6,250.00, according to the Hajj Board. This means that they save an amount of Ghc40,000.00 or two people can perform Hajj with the Ghc75,000.00 with a balance of Ghc5,000.00.

The cost of the 2024 Hajj fare may be the major reason that prospective pilgrims resort to the use of tourist visas to perform the (illegal) Hajj. It is believed that when the Hajj fare by the Hajj Board is reviewed downwards, it may help curb the use of unapproved channels to perform Hajj.

When people continue to use this “cheap” way to perform Hajj, it means that the approved quota for Ghana (6,300) will not be met for two years. If the trend continues, it may influence a review of the quota for Ghana in subsequent years by the KSA Hajj and Umra authorities. Who knows, there may come a time when we (Ghana) need an upward adjustment of the quota and will be denied, based on our record of “low patronage”.

Prospective pilgrims should make sure to pay their money to the Ghana Hajj Board or any of the 43 accredited Hajj Agents across Ghana and take receipts.

May Allah grant every Muslim the means to perform Hajj legally.

Stonebwoy steals spotlight at Island Music Conference in Jamaica

Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, a man of many talents and unwavering dedication, has left an indelible mark on the political landscape of Ghana.

His journey began in 1997 when he entered Parliament at the age of 40, becoming the third youngest MP on the NPP side.

Despite not being initially appointed as a Spokesperson or Deputy Spokesperson, he worked his way up and earned the position of co-deputy spokesperson for Youth and Sports and Works and Housing, the only person to have been so recognized. He was also a strong voice on Lands and Forestry matters.

A non-lawyer back-bencher of the Caucus, he single-handedly wrote the Caucus’ Constitution/Rules which came to guide the conduct of the NPP members in Parliament.

He was so preoccupied with the success of the Parliamentary party that he was often assisting the then Minority Leader, the venerable J. H. Mensah. In recognition of that fact, J. H. Mensah appointed him as the Secretary to the NPP group in Parliament.

In recognition of his versatility, the then Speaker of Parliament nominated him to accompany him on several trips including a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) International Conference in New Zealand.

Indeed, in the 1997-2000 group, he was the face of Youth and Sports even though Mustapha Iddriss was the spokesperson; he was the face of Forestry matters even though Agyare Koi-Larbi was the spokesperson on Lands and Forestry; he was the face of Works and Housing even though Kwamena Bartels was the spokesperson.

In 2001 when the NPP won the Presidential and general elections, most people expected him to be named as the Minister for Youth and Sports, it went to Mallam Issah.

In the meantime, Kwamena Bartels, the then newly appointed Minister for Works and Housing was also strongly lobbying for him to be made his Deputy Minister. None of these happened under President Kufour.

At the beginning of 2001, that is the commencement of the 3rd Parliament of the 4th Republic, the Party, in consultation with the Parliamentary Leader, J. H. Mensah, appointed him as Deputy Majority Whip.

He rose to the position of Chief Whip after Abraham Ossei Aidoo moved from Chief Whip to Deputy Majority Leader under Hon. Felix Owusu Adjapong.

When Felix in 2007 announced his intention to contest for the Presidential Candidate of the NPP, he had to leave his position as Majority Leader. Ossei Aidooh replaced Felix Owusu Adjapong as the Majority Leader and Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu moved up to become the Deputy Majority Leader.

As the Deputy Whip, Chief Whip and Deputy Leader, all the Majority Leaders – J. H. Mensah, Papa Owusu Ankomah, Felix Owusu Adjapong and Ossei Aidooh all attest to the fact that Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was the one person who worked tirelessly to cover their backs.

Unsurprisingly, when the NPP lost power in 2008 and a new Parliament was ushered in, the NPP MPs in one accord, united behind him and had the party appoint him as the Minority Leader even though some elderly colleagues had been strenuously lobbying to be appointed as Minority Leader.

For the eight years Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu served as the Minority Leader, he distinguished himself and positioned the party as a credible alternative administration.

His advocacy was not propaganda but thorough, well-researched and very intellectual but at the same time, down-to-earth presentations.

His Leadership style was inclusive and unblemished, and that explains why when a group of the MPs resorted to subterfuge to change the Leader in 2013, their attempt was snuffed out by the larger group in Parliament working together with the central party under Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, aka, ‘’Sir John’’.

In the lead-up to the 2016 Presidential and General elections, the party suffered severe turbulence. It was as if the elected officers had positioned themselves against the victory of Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo, the hope of the vast majority of the party members.

It took the effort of the then Minority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the then Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Prof. Mike Oquaye to rescue the party by causing and facilitating the holding of the Presidential Primaries which yet again resulted in the victory of Nana Akufo Addo.

If there was one group in the NPP which worked tirelessly, consistently and unrelentingly towards the victory of the NPP in the 2016 elections, it certainly was the NPP Minority Caucus under the Leadership of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu through their activities in Parliament, the various information platforms including press conferences, lectures, symposia, television and radio interviews as well as other political engagements such as demonstrations.

Many of the Ministers, especially during the first chapter of the Nana Akufo Addo administration, before the advent of COVID-19, sponsored many revolutionary bills. The anchor person who smithed these Bills that Parliament passed is no other person than Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

Even in Minority in Parliament, he was the lead person in polishing bills that the government brought to Parliament for passage. The Attorneys-General in the NDC government all attest to this, and that is right from the time of Dr. Obed Asamoah. To Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, this is service to God and country.

In terms of parliamentary practice, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu knows something about every subject matter, be it education, local government, agriculture, health, works, housing, finance, energy, trade, industry, sports, forestry, you name it.

Indeed, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu serves as the loom for the party, and it is the reason why every morning, the various radio and television stations want to hear his views on literally every subject matter.

He has been the most principled and stoic defender of the cause of the party and government, in government and in opposition, which arguably no one else has done before. It is the reason why social communicators, especially, the uninitiated always target him for insults, not for any intellectual engagement, of course.

In all these matters which others would sprint away from or shield themselves, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has remained unperturbed, often quoting former Prime Minister Busia that, ‘’to become a successful politician in Africa one must have a large stomach to take in all manner of stuff, the good and the bad’’.

The contribution of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to our democracy is in the area of governance and that is where he stands tall.

In terms of complementarity, the attributes of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu cannot be matched by anyone in Parliament now.

In the near-hung parliament, the diplomatic skills of the Majority Leader who leads a skin-of-the-teeth Majority Caucus, are admirable.

He is very intentional in bringing the emboldened Minority Caucus who have a sympathetic Speaker to cushion them, on board of major issues.

He is a tough nut when he needs to be, especially when he picks his points on issues relating to the constitution, various enactments, the practices and conventions of the House, and above all, the Standing Orders, gliding his way through suppositions, perceptions and plain farce. That is why the MPs see him as peerless.

The versatility of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu became manifest when in the absence of a Finance Minister, (because en Ofori-Atta who had been nominated by the President had not been vetted and approved by Parliament and following the Constitution, the Finance Ministry did not yet have a Deputy Minister) he was authorised by the President to present the Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the year 2021. Parliament and the entire nation gave him a standing ovation for an impeccable delivery.

The Majority Leader and Leader of the House that Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has been for the past seven years, he has been a father, big brother and uncle to many of the MPs from both sides of the political divide.

It is why on any typical working day, his office experiences a constant stream of NPP and NDC members visiting for various reasons. The Majority Leader has patience for all of them. That is how harmony is kept in the House of Parliament.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has been used to harmonise relationships between MPs (on both sides) and MMDCEs as well as Regional Ministers. That is why the rancorous and acrimonious relationship that had existed between MPs, MMDCEs and Regional Minsters is gradually easing off.

The unifier that Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is, the Technical Committee that exists at the Ministry to input into bills is made up of both NPP and NDC members and the Nation is benefitting from that vehicle.

The Consultative Committee that has been put together by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs comprises all shades of political opinion and is working assiduously to holistically review the Constitution.

At the international level, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu rose to become the President of the Africa Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC). He served for two consecutive two-year terms, having first been elected in Kampala, Uganda and, for the Second term, in Ndjamena, Chad by his peers.

At the global level, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was elected as the Vice President of the Canada-based Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption. He served for a total period of 4-years as such and only recused himself when he was appointed a minister in the Nana Akufo Addo-led government in 2021.

Within the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) which is the world assembly of parliaments, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu gained the admiration of his associates when he got elected to chair one of the only four committees at the IPU, representing Africa.

Within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, he has for more than 15 years been an Executive member for the African Regional chapter.

Within CPA International, he has been an Executive Committee member for four years culminating in his election to serve as Acting Vice Chairman for two years and substantive Vice Chairman for an additional year.

Even though a non-lawyer, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was charged with the responsibility of reviewing the constitutions of APNAC and GOPAC which amendments were subsequently unanimously approved by the respective plenary of the two associations.

In reviewing the constitutions of both CPA, Africa Region and CPA International, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has played crucial roles.

Charity, it is said, begins at home. It is worthy to note that Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has played a very pivotal role in reviewing the Standing Orders of Parliament which the House may soon adopt and implement.

Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was the first to identify Dr Bawumia as the successor to President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo. He was the first to step out and to stick his neck out for him. That attracted punches from the then potential aspirants including, in particular, Boakye Agyarko. Many chose to remain in their shells.

Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was the one who mooted the idea about three years ago that the party should build consensus on a Bawumia-Alan ticket (he was not thinking of himself). Nana Akomea was later to retail the idea. He was also lampooned. If people who matter in the party had taken the matter up!

Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, a man of many talents and unwavering dedication, has left an indelible mark on the political landscape of Ghana. His journey began in 1997 when he entered Parliament at the age of 40, becoming the third youngest MP on the NPP side.

Despite not being initially appointed as a Spokesperson or Deputy Spokesperson, he worked his way up and earned the position of co-deputy spokesperson for Youth and Sports and Works and Housing, the only person to have been so recognized. He was also a strong voice on Lands and Forestry matters.

A non-lawyer back-bencher of the Caucus, he single-handedly wrote the Caucus’ Constitution/Rules which came to guide the conduct of the NPP members in Parliament. He was so preoccupied with the success of the Parliamentary party that he was often assisting the then Minority Leader, the venerable J. H. Mensah. In recognition of that fact, J. H. Mensah appointed him as the Secretary to the NPP group in Parliament.

In recognition of his versatility, the then Speaker of Parliament nominated him to accompany him on several trips including a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) International Conference in New Zealand. Indeed, in the 1997-2000 group, he was the face of Youth and Sports even though Mustapha Iddriss was the spokesperson; he was the face of Forestry matters even though Agyare Koi-Larbi was the spokesperson on Lands and Forestry; he was the face of Works and Housing even though Kwamena Bartels was the spokesperson.

In 2001 when the NPP won the Presidential and general elections, most people expected him to be named as the Minister for Youth and Sports, it went to Mallam Issah. In the meantime, Kwamena Bartels, the then newly appointed Minister for Works and Housing was also strongly lobbying for him to be made his Deputy Minister. None of these happened under President Kufour.

At the beginning of 2001, that is the commencement of the 3rd Parliament of the 4th Republic, the Party, in consultation with the Parliamentary Leader, J. H. Mensah, appointed him as Deputy Majority Whip. He rose to the position of Chief Whip after Abraham Ossei Aidoo moved from Chief Whip to Deputy Majority Leader under Hon. Felix Owusu Adjapong.

When Felix in 2007 announced his intention to contest for the Presidential Candidate of the NPP, he had to leave his position as Majority Leader. Ossei Aidooh replaced Felix Owusu Adjapong as the Majority Leader and Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu moved up to become the Deputy Majority Leader.

As the Deputy Whip, Chief Whip and Deputy Leader, all the Majority Leaders – J. H. Mensah, Papa Owusu Ankomah, Felix Owusu Adjapong and Ossei Aidooh all attest to the fact that Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was the one person who worked tirelessly to cover their backs.

Unsurprisingly, when the NPP lost power in 2008 and a new Parliament was ushered in, the NPP MPs in one accord, united behind him and had the party appoint him as the Minority Leader even though some elderly colleagues had been strenuously lobbying to be appointed as Minority Leader.

For the eight years Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu served as the Minority Leader, he distinguished himself and positioned the party as a credible alternative administration. His advocacy was not propaganda but thorough, well-researched and very intellectual but at the same time, down-to-earth presentations.

His Leadership style was inclusive and unblemished, and that explains why when a group of the MPs resorted to subterfuge to change the Leader in 2013, their attempt was snuffed out by the larger group in Parliament working together with the central party under Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, aka, ‘’Sir John’’.

In the lead-up to the 2016 Presidential and General elections, the party suffered severe turbulence. It was as if the elected officers had positioned themselves against the victory of Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo, the hope of the vast majority of the party members. It took the effort of the then Minority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the then Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Prof. Mike Oquaye to rescue the party by causing and facilitating the holding of the Presidential Primaries which yet again resulted in the victory of Nana Akufo Addo.

If there was one group in the NPP which worked tirelessly, consistently and unrelentingly towards the victory of the NPP in the 2016 elections, it certainly was the NPP Minority Caucus under the Leadership of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu through their activities in Parliament, the various information platforms including press conferences, lectures, symposia, television and radio interviews as well as other political engagements such as demonstrations.

Many of the Ministers, especially during the first chapter of the Nana Akufo Addo administration, before the advent of COVID-19, sponsored many revolutionary bills. The anchor person who smithed these Bills that Parliament passed is no other person than Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

Even in Minority in Parliament, he was the lead person in polishing bills that the government brought to Parliament for passage. The Attorneys-General in the NDC government all attest to this, and that is right from the time of Dr. Obed Asamoah. To Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, this is service to God and country.

In terms of parliamentary practice, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu knows something about every subject matter, be it education, local government, agriculture, health, works, housing, finance, energy, trade, industry, sports, forestry, you name it. Indeed, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu serves as the loom for the party, and it is the reason why every morning, the various radio and television stations want to hear his views on literally every subject matter.

He has been the most principled and stoic defender of the cause of the party and government, in government and in opposition, which arguably no one else has done before. It is the reason why social communicators, especially, the uninitiated always target him for insults, not for any intellectual engagement, of course. In all these matters which others would sprint away from or shield themselves, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has remained unperturbed, often quoting former Prime Minister Busia that, ‘’to become a successful politician in Africa one must have a large stomach to take in all manner of stuff, the good and the bad’’.

The contribution of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to our democracy is in the area of governance and that is where he stands tall. In terms of complementarity, the attributes of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu cannot be matched by anyone in Parliament now.

In the near-hung parliament, the diplomatic skills of the Majority Leader who leads a skin-of-the-teeth Majority Caucus, are admirable. He is very intentional in bringing the emboldened Minority Caucus who have a sympathetic Speaker to cushion them, on board of major issues.

He is a tough nut when he needs to be, especially when he picks his points on issues relating to the constitution, various enactments, the practices and conventions of the House, and above all, the Standing Orders, gliding his way through suppositions, perceptions and plain farce. That is why the MPs see him as peerless.

The versatility of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu became manifest when in the absence of a Finance Minister, (because en Ofori-Atta who had been nominated by the President had not been vetted and approved by Parliament and following the Constitution, the Finance Ministry did not yet have a Deputy Minister) he was authorised by the President to present the Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the year 2021. Parliament and the entire nation gave him a standing ovation for an impeccable delivery.

The Majority Leader and Leader of the House that Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has been for the past seven years, he has been a father, big brother and uncle to many of the MPs from both sides of the political divide. It is why on any typical working day, his office experiences a constant stream of NPP and NDC members visiting for various reasons. The Majority Leader has patience for all of them. That is how harmony is kept in the House of Parliament.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has been used to harmonise relationships between MPs (on both sides) and MMDCEs as well as Regional Ministers. That is why the rancorous and acrimonious relationship that had existed between MPs, MMDCEs and Regional Minsters is gradually easing off.

The unifier that Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is, the Technical Committee that exists at the Ministry to input into bills is made up of both NPP and NDC members and the Nation is benefitting from that vehicle.

The Consultative Committee that has been put together by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs comprises all shades of political opinion and is working assiduously to holistically review the Constitution.

At the international level, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu rose to become the President of the Africa Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC). He served for two consecutive two-year terms, having first been elected in Kampala, Uganda and, for the Second term, in Ndjamena, Chad by his peers.

At the global level, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was elected as the Vice President of the Canada-based Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption. He served for a total period of 4-years as such and only recused himself when he was appointed a minister in the Nana Akufo Addo-led government in 2021.

Within the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) which is the world assembly of parliaments, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu gained the admiration of his associates when he got elected to chair one of the only four committees at the IPU, representing Africa.

Within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, he has for more than 15 years been an Executive member for the African Regional chapter.

Within CPA International, he has been an Executive Committee member for four years culminating in his election to serve as Acting Vice Chairman for two years and substantive Vice Chairman for an additional year.

Even though a non-lawyer, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was charged with the responsibility of reviewing the constitutions of APNAC and GOPAC which amendments were subsequently unanimously approved by the respective plenary of the two associations.

In reviewing the constitutions of both CPA, Africa Region and CPA International, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has played crucial roles.

Charity, it is said, begins at home. It is worthy to note that Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has played a very pivotal role in reviewing the Standing Orders of Parliament which the House may soon adopt and implement.

Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was the first to identify Dr Bawumia as the successor to President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo. He was the first to step out and to stick his neck out for him. That attracted punches from the then potential aspirants including, in particular, Boakye Agyarko. Many chose to remain in their shells.

Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was the one who mooted the idea about three years ago that the party should build consensus on a Bawumia-Alan ticket (he was not thinking of himself). Nana Akomea was later to retail the idea. He was also lampooned. If people who matter in the party had taken the matter up!

Ghana’s political dynamics and the affirmative action: The position of Dr…

The unveiling of the national campaign team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 general elections has sparked a debate surrounding the stance of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s flagbearer, on gender equality.

Officially announced on 19th February, 2024, the NPP introduced a team of thirty-nine strategically selected members tasked with overseeing the party’s bid to secure Ghana’s political power for the third consecutive term.

Noteworthily, only two members, approximately five percent, are females, namely: Rev. Joyce Aryee and Hon. Akosua Frema Osei Opare, the current and exceptional Chief of Staff at the presidency.

This position of both Dr. Bawumia and party leadership conspicuously contradicts the NPP’s commitment to fully establish the affirmative action policy, especially in shaping the socio-economic landscape of Ghana.

It affirms that the anticipation of a female running mate for the NPP is excluded from the equation and the considerations of the flagbearer.

In a world where the female population is estimated at 49.6%, according to the World Bank’s Gender Data Portal, there is a growing global emphasis on actively involving women in decision-making at the highest levels of society.

To exemplify, the United States of America, a global superpower, currently has a female Vice President, Kamala Harris.

Similarly, countries such as Argentina, Bulgaria, Spain, Switzerland, and the Philippines also have female leaders in the international arena.

In Africa, female Vice Presidents outstandingly hold office in Angola, Benin, Uganda, and Zambia, not to mention the presence of female Presidents in the continent’s history.

Ghana’s female population, as per worldometers.info and other statistical sources, is estimated at 51%, underscoring the importance of providing them with opportunities to influence the governance of our country. This is non-negociable when such opportunities arise.

The composition of the NPP’s 2024 national campaign team reflects the literal interpretation of the “We have the men” mantra, potentially sidelining equally competent women in the party.

The party should offer unreserved apologies to its women wing and the generality of Ghanaian women, if in this era of women empowerment, its campaign team is less than 10% women.

With the same vigour that the NPP elected a Northern flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to counter the “Akan Party” label wielded against them by critics, he should influence the narrative surrounding the running mate position.

Traditionally reserved for male party members, Dr. Bawumia, in this era, has the opportunity to solidify his legacy not only as the first Northern Vice President elected flagbearer by the NPP, but also by selecting a highly qualified woman from the party as a running mate.

About Author:

Joseph Kwadwo Danquah 
PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons), FHEA
Assistant Professor of Human Capital Development, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. 
Programme Leader – BSc HRM
University of Bradford , UK

Central Region continues to be very important to the two major political parties, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In the upcoming 2024 election, the battle is not for the presidential slot alone but for the parliamentary also.

In the past few months, the tsunami that has occurred in Ghana’s parliament has had the Central Region as the battlefield.

Not long ago, the minority side had to deal with leadership crisis and mismanagement of its transition that saw Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and MP for Ajumako Enyan Esiam in the Central Region as the Minority Leader and As if that wasn’t enough, NPP ‘s leadership transition has been worst managed.

A ruling and majority party in Parliament which manages government business’ version was more “Russian -Ukraine War” to the extend that the second most powerful person after Speaker Bagbin has to address the press.

Joe Wise contended “we the majority caucus has not effected any changes in our leadership, Kyei Mensah remains our leader and we won’t support and not allow external party but members of parliament themselves have to decide” Though Alban Bagbin disagrees with Joe Wise in interpreting the new standing orders-that, will be a discussion on another day.

Essentially, however, Ato Forson who has done 16yrs in Parliament having been a member of 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Parliaments has brought nothing but a strong pillar in his party having served in the previous NDC Goverment. He has also held government’s hands to the fire in accounting to Ghanaians how the public is managed.

Ato Forson, a finance and tax person, has also been a loud voice in fiscal policies introduced by th Akufo-Addo led Goverment., he was a voice of E-Lever as a killer policy and nuisance taxes.

So far Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has done fantastically well with some initial uneasiness in maintaining the high standard performance of Haruna Iddrisu, the former minority leader. An icon for the Tamale Southners.

Afenyo Markin, one the tough voices from the majority side and a great advocate lawyer seen doing all the damage controls for his side is to step into the huge shoes of one of the longest serving MPs, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu.
Kyei having served his party since 1997, entered parliament same time with Akufo-Addo has been a methuselah for the party. The law maker is well grounded in issues of parliamentary practices, aside Bagbin than any other person.

Kwamena Afenyo Markin will have a long way to go in matching his former boss and standing order-encyclopedia.

The hung parliament is nothing but consensus building but nothing else, but Je has to stop being a litigant and romance the Minority to succeed.

Afenyo Markin, a lawyer William lead the Majority into the election 2024.

Wether to the presidential, parliamentary, his leadership will show if he can hold his side together to make gains.

ATO FORSON VRS KWAMENA AFENYO !

Who is winning the central region? Will it be Ato or Kwamena? Central Region Region remains critical in the winning of elections in Ghana. Is it the reason why the major political parties are giving their parliamentary leadership to them to show that they are dear to them?

In 2016 elections,
Candidate Nana Akufo-Addo of NPP had 496,668 representing 53.22% and John Mahama of the
NDC had 405,262 representing 43.43%

For the parliamentary, the NPP had 19 and NDC 4.

In the 2020 the NDC appreciates with Nana Akufo-Addo of
NPP getting
602,111 52.71% and
John Mahama of NDC
bagging 524,038 which gave him 45.87%

NDC made a significant comeback with 13 seat leaving NPP with 10.

With the determination from the NDC to again carry both the Presidential and Parliamentary, the leaders in parliament will lead the attack.

Afenyo Markin is doing his 12 years in Parliament but has learnt so fast like his brother Ato Forson. The two have turned and monopolized their constituencies into a strong hold of their party though hitherto belonged to the opposing side.

For Ato Forson to turned one time Isaac Adzumadzie and regional minister’s seat into NDC’s seat, it tells you of his pedigree. And he has a very strong bond with his constituents that it will be almost a no go area for the NPP.

Mike Hammah, the Former Roads and Transport Minister lost his NDC seat in Effutu to Alexander Afenyo Markin and since made it a safe seat for the NPP has a lot under his sleeve.

Who win the Central Region in the 2024 General Elections, Is it Ato or Kwamena? The answer will be answered in 8th December 2024.

The Author is the Adom Brands Parliamentary Affairs Correspondent

It is never easy to write a tribute about someone with whom you have a close relationship. However, I consider it a great honour to do so in the case of Kojo Yankah.

He was a man who loved the Lord and walked in the way of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us in Revelation 14:13, “… Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them. Kojo is indeed blessed.

In May 2010, I was invited by Mr Dodzie Numekevor, an ardent supporter of Nana Akufo-Addo, to a house party in Enfield where prominent members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were going to speak. These included Mr Anthony Karbo, the National Youth Organiser; the late Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, the National Chairman; and the late Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John), the General Secretary.

I had been working with Dodzie for Nana Akufo-Addo in London since 2008, but we had not met in person, so I was interested in attending to meet him and these other prominent members of the Party. After a few train and bus rides, I arrived at a bus stop where a young man was sent to pick me up. When I got to the venue, I was met with a warm welcome by Kojo Yankah, whom I later got to know was the host of the party. Kojo was excited to see me and introduced me to everyone, saying, “Kow is the next best thing”. I was confused by his enthusiasm.

Days after the party, Kojo and Dodzie approached me and expressed their desire to collaborate with me in rebranding the youth wing of the NPP in the UK and Ireland. They were aware of my activism on Facebook and believed I could help them achieve their goals.

I created a website and social media pages and coined the slogan “The Future Is Now!!!”. This marked the beginning of the rebranding process, which led to the first-ever NPP Youth UK Meeting held on 10 July 2010 in North London. A good number of young Ghanaians living in the UK attended the meeting, which was a huge success.

We had ordered branded polo shirts and other paraphernalia for the occasion. Kojo spoke passionately at the meeting, which, years later, he fondly referred to as the event that encouraged Mustapha Ussif, the Minister for Sports and Member of Parliament for Yagba-Kubore, to run for Parliament and win the Yagba-Kubore seat for the NPP. Many other young Ghanaians who were living in the UK at the time and who attended that meeting are currently occupying strategic positions in the party and government.

Kojo was always there to offer me advice whenever things got tough in the political arena. Being young and enthusiastic, I was not always mindful of the impact my actions had within the political sphere. However, Kojo was always there to encourage me to have a thick skin and not to be swayed by negative criticism but rather to take constructive feedback on board.

I vividly recall the time when I threatened to quit, and Kojo called me and spent two hours lecturing me on why it was crucial to stay committed to our cause. He was like an older brother to me, and to this day, I consider Kojo and Dodzie my godfathers in politics for their instrumental role in bringing me into active politics.

They guided me to steer clear of the pitfalls faced by young people in the political arena that could potentially backfire.

During a trip to London in 2018, I had dinner with Kojo and Dodzie. In our conversation, I discovered they had a relationship with my pastor and good friend, Prophet Gideon Danso. We called Prophet Gideon right then and there, and the camaraderie between us put my soul at rest.

It was comforting to be in the company of fellow believers. In 2017, when I was appointed as Legal Counsel to the President of Ghana, I sent a message to Kojo and Dodzie. The message was a chapter from a book I have been working on since 2015, which detailed how we first met during my political journey.

Kojo and I used to attend the Empowerment Worship Centre in Ghana, where we were both regulars at the first service that started at 7:30 am.

We would usually sit close to each other, depending on what time we arrived at church. After the service, we would meet outside the church auditorium to discuss the message preached by Prophet Gideon, our families, life, and politics. One thing I noticed about Kojo is that he loved his wife, Shemaat, and the children dearly and would talk passionately about them.

He would often update me on his son, Darryl and his achievements and say, “Your nephew is doing amazing things”. When it came to politics, Kojo would always offer wise advice, and he constantly encouraged me to go into farming as another source of income.

One Sunday, during one of our church conversations, Kojo said something that resonated with me. He said, “I have come to a point in my life where I just want my life to reflect the fruit of the Spirit in everything that I do. I am not concerned about all the fanfare around the Christian walk.” Those words were profound, and looking back, it makes sense why he said that.

A life that exhibits the fruit of the Spirit is evidence of the existence of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. The fruit of the Spirit can be found in Galatians 5:22-23, which states, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things.”

On 10 December 2023, Kojo and I were chatting outside the church auditorium after the Sunday service. He was wearing a white shirt and mentioned that Dodzie would be coming home that day. He invited me to come and visit as well. Little did we know, this would be our last conversation. Later that day, Dodzie did come home, but he had to rush Kojo to the hospital.

Kojo had a clear understanding of his mission and purpose on earth as a devoted Christian. He was aware that his life was like a race, and he had to run to take home the prize. His co-authored book with Dodzie, titled “No Prizes For Runners Up,” is a reflection of his life’s philosophy. Kojo has now completed his race, and he has received the ultimate reward. As Hebrews 12:2 states, he is now a member of the huge cloud of witnesses to the life of faith cheering us on.

Kojo’s life was a source of inspiration and a blessing to me in every aspect of my life – personally, professionally, emotionally, and spiritually.

His Saturday Nuggets series offered wisdom that was relevant to everyone and everything. Although it saddens me that he won’t be around to see the end of the project, I know that we have a witness in heaven who will be supporting us every step of the way. For someone who didn’t even know me but welcomed me and poured so much into my life, all I can say is “God bless you, Kojo.”

Rest in peace, Godfather!

Rest in the bosom of the Lord, Kojo Yankah!

Your good deeds will follow you.

God bless us all.

Kojo Besia, a topic Ghanaians broach only in hushed tones and sealed lips in recent times. In our early years, the verbal taboo was much more relaxed.

In high school it existed only in whispers; and colleagues would point to one effeminate Ghanaian instructor saying he occasionally invited students over for masturbation.

At Legon, finger pointing continued in the direction of two or three hippy-looking expat lecturers in the humanities with a huge student following.

They had lovers among the student boys was the rumor. It was all as if the ‘devils’ were strangers only. As for the local boys they were innocent victims, except for the big gifts they enjoyed.

But the seeds were fairly visible among student girls in high schools where the phenomenon of ‘supi’ was no secret in and out of dorms. It was the domain of the senior girls, who would select from fresh students trickling in, and consider these as intimate ‘protegees.’

A few of the younger ones would sing their song openly and giggle while drifting away. Whatever the giggle meant nobody knew.

As we grew up the issue of ‘Kojo Besia’ emerged more boldly. These were largely men who were also women. In recent times when this became a national issue, people suddenly recoiled and avoided open debate for fear of being finger pointed.

I pity colleagues in parliament who are vehemently against the famous anti-LGBTQ Bill, but dare not cough since their electorates are watching. If you say you are against the Bill, you incur the wrath of voters who will decide your fate this December. In my recently-launched memoires (The Pen at Risk), I broach the topic and narrate one encounter during my doctoral days in USA, 1980s.

I consider that episode as one of my Top 10 nightmares in life. Listen to my Pen (in Chapter 25).

My Unusual Friend

In my first few months, I lived in a dorm where I needed someone to help me cope with the new way of life America offered. Happily came a kind companion. Call him Tom. Looking for the laundry, Tom was there to help; going to the grocery there he was; and I needed none other to teach me cafeteria norms and all. Tom was a tall black undergraduate.

I was in temporary housing, awaiting to move to family lodging on my family’s arrival in a few months. But something unusual happened that got me wondering about Tom. Browsing through the photo album I brought from Ghana, Tom one day kept asking me questions about Aboagye, a male colleague in Ghana, expressing open admiration for his picture.

One day Tom asked me how he would find Aboagye, and if he was married. My eye balls widened. My first outing with Tom to experience night life in Bloomington gave me a broader picture. The Bowinkle night club had been carefully chosen by my Good Samaritan. It was about 9 pm that day, and the very first spectacle at the night club’s entrance, numbed my senses. Two young men in a close-up were locked in a warm embrace, lips to lips, deeply fondling, caressing.

The scene inside the club house itself sealed my suspicion. An entirely man-to-man affair in the entire clubhouse: neck to neck, cheek to cheek and moving in rhythm to cool background music. That was enough to abort my very first night out. I asked to be taken back home, almost furious.

Would I survive America?

The blurred picture got clearer the next day, when I realized someone in my absence had slipped a bizarre magazine under my pillow—a glossy, raunchy magazine, rather hard to browse. Complete male nudity, replete with open, unmitigated sex and orgies from cover to cover.

It did not take long for Tom to tell me the story of his life, and why he was discharged from the U S army. I was utterly baffled and disappointed! But I thanked my stars my family was arriving from Ghana the following week. Redbud Apartments, a family housing unit, became my refuge; and I lived happily thereafter.

It was indeed a nightmare to have had as my good Samaritan in America, a Kojo Besia!

kwyankah@yahoo.com

On January 28, 2024, a significant regional development unfolded as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formally requested to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), one of the continent’s most notable regional blocs.

In a joint press statement released by the junta-led countries, the countries stated “ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its populations whose happiness it is supposed to ensure” (Okafo, 2024).

To break the camel’s back, the trio, following in the footsteps of Ghana’s foremost president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who demanded independence now, have declared their resolve to defy Article 91 of the bloc’s Treaty, which stipulates that member countries remain bound by their obligations to the regional bloc for a period of one year after notifying their withdrawal. They want to leave immediately.

In a letter addressed to the ECOWAS on February 7 by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Malian government, stated “the government of the Republic of Mali is no longer bound (by the) time constraints mentioned in article 91 of the treaty. The letter further noted that the ministry has decided to “withdraw, without delay” due to ECOWAS’ desecration of its own texts – citing when the organization failed to meet its obligations by closing member states’ borders with Mali in 2022, denying it access to the sea.

Analysts have indicated the severe impact this decision will have on the trio. However, what implications does this development have on Ghana?

Economic Ramifications

Article 27 of the ECOWAS treaty highlights the need for economic integration within the sub-region. To achieve this, member states are admonished to ensure the gradual removal of all obstacles to free movement of persons, services and capital (Paragraph 1 of Article 27). The presence of this protocol has enabled countries within the bloc to increase trade over time, despite the bottlenecks restricting the full implementation of the protocol. Ghana has enjoyed steady economic relations with the three countries, particularly with Burkina Faso.

According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), Ghana has relished an increased annualized rate of 17.6% over two decades of trading with Mali, from $1.96 million in 1996 to $82.4 million in 2019.  In 2019, Ghana exported $82.4 million to Mali while importing $12.3 million in the same period. This highlights the economic ties, no matter how ‘small’, which exist between the two West African countries. Unlike Mali, Burkina Faso borders Ghana to the immediate north, and thus, has a greater percentage of trading with Ghana. 

According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, Ghana exports to Burkina Faso amounted to $277.69 Million in 2019. In reverse order, Burkina Faso’s export to Ghana totalled $53.08 million during 2022.

Commodity-wise, it is estimated by the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) that Ghana currently imports 90 percent of its fresh tomatoes from Burkina Faso, with a national consumption demand in excess of 800,000 metric tonnes per annum (B&FT Online, 2024). B&FT also estimates that Burkina Faso and Mali account for almost 70 percent of Ghana’s livestock imports while in 2021, the main destinations of onion exports from Niger were Ghana ($21.7 million). Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture estimates that onion imports from Niger, currently valued at $26 million, will increase to $30 million by the close of 2024.

The numbers above point to a major economic leak for Ghana in the wake of the trio’s exit from the ECOWAS. This is because, through the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLs) – the main operational tool for promoting Free Trade Area within West Africa – Ghana is relieved from customs duties levied on imports and exports as well as some non-tariff barriers. The Ghana Export Promotion Authority states that:

“As member of ECOWAS, Ghana benefits from the fact that there are numerous international Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA). Most important one is the ECOWAS-EU EPA, which led to the gradual removal of trade restrictions between the partners”

As highlighted by the Global Credit Rating (GCR), there is an expected wide-ranging inflationary impact in the domestic markets of all the three countries, which will reflect in the future prices of food commodities imported into neighbouring countries such as Ghana (see B&FT report 2024).  A rise in the cost of imports and exports for Ghanaian traders is imminent due to the absence of regulations which enable traders to enjoy exemptions. This decline in trade relations will thus affect Ghana’s economy, affect the purchasing power of traders and consumers in general. In simple terms, there is a tendency for reduced bilateral economic relations between Ghana and the individual countries.

This means Ghana will lose out on a significant portion of its GDP as consumers face acute shortages or begin to pay more for the same or even less due to a possible re-introduction of tariffs. Given the current position of the Ghanaian economy, a further instability in international trade will worsen woes of the state. Already, the Ghana has defaulted on its debt servicing program, forcing it to restructure most of its external debts to favour an IMF bailout.

How safe will our borders be?

In a world which is becoming more interconnected, both for better and for worse, international cooperation has become ever more crucial in dealing with the raging complex security threats at both global and national levels. The exchange of information between trusted allies and partners is at the heart of devising and executing any joint security action.

Now, second only to Afghanistan for the highest number of terrorist actions and resulting deaths, is Burkina Faso – which shares a land border with Ghana. A report by the African Defense Forum, based on the Global Terrorism Index said, Burkina Faso and Mali together account for 52% for all terrorism-related deaths in Africa (ADF, 2023). To deal with the butterfly effect of terrorism, a number of joint agreements have been signed among the Sahel countries.

Notable among them are the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF), the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel) and the Accra Initiative (AI) (Birikorang & Abdallah, 2023). The Accra Initiative which is the most recent collaboration established in September 2017 faces a bigger setback in the face of the Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso exit from ECOWAS. The pillars of the AI are:

(1) information and intelligence sharing

(2) training of security and intelligence personnel

(3) conducting joint cross-border military operations to strengthen border security.

One of the critical pillars of counter-terrorism is intelligence sharing. Kruys (2007) succinctly captures it saying: “Operations to counter terrorism and insurgency depend largely on timely accurate intelligence”. This position is also highlighted by Danoy and Corbett (2022) who posit that “as any good policymaker, planner, or military commander will tell you, the formulation and execution of an effective national security strategy is dependent on the availability of sound intelligence”.

However, as acknowledged in the introductory paragraph of this sub-section, intelligence sharing is firmly rooted in trust. In the wake of the trio’s exit from the ECOWAS, there is an imminent threat to the trust enjoyed among these countries if it has not already broken. This argument is rooted in the basis for which Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have decided to end their longstanding relationship with the regional block – that the ECOWAS “has become a threat to its member states”.

The trio’s lack of confidence in the ECOWAS can and will potentially be transferred to all other members of the group. This will reflect in restricted information sharing and collaboration between individual member states, such as Ghana and the trio.

Burkina Faso’s closeness to Ghana is a greater worry considering the heightened security crises in Burkina Faso and the impending general election in Ghana. What becomes of the relationship between the members of the AI? Intelligence sharing once again can be hampered considering the fact that the trio are part of the agreement. A terrorism spillover effect can be triggered by this new development.

Recommendations

1. Ghana must re-access its bilateral relations with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and strengthen cordial relations. This may involve re-negotiating bilateral trade agreements.
2. Given the potential security implications of the trio’s withdrawal from ECOWAS, Ghana should bolster its border security measures. This may involve increasing patrols, investing in technology for border surveillance, and enhancing collaboration with neighbouring countries to combat transnational security threats.
3. With the potential disruption to food and livestock imports from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, Ghana should explore diversifying its sources of agricultural products. This could involve investing in local agricultural production or establishing trade agreements with other countries to ensure food security and stabilize prices in the domestic market.
4. Ghana should advocate for reforms within ECOWAS to address concerns raised by member states. This will help in promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the decision-making processes.

Final comments

The ongoing impasse between ECOWAS on one side and Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger on the other end has myriad impacts on individual states such as Ghana. While many analysts are focused on the worsening plight to be experienced by the trio, we must not lose sight of the spill-over effect. The arguments being raised by the trio regarding the inability of ECOWAS to protect the interests of its members have been trumpeted within many writings. If the necessary actions needed to build trust are not factored into the future of ECOWAS, there is a likelihood of other dissidents in the future. Ghana has a role to play considering its position in the formation of ECOWAS and its respected position within the sub-region.

*****

The article was authored by David Quaye, an International Relations and Regional Integration Analyst

Do you believe a good chunk of women are gold diggers? Every last one of them. Women are hypergamous.

They chase status, power, and money. They are always looking to upgrade. They are purely transactional.

It hurts women as a whole when people call women “gold diggers.” But here’s a new gold for women to dig.

This is a positive use of the phrase “Gold diggers” which shouldn’t be offensive to women if they embrace it.

The digital marketing space is the new gold. It is now the gold that has value more than real gold and it is paying off.

However, women need to break the ideology that the digital media space is for men.

It’s important to note that women, like anyone else, can have diverse motivations for entering the digital marketing space.

Some may be driven by a passion for the field, a desire for career growth, or a genuine interest in the dynamic and evolving nature of digital marketing.

The rise of influencers, bloggers, vloggers, and YouTubers, including women in these roles, is another aspect of women’s involvement in digital marketing.

These platforms provide opportunities for personal branding, reaching a wider audience, and potentially generating income through partnerships and promotions.

It allows you to connect with prospective and existing customers, which is vital for business and brand awareness. 

Digital marketing is important because it helps in developing your creative mind and makes you stand out from your competitors in congested markets.

Not only is it essential for businesses, but customers also now heavily rely on it as a way of finding out about companies

It’s encouraging to see an increasing number of women entering the digital marketing space, which shift may be attributed to factors such as increased awareness, educational opportunities, and changing societal attitudes toward gender roles in the workplace.

A more balanced representation of genders can bring diverse perspectives and ideas to the industry, contributing to its overall growth and innovation.

The current distribution of 44.1% women and 55.9% men among digital marketing strategists suggests a move towards greater gender diversity, however, it’s essential to continue promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities to ensure a supportive environment for women in the field.

Initiatives such as mentorship programs, networking events, and educational outreach can further enhance the participation of women in digital marketing and related industries.

The Women in Tech agenda, with initiatives like the Women in Tech Hub, plays a crucial role in breaking down barriers and promoting gender diversity in the digital marketing and technology sectors.

By actively working to empower and enroll more women in tech-related businesses, these initiatives aim to bridge the gender gap and create a more inclusive environment.

The goal of empowering 5 million women and girls by 2030 is ambitious and reflects a commitment to long-term change.

It’s true that women, like men, enter the digital marketing space for various reasons, and personal or business gains are among them, notwithstanding, women who pursue digital marketing courses to enhance their skills and apply them to their businesses, especially in the context of thriving on social media have found gold. A gold they can leverage in the context of digital marketing strategies can indeed be instrumental for their business growth, visibility, and customer engagement.

Regardless of the initial motivation of “gold-digging” (i.e. making money), the increasing presence of women in the digital marketing space also contributes to a more diverse and inclusive industry which brings about a range of perspectives and ideas, fostering creativity and innovation within the field.

Creating professional digital media content, whether for personal branding, businesses, or as an influencer, can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. For women in the digital media space, however, there might be additional challenges or stereotypes to overcome, but many women have successfully carved out successful careers in this field and so can you.

It’s an undeniable fact that the digital media and content creation space can be challenging, and dealing with negative comments or criticism and dealing with stress and pressure can be challenging, especially with women who tend to be emotional can cloud their judgment.

Content creation for brands takes a lot of time and effort, so it can be disheartening to be insulted after putting in hours of work, nonetheless, handling negativity and criticism is indeed a skill that any woman in the content creation field needs to develop to accept constructive feedback.

It’s essential for women, to find ways to cope with such challenges, whether through building a support network, developing resilience, or seeking mentorship.

Bold and confident women who recognize their capabilities and contribute to the digital media space play a vital role in reshaping these perceptions.

Women photographers, data analysts, and digital media specialists are contributing to their respective fields.

Encouraging women to channel their skills and interests into professional use is vital to their success and bridging the poverty disparity.

With boldness and determination, women have the potential to take on prominent roles and make a substantial impact, contributing to the overall growth and diversity of these spaces.

The idea that any field, including digital marketing, is exclusively for one gender is outdated and limiting.

The digital marketing space is not for only men! Women must take their stands in the space and dig out the gold in a positive way.

In 2016, as I geared up for my second year at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, I received a life-changing call from the school informing me of my shortlisting for a scholarship based on my outstanding performance in the first year.

Stunned, I found myself questioning whether it was a scam, a dream, or a reality. To dispel my doubts, I swiftly investigated the scholarship scheme to verify its legitimacy, and to my delight, it was indeed real. Filled with gratitude, I fervently prayed for success in the interview, a crucial step for final confirmation of the scholarship.

The scholarship, aimed at covering my tuition for the remainder of my campus tenure, wasn’t exclusive to me. Four other colleagues had also been shortlisted, and together, we anxiously awaited the interview.

For me, this blessing was unexpected—a timely provision from above. It served as a financial relief not only for myself but also for my Aunt, Mrs. Gloria Aidoo, who had generously supported my upbringing and education since childhood.

The interview day arrived, and across from me sat the amiable Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana at the time, H.E. Ali .H. Halabi.

Initiated by the Lebanese Community in Ghana in 2014, the scholarship scheme aimed to assist outstanding journalism students at the Institute, irrespective of their background, to pursue uninterrupted education and careers in journalism.

My colleagues and I constituted the third batch of beneficiaries: Redeemer Buatsi, Tracy Ibrahim, Juliana Odamea, Emmanuel K. Nartey, and myself, Razak Musbau.

A week post-interview, another call came, confirming our selection as scholarship recipients. Thus began an invaluable relationship with the Lebanese Community in Ghana.

For a boy hailing from the obscure village of Dodi Mempeasem in the Oti Region, this opportunity wasn’t within the realm of my dreams, perhaps because it seemed too grand to conceive. The community, particularly the Ambassador, maintained consistent contact with us, treating us like their own. Undoubtedly, the scholarship served as a catalyst for my intensified academic pursuit. In 2019, I graduated with a first-class honours degree, alongside my peers.

Even before this milestone, the Lebanese Community extended their support, announcing the extension of the scholarship to cover master’s courses. Unbelievable, yet true.

Thus, I embarked on my master’s in Development Communication immediately after my undergraduate degree. H.E. Maher Kheir, who had since become the Ambassador, continued and enhanced the policy.

Today, I am a broadcast journalist with one of Ghana’s leading media houses, Multimedia. My daily role involves producing and presenting sports content on Joy News, Joy FM, and Joy Prime—a journey significantly shaped by the support of the Lebanese Community.

This year, 2024, marks a decade since the inception of this life-altering scheme, with millions invested in the lives of countless young Ghanaians.

Remarkably, the scholarship isn’t confined to GIJ students. It extends to exceptional individuals in law at the University of Ghana and KNUST, as well as language and arts students at UG, and the children of fallen peacekeeping officers in Ghana.

Undoubtedly, all beneficiaries and their families remain eternally grateful to the Lebanese Community in Ghana for this benevolent gesture.

As we commemorate the 10-year milestone of this exemplary policy, my heartfelt appreciation goes to the community, with special acknowledgement of Mr. Naaman Ashkar—the longest-serving member of the Lebanese Community. His dedicated service over the past decade has been instrumental in the sustainability and success of the scholarship scheme.

Long live the Lebanese community in Ghana!

May your unwavering dedication to transforming lives through education continue to thrive!

Dear Mr IGP,

I write about a letter released under your command and control dated February 19, 2024 with reference number and heading; PAD/PRESS/VOL4/1/93 and POLICE STATEMENT ON COMMENT BY DCOP MR GABRIEL PRINCE WAABU ON ELECTION SECURITY respectively, where the Police Service claimed to disassociate itself from a comment made by DCOP Gabriel Prince, during a panel discussion on JoyNews, that the Police Service had learned lessons on ensuring peaceful elections, which means it will exclude the military from this year’s election.

Mr IGP, I am putting it to you that the statement made by DCOP Gabriel Prince Waabu has been the aspiration of many Ghanaians looking forward to seeing you achieve it, as one of your strategic goals going into the 2024 general election after parading your gallant men and women to successfully supervised two crucial by-elections at Kumawu and Assin North without the direct involvement of the military which obviously made some of us have the confidence in your leadership to fully ensure that the authority given to the Ghana Police Service by the 1992 constitution is strictly exercise without any fear or favour.

But Mr IGP, I must tell you in your face that this statement from your outfit has exposed your forwardness, for not being the man you portray yourself to be, your inability to stand firm by the guiding principle and upholding the golden rule of oneness in the service, by sacrificing a fellow senior most officer whose statement gave hope and assurance to Ghanaians on how preparedness and capable your institution is, ahead of the forthcoming 2024 general election.

Mr IGP, the statement from your outfit is not only unfortunate but also demoralises the spirits of your men and women and exposes the weakness of your leadership.

Mr IGP, I am by this write-up challenging the Ghana Police Service under your leadership to come out and explain to Ghanaians what is factually wrong with the statement made by DCOP Gabriel Prince Waabu which has warranted him to be subjected to an internal disciplinary process.

Mr IGP, I need answers to these questions; Is it not factually correct that the police institution is mandated by the 1992 constitution as the custodian of the country’s internal security operations in maintaining peace, law and order? Again, which part of the 1992 constitution states that the decision by the police not to involve the military in election security in Ghana is unconstitutional?

Mr IGP, learning from the 2020 General Election, where eight citizens were killed by soldiers, with one of their justifications linked to how they are trained in handling civilian matters born fundamentally out of the military doctoral framework, I would expect that, if your administration have in its election security strategy to involve soldiers at the front line in the forthcoming 2024 general election, Ghanaians should by now know the explicit role of the military and how you are going to address the command and control friction that emerges between the police and the soldiers during joint security operation, and moreover, how soldiers can be educated on the basic law enforcement practices and policing culture to avoid some of this unfortunate incident that occurred during the 2020 general election.

Signed
Anthony Acquaye
Security, Intelligence, and Conflict Analyst.

It was in 2016 while preparing to begin my second year at the Ghana Institute of Journalism when I received a call from the school that I have been shortlisted for a scholarship following my impressive performance in the first year.

Stunned. There I was caught between whether it was a scam, a dream or it was actually real. To clear my doubts, I quickly made inquiries about the scholarship scheme to know if such a thing truly existed. Well, it did. I was overjoyed and took to prayer with the hope of passing an interview which was a prerequisite for final confirmation of scholarship.

Essentially, the scholarship was going to cater to my tuition for the rest of my stay on campus. I wasn’t the only one. About four other colleagues had also been shortlisted and we all eagerly awaited the interview.

This for me, was a blessing I didn’t see coming. I counted it as a timely favour from God at the time. A much needed financial cushion was coming in to support my Aunt, Mrs Gloria Aidoo, who had invested so much into my upkeep and education since she took me in as a kid.

The day finally came for the interview, and sitting across me was the affable Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana at the time, H.E. Ali .H. Halabi.

The scholarship scheme was instituted by the Lebanese Community in Ghana 2014 to support exceptional students studying journalism at the Institute. For them, it is a selfless effort to help budding journalists, regardless of their background, receive uninterrupted education and pursue their careers.

My colleagues and I were the third batch of students to benefit from the scheme. Redeemer Buatsi, Tracy Ibrahim, Juliana Odamea,  Emmanuel K. Nartey, and I, Razak Musbau.

About a week after the interview, a call came in again that we had all been selected to benefit from the scholarship. That was the beginning of an excellent relationship with the Lebanese Community in Ghana.

For a young boy from the unknown village of Dodi Mempeasem in the Oti Region, this wasn’t part of my dreams. Probably, because it was too big to dream about.

The community and especially, the Ambassador, stayed in constant touch with us, making us feel like his children. Truly, the scholarship gave me an impetus to study even harder. My first degree was finally done in 2019, graduating with a first-class honours as well as all my colleagues.

Even before that, the Lebanese Community again reached out to us and confirmed that the scholarship has been extended to cover the master’s course in the school. Unbelievable right?

That was how I was privileged to do my Master in Development Communication right after my first degree. H.E.Maher Kheir, who had now become the Ambassador continued with the policy and even enhanced it.

A few years later, I am currently a broadcast journalist with Ghana’s biggest media house, Multimedia. I produce and present sports content on Joy News, Joy FM, and Joy Prime daily. And there’s no doubt that the support of the Lebanese Community has played a big part in that journey.

This year, 2024, marks exactly 10 years since this life changing scheme was introduced with Millions of cedis invested into the life of many young Ghanaians.  

Interestingly the scholarship is not limited to students of GIJ. It extends to exceptional students in law at the University of Ghana, and KNUST, Language and Arts students at UG, and the children of fallen peacekeeping officers in Ghana.

All these beneficiaries and their families remain forever grateful to the Lebanese Community in Ghana for this kind gesture.

As we commemorate 10 years of this brilliant policy, I can only say God richly bless the community and its leadership as they continue in their efforts to impact lives in Ghana even through education.

An open letter to the Minister of Education and all presidential candidates

In May 2023, I studied trends on literacy levels in Ghana since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, in January 1993.

I was stunned to discover that, viewed over the period, literacy levels had not followed a rising trend. Indeed, literacy levels had dropped significantly in the tailing off year.

What is also obvious from publicly available data, is that budgetary allocations to education shot up astronomically on account of Free SHS (FSHS).

So baffling were the trends to me that when I did speak publicly, I read the data but said I did not fully understand it.

Since then I have tried hard to understand why significant reported increases in enrolment numbers are not translating to step changes in literacy levels in Ghana. We are still lagging behind countries like Zimbabwe, even after that sister country’s reported and repeated crisis.

I have deliberately not cluttered this posting with numbers. But it is also true we are woefully inadequate on data on our society.

Given the resources, the Ghana Statistical Services (GSS) does a great job. The census reports and reports on trade vulnerability reports bear testimony to this. But resources are scant. Ghana is broke.

In 2023, I tried to study 16 trends over 30 years of the Fourth Republic.

These were variables like: the growth in the number of churches and sizes of congregations; consumption of beer/ capita; consumers’ spend on wigs; toothpaste, soap, milk, bread consumption and so on.

I also wanted trends on dwell times of cadavers in our mortuaries, and how much of our refrigeration capacity they consume.

Finally, I wanted objective data on cycle times of case resolution in aggregate at all levels of our court system.

The GSS could give me 4 out of the 16 variables requested. Inflation, open defecation rates, literacy levels and GDP growth were readily available. Not the rest.

But for contacts in the private sector that stepped in to rescue me on consumer goods trends, I would have been stranded. Many checks with government agencies yielded nothing. There was no single place to go to.

We shall come to that problem another day. I have made the suggestion a number of times that it will serve us well to study the operations of the Shanghai Data Exchange.

Going back to education, I read an illuminating speech given by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere on June 4, 1996. It focused on education. Mwalimu’s critique stimulated me to try to get a different lens on FSHS.

Who can give us answers to these questions on trends since FSHS started in 2017?:

1. With increased enrolment numbers, how have class sizes evolved? Is this an acceptable proxy for quality of education?

2. How has the student/teacher ratio evolved?

3. What are the trends for the number of students per computer?

4. What are the protein intake levels per student trends?

In response to what these anticipated responses may be, it is important to gauge how the petite-bourgeoisie has adapted to what it perceives to be the quality trends.

Are we inadvertently creating a deep-class society? With all its attendant dangers?

 Therefore, it will also be useful to know:

5. How has intake into private secondary schools evolved?

6. What number of people below the age of 55 that attended Tier 1 public secondary schools in Ghana, and who earn more than $1000/month, sent their children back to the same schools?

I make no a priori assumptions. The path of integrity and the facts must lead us where they will.

Hopefully, before the rains and floods come to Accra again, and before we all complain and act surprised at this annual ritual, the media may take more interest in the education debate.

And when the Presidential candidates have decided which mate or bookman deserves another chance, by being promoted to driver, they may tell us how they plan to improve our educational system. In ways that yield high-quality results.

Until then, as a true Ghanaian, I leave you in God’s hands. And as a true Achimotan, I say: “Hail Gordon Guggisberg!, long may he be thanked!” For what, I do not know.

Yaw Nsarkoh,

20 February 2024.

The word ‘reshuffle’ is hardly used outside politics.

Never heard of a man waiting for Father’s Day to reshuffle his children; or a polygamist who decides at Christmas to reshuffle his wives for the sake of peace.

Those days, you checked the Minister’s heart beat at one o’clock news, to see if he survived; Osagyefo Kwame would reshuffle his Ministers.

Other times, it was the voice of Krobo Edusei, Nkrumah’s Minister for Interior: ‘The continued presence of the following… is not conducive to public good’ was the ominous prelude.

It meant you were parking your luggage as an Ambassador on the directives of Krobo.

Since then, one o’clock news has lost its bite and suspense; and ministers and appointees can today afford to digest ‘Gobe’ at lunch time.

Times have changed.

Cabinet reshuffle these days may be heard through Afia Schwarz newscast on social media far ahead of Caleb Kuda of Citi.

By the time it hits the airwaves it is dead news: a reshuffled Minister for Interior would have finished celebrating his exit with the reggae song, ‘satisfy my soul.’

But ours is also the only democracy where a reshuffle could have been put to popular vote, since the grassroots were unanimous on who was overdue.  

See the exit symptoms: fatigued faces, wobbly legs; ministers who dodge invitations by parliament; or impulsively abolish road tolls; 1 New Tax every New day; as well as those snoring at meetings they chair.

A few were visibly expired goods that came with: ‘Warning, not advisable to drink or inhale, unless heated to certain temperatures.’

But a beloved president may simply erase the word ‘reshuffle’ from his vocabulary, a kind of ‘see no evil, hear no evil’ President.  

In this case, Ministers may have entered a holy wedlock ‘for better for worse until December do us part.’

Here players on the bench and reserves otherwise waiting to be called, may consider themselves forever condemned to the touchline.

In the past, Ghana has had two such coaches with cocked ears.

They have an ordained team of ‘touch not my anointed,’ who are perpetually rambling on the field until the referee’s final whistle, when they are joined by the bench boys to mourn the defeat in front of television cameras. 

But the Elephant, Ivory Coast national team at AFCON games, was a smarter elephant. 

The reshuffle you asked for – Occasional Kwatriot Kwesi Yankah writes https://t.co/L5E9YGZmhm pic.twitter.com/XNVYCQWpuP

— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) February 19, 2024

When their Manager Jean-Louis Gasset showed premature  signs of senility, losing 1-0 to Nigeria and 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea, he was sent home midstream.

It took a younger caretaker coach, Emerse Fae, to lift Ivory Coast from the bottom to the AFCON hilltop.

Emerse eventually won and handed the championship trophy to President Ouattara, while Ghana’s Elephant Party next door was shuffling its feet.  

And when the long awaited reshuffle finally arrived, what was it?

The media joined the conspiracy with fake words: ‘fired,’ ‘sacked,’ ‘dismissed,’ ‘booted out,’ as if an earthquake had occurred at cabinet; only for us to realize it was an Anansi reshuffle. 

The real news was as follows:   

‘Kojo Boy: You are truly sacked, go and sin no more.’

‘Ewura Ajoa: Truly sacked, but wait small.’

‘Yaw Atta: I have sacked you here, but meet me there.’ 

‘Adwoa Mansah: I have sacked you here, but meet me there.’

The situation now leaves Parliament confused as to whether these are cases of re-assignment, transfer,  or terminal death followed by terminal resurrection.  

In the latter case, the grieving Minister may mourn for a few days, then suddenly burst into hilarious laughter if no one is watching.

Some may call it a reshuffle in which the appointing authority was not sufficiently angry.

Its equivalent in the civil service is a transfer letter handed to you for wrong doing; which may simply mean, ‘you are a bad teacher, you have been harassing our teenage girls in class; and we are transferring you to Bobikuma to spread the virus.’

But those I pity are the eternally dismissed Ministers who were very hardworking, but have been terminally sacked simply for losing ‘cash and carry’ parliamentary primaries.

I single out beloved Bright Wireko Brobby, MP for Heman Lower Denkyira, whose bright profile as deputy minister for employment will be dearly missed.  But I love the younger blood, injected to bring life into slow blood circulation.

In all this there is something missing. Our collective fury. With our 67th independence anniversary at the corner and diminishing economic fortunes, we could have spoken louder at reshuffling. We miss the following marching orders:

‘You this Minister, a known Galamsey merchant: Dismissed.’

‘See the polluted rivers and malformed babies from your Galamsey: Dismissed.’

‘Next. Unexplained wealth in only three years? Please open your mouth: Dismissed.’

‘Finally, are you giggling? You are considered as the Lord of inflated procurement: Dismissed.’

That way we dismiss poverty through cabinet reshuffling. Ghana @ 67 on 6th March would then be a joyous celebration!!

Dear Ace, let’s meet at Achiase. 

I am gone!

Email: kwyankah@yahoo.com

A 24-hour society can ramp up revenue, boost productivity, encourage flexible working hours, protect the health of workers, create millions of sustainable jobs, meet consumer demands and ultimately drive economic growth and development if Ghana is deliberate about its implementation and put in place the right architecture to support it.

With an economy on an International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s life-saving support, Ghana will require more than politics-as-usual approach to revive its junk economy, stem the tide of corruption which is on the rise, restore fiscal integrity, bolster national pride and public confidence in the government, and create sustainable (not political) jobs.

This is why the night and evening time economy proposed by the ex-Ghanaian leader and the 2024 Presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama stands out as a holistic policy that will breathe life into the various sectors of the ailing Ghanaian economy.

When he addressed Ghanaian business moguls in December 2023, Mr Mahama told the leaders that:

“The 24-hour policy will be anchored as an economy that runs around the clock with a three-shift work schedule in many sectors. The intent is to transform Ghana into, first, a self-sufficient and then an export-led economy.”

He further explained that his government will combine both public and private sector involvement to realise the 24-hour economy, establish a comprehensive policy framework, introduce legislations, and provide favourable tax incentives to businesses that adopt and implement the policy.

But this policy, as was expected when it was first articulated, has received a serious push-back from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), its supporters and government-financed commentators who, I am convinced may have been threatened by the soundness of a night and evening time society in Ghana, particularly at a time the current regime has ran aground the economy of the country through official sanctioned-corruption, mismanagement, political carelessness, and unsound economic policies.

“It’s a confused policy…24-hour economy is a by-product of an economy that we want to move to digitisation…even in China, after 6 pm, shops are closed. Are you better than US? Are you far-advanced than China?” the NPP National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye quizzed on Peace FM on February 10, 2024.

“When you ask them what are [the] detail, they can’t say anything…It cannot work,” he added.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has described the 24-hour economy policy as a “mere slogan.”

Speaking to party supporters on February 17, 2024, the Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency said: “For four years … in the day, tailors could not work, in the day, there was no economy for welders, carpenters, fitters, and thousands and millions of Ghanaians, how then are you going to provide a 24-hour economy?”

However, a careful scrutiny of the criticisms levelled against Mr Mahama’s night time economy proposal, so far, will reveal that wisdom has been shoved into the dustbin as usual for political expediency and unscientific arguments. I think we will need to remind ourselves that Ghana at night is crucial for the country’s present tattered economy and it holds enormous potential for shared prosperity, economic sustainability, growth and development.

It is true that some transport operators, restaurants, and shops operate a 24-hour schedule across the country. A visit to Agbogbloshie, Madina and Lapaz, all suburbs of Accra, in the night will show that the night-time economy is already in operation as some sellers continue to display and sell their products to interested buyers. But it is also true that this is not a government induced schedule backed by a deliberate policy structure. Know this: the government of President Nana Akufo-Addo does not provide any special incentives to the businesses that are already operating a 24-hour schedule, neither is there a legislation to stimulate the night time society. This is non-existent.

So, therefore, any criticisms directed at the night-time policy should be logical, sound, scientific, and devoid of the usual politics known in this country since the dividend of a 24-hour economy will benefit every Ghanaian irrespective of one’s political leaning.

This is what I understand Mr Mahama to be saying when he talked about the 24-hour economy that he will push through relevant legislations to support the night time society, enrol both public and private sector onto the programme, provide some incentives, including exciting tax regimes to businesses that sign up for the programme, and work with the health authorities in the country to address any health and safety-related issues.

“Favourable tax policies will be adopted so that businesses can reduce their operational cost and stay competitive. [Also], companies that sign up for the 24-hour economy policy will enjoy smart metering calibrated to charge a lesser tariff (per KW/h) for power consumed during off-peak hours at night based on a Time of Use (ToU) tariff system,” Mr Mahama told the business leaders as he campaigns for a return to the country’s top job.

The United Nations (UN) has said that by 2050, over 80% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. To contain the increasing pressure on Ghanaian cities, there is the need to create more on the same land and this include finding creative ways to grow in the use of time. This means exploring how to make more use of the evening and night time which available data has shown provides jobs, supports community cohesion and social inclusion. For us in Ghana, we should see this as a challenge to expand the operations of businesses into the night.

The night time economy (NTE) is split into two halves, the evening economy which is between 6pm and 12am, and the late‑night economy which starts at 12am and ends at 6am, when the morning rush‑hour begins.

Research has shown that the UK’s night time economy (NTE) creates an average of £66 billion per year in revenue and that of Australia was worth A$102, up 13% in a three-year period. Also, the NTE in New York City is estimated to contribute US$10 billion to the city’s economy.

“The Night-time economy (NTE) adds value to various industries, including retail, transport, catering and the creative industries. This produces an overall rise in a location’s cultural value,” the authors of ‘A Guide To Managing Your Night Time Economy,’ a report about night time economy in Europe and America have said.

A study of the operation of night societies in America and Europe will show that the driving factors and benefits of a 24-hour society are; commercial competitiveness, consumer demand, and a government-induced enabling environment. However, research points to a possible linkage between long working hours and health, such as cardiovascular problems, stress and psychological problems, and decreased birth weight for pregnant women. The health and safety issues can be addressed when the government learn to work seamlessly with health authorities in the country.

The findings of the studies referred to above showed that Ghanaians stand to benefit immensely from a night-time economy if well implemented.

My fear here, however, is that this policy will suffer the present fate of the one-district-one-factory (1D-1F) policy of President Nana Akufo-Addo which would have created millions of jobs across the country and expanded our revenue base if it had been properly implemented. But time has taught Ghanaians that the 1D-1F policy, like its counterpart – Planting for Food and Jobs, was nothing but a political slogan concocted to win precious votes. I am convinced the 24-hour economy can do better if we are deliberate about its implementation backed by a sound policy architecture.

It is the recommendation of the author that the NDC flagbearer will have to educate his party executives, supporters and communicators on this policy since they appear confused and disoriented about its operation. Already, a few comments I have heard from some party leaders, including Felix Ofosu Kwakye, an NDC Parliamentary candidate and spokesperson of Mr Mahama on the 24-hour economy showed they are as confused and inconsistent in their thoughts as critics of the policy.

Communicating a major and serious policy like this to the public will require the party leadership and communicators to be consistent and coherent. The present status quo where NDC members carelessly say what they understand about the 24-hour economy which often contradicts the message put out by the party’s flagbearer, should be avoided as early as possible.

Again, it is suggested that for all Ghanaians to reap the benefits of living in a 24-hour society, Mr Mahama will have to consider creating an independent Night Time Commission under the supervision of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to work with industries to turn Ghana into one of the most progressive countries in the way it plans, riding on strong evidence base and digitisation to inform its activities.

More than ever, we will need to attract public and private investment into the country which will pave the way for new ventures and interventions that will make Ghanaian cities, towns and regions safer, livelier, happier, cleaner, and more vibrant during the day and night. A night-time economy is the gamechanger that will provide this benefit to Ghanaians when effectively implemented.

Ghana at night is the best deal for the country’s present self-induced economic woes. It is doable and replicable, so let’s all embrace it.

==

The author, A. Kwabena Brakopowers, is a private legal practitioner, journalist, and essayist who has written extensively on education, international relations, legal matters, social, political, and economic issues of major concern to all Ghanaians. You can reach him at Brakomen@outlook.com or visit www.brakopowers.com

Like him or hate him, Adansi-Asokwa Member of Parliament (MP) Kobina Tahir (K.T.) Hammond occupies a pivotal position in Ghana’s politics.

Ghana’s historical democracy cannot exempt him.

The tough-spoken politician as a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stands a chance of also being in the ninth Parliament which will be inaugurated on January 7, 2025.

From afar, KT Hammond appears uninteresting, but colleagues from both sides of Parliament have a great rapport with him, especially because of his sense of humour.

Though born on Thursday, 16th June, 1960 which is to be Yaw for Akan or Kow/Ekow/Kwame for Fante, he is rather called Kobina, Fante for a Tuesday born.

A staunch Muslim, married to an intelligent judge, Nabeela Naeema Wahab Sahiba, Mr Hammond is seen as a strong legislator with the ruling NPP majority in Parliament.

Called to the English Bar, Mr Hammond has written his name in the history of Parliament having served for 24 years.

KT Hammond has been represented badly in the media but his life and solid interpersonal relationships are very envious.

He is seen calming tempers sometimes and being his jovial self, he uses that to channel his arguments and points without the opposing side realising it.

In the heat of debates on policies that may have generated hot arguments, he does it so calmly with little impact of the suffering side.

Very honest, person who is described by his colleagues as “a man without secret “ KT tells it as it is and tells it to the face of who is connected to what without mincing words.

KT does not care where, he only sees his friends and colleagues. Whether at committee meetings, or floor of the House, he expresses himself in a free manner.

It was evident when he faced the Appointments Committee of Parliament following his nomination as Trade Minister to succeed Alan Kyerematen.

KT Hammond has a better rapport and friendship with the media like many other legislators in Parliament.

He has earned the name ‘Wofa’ to wit, uncle and one hears media personnel and his colleague parliamentarians refer to him as such.

On the floor of Parliament, he is one of the few MPs who cannot escape the eye of the Speaker and he reserves a special place in the Speaker’s daily dealings in the House, no wonder Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin refers to him as the class prefect.

Now Trade Minister, he tried to push through an Act to embargoed 26 selected items importation to revitalize the local industries but was greeted with stiff opposition from the opposition.

Even that, which could have been more disastrous, the Minister meandered his way and made the uproar a bit lighter due to his style.

He has been very instrumental especially on policies especially energy, law, policies, taxation and others.

Recently, he made a fantastic delivery on taxation and its associated benefits to every economy, including Ghana which was warmly received by his colleagues on the floor.

Another Statement was made on the qualification of the Black Stars to the World Cup on
Thursday, 31st March, 2022 and the dichotomy of perspective of his arguments was watertight.

Copious reports from Committees particularly from Finance Committee, Mines and Energy Committee, Local Government and Rural Development are evidence of his work in Parliament.

PUBLIC PERCEPTION
Recent incidents in Parliament, especially when he covered Pru East MP, Dr Kwabena Donkor’s face during a live interview left the public in shock and questioned his seriousness.

But get it right that what exists between the two energy gurus, goes beyond that Dr Kwabena Donkor did the same to him.

They call themselves brothers thus ‘menua’ in the Twi parlance and ‘menua Kwankor’ is how KT refers to Kwabena Donkor.

Again, if there’s one single person who makes life better with all the stress associated with being an MP or Minister and worst of the politician is KT.

Serious than you know

Make no wrong, KT Hammond is one of the most serious MP’s in Parliament, he doesn’t joke with his time and his work.

He takes his work seriously and I can tell you KT is strict and meticulous in his work.

Forget about your height and stature, if you are late or not being serious with work, he tells you straight.

KT Hammond perhaps has more friends in the opposing side than any other, it also shows in the voting on Minister-designates to become ministers.

Take it, it’s difficult to know when Hon KT Hammond is angry, he is a man of high emotional intelligence and can stop in the middle of a tense situation or confrontation and smile or laugh.

Next time you see KT Hammond call him ‘Wofa‘, he prefers that to honourable and say AyeKoo to him.

He is the romantic “god” in Ghana politics.

The author is Adom News’ Parliamentary correspondent.

Journalists play a crucial role in keeping society informed and holding those in power accountable.

However, behind the scenes, journalists often face tremendous challenges, from insults and attacks to sleepless nights, all in the pursuit of delivering the truth.

Yet, society often fails to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made by these dedicated individuals.

The recent passing of Wofa KK, a journalist from Oman FM, serves as a sombre reminder of the toll that this profession can take on one’s life.

As Nana Jantuah, I too have experienced the hardships and ungratefulness that come with dedicating oneself to making a positive impact on society.

It is indeed a difficult path, one that requires grace to succeed.

Journalists are often subjected to verbal abuse, threats, and even physical attacks simply for doing their job.

The pursuit of truth sometimes leads to uncovering uncomfortable realities, exposing corruption, and challenging the status quo.

Unfortunately, this can make journalists targets of anger and frustration from those who wish to silence them.

The nature of journalism often demands working under tight deadlines, covering breaking news, and investigating complex stories.

This relentless pursuit of information can lead to long hours, sleepless nights, and constant pressure to deliver accurate and timely reports. Journalists sacrifice their own well-being to keep society informed.

The recent death of Wofa KK serves as a tragic example of the toll that the journalism profession can take on an individual’s life.

His dedication to his work ultimately cost him his health and well-being. This loss should serve as a wake-up call for society to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made by journalists.

Despite their efforts to make a positive impact on society, journalists often face ungratefulness and heartbreaks.

Their work is sometimes met with indifference or even hostility from the very people they strive to serve. This lack of appreciation can be disheartening and demoralizing, making it difficult to continue their mission.

Being a journalist is not an easy path. The insults, attacks, sleepless nights, and ungratefulness take a toll on one’s mental and emotional well-being.

Society must acknowledge and support the journalists who dedicate their lives to keeping us informed.

As Nana Jantuah, I empathize with the struggles faced by journalists and understand the need for grace to persevere.

Let us remember that behind every news article, there is a journalist who sacrificed their time, energy, and sometimes even their lives, in the pursuit of truth and a better society.

******

Authored by Nana Jantuah (Broadcast Journalist /Green Economy Analyst)

Picture this scenario: you took a bite of a juicy red tomato in your salad, only to uncover a disturbing truth—it contains Lambda-cyhalothrin, an insecticide chemical known for causing disruptions in the reproductive system, cancer, and even death.

This image raises a critical question: do we truly care about where our food comes from?

The significance of the food we consume has become more critical than ever, shaped by how local farmers produce food crops and the profound impact these practices have on our lives, climate, and land.

The use of agrochemicals like pesticides, insecticides and inorganic fertilisers has led to several health risks through dangerous residue on our crops and degraded soil health affecting the nutritional composition of food.

Recent findings from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP, 2022) disclose that about 385 million cases of pesticide poisoning occur yearly, leading to 11,000 deaths globally.

In 2003, Ghana saw a significant increase in the use of pesticides and insecticides including Lambda-cyhalothrin(mostly used by tomato farmers in Ghana) from 9% in 1991 to 47%. It has doubtless grown since then. The continuous use of these agrochemicals has been a major contributor to the recent rise in cases of food poisoning in Ghana.

In 2010, 15 people lost their lives in the Upper East region as a result of pesticide poisoning with 118 persons falling sick from food contaminated with pesticide. This serves as a reminder that the effects of modern agricultural production are not distant from the average Ghanaian.

Our way of producing food

Modern agriculture, with monocropping, synthetic fertilizers, and soil depletion, has caused a 38% drop in essential nutrients in popular vegetables since 1950. What does this mean for us? A nutrient deficiency gap is almost certain to exist in an ordinary Ghanaian’s plate.

The constant application of synthetic fertilisers diminishes microbial activity and eradicates soil biodiversity, rendering the soil useless in the long term for cultivating crops. Moreover, the indiscriminate clearing of forests and natural habitats for food production disrupts biodiversity and compromises crucial natural processes like pollination.

When our environment is compromised, our health and lives are put at risk. For instance, agricultural runoffs emerge as significant pollutants in our water bodies and threaten aquatic life by conveying pesticides, herbicides, and soil nutrients, making them unsafe for consumption. Additionally, farming releases various pollutants into the air, including dust particles from ploughing and tilling.

The relationship between agricultural production and climate change cannot be underestimated. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the global food system is accountable for one-third of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, significantly contributing to climate change. This, in turn, disrupts food production patterns, leading to potential shortages and contributing to malnutrition and food insecurity.

As an environmentalist and advocate for sustainable agri-food systems, I have worked with eco-friendly practices like “agroecology” – sustainable farming that works with nature. My experience includes leading an agroforestry project in Ghana, where we successfully steer clear of inorganic chemicals and foster a harmonious relationship between farming and nature.

The urgency for sustainable practices is underscored by the alarming fact that about 140 million people in Africa face acute food insecurity, with at least one in five going to bed hungry.
While it is true that a full-scale shift to sustainable farming practices may pose short-term challenges in meeting immediate nutritional needs, we must weigh the long-term consequences of inaction. Inorganic fertilizers may promise increased crop yields and income for the short term, however, agroecological farmers emphasize sustained economic benefits, contributing to broader goals of sustainable and eco-conscious agriculture.

Consumers hold significant power in shaping the practices of food producers. It is imperative that we, as consumers, care deeply about what we eat and actively demand a shift towards food production methods rooted in sustainable farming practices.

In Ghana, the government has sought to fight food insecurity and create jobs with initiatives such as ‘Planting for Food and Jobs.’ However, the emphasis on modern agricultural practices through the distribution of subsidized agrochemicals must be re-evaluated. It’s time to redesign Ghana’s food system to focus on practices that prioritize environmental health, citizen well-being, and the delicate equilibrium of soil and biodiversity.

Consumers can help to speed this process by ‘raising their voices’ in the market. The next time you buy tomatoes for your salad, ask where and how they were grown. Your health and that of the planet – may depend on the answer.

Author note: Gloria Agyare is a young Ghanaian Environmentalist, Agri-food system advocate and fellow under Aspen Global Innovators Group and Niyel.

Not long ago, the Vice President and the presidential candidate of the great New Patriotic Party (NPP) outlined his vision for Ghana should Ghanaians elect him President in 2025.

The carefully thought-through speech will go down in the annals of Ghana’s politics as one of the most comprehensive, coherent, cogent, targeted, solution-oriented, and very promising speech. Not only did Dr Bawumia give Ghanaians a flavour of a Ghana we aspire to, but he concretely demonstrated that it was achievable despite the name-calling by naysayers. The sprouting of uniquely identified ideas, the clearly thought-through solutions, and his mindedness and foreboding of tomorrow clearly show that, indeed, Dr Bawumia derives his greatest joy from solving problems. Kudos, Mr. Vice President.

Now, I will delve into a few of the things Dr. Bawumia spoke about at the lecture and try to provide my perspective on them. The first on my list is the impact digitalisation could have on domestic revenue mobilisation. It is undeniable that domestic revenue mobilisation efforts have, over the years, undergone several reforms. Many of the tax reforms have looked at enhancing tax administration and compliance. The creation of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) was one such reform that helped address fragmentation in tax administration in Ghana. The revenue assurance and compliance enforcement (RACE) initiative was another reform instituted to help close loopholes in the tax system and move tax revenue to GDP to the Sub-Saharan average of 18 percent in the short to medium term.

Ghana’s current tax revenue to GDP is circa 13 percent, way below the sub-regional average. It needs no saying that tax administration faces many challenges. There are many informal sector activities which currently are done outside the tax bracket. There are many businesses conducted via new media, and many do not pay taxes. The GRA has, over the years, initiated a raft of measures to broaden the tax network, but the result has been nothing short of success. The Bawumia tax reform hinged on digitalisation and is truly aimed at addressing the imbalances in tax administration where a few pay taxes and many free rides because there is no system to trace and track them. A fully digital tax office will increase the tax bracket, it will be fair, the tax burden will be bearable by all, and evasion will be reduced. The free-rider problem will be addressed with this initiative.

Next on my list relates to Dr. Bawumia’s vision for education in Ghana and how the digital evolution will help improve the quality of education in Ghana. Ultimately, Bawumia’s plan is to ensure that every Ghanaian student is equipped with the skills that will make him/her savvier and more competitive than any other student from any part of the world. Already, the digital revolution has started with the expansion of access to free Wi-Fi and laptops in many schools in Ghana.  The free SHS policy will be sustained to ensure each Ghanaian has access to at least a secondary education. Enhancing focus on TVET education will enhance the training of skilled workforce for the Ghanaian job market while taking advantage of the African market under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The repositioning of the education system towards STEM, Robotics, Artificial intelligence, and vocational skills will not only help Ghana meet the 4th Industrial Revolution but also become relevant in the increasingly competitive job market.  The Bawumia education plan will seek to improve every stakeholder (students, teachers, and education administrators) in the education strata. Infrastructure at every level will be enhanced and positioned to be the springboard for producing Ghanaian future captains in every facet of society. Dr. Bawumia’s idea of ensuring we build consensus on education will eliminate the ad hoc approach to education policymaking in Ghana. Under Dr Bawumia, every Ghanaian will experience the digital revolution, and every Ghanaian student will have the requisite tools to be able to compete and participate in the fast-changing technological world. Any Ghanaian child will have the skill set required to compete for any job, anywhere in the world. The connectedness of the world makes it possible to live in Ghana and work remotely in any part of the world. Bawumia will bring back the Ghanaian dominance in education.

Another view of Dr Bawumia that resonates with me is his call on all of us Ghanaians to rebuild our soft power and re-orient our faculty to one of possibilities. Ghanaians have endured many adversities (political and economic) in the past. In many of such difficult times, we have prevailed because of our strong mindset of possibilities. Our belief in ourselves as a people, and our determination to do good for ourselves have always driven us to fight on, even when our strength is depleted. We never give up until the work is done. The need to uphold our soft power has never been clarion than now. The idea of introducing a growth mindset curriculum to help students build critical skills such as problem-solving, risk-taking, opportunity spotting and design thinking is long overdue.

Dr. Bawumia’s power sector reform agenda is quite interesting, especially for those concerned about climate change. The plan is to shift the power generation motley from fossil fuel sources to renewables such as wind and solar. The energy sector has been a big drain on the economy, especially from the power purchase agreements of the independent power producers. The sustainability of many of the ‘take or pay’ IPPs is in doubt, and there is a need to find cheaper, efficient, and reliable alternatives. The vision of Dr Bawumia to diversify the power production mix by introducing 2,000MW of solar and wind power by the end of his first term is encouraging and will be a big saving on the public purse. It will equally bring relief to electricity users through a reduction in electricity cost. The view of making Ghana an electricity production hub is commendable, and its added advantages, including improvement in services, job creation, and forex earnings from electricity export, will positively impact the economy.

There are a gamut of issues Dr. Bawumia discussed, including the introduction of the golden age for the maximization of benefits from natural resources, using AI to transform agriculture, a digital approach to fighting corruption, measures to support the cedi, policy of industrialisation for jobs, and the development of a credit system are some of the novel ideas that must be supported. Quite clearly, Dr. Bawumia has the magic wand to build on what President Akufo Addo has done over the past 7-years. This government has set the base for Dr. Bawumia to move Ghana into the next chapter of Ghana’s development, where IT IS POSSIBLE for every Ghanaian to live their dreams and where impossibilities become possible.

Ghana’s second most powerful man last Wednesday joined the ranks of the ubiquitous conductors on our commercial buses—trotro— to sell himself to Ghanaians ahead of election 2024.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Oxford-trained economist literally joined the league of the ‘aplanke,’ the Ga word for the men and women, also known as mates, who control affairs on trotro while the driver focuses on the wheel.

“As Vice President I am like a driver’s mate. But if, by the Grace of God, you make me President, I will be in the driver’s seat with constitutionally mandated authority to pursue my vision and my priorities,” he told cheering New Patriotic Party (NPP) members and supporters in Accra.

The strategy was ostensibly to purge himself of the sins of the Akufo-Addo administration.

Facing a referendum on December 7 on the tenure of the administration in which he was more than Akufo-Addo’s cheerleader, Dr Bawumia’s use of the allegory of a mate and the spin he gave it makes it a political concert with a borrowed chorus from dancehall artiste, Shaggy’s hit song, “It wasn’t me”.

Music reviewers say Shaggy claimed that the message behind the evergreen song more than two decades ago had been misunderstood for years. It is exactly the way I feel about Dr Bawumia’s aplanke analogy.

The aplanke analogy

I am no economic expert, but I have an expertise in the work of mates. Until seven years ago, trotros ran my mobility. This was before I bought my first car, a Toyota Corolla that had seen better days, and defiantly left me in the middle of the road on a number of occasions.

So, I’m well versed in the work of the trotro mate. It varies but there are certain things that remain constant. In every trotro, the mate has the responsibility to collect fares, ensure passengers receive change and keep law and order in the bus. However, it is not uncommon for some mates to contribute to the chaos on board.

Mates are also in charge of filling vehicles with passengers. They strategically know where to direct the driver to stop and load passengers. A bad mate could end up with an empty car. A careless mate could cause the driver to lose money and ultimately result in the driver not being able to fulfill his financial obligation to the car owner. The driver could end up borrowing to even buy fuel for the next day’s journey.

With my experience as a driver now and trotro passenger, good trotro mates don’t limit themselves to financial sustainability, they also ensure the safety of the vehicle and passengers. I can’t count the number of times they used body language to help the driver switch lanes. The notorious ones even help drivers reverse on highways.

These roles are akin to that of Dr Bawumia’s responsibility as the head of the Economic Management Team. He is the government’s chief economic advisor which meant that he was supposed to ensure the economy is healthy and not as ailing as it is now.

In collecting the fares, mates ensure that the balance sheet of the vehicle is kept clean for the driver to pay for fuel and the daily sales that must go to the car owner, and on good days collect enough to make his boss happy. On the campaign trail, Dr Bawumia made us believe that as a former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, he knew where to find money and that we needn’t borrow. But in office, Dr Bawumia, the able mate supervised perhaps the biggest borrowing spree in the history of Ghana. How did he, a mate who promised to ensure that the driver doesn’t go borrowing, end up with so much debt that even the passengers are unable to get their change when the debtors came calling?

In their effort to hoodwink us into believing the infallibility of Dr Bawumia, his handlers have told us, albeit subtly that the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is overbearing and more powerful than the vice-president. However, the latter’s posturing and utterances over the years until the crisis kicked in did not depict someone who was playing second fiddle in an administration in which he was supposed to be the economic guru.

As he attempts to deflect his contribution to the economic mess while taking credit for the dividends of digitalisation, Dr Bawumia forgot that he is the driver’s mate who posed 170 questions to the mate who previously handled affairs in the same car some years ago.

https://twitter.com/MBawumia/status/805876558573555713It appears karma has been on steroid with our eloquent Veep whose 170 questions followed the late Vice-President Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur to the grave.

And if a driver works with a mate with a greedy appetite for stashing cash away unnoticed or insatiable appetite for snacks, the trotro’s account suffers as the national economy would do if we had a corrupt Vice-President. But Dr Bawumia has been off the corruption index—an admirable quality in the midst of looting happening in this administration.

But being incorruptible isn’t enough. After all, President Akufo-Addo had that image in 2016.  There are question marks on the Vice-President’s delivery. It’s disingenuous for him to watch Ghanaian hemorrhage financially under heavy taxes especially when he had needled the Mahama administration about the draconian taxes only to quadruple it under the guise of dealing with the aftereffects of COVID-19 and the Russian Ukraine. Covid-19 levy is still on goods and services almost two years after the disease was declared over as a pandemic. E-levy has become an albatross, oil prices are surging. Our air is polluted more than ever, although we’re paying 10 pesewas on every litre of fuel to improve air quality and sanitation.

On the log of terribly managed polices are Planting for Food and Jobs, One District, One Factory, One Constituency, USD 1million and to some extent free senior high school. Our debt has ballooned beyond our means while the economy run on treasury bills for the first time in our history.

Thousands of Ghanaian investors including myself are still waiting for our locked-up funds from a financial-sector clean up that was laced more with political malice than economic scruples. We’ve been made financially bald by ruthless haircuts that the president promised would never happen.

Dr Bawumia, who is now taking cover under digitalisation, told us on Wednesday that he is a man of solutions. One wonders why he has not found the antidote to curtail the billions of state funds that disappear in the name of corruption only to appear on the grim pages of the Auditor-General’s report?

In all these, our ‘aplanke’ veep believes that he was merely a mate whose solid economic management team was merely an advisory body that counted for nothing. There is a lot wrong with the veep attempt to sanitise his image while we are neck deep in a crisis that he contributed to.

Credibility deficit?

In an attempt to battle and contain widespread disillusionment with his performance in the role, Dr Bawumia is further damaging his standing. In the last four years that the economy has been on backfoot, the Vice-President has struggled to seize the initiative on issues that give the average Ghanaian migraine—the cost of living, taxes, lost investments among others.

Dr Bawumia wants us to believe that in 11 months to come, e-levy, sports betting among other taxes won’t be necessary. He also wants us to believe that he could grant tax amnesty and wave off taxes under an International Monetary Fund programme that requires that we spend less and collect more taxes to pay off our debts.

In the midst of an economic crisis, Dr Bawumia’s bid for the presidency carries with it the weight of accountability and leadership. However, his reluctance to accept responsibility for the economic turmoil, despite heading the economic management team, casts doubt on his credibility. By distancing himself from his role in steering the nation’s economy, he reveals a lack of accountability and leadership integrity, which undermines public trust. This evasion of responsibility not only reflects poorly on his appeal but also raises questions about his capability to navigate the country through future challenges.

As a voter, I see his reluctance to own up to his role in the economic downturn as a sign of weakness and opportunism rather than genuine concern for the nation’s welfare.

Moreover, the Vice-President’s refusal to acknowledge his part in the economic crisis highlights a disconnect between his actions and the reality we face as citizens. His attempt to shift blame onto others within the economic management team may further erode public confidence in his ability to lead effectively.

As I scroll through social media post, the question that keeps running through most of the post is whether Dr Bawumia has the foresight and competence to address complex economic issues if he cannot even acknowledge his own role in creating or exacerbating them.

Some mates graduate to become drivers after understudying their boss and occasionally drive the car as spare drivers. How do we trust Dr Bawumia the mate and spare driver who learnt driving from a boss that has a passion for the reverse gear? With the driver always forced to borrow money to maintain the car while telling the car owner fairy tales, how do we entrust our car into the hands of this mate who handled the car’s finances.

Can we trust him not sleep on the job just as he did as a mate?

Defending the 1992 Constitution: “A nation can survive its fools and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within…A murderer is less to fear.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero. 

I have read line by line and paragraph by paragraph Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia’s seventy-three (73) page paper he delivered at the University of Professional Studies, Accra on 7 February 2024 outlining his vision for Ghana should the Ghanaian electors give him the mandate to succeed incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo as the President of Ghana on 7 January 2024: contrary to statements and criticisms about his vision for Ghana that I have read on the electronic media since 7 February 2024, I have been unable to objectively find any betrayal of President Akufo Addo or the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Bawumia’s published vision for Ghana. 

Bawumia owned up to being an integral part of the Nana Akufo-Addo’s government of family, friends, cronies, associates, and looters and attempts to reclaim credit for a messy economic situation that sent the country to the IMF when he says on page 40 of his vision that: 

“107. What we have been able to accomplish so far shows that Ghana can achieve many things that some believe to be impossible. It is possible if we put our minds to it. We need to break the shackles of impossibility and embrace the mindset of possibility.” 

All that an objective reader needs to do is to refer to the historical materials and the promises made by the Nana Akufo-Addo/Bawumia 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns and she/he would realise what either Nana Akufo-Addo or Mahamudu Bawumia mean when they deployed the rhetoric of the impossibility becoming possible. The ordinary Ghanaian just has to assess his economic conditions today, the loss in savings and income that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia joint promises and management have unleashed on the gullible electorate that swallowed hook, line, and sinker the demagogic and messianic deception of the electorate that voted to bring the pair to power at the polls in 2016 and 2020. 

I have read Bawumia’s vision several times since I had time to do so after delivering my keynote address at the University for Development Studies on 8 February 2024 and he comes out to me like a copycat replica of the style and deceptive persuasiveness deployed by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in winning the 2016 presidential elections only to renege on all the promises he made on taxes, use of natural resources for the benefits of the ordinary Ghanaian, the right of citizens to speak up and not be spectators: and above all the unprecedented unfulfilled plan and leadership commitment to fight corruption. 

Bawumia’s vision is a repeat using a decoy to disguise a similar cajoling vision the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia team presented to the Ghanaian electorate at the 2016 elections. It is no different in form and substance from the deceptive vision team Akufo-Addo/Bawumia presented even at the 2020 elections when economic situations were exceedingly difficult. These visions have always been founded upon promises to ameliorate the harsh tax conditions the private sector and ordinary Ghanaians are facing daily in the marketplace. 

Nana Akufo-Addo was my worthy colleague at the Bar with whom I sparred in many landmark cases. I had profound respect for his integrity as a lawyer and a colleague to the extent that I lost my sense of critical assessment of him as a demagogue politician desperate to wield the presidential power for brute power’s sake and not as an instrument for the common good of citizens as enjoined under the 1992 Constitution. So many Ghanaians were taken in by Nana Akufo-Addo’s presentation of self as capable of leading one of the most incorruptible governments after 7 January 2017. The converse reality is now pertinent for all electors to assess and make their own decisions and tell their lived experience of how demagogues and messianic leaders of the likes of team Akufo-Addo and Mahamudu Bawumia deceive the unsuspecting electorates for their votes only to unremorsefully abandon them to a life of the worst economic sufferings as we witness daily in Ghana today. 

Bawumia’s vision makes no pretensions of distancing him from the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia visions for the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Bawumia only refines the rhetoric by promising to reform the most hated tax measures under the incumbent government likely to affect his fortunes at the 2024 elections by cleverly suggesting the possibility of eventually eliminating the hated taxes through an untested tax policy that will make “it possible for the elimination of some taxes such as the VAT on electricity, the emission tax, and the betting tax without compromising our deficit target.” The contingent conditions and context of feasibility for this vision in Bawumia’s own words on page 48 of the Bawumia vision are: “The new policies that I am proposing to implement in 2025 will give us the fiscal space to eliminate some taxes such as the VAT on electricity, the emission tax and the betting tax without compromising our deficit target.” 

The context of the likely elimination of those taxes is clearly stated in Bawumia’s vision dependent on new tax policies, just as the team Akufo-Addo/Bawumia pair used the rhetoric of no new taxes and the natural resources for the benefit of Ghanaians’ vision to secure the votes at the 2016 election particularly, and also at the disputed 2020 elections in which innocent citizens died. The impression created by critics and commentators of Bawumia’s vision that he distanced himself from the draconian E-Levy is not borne out by my reading of the Bawumia vision document. Bawumia has been so associated with Nana Akufo-Addo that he has developed the unconscious mimicking of Akufo-Addo’s rhetoric and demagogic/messianic style of taking the electorate for granted as yokels.

The abolition of e-levy is contingent on the economy moving towards a cashless economy and the use of electronic channels of payments that will make taxes on digital payments unnecessary under his vision (see page 63 thereof). The VAT on electricity, the emission tax, the betting tax, and the e-levy were taxes forced down the throat of the electorate with the support of the minority in parliament and our Almighty Transactional Speaker who hunts the NPP in the coming 2024 elections. I would have been surprised if Bawumia did not mimicked Nana Akufo-Addo’s campaign rhetoric in trying to convince Ghanaians of the possibility of eliminating them as part of his vision once elected. The electorate has experienced seven years of deception under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to decide whether as first fools and second fools they wish to become the third fools who indeed will be the real fools at the 2024 elections. 

The Bawumia vision is in accordance with the team Akufo-Addo/Bawumia refrain in which they used the cover of the COVID pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine war to introduce draconian and unconstitutional laws including executive instruments to loot the national purse for their friends, family, cronies, and associates in the name of COVID testing at ports 

of entry and other social interventions that never reached the ordinary Ghanaian. In the same copycat manner, Bawumia parrots Akufo-Addo’s vision and voice, and for geopolitical comprador reasons disingenuously leaves out the effect of Israel’s mayhem on innocent Palestinians. As a Muslim, Bawumia is so bent on coming to power that he is distancing himself from the Israeli/Gaza war and its genocidal consequences on the poor Arabs of all faiths suffering the excesses of the Netanyahu madness against all Palestinians. South Africa has shown Bawumia the way to follow the innocent deaths in Palestine as a true African which he cannot follow for geopolitical reasons should the 2024 elections be stolen for him as was done for the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa za Banga of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) for years. 

Bawumia’s vision like the team Akufo-Addo/Bawumia’s squandered vision in the past seven years is to use the benchmark of a skewed performance of the NDC Government between 2013 and 2016 as the battering ram of success and a promise for a better future. I came away with the impression that the Bawumia vision, like the team Akufo-Addo/Bawumia vision for the 2016 and 2020 elections, is unable to show its achievement independent of the past which they promised to eradicate. 

Bawumia’s vision of eradicating corruption using digitization is so naïve when compared to the continued discovery of corruption within China which has an advanced digital and cashless system than Ghana whose illiterate and semi-literate population negates the Bawumia vision of all-round digitisation. The population of Ghanaians registered for the Ghana Card according to Bawumia’s analysis shows the challenges of achieving his vision.

In any case, the government which had the prescience to licence and encourage Mobitel (now Airtel/Tigo) and Scancom (now MTN) ought to be taking credit for today’s digitization and not the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia regimes. Well-kept archival records in Ghana will show the letters from the Public Agreements Board that facilitated the establishment of Mobitel and Scancom when I was the Chairman of the Public Agreements Board under the PNDC regime and how these developed under the NDC 1 and 2 regimes with the roles Captain Tsikata, and Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, the two-term NDC Chairman of the Council of State played in actualizing what are the telecom networks in Ghana today. 

As Ghana gets closer to the 2024 election season the NPP and the NDC are deploying various deceptive tools to win over the electorate whom they will each forget after securing the votes of the electorate to come to power for the next three years until the next election year. The 2024 elections should be won by facts and projections with high degrees of probability for actualization. Unfortunately, every day one just hears promise upon promise from the two major political parties without any demonstrable ability to implement those promises once elected to power.

The political elite from various political parties see the election season as a period of deception instead of canvassing for votes on proven records and achievements. This is the period for selfless constitutional activists whose political party is Ghana and the 1992 Constitution to expose the chicanery and deceptions being deployed to secure votes only to abandon the electorate to their fate once the winner assumes power. Ghana must always come first! 

Martin A. B. K. Amidu 
February 15, 2024 

READ ALSO:

• Damanghene and former Commissioner of Police passes on
• Fuel prices to go up – COPEC
• Afenyo-Markin blocks 3rd reading of Anti-LGBTQ Bill

An open letter has been written to the newly appointed Municipal Chief Executive of Nkwanta South, Felix Owusu-Gyimah on the pressing challenges facing the municipality.

The writer, Ernest Opoku Mpeniasah said the recurring conflicts and tensions in the area has hindered progress and development this needs to be addressed.

He suggested the MCE engage youth in Nkwanta South with his peace-building initiatives.

Full open letter below:

Dear Hon. FELIX OWUSU-GYIMAH,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits as you embark on your new role as the Municipal Chief Executive of Nkwanta South. First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your appointment and express my optimism for the positive changes you will bring to our beloved municipality.

However, I write to draw your attention to the pressing challenges that have plagued our municipality for far too long. Nkwanta South has been marred by recurring conflicts and tensions, which have hindered our progress and development. It is imperative that we address these issues and restore peace before we can even begin to think about sustainable development.

The lack of peace in our municipality has had severe consequences on various aspects of our lives. Our economy has suffered greatly, with businesses struggling to thrive amidst the prevailing uncertainty. The education sector has also been adversely affected, as students and teachers are unable to focus on their studies due to the constant fear and disruptions caused by conflicts. Additionally, the social fabric of our community has been torn apart, leading to a breakdown in trust and unity among our people.

To overcome these challenges, I strongly urge you to constitute a Peace Building Committee that encompasses all stakeholders in our municipality. This committee should include representatives from various sectors, such as community leaders, religious leaders, women’s groups, youth organizations, and traditional authorities. By bringing together these diverse voices, we can foster dialogue, understanding, and collaboration, which are essential for lasting peace.

I would also like to emphasize the importance of engaging our youth in this peace-building movement. The youth are the future of our municipality, and their active participation is crucial for sustainable development. By involving them in decision-making processes and providing them with opportunities for personal and professional growth, we can empower them to become agents of positive change. Let us encourage them to join this movement and contribute their ideas, energy, and enthusiasm towards building a peaceful and prosperous Nkwanta South.

In conclusion, I implore you, as the new MCE, to prioritize the restoration of peace in our municipality. Only through peace can we lay a solid foundation for development and progress. By constituting a Peace Building Committee and actively involving the youth, we can create a united front that will work tirelessly towards a peaceful and prosperous Nkwanta South.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to witnessing the positive transformation that your leadership will bring to our municipality.

Yours sincerely,

Ernest Opoku Mpeniasah(OPK)
Brewaniase, Nkwanta South

1. Ministerial reshuffle or shuffle occurs when a head of government rotates or changes the composition of ministers in his or her government or when the head of state in a Bicephalous system of government, changes the head of government, and a number of ministers.

In democratically governed countries, Ministerial Reshuffles are undertaken periodically, for several reasons. First of all, they seek to introduce new skills, talents, competence and fresh ideas to a governance machinery.

Second, they are a way to reposition people to areas where their talents and expertise would be better needed. Third, they are a tool for demanding accountability from appointees as they make them sit up to deliver in order not to be sacked or demoted. Fourth, they are used as a tool to retire the tired, and kick out the incompetent from government.

Fifth, they may be used as a mechanism to downsize government or bring on board more hands to help.

Sixth, they are a mechanism for promoting inclusivity in governance and nation building. Last but not the least, they are a way to assert the control of the appointing authority over his or her appointees.

2. Given its importance, it must be undertaken periodically in developing democracies. It must however be noted that frequent reshuffles aren’t helpful as it erodes institutional memory and undermines the need to build experience in carrying out the task of government.

Refusing to reshuffle is also dangerous as it perpetuates incompetence, promotes complacency and deny a developing country of access to its limited human resource base, that must be tapped for national development.

3. So, the periodization of reshuffling is more important than its frequency. This explains why successive governments in the Fourth Republic of Ghana, periodically reshuffled. The only government that appear to have no appreciation of the idea and ideals of reshuffling, is the current one headed by President Akufo Addo.

The President may have his own reasons but I do not think such reasons can torpedo the ideals of periodic reshuffling. The calls for reshuffling have been cross-partisan and incessant. From the ruling party, there have been calls and demonstrations.

From the opposition, there have been same calls and from academia and civi society, the calls have been tremendous. But these have been ignored with ignominy. But to be fair, this isn’t the only call that has been ignored.

Several of them have. We for instance called on the President to leave Domelovo alone but, he refused to listen, until the courts told him he was wrong.

5. In less than ten months to the end of his tenure, President Akufo Addo has finally reshuffled his Ministers. But this particular reshuffle is plagued with some confusion in a manner that makes it difficult for one to appreciate the direction he’s heading with the country. What is the focus of this reshuffle vis-a-vis the outlined rationale?

6. Ministers have been sacked and replaced with Ministers of State. But in the hierarchical order of Ministerial Appointments, Ministers of State aren’t the same as Ministers. They come in between Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

So, is the current arrangement of having Ministers of State, rather than Ministers, a cost cutting mechanism or we simply do not understand the difference between the two?

Also, we must look at the numbers again, as what has been done, doesn’t clearly show that the call for downsizing has also been ADEQUATELY addressed. In other words, even if there’s a reduction in size of government, it would be very marginal.

7. More importantly, why now, that the day is over? Is it in line with the belief that, last days are dangerous and that something new or drastic can be done at the last minute injury time? Is that how governance work? Is governance like football match, where we can hope that goals can be scored in injury time? Is governance about superstition? Are the new ministers of state going to operate with sector budgets that they had no inputs in preparing?

8. In my view, it is better late than never that the President has finally reshuffled, though I do not think it is in response to the incessant calls. But to be brutally frank, this is an injury time reshuffle that does not satisfy any of the major reasoning for reshuffles.

Fresh people introduced, aren’t occupying substantive portfolios, and those moved around may not have the desired impact because of the very limited time they have.

It does appear that the focus of this injury time reshuffle, is more on partisan interest and an opportunity for others to get into the system so they can also belch and amass wealth for their parliamentary contests, especially in areas where the contests are expected to be highly competitive.

9. The failure of President Akufo Addo to undertake a very substantive, meaningful and thorough period reshuffle, for over seven years, would remain one of the numerous sources of disappointment of his government, by many well meaning Ghanaians.

It is an unprecedented and a bad governance practice that is highly unworthy of emulation by whoever takes over the reins of government from him.

Asalam Aleikum

Yaw Gyampo

A31, Prabiw

P.A.V. Ansah Street

Saltpond

&

Suro Nipa House

Behind Old Post Office

Larteh-Akuapim

I have lived through many, many harmattans, but this one is defeating me.

I have even gone to the dictionary to see how it is defined; just in case I have forgotten what harmattan is supposed to be.

One definition says “a very dry, dusty, easterly or north-easterly wind on the West African coast, occurring from December to February”.

Another definition says the Harmattan is “a cool, dry wind that blows from the northeast or east in the western Sahara and is strongest from late November to mid-March.

 It usually carries large amounts of dust, which it can transport hundreds of miles out over the Atlantic Ocean; the dust often interferes with local aircraft operations”.

The last time the harmattan got to me this intensely, or maybe I should say the last time it got under my skin, my nostril, my eyes, in my hair and inside all my crevices so badly, was about seven years ago and I wrote a column about it.

At that time, there were lots of complaints about planes unable to land at our airports due to poor visibility.

This time around, I have not heard of any such problems affecting aviation services.

But the conditions generally seem much worse to me. 

The entire atmosphere of the country has been saturated with a sand-laden wind and I have not seen the sky for weeks and that is getting to me.

I feel oppressed, I feel deprived and I am distressed that I am unable to see the skies when I get up in the morning, and the sun is unable to force its way through the sand-laden, stationary blanket that is hanging over us and I have no idea if the moon is out and if there are stars.

I cannot see the beautiful night skies that we take for granted.  

The harmattan is a natural phenomenon and I thought I knew all about it, having lived through so many episodes.

The problem is that it is not behaving as it is supposed to. 

First of all, there was no sign of the harmattan here in the south of the country all the way through to the end of the past year.

It did not start in November, nor in December.

Indeed, the grass was green and it kept raining through November and all the way to the second week of January this year. 

Then the blanket of sand arrived.

I can’t say that it is anything like the harmattan that I used to know, which is why I have been trying to read about a phenomenon that I ought to know inside out.
I found the following in one of the definitions of the harmattan: “On its passage over the Sahara, the Harmattan picks fine dust and sand particles.

 It is also known as the “doctor wind” because of its invigorating dryness, compared with humid tropical air”.

Well, we do have the fine dust and the sand particles, but what we have now can certainly not be called the “doctor wind”, as it has no such thing as “invigorating dryness”.

This unmoving, sandy air is as humid as you would get at the height of the heat in April. 

What we used to know as harmattan had dry, very dry air; now the air is humid.

It is not normal to sweat during the harmattan season but now I am sweating all the time. 

Sweat

Early mornings during harmattan used to be cold and you would need a warm bath.

Now, you sweat after a cold shower in the morning. 

I am not even sure people are having to use as much shea butter to moisturise their skin as would normally be the case during a real harmattan when skins are parched dry and cracking; now we are wet with sweat.      

However, when it comes to poor visibility, this is as true a harmattan as you would ever get.

Poor visibility is at dangerous levels, making driving conditions even more hazardous than usual. 

And the poor visibility does not affect only driving conditions, our whole world appears to have been blanketed in dust and it is difficult to make out anything clearly.

One main characteristic of harmattan is dirt.

 That has not changed.

The dirt is overpowering.  

It does not matter how often you dust your windows; they will not look or feel clean.

 If you have books you would notice they are having a hard time of it.

Curtains take the brunt of it all as they absorb the sand and dust and end up looking thoroughly miserable.

I resist the urge to take them down to be washed and I pretend I can’t see how dirty they are and wait until it is all over. 

Confession

I must confess that takes some courage but you learn that the harmattan is not friendly, and you are not the only one with dirty floors, furniture, curtains and windows.

This fine film of sand finds its way everywhere.

The clothes in my closets get dirty simply hanging in there and the clothes on my body get dirty within minutes of my wearing them.

Every crevice on my body is covered with sand and I can even feel the sand when I lick my lips.  

The consequences are telling on our health as well.

Almost everybody has had or has a cough. 

Those with Asthma are really struggling. 

I had a cough which lasted for about three weeks and I can’t even say it is fully gone.

Indeed, the Ghana Medical Association has issued a statement reiterating what we are all going through, which is an increase in respiratory diseases. 

We have been urged to wear face masks and limit outdoor activities.

Unfortunately, none of these two admonitions really work. 

Uncomfortable

The density of the sand in the air makes wearing masks most uncomfortable, and as for limiting outdoor activities, I am not sure how that works.

It feels as bad inside as it does outside.

 It is airless inside and only slightly less sandy.

I take a look at the film of dust on the cars and I realise the amount of sand I am taking into my nostrils when I breathe; I take a look at the film of dust on the furniture inside the room and I accept there is no hiding place from this dust.  

I notice that drivers are dusting their cars all the time.

I take the view it is a waste of time and energy and I offer no apologies for my car being dusty. 

My garden is thirsty and looking unloved, but here we are, with the water company saying the population of Accra has outgrown the capacity of what the water company can provide; I feel terribly guilty putting water on my grass even when it is coming from my rainwater harvested tank.

I know I have said it before, but I will say it again: the harmattan is an ill wind that blows no good.   

Take a mortgage, for example. Mortgage banks would offer you either fixed interest rate or variable interest rate, in pricing your mortgage finance.

What needs to be understood is that the bank needs to make sure that the value of your future repayments is the same as if you are paying back the money the same day they gave the money to you. That way, they don’t lose out due to the time value of money. So if they give you GH₵1,000 today and expect you to pay back the GH₵1,000 plus interest of GH₵500 over a period of 15 months, they want to make sure that the value of every GH₵100 instalment you pay, whether in the first month or the last month, is exactly GH₵100, not less.

To achieve that objective, they offer you the option of a fixed interest rate but the repayments are then tied to the exchange rate of a stable currency, like the US Dollar. So they would convert your mortgage into USD at a fixed interest rate, so your monthly repayments are in USD but you pay the Cedi equivalent at the prevailing exchange rate, on the date of payment.

The alternative is to offer you the option of a Cedi-denominated mortgage but at a variable interest rate, which changes based on factors such as changes in inflation and the policy rate of the Bank of Ghana. With variable interest rates therefore, your repayments, though in Cedis, change from month to month depending on the interest rate that the bank calculates that is based on the factors mentioned above and more.

Depending on the stability of the macroeconomic environment, and the currency of your personal income, among others, one option may be preferred to the other.

When you hedge on the exchange rate being stable and opt for a fixed interest rate, you will suffer greatly when the Cedi depreciation is as substantial as has been between 2017 and 2024. But those who would have opted for variable interest rates wouldn’t have been spared either, especially when both inflation and policy rates shot through the roof in the last few years.

BoG Interbank Exchange Rate:

A day before NPP/Bawumia took office:

6 January 2017: $1 = ₵4.2129

Yesterday:

12 February 2024: $1 = ₵12.1549

Fellow Ghanaians, this is the exchange that directly affects your life, everything you buy, including fuel and electricity. But Bawumia would not highlight this, because it draws your attention to the failure of his government and its policies. Rather, he will talk about the rate of depreciation, which he knows most average Ghanaians cannot even understand.

Bawumia would gladly tell you that, “…exchange rate depreciation has also slowed down sharply since February 2023. Whereas the exchange rate depreciated by 30% in 2022, between February and December 2023, it only depreciated by 9%”.

What Bawumia deliberately avoids telling you is that, if you had a monthly mortgage of $300, whereas on 6th January, 2017 you would pay GH₵1,264 to the mortgage bank, on 12th February, 2024, seven years after NPP/Bawumia took over power, you would pay the mortgage bank GH₵3,646.

That is an increase of GH₵2,383, which is over 188.5%. So just by the ‘competent’ management of the economy, your life has been made worse under this government. But Bawumia won’t let you know that, so he will deliberately hide behind a slowing RATE of depreciation, which is depreciation nonetheless, to make you think you’re rather better off!

Gaslighting at its best!

I have always kept a close eye on Ghanaian politics, even from my home in Southern California. In particular, I have been following the NPP primaries closely.

Despite opposition from many friends, I have remained a devoted supporter of the “Boy from Bongo.” Vice President Bawumia is the best choice to lead the Elephant Family and potentially Ghana after the 2024 General Elections.

This is due to his competence, astuteness, cleverness, and diligence. More importantly, he deeply understands the Ghana agenda, where the country needs to be and is headed, and what it takes to reach that destination.

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, Vice President Bawumia addressed his constituents in Ghana since being elected to lead the NPP.

There was a unique atmosphere during the ceremony. The introduction by former President John A. Kufuor demonstrated his wisdom and highlighted the timely rise of Bawumia.

The former president stated that Vice President Bawumia is a man of destiny and on a mission, and there could not have been a better way to express it. Former President Kufuor demonstrated that, like fine wine, he only got better with age.

Politics can be compared to a game of chess. It involves the strategic rearrangement of the various sectors of a nation, the critique of existing policies and structures, and the use of available resources (both human and natural) to ensure progress and advancement.

The ability to blend these aspects of governance to achieve a desired outcome separates good politicians from bad ones and good leaders from bad ones.

During his excellent speech on Wednesday night, Vice President Bawumia demonstrated a profound appreciation of the art of politics, as opposed to mere “politricks.”

Dr. Bawumia, a member of Ghana’s current government, diagnosed the country’s problems, presented its current state, and recommended strategic solutions. His approach was likened to a skilled surgeon who dissects a tumor to remove it. Dr. Bawumia was honest and transparent in his analysis, much like a typical surgeon, and did not shy away from highlighting the issues and flaws of the government he is part of. By bringing these issues to light, he opened up a wound that needed to be treated and showed how to address them. To ensure transparency, all government contracts will be publicly available for everyone to access.

The man on a mission exhibited that he had listened attentively to the masses. Much like a diligent student, he showed he has been taking notes on the current government of the NPP and its president, his boss, whom he considers his political mentor. He proposed intelligent and insightful policy recommendations and alterations like a diligent student. He proposed a streamlined government with only 50 ministers and deputy ministers and eliminated the unpopular E-Levy.

It is important for Ghana as a nation and its political landscape that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia wins the general polls later in 2024. Besides his astuteness, competence, and vision, Vice President Bawumia has single-handedly changed the country’s political landscape for the better, following in the footsteps of Former President Kufuor and current President Akufo-Addo. His demeanor, humility, and respect for the ordinary person on the street are unmatched.

It’s impressive how this distinguished son from the Northern part of Ghana communicates with a sense of respect, decorum, and modesty. In today’s world, where many people use harsh and vitriolic language, it’s really refreshing to see someone who has been in active politics and at the forefront of politics for almost two decades and has never used indecent speech. The Bible says, “As a man speaks, so is he.”  Vice President Bawumia has always spoken well and with grace and dignity. He has set an excellent example for others to follow and helped raise the political discourse level in our society by shifting our attention to a politics of ideas and vision made with arguments backed by empirical data.

Politics is not only about improving citizens’ economic and physical well-being but also about enhancing their moral and ethical well-being and espousing it. As the country’s leader, the president should embody our best qualities rather than our worst. They represent us to the rest of the world and show who we are as a people. Therefore, while we are concerned with how they can use the country’s resources to improve people’s lives, we must also care about their behavior and how they carry themselves.

During my recent browsing, I stumbled upon a quote that caught my attention, “The difference between humans and animals? Animals would never allow the dumbest [and the worst and weakest] ones to lead the pack.” A word to the wise is enough.

The machinery and structure of government do not exist to be led by ordinary people. They are there for visionaries who can lead, nurture, and utilize them as tools to make the most significant impact. To achieve this, we need individuals who are not just talkers and doers of the basic and ordinary. Instead, we need people with a profound passion for our country who genuinely care about the well-being of ordinary citizens. We need to vote for people who sleep, dream, and wake up with the welfare of Ghana on their minds and hearts.

Regarding the candidates competing to lead the nation starting January 7, 2025, they need help matching the passion and dedication of Ghana’s current vice president, Dr. Bawumia. His deep love for Ghana is evident on his face and can be felt in his voice when he speaks about the country and its numerous challenges and how to resolve them.

So, if you were to ask me why anyone should vote for Dr. Bawumia in the upcoming general elections, my response would be: Not only is Bawumia competent and prepared, but he is also a man on a mission with the “blood” of Ghana flowing through his veins.

And I know you may be buying into a lie being bandied around by some folks. What else can he do, having been a deputy to Nana Akufo-Addo for the past seven years and steering Ghana safely through this turbulent economic and geopolitical chaos? The answer is not farfetched.

I understand that some people are questioning the capabilities of the current Vice President of Ghana since he has been serving as Nana Akufo-Addo’s deputy for the past seven years. Put differently, how can Dr. Bawumia successfully navigate the country through the economic and geopolitical challenges of our times? However, this perception of the current Second Gentleman is an evident fallacy, as his abilities and qualifications are not in doubt.

Our neighboring country to the west won the CAF AFCON tournament in Abidjan on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Congratulations to them! Hard luck to my many friends from Naija who lost gallantly on Sunday night.

The Elephants had an arduous journey to the top. Their performance in the first game was lackluster, woeful in the second, and atrocious and chaotic in the third. They had a disastrous four-nil defeat in that third game against Equatorial Guinea.

Michel de Montaigne once said, “There are some defeats more triumphant than victories,” this statement holds for the Ivorian team’s third match.  T

hey turned a defeat into a triumph by replacing their seasoned coach with a novice assistant who had been a good student, had his own mind and backroom staff, and was made of steel.

This incident proved that some deputies are better equipped and more prepared than the bosses they are meant to support, and all they need is the right opportunity.

Vice President Bawumia is a determined and hardworking individual who has been favored with a visionary intellect and outstanding insight. It is now our duty as citizens to give him the opportunity to lead our great nation of Ghana to greater heights by occupying the Jubilee House from January 7, 2025. All he needs is an opportunity, which is ours to give him.

Written by Dominic Obour.

The author is a person of Ghanaian descent who resides in Southern California

Email: oboursavio@gmail.com

Which school did you attend? That is a simple question that is more loaded than perceived. ‘Ehm… ehm… ehm’ is sometimes the initial response which may never be completed.

Other times the response has been swift with no hesitation whatsoever; and the school’s name is dropped with enthusiasm and unsolicited follow-ups: the principal’s name, the National Science Quiz, etc, until you get irritated and walk away.

In our days, the joke among non-elite students was: ‘Achimota Girls are coming, the only problem is the English language to meet them.’ ‘Achimota sandals’ was the footwear commonly worn to mark one’s social status.

Local values then compel parents to aim at ‘good schools’ for their wards: Achimota, Mfantsipim, Wesley Girls, Holy Child, Adisco, etc. and not Obra ye Oko (Life is War), or Ohia ma Adwen SHS, in spite of excellent results Obrasco or Ohiasco recently posted.

The perception is made worse by bureaucratic labels like ‘Grade A Schools,’ ‘B Schools,’ etc. that classify schools by alphabets skewed to debase the less privileged.

That classification could easily be stretched to produce ‘Grade Z’ schools one day. Beyond Grade Z, there would perhaps be a Grade Die.

Incidentally, one hardly sees labels like, ‘Schools Making Steady Progress.’ That is where Obrasco and Ohiasco could probably lead the rankings and trend in the social media.

This truth was evident in 2019 when an unknown school, Mamfe Methodist Girls High School disrupted the rankings and won for Ghana the World Robofest contest held in Michigan , USA, while jingle bells were nowhere to be found. That victory has since transformed the fortunes of Mamfe Girls up the Akwapim mountains.

Day in day out, perceptions are jolted. I myself wondered the school attended by my erudite friend Kofi Akpabli, a brilliant lecturer at Central University. When Kofi told me which school he attended, I was left with wide eye balls.

Great students and their schools like precious beads sometimes do not jingle, but are noiselessly dotted in nooks across the country including Nsaba Presbyterian Secondary School (now senior high), where Kofi Akpabli graduated in 1990.

Yet, our great schools should be lauded for the high academic and leadership standards they set, which inspire the lesser endowed. Take the story of our premier University of Ghana. Its roll of Ghanaian vice chancellors produces a virtual who is who. Which schools did they attend?

The first Ghanaian vice chancellor of Legon, Achimota; 2nd vice chancellor, Achimota; 3rd vice chancellor, Achimota; 4th vice chancellor, Achimota; 5th vice chancellor, Achimota; 6th vice chancellor, Prempeh College; 7th vice chancellor, St Augustine’s; 8th vice chancellor, Achimota; 9th vice chancellor, St Peters Boys; 10th vice chancellor, Holy Child.

With this intimidating roll of honors, let’s pray the next Vice Chancellor of Legon breaks the monotony. For the next Legon VC, what about a product of Obra Ye Ko Secondary School, Obrasco, where life is war? 

We are indeed waiting for that occasion, which would surely be celebrated with a great ‘abunuabunu’ banquet at the VC’s lodge.

When I got possessed with writing in my late twenties, I once met a huge personality I never dreamed seeing. He was author of the classic book ‘Topics in West African History,’ which we voraciously read at A Level. My God! It was the venerable Albert Adu Boahen, a great scholar many suspected was the author of my anonymous newspaper column, late 1970s.

In a tale dilated in my memoires (The Pen at Risk), I bumped into the big professor at a car park in Legon one day. Having learned I was the anonymous author of that weekly column, the professor posed a query that unsettled me: ‘by the way, which school did you attend?’ I almost melted but managed a feeble response; and it was none of the big schools he was expecting!

A disappointed ‘Kontopiaat,’ his nickname, chuckled in disbelief and mildly boasted that as far as he was concerned, only Mfantsipim boys (Kwabotwe) were capable of the language in my column. Would I accept honorary membership of the great Kwabotwe family, he asked. The matter ended with a gentle surge in my entrails, the proud voice of my small school.

On 24th January this year, a reader privately in-boxed me after reading my Facebook post entitled ‘Pot Holes Epidemic.’ In her words: ‘I just read your article.

It was very long but I was able to read to the end, and did not skip any line, because you write so well. Did you perhaps attend Achimota School? ….. Great article, well written. Kudos. Regards’. Signed.

The reader was an Akora, Achimotan.

In the past several years that I have been in public life, whether in my public speeches, writings, personal encounters, or outside the country, I have upheld that little school, glorified that school, lauded the school, and almost made the school a little object of worship, doing so with chest out without apologies. My outbursts have often attracted curiosity: ‘what at all is in that school Kwesi Yankah has so often extolled?’

The answer was tabled in 2016, when I was receiving the Education Laureate Award for my ‘impact on education in Ghana,’ given by Impact Africa Summit. This was at a time Prempeh College had just been announced as champions in the National Maths and Science Quiz. In my acceptance speech, I made bold to insert my alma mater. Hear my boastful words at the awards event:

‘Science quiz or no science quiz, by far the best school in Ghana today, often unnoticed due to modesty is the unsung Winneba Secondary School my alma mater [prolonged laughter by audience]. And this is in spite of the Mfantsipims, the Achimotas, and Prempehs who make the most noise only because they are empty barrels,’ I bragged looking over my shoulders.

The entire auditorium at La Tang Hotel, North Ridge rocked in jitters and that included the former President J. A Kufuor who was one of the five honored. JAK exploded in reels of baritone laughter expecting the climax of my speech to have been his Prempeh College.

The truth is I attended Winnesec more than half a century ago and have since not left, partly because I have been soaked, almost possessed by what appear to be the little things of life that can transform generations.
Winnesec I Love You.

I am dedicating this post to all lesser endowed schools in Ghana. Chest up, and go for laurels!

Congratulations for steady progress. Truly yours.

kwyankah@yahoo.com 

“Born to Play,” an ad for the NFL that ran during Sunday night’s Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, promoted the league’s global recruitment program. 

The spot featured a spunky, adorable young Ghanaian boy, Kwesi, who loves (American) football and, after running around Accra playing an imaginary football game with NFL stars (Saquon Barkley, Justin Jefferson, Cameron Jordan and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah) finds himself at a very real NFL recruitment camp.

There, the ad suggests, Kwesi’s hopes and dreams are realized.

International recruitment in places like Africa, it would seem, is one of the NFL’s solutions to a declining game. Youth participation in the U.S. has steadily diminished since 2009, amid concerns about the game’s major health risks, chiefly brain damage.

The 2021-22 National Federation of State High School Associations’ High School Athletics Participation Survey revealed a 12.2% decline in youth participation from a 2008-09 peak, and it “was the first [year] on record with fewer than a million players participating in 11-player high school football in America since the turn of the century,” according to the U.S. News & World Report.

And this has shifted the demographics in participation, too, as kids from more affluent backgrounds withdraw from tackle football, and participants are increasingly from poorer communities. 

A league that had $11.98 billion in revenue in 2022 recruiting in more economically vulnerable places like Ghana, which for so long were plundered by colonizers, seems like a natural extension for an organization known for being racially exploitative, but it is particularly dismaying given America’s legacy of slavery.

The optics of the league’s white billionaire owners mining Africa for Black bodies in a dangerous sport are, well, not good.

It is, of course, important not to strip the Kwesis and their families of agency here. Playing in the NFL is a dream for many young players, wherever they live, and the financial benefits can transform lives, sometimes outweighing the risks of playing for some.

Conversely, it is also important to note the NFL has also been mired in criticism for being a racially predatory organization.

In 2012, thousands of NFL players and their family members filed a class action lawsuit against the NFL, seeking compensation for the neurological damage those players sustained from playing the game.

And while the plaintiffs won, the NFL participated in a horrifying practice called “race-norming.” The NFL alleged that Black people have lower cognitive abilities than white people, so any damage done to their brains would inherently warrant less or no money.

That racist formula limited Black plaintiffs’ access to the $1 billion in damages the NFL agreed to pay in a settlement. The NFL finally ended “race-norming” in 2021, after a civil rights lawsuit accused the organization of racial bias and outrage ensued. 

Furthermore, Brian Flores, the current defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, and a former head coach for the Miami Dolphins, accused the organization of being racist in a 2022 lawsuit. In an excerpt from the filing, he accuses the NFL of operating like a plantation:

[T]he NFL is racially segregated and is managed much like a plantation. Its 32 owners — none of whom are Black — profit substantially from the labor of NFL players, 70% of whom are Black. The owners watch the games from atop NFL stadiums in their luxury boxes, while their majority-Black workforce put their bodies on the line every Sunday, taking vicious hits and suffering debilitating injuries to their bodies and their brains while the NFL and its owners reap billions of dollars.

Yet, as Sunday night’s Super Bowl ad suggests, the NFL wants to expand its racial exploitation. Thus far, approximately 7% of NFL players are already of African descent.

“Growing the NFL globally is a major strategic priority for the League and developing our footprint and fandom in Africa is an important part of this vision,” Brett Gosper, head of NFL Europe & Africa, said in an NFL press release in April 2023 ahead of a planned recruitment camp in Kenya.

“We are excited to expand NFL Africa into Kenya and look forward to creating opportunities for the next generation of African players and fans there to engage with our sport.”

Again, while recruits have agency and the reasons for joining the NFL are varied, we must also acknowledge the desperate social and economic conditions that compel some people to pursue such a dangerous career in exchange for financial compensation — and the fact that the NFL is turning to communities where people are likely to be more vulnerable to such tradeoffs.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that as the NFL pipeline dwindles, domestically, the organization has turned to places like Kenya and Ghana to fill the gap. Sadly, it’s a move that reeks of colonial exploitation.

MORE:

• How 20-year-old robbed and killed stroke patient, 74 at Kasoa [Watch]

• Opoku Onyinah addresses Bawumia’s running mate speculation

• Man who murdered 74-year-old stroke patient sentenced to 50 years

Identifying and investing in companies/businesses with Durable Long Term Competitive Advantage is an old investment strategy used by the world’s most respected investor – Warren Buffet.

This was after he noticed that businesses with competitive advantage benefited from monopoly-like economics that allowed them to sell more or charge more for their services or products.

The competitive advantage of companies, he further noted, ensured that the underlying value of such businesses increased year after year provided the business continued to maintain its competitive advantage.

The Washington Post Newspaper is one company Warren Buffet identified as having a competitive advantage in 1973 and as such invested $11 million into the newspaper company.

At the end of 2004, his investment in the company had grown to $1.7 billion (15,354% increment in investment value) attributable to the ‘durability’ and ‘long-term’ nature of the company’s competitive advantage.

The concept of Durable Long-Term Competitive Advantage simply has to do with a business’s ability to record consistent growth in selected key financial indicators over a long-term period where the ‘long-term period’ is ten (10) years and above.

The consistency in the growth of the selected key indicators is what gives the sense of ‘durability’ of the company’s competitive advantage.

To identify and ascertain if a company/business has a Durable Long-Term Competitive Advantage, one must refer to the financial statements of the company carefully analyzing its Balance Sheet, Income/Loss Statement, and Cashflow Statement over at least ten years.

In this ten part weekly series, we will critically examine the financial indicators that qualify a company or business to be classified as having a Durable Long Term Competitive Advantage.

For the Income/Loss Statement (Part II – IV), we will examine the following indicators;

• Gross Profit Margin
• Interest Payout
• Net Earnings

For the Balance Sheet Statement (Part X – VII), we will examine the following indicators;

• Cash or Cash Equivalent Generation
• Long Term Debt
• Shareholder Equity / Total Liabilities

For the Cash flow Statement (Part VIII – IX), we will examine the following indicators;

• Net Annual Earnings Spent on Capital Expenditure
• Annual Shares Buyback

The last part (Part X) will be the conclusion of this weekly series and will focus on the benefits of investing in companies with durable long-term competitive advantage and why it should be a “new” investment option for investors.

The writer has certifications in Wealth & Investment Management as well as Investment Advice and Portfolio/Fund Management from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI, UK) and the Ghana Investment and Securities Institute (GISI) respectively. 

Comments and views can be sent to the writer via the email address dodoofuaad84@gmail.com

A significant problem that casts a long shadow over Ghana’s ongoing efforts at social and legal reform is the extreme congestion in its prison system.

This problem is a significant indication of the underlying conflicts and difficulties within Ghana’s criminal justice system, not only one of capability.

This paper presents an important investigation of an alternative course: the use of plea bargaining and non-custodial sentencing, particularly in relation to the controversial topic of same-sex relationships and the proposed legislative response by the Parliament of Ghana through the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021.

This paper is a strong plea for a comprehensive reconsideration of Ghana’s justice system, rather than just an intellectual exercise.

Fundamentally, it is an appeal for the shift from a punitive to a restorative and rehabilitative system, especially when it comes to issues involving the intricate relationships between morality, law, and human rights.

The paper advances a vision of justice that is consistent with modern human rights norms and acknowledges the intrinsic dignity of every person, regardless of their identities or acts, by proposing plea bargaining and non-custodial sentencing.

Without a shred of doubt, the state of Ghana’s prisons, where thousands of inmates are jammed into facilities meant to house considerably fewer, is a clear sign that reform is desperately needed.

This paper makes a compelling case for a transformative approach to criminal justice by providing an analysis of the existing legal frameworks and actual conditions.

It calls for a paradigm change, not just a substitution; it supports a system that looks beyond punishment to the possibility of social reintegration, rehabilitation, and redemption.

This paper serves as a reminder of the wider repercussions of legislative actions as Ghana struggles with the possibility of making same-sex sexual partnerships illegal.

It encourages legislators and politicians to adopt a more compassionate, progressive, and successful approach to criminal justice and to think about how legislative actions will affect society in the long run.

The decisions made today will shape Ghana’s legal history and impact the country’s identity, values, and dedication to justice and human rights.

The Current State of Ghana’s Prisons and the Call for Reform

 Ghana’s prisons, grappling with extreme overcrowding, have become a focal point for human rights advocates, legal professionals, and the government.

The nation’s prison system is currently facing a dire situation, with its facilities overflowing beyond capacity.

The total prison population has reached a staggering 15,237, comprising 15,062 males and 175 females, far exceeding the intended capacity of 10,265 (as of July, 2023)

This overpopulation, amounting to a 48 percent congestion rate, is having severe repercussions on the health and living conditions of the inmates.

The Attorney General, Godfred Dame, has underscored the urgency of this situation, advocating for legislative intervention.

The Ghana Prisons Service, in advocating for non-custodial sentencing, underscores its significance, especially due to the slow progress in enacting the Non-Custodial Sentencing Bill.

Understanding Non-Custodial Sentencing

Non-custodial sentencing encompasses various court-imposed punishments that exclude imprisonment, such as community service, probation orders, fines, and conditional discharges.

These alternatives, aimed at punishing and rehabilitating offenders and preventing recidivism, are crucial, especially when the lack of a comprehensive framework in Ghana often results in incarceration for minor offences, thereby worsening prison overcrowding.

Some Relevant Legal Provisions in Ghana

1. The Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30): This Act, while prescribing various punishments, falls short in providing comprehensive non-custodial options, thus limiting the judiciary’s sentencing capabilities.

2. The Juvenile Justice Act, 2003 (Act 653): Providing a more progressive approach for juvenile offenders, this Act allows for non-custodial measures such as probation or community service, serving as a potential model for the wider criminal justice system.

3. The Narcotics Drugs (Control, Enforcement, and Sanctions) Act, 1990 (P.N.D.C.L. 236): This Act incorporates non-custodial measures in certain contexts, including the confiscation of property and forfeiture of crime proceeds.

4. The Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459): Promoting reconciliation and amicable settlement for misdemeanours, this Act indicates a legislative preference for noncustodial measures in specific cases.

The Rationale for Non-custodial Sentencing

The argument for non-custodial sentencing in Ghana rests on several pillars:

1. Human Rights and Dignity: Overcrowding in prisons leads to conditions that violate basic human rights and dignity. Non-custodial sentences would help reduce prison populations, thus alleviating this problem.

2. Economic Considerations: The financial burden of maintaining the current penal system is substantial. Adopting non-custodial sentences would allow the redirection of funds towards vital development and other sectors.

3. Social and Rehabilitation Benefits: Non-custodial measures offer more effective opportunities for the rehabilitation of offenders, which is crucial in reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety.

4. Judicial and Legislative Momentum: The push for non-custodial sentencing has garnered support from various sectors, including legal experts and human rights organisations, highlighting the necessity for legislative action.

Developments and recommendations

Efforts to tackle prison overcrowding, such as the Community Service Bill and the Non-Custodial Sentencing Bill, are in progress but need acceleration. Stakeholders shaping these bills demonstrate a collaborative approach to reform.

This is commendable.

However, there is urgent need for a firm and decisive action to bring the proposed laws to fruitions.

Recommended steps include:

1. Legislative Action: Prompt enactment of the Non-Custodial Sentencing Bill and the Community Service Bill is essential to providing a legal framework for alternative sentences.

2. Judicial Training and Sensitization: Education and sensitization of judges and magistrates on the benefits and application of non-custodial sentences are vital for their effective implementation.

3. Public Education and Awareness: Raising public awareness and support is crucial for the successful adoption of non-custodial sentencing.

4. Infrastructure and Resource Allocation: Sufficient resources and infrastructure are necessary for the effective administration of non-custodial sentences.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation: Implementing a robust system to monitor and evaluate the application of non-custodial sentences is essential for assessing the policy’s effectiveness and informing future improvements.

Plea bargaining regime in Ghana

The enactment of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Amendment Act, 2022 (Act 1079) marks a significant legal advancement, broadening the scope of plea bargaining in Ghana.

This Act amends the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), introducing a more strategic approach to plea bargaining.

Key Provisions of Act 1079:

1. Expanded Scope for Plea Bargaining: The Act facilitates negotiations for reducing charges or altering punishments, including sentencing recommendations and restitution.

2. Inclusion of Victim’s Rights: The mandate ensures that victims are informed about potential plea agreements and provided with an opportunity to contribute their views.

3. Comprehensive Factors Consideration: The Act requires the consideration of various factors in reaching a plea agreement.

4. Written Agreements Requirement: The prosecution must document plea agreements in detail, including all pertinent information.

5. Disclosure Obligations: The Act ensures that the accused have access to all necessary documents and evidence for a fair negotiation.

6. Exclusions: Certain serious offences, such as treason, high crime, and murder, are excluded from plea bargaining.

7. Special Provisions for Juveniles: The Act includes specific considerations for juvenile offenders in plea agreements.

Important Note: The case of William Ato Essien, which engaged section 35 of the Courts Act, underscores the potential and challenges of plea bargaining.

His failure to adhere to the terms of his plea bargain, leading to his incarceration, highlights the need for compliance with agreement terms and the consequences of violations.

The Ato Essien case has, to some extent, influenced the structured framework established by Act 1079, ensuring more effective and just conduct of plea bargaining in Ghana.

Addressing Same-Sex Sexual Relationships in Ghana: The Case for NonCustodial Sentencing and Plea Bargaining

In the context of the Parliament of Ghana considering the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021 which proposes to criminalise same-sex sexual relationships, the nature of sentencing is a critical factor.

This section argues against custodial sentences in favour of community or non-custodial sentences, supported by well-defined plea-bargaining provisions.

Arguments against custodial sentences

1. Human Rights and International Condemnation: Custodial sentences for samesex sexual relationships could violate international human rights standards, leading to significant international condemnation and potentially affecting diplomatic relations and economic aid.

2. Aggravating Prison Overcrowding: Introducing custodial sentences for samesex relationships would worsen the already critical situation of prison overcrowding in Ghana.

3. Societal Impact and Stigmatisation: Custodial sentences could increase stigmatisation and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, leading to social ostracization and mental health issues.

4. Cost Implications: Incarcerating individuals for same-sex sexual relationships would entail substantial economic costs, diverting resources from other essential areas.

Advocating for Non-Custodial Sentences and Plea Bargaining

1. Alignment with Human Rights Norms: Non-custodial sentences for same-sex sexual relationships would better align with international human rights norms, reducing potential international backlash.

2. Focus on Rehabilitation and Education: Community sentences focusing on rehabilitation and education could foster understanding of sexual diversity and promote tolerance.

3. Reducing the Burden on the Penal System: Non-custodial sentences would alleviate pressure on Ghana’s prison system, in line with criminal justice reform goals.

4. Legislated Plea-Bargaining Provisions: Incorporating plea bargaining into the legal framework for handling same-sex sexual relationship cases would offer a flexible and humane approach, allowing for case-by-case assessment.

5. Promoting Social Harmony: Non-custodial sentences, particularly those involving community service or educational programmes, could foster social cohesion and respect for diversity.

6. Economic Efficiency: Non-custodial sentences and plea bargaining would be more economically efficient than the costs associated with custodial sentences.

Conclusion

The Parliament of Ghana’s consideration of criminalising same-sex sexual relationships through the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021 presents a pivotal decision affecting not only the LGBTQ+ community but also the wider society.

Opting for non-custodial sentences and legislatively defined plea-bargaining provisions would ensure a humane, economically viable, and internationally respectful legal framework, upholding human dignity and promoting social harmony.

This approach would mitigate the negative implications of custodial sentences, aligning with Ghana’s broader criminal justice reform agenda.

The Parliament of Ghana is clearly at a turning point in its examination of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021 given the strong evidence and arguments put forth in this paper.

The decision to make same-sex partnerships illegal has significant ramifications for our legal system’s integrity, the larger social fabric, and the LGBTQ+ population.

As this paper argues, the justification for plea bargaining and non-custodial punishment is not only a question of opinion; it is a basic responsibility of the Parliament.

It is an obligation based on the values of social justice, economic pragmatism, human rights, and legislative accountability.

Choosing noncustodial punishments and structured plea bargaining provides a more humanitarian, financially sustainable, and globally acceptable legal system that is in line with international human rights standards.

This strategy also directly addresses Ghana’s prison overpopulation, which has become a human rights disaster due to extreme overcrowding.

By adopting the approach proposed in this paper, Parliament can relieve pressure on Ghana’s criminal justice system, reallocate funds to areas of urgent need, and promote a more restorative rather than punitive approach to justice by implementing noncustodial sentencing.

Adopting these proposed legislative responses will also demonstrate Ghana’s dedication to progressive and enlightened governance.

It would show a readiness to approach difficult social challenges in a way that preserves the values of justice and fairness, respects the dignity of every person, and fosters social harmony.

In summary, the Parliament of Ghana bears a great responsibility to fulfil this purpose. It must step up to the plate and take the lead in transforming the criminal justice system by adopting plea deals and non-custodial punishment in its proposed legislative response to same-sex sexual relationships and related issues.

This is a moral requirement and a step in the direction of a society that is more just, equal, and compassionate than merely a legislative change.

Parliament, in its efforts to police the kinds of adult relationships considered lawful and culturally acceptable and unacceptable in Ghana, has the chance to establish a precedent that reverberates internationally as a reputable member of the international community, demonstrating its dedication to social progress, fairness, and human rights.

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the author, serves as the Member of Parliament for the Effutu constituency in Ghana’s Central Region and holds the position of Deputy Majority Leader in the Ghanaian Parliament. He also leads Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, based in Abuja. Professionally, Afenyo-Markin is a Ghanaian lawyer with expertise in constitutional law, human rights, financial crime law, security, and intelligence sectors. He is also a businessman with over two decades of experience as a business leader.

For as long as I can remember, I have always been interested in records keeping. It is the reason why over the years, I have kept diaries.

For me, writing did not only document my experiences but helped to reflect on the events that took place.

I remember my first visit to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s theatre for an operation.

It was a scary experience but I wrote it all down; therefore, when I went back to Korle-Bu for another operation in May this year, my doctors knew they will be featured.

Going back to Korle-Bu for a third surgery was no fun, in fact, the decision was a tough one.

My boyfriend (let’s call him Kwame) was the one who convinced me that the new operation was necessary.

Mind you, I had already gone for two similar operations at the same place (just around my anal hole) and I was not ready to open my legs again for doctors to do whatever they had to do down there.

Yes, I was in pain, struggling to walk and sit, but to go back under the knife.. No.. No.. No.

Finally on May 17, 2021, and after some persuasion and bribe, Kwame finally got me to the Nyaho Medical Centre.

My doctor, for the first time, was a woman named Dr. Florence Deddy.

“What a nice woman,” I thought but maybe I should have waited to be examined by her first before jumping to that conclusion.

During our interaction, I told her I had had two previous incisions and drainage procedure and the pain is back.

For those who don’t know what an incision and drainage procedure is, the term is used for minor surgical procedures to release pus or pressure built up under the skin, such as from an abscess, boil, or infected paranasal sinus.

But in my term, it is simply the removal of water from under my skin.

Usually, when I tell people that, the next question is “Where does the water come from”, for which I am quick to add, “I don’t know.”

Dr. Deddy asked me if she could examine the painful area. She then started reaching for gloves and jell while her assistant helped me to position myself on the examining bed.

Ladies and gentlemen, that was the first time I felt someone slip the finger into my anus.

The pain that shot through my body was intense.  I am sure from outside her office, Kwame thought they were killing me.

After what seems like forever, her finger was out. That was it for me… “Not a nice person, not a nice person, not a nice person,” I chanted in my head.

She then allowed Kwame back into the room so she could give us her observation.

In short, I needed another surgery.

But it couldn’t be done at Nyaho.

I also needed to see a Proctologist; that is a surgeon who diagnoses and treats disorders of the rectum, anus, and the entire gastrointestinal tract.

She believed I had fistula.

‘Wait, fistula?  But I thought only pregnant women get fistula?  Isn’t it a delayed pregnancy thing?’ I asked.

Dr. Deddy took her time to explain the kind of fistula I may have.

She also got me an appointment with Dr. Bowan at the Surgical Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for Wednesday, May 19.

“Guess, I can’t dodge that place now” was all I said. I honestly wasn’t enthused about going back there.

However, on Wednesday, I made my way to the 6th floor of the Korle-Bu Surgical Department.

My appointment was at 2pm and I didn’t want to be late.

Although the painkillers and antibiotics prescribed by Dr. Deddy seemed to be working, I still felt pain when it clears from my system. This meant half of the time I was back to zero.

I remember telling Kwame I could live with this. Just take medicine every day and not have surgery. His answer, No… This meant surgery was on the table and an option.

Meeting with Dr. Bowan

I confirmed my appointment with Dr. Bowan through her aide, Naa. She was a bubbly young lady that seemed eager to help. After calling about three times to confirm the time and venue, I was ready to meet another female doctor.

The first surgeries had been done by men, maybe a woman working on me this time will bring the magic and finality I so badly needed.

Up on the 6^th Floor, Naa explained that I needed to get a hospital card; one specifically for the Surgical Department.

It will come with a number that I have to use every time I came to the surgical department.

The cost was about GHS310 and it wasn’t being covered by my private health insurance.

When I told her I hardly move around with cash, she was kind enough to go withdraw the money so she can make the payment.

Finally, I was allowed to see Dr. Bowan.

My new surgeon was an intelligent-looking woman with kind eyes. Although she wore glasses, she had a way of looking at you that gives you the impression that she can read you.

I remember admiring her dreadlocks that were flowing to her neck in small braids.

She asked for my card and went straight to business. After a trip down memory lane and through my history with incisions and drainage procedures; she asked me to lie down so she could examine me.

It wasn’t until I felt her squeeze jell onto her gloved hands that I knew what was about to happen.

Just like Dr. Deddy, this lovely woman slipped her finger into my anus and the pain that shot through my body left me frozen.

I couldn’t even move or scream. After five seconds of her feeling for whatever she was looking for, I started to plead with her to stop.

There was more pressing and poking, but finally, her finger was out.

She told me there was no abscess accumulated like the first or second time. She is therefore not sure if I needed the surgery or not.

However, I could continue with the pain medication prescribed by Dr. Deddy and come back for a review the next week.

She also wrote down two lab tests that I needed to undertake immediately.

The results were to be submitted to the Anesthesia department so they could clear me for surgery, just in case I needed it.

Since those lab tests couldn’t be done at Korle-Bu, I picked a car to the nearest diagnostic centre across the hospital to get them done.

Again, health insurance did not cover them and I had to pay cash.

After my blood was taken, the technician said I could come for the results the next day.

That was the first time I broke down in tears since the pain started. The thought of moving from my bed to Korle-Bu for a test results did not sound fun at all.

I pleaded with the guy to have mercy on me. 

I told him I was in pain and needed urgent help. I also explained that I was alone and had no one. I really don’t know what did it for me, but he told me he will indicate that it was an emergency so I can have my results in three hours.

True to his words,  they were ready by 6pm. Yes oo… It was possible to get them the same day. Hmmm…

With my results in hand, I called my cousin, Dr. Fred Osei to find out if he was on duty. 

I then took the results to him for my clearance. Yes, he is an anaesthetist and extremely good at his job.

He read the report, took care of the follow-up test while teasing me about returning to Korle-Bu. It felt good to have family close by. I felt almost safe.

Going home, and still in pain, I had mixed feelings.

Maybe there is finally a good chance that I don’t need surgery. If my doctor was right then maybe these meds will work and the pain will go away… Maybe all is not lost… Maybe God still loved me.. Maybe… Maybe… Maybe..

The one-week torture

The days between my first appointment and the fixed review with Dr. Bowan were the hardest. Thankfully, I was still on leave and didn’t have to bother about work.

I was however worried about the decision she will take.

Usually, it would have been fasting and prayers for me. But I couldn’t fast because I was on medication.

I spoke to Kwame and we both agreed I could go spend time with my family. I called my brother to come pick me up so I could stay at his end at Koforidua.

At this stage, taking a step left me shaking in pain and going to private was a luxury I couldn’t afford without sweat.

I didn’t care about dying anymore.  All I wanted was to be with my beautiful niece, Aseda and spend my ‘last days’ with my family.

For one week, I stayed at Koforidua with my brother, Afram, our mom, Rosemary, his wife Charity, and Aseda. They treated me well; especially my 3-year-old niece whose favourite sports was to jump on my back after school. This time, she couldn’t enjoy her hobby at my back and I couldn’t explain why. I just couldn’t explain my pain to her.

My mom helped me to and from the bathroom. I had help anytime I needed to move or sit up or eat or take my meds and I had people to talk to just to get my mind off the pain.

I even had Aseda to fight with… The girl is strong.. I mean, what does she even eat?

We also prayed together a lot as a family. In my current situation, I concentrated mostly on asking for forgiveness and healing.

I guess it is a Christian thing.

We always seem to think we are being punished for something when things are not going well.

I know I did. I just didn’t know the particular sin I was being punished for.

There were however times that I thought my situation was spiritual.

What if someone hates me? What if this is juju? What did I do? How do I even go about it..

“Father, please, you know my heart… You know I do not think evil for others.. Help me, please help me”… I prayed on countless occasions.

At long last, the week was over.

Early Monday morning, my mom and I set off for Korle-Bu. My review appointment with Dr. Bowan was at 2pm (as usual) and I wanted to get there on time.

Again I was made to pay close to GHC200 for the appointment… This time I came prepared with cash.

When I entered her office, she asked me to sit for a while before moving me to the examining bed. I gave her a copy of the lab test results and told her I had been cleared by the anesthesia department.

Dr. Bowan said she wanted to examine me again and even though I was prepared for it mentally; the pain was not welcoming at all.

This was actually, the third time my anus had been fingered. I was definitely not eager for more experiences.

She told me, she still could not feel the abscess but if the pain was that severe then there was an infected tract and it had to be removed.

In conclusion, I was to be admitted that Monday so they can properly examine me.

I saw her write down fistula-in-ano somewhere. This was the first time that I had an official name for my condition.

Her conclusion also began my 10-day stay on the 4th Floor of the Korle-Bu Surgical Department.

Side-ward B, nurses and roommates

When I entered my new room, it was empty. I remember having mixed feelings about that.

The idea of having privacy was welcoming, but sleeping alone in a room at Korle-Bu didn’t sound so great.

After working on a night shift for a month before going on leave, I seemed to have lost my sleep pattern. I knew I was going to spend most of my nights awake.

However, the station or desk for the nurses was just outside my door. I could hear them talk and move around, making it less scary in the room.

Later, my mom brought my things upstairs, a nurse also came to dress my bed so I could lie down.

From then, the hard work was left to my mom. The poor woman had to get my insurance card activated so I could start my medication.

Dr. Bowan came by in the evening. She had prescribed some drips for me and said she wanted to be sure before confirming my surgery.

In anticipation, and from previous experience, I did not eat the whole day and limited myself to just one small bottle of water.

Big mistake!! I ended up ‘fasting’ for two days before I ate something.

Anyway, at 5pm, I asked my mom to go home. They were obviously not going to let her spend the time and my meds were helping with the pain.

I also remember staying on the phone till 2am when I finally drifted off to dreamland.

By then, all the important people in my life knew I was on admission. The few friends who did not know, I just didn’t know how to tell them.

On Tuesday, May 25, around 5 am, I woke up to a pastor preaching from the hospital grounds. 

He was talking about healing and what God can do.  The message and the passion with which it was preached made me smile. I understood that not everybody on admission was a Christian, but I am sure the Christians felt some sort of comfort.

“Some patients really need this,” I told myself and it’s no wonder he wasn’t being sacked or told to lower his voice.

By 7:30am, my mom was allowed upstairs. 

This was after Dr. Bowan had passed by to see me. Again, she could not confirm whether my operation was that day or not.  So my fasting continued.

I was a very hungry girl.

After I had washed down with help from my mom, Dr. Bowan came back with a female colleague.

She was short and pregnant. I never got her name but there was something about her that made me proud. 

Maybe it was the fact that she was so heavily pregnant and still going about her business.

I was asked to turn so she could examine me.  Almost, as if to remind me of the pain, I felt her finger slip into my anal hole.

Her inspection of the place was more aggressive and intense. 

Pain shot through my body and tears started dripping from my eyes.

Yes..  I was weeping..  It was both funny and sad.  I didn’t even feel cheerful anymore.

While still lying there in shock, I heard her talking to Dr. Bowan.  She seemed to be having the same concerns… Because whatever they were looking for, they were not finding it there.

I think this is a good time to add that even though I was in a sideward; there was basically no privacy.

I had student doctors walking in every five minutes. 

While some were polite to not wake you up when they find you sleeping, others will put in effort to wake you so you could tell them your medical history.

I lost all my shyness in that ward. Telling different people about pain around my anal area and the various incisions and drainage procedures I have had, toughened me.

Tuesday is also the day I got a roommate but before I tell you about her, let’s talk about the doctors who became my regular.

Dr.  Philip Taah-Amoako was really nice to me.  I had met him the previous year when I was on the 3rd Floor for my surgery, so it wasn’t difficult opening up to him. I think behind all my sharp-tongue and strong personality, he understood the pain I was in.

He is one of the few doctors I felt I could reason with. Always had time to listen and argue. I was also happy that he wasn’t old. Just like all my doctors who supervised my condition, he was in his early 30s.

I remember looking at them and being happy for Ghana..  So many young doctors here…  So many people with energy and positive vibes.

Doctors and nurses who wore sneakers and looked so cool. It was a joy listening to them and interacting with them.

Anyway, Dr. Philip had two junior doctors following him all the time…  One cute guy with a crossbody bag ….You can imagine how cool that was…  Yes,  a doctor…  With a bag across his chest… 

It reminded me of the ones that the slay queens had around their waist..  Although I never asked what was in it, I was really curious.

I really didn’t think doctors could be this cool.  It was like being taken care of by my age mates, my own colleagues.. I had soo much respect for those guys.

Back to Dr. Philip… His second junior doctor was a young lady who was also around my age. She had natural hair that had been neatly twisted.

She was almost always walking with the cool doctor with the crossbody bag. They came in together; taking notes of everything that is said and done. 

I kept thinking these two should have been twins. They complemented each other well.

My fondest memory of them was when they came in to set a line for my drip before my surgery. 

My left hand was already swollen from where the drip line had been and I needed it changed.  That was to be my third line… 

Both my right and left hand felt bruised and my veins just refused to show up. Three times they tried to push in a needle into different parts of my arm and it just refused to penetrate the vein.. After the numerous failed attempts and the jokes, they finally brought in their mentor who just held my hand and fixed it somewhere above my thumb. I think we were all impressed.

And maybe after that, I wasn’t a stranger to them anymore..  But then again, they had seen my anus a couple of times during inspections and examination. If that didn’t qualify us as friends…  Please,  tell me what else?

My roommate Elizabeth was in pain when she arrived..

She was accompanied by a lot of people.  I just lied on my bed watching them. Her line was immediately connected to the stand by the bed. From eavesdropping, I heard her operation was already done.  I was so jealous of her.

Later, she will tell me about how she returned from class and had prepared lunch but couldn’t eat because she was in pain. She will tell me about her friends rushing her to Korle-Bu Polyclinic before finally bringing her to the Teaching Hospital.

She will tell me about being a student nurse and fearing that her admission at the hospital will delay or mess up her graduation.

But for now, she was in pain from an appendectomy she had just had.

I remember struggling to sleep that night because of two things. My new roommate was in pain and I was hungry.

Kwame had brought me food but I had still not eaten because I didn’t know when my operation will take place.

Finally, after hours on Tiktok and other social media platforms, I went to sleep only to be woken up about an hour later to the sound of dawn preaching.

As early as 6 am, Elizabeth had her first visitor. An elderly woman I assumed was her mother. But from her interaction with the nurses, she explained that she was a nurse too. She referred to Elizabeth as her student. She told the nurses that she wanted to clean Elizabeth up every morning since she still could not sit up or get up.

As jealous as I was of her, I was happy she had done her surgery.

When Dr. Bowan passed by and I told her I hadn’t eaten since Sunday, she was shocked. She asked me to eat something because my surgery has been scheduled for Friday.

For me, it was the best news ever. I finally had a date to look forward to. The day passed by quickly. More drips, more visits from student nurses and more examination.

On Wednesday, May 26, I spent the whole afternoon gossiping with Kwame. I had to tell him about the doctors and the nurses. I told him about Elizabeth too and the fact that I was getting nervous about my own procedure.

I had just a day before the big day and I wasn’t feeling so confident anymore.

But in his usual calm tone, he assured me of how much better I will feel when everything was over. He promised I will never have to go through that pain again. He was confident this time, it will be the last. I believed him.

Finally, I called my big sister to tell her what was going on. Sarah wasn’t too happy she didn’t know. Then I told my bestfriend, Eugenia too.

I also called my only male friend, Festus to let him know.. I called Naa… Basically, everyone I felt mattered now knew… I wasn’t really ready for that but I couldn’t push it anymore. The amazing thing about it was, they all came over to see me. I felt loved.

After everyone had left, my roommate and I talked a lot. She told me about life as a student nurse and I shared mine as a journalist. She no longer had a catheter in her body and therefore could get up to urinate freely now.

She was already reminiscing about fufu and light soup and other heavy dishes she will eat once discharged.

I really wanted that for myself..  The speedy recovery and the disappearance of pain once the surgery is done. I prayed for that soo badly.

Elizabeth joined me on Tuesday morning after surgery and by the time we woke up on Thursday, they were ready to discharge her.

Just three days.. She was told to come for regular dressing of the wound though.

When her medical bill was given to her, it was almost GHC1,700. Her mom was shocked. She talked about the fact that her daughter was a nurse and had health insurance. After some back and forth.. Elizabeth was asked to pay a little over GHC700 so she can go home.

As at that time, I was more worried about me than her. My surgery was to be very early in the morning and I was not ready.

Kwame came over to keep me company. Thankfully, it was in his presence that the famous consent form by Korle-Bu was brought in.

I remember asking the doctor who brought it in, Dr. Agama to go through it for us.

Time check was 4pm… I hadn’t eaten because I was nervous. I wanted jollof rice or pizza especially if it was going to be my last meal. Kwame brought me both.

But before I could dig in, the doctor said I couldn’t eat again. According to him, it was time for me to start clearing my bowels.

He said any faeces left in my rectum could affect the operation and cause harm.

He wouldn’t even allow me to take any juice although I was hungry and had not eaten the whole day.

He told Kwame and I that the risk or negative effect of the surgery could be a reoccurrence of my condition or my anus being too weak to hold back faeces (I really need an emoji to describe the look on my face when I heard that).

Again, as a Teaching Hospital, my operation was going to be used to teach other surgeons especially the student doctors and I had to be okay with them monitoring the procedure.

Yes, I had to be okay with young male and female doctors numbering about 10 looking down into my opened legs as a male doctor worked his magic around my anus.

I knew my surgeon was going to be a male because I had met him earlier during the morning inspection.

Flanked by a team of eager young doctors, Prof as he is called walked into my ward to take a look at me.

From just examining my wound and without poking his finger into my anus, he told the students where he believes the beginning of the fistula tract was.

I felt safe. Everyone said he was the best and an expert at his job. I must admit I was disappointed that Dr. Bowan was not going to work on me, but this doctor knew what my issue was and how to solve it… I actually had no worry.

But listening to Dr. Agama following the horrible Youtube videos that I had watched, my fears were back.

Dr. Agama said I would not be operated upon unless I signed the consent form. So again, and reluctantly, I had to agree to be used as a guinea pig and studied.

Still on my hospital bed, I started receiving some interesting visitors.

First was a gentleman with the Anesthesia Department where my brother worked.  He came to tell me how prepared they were for me and asked if I had been cleared. After confirming that, I requested for my brother to be assigned to me. 

But he explained that certain floors get to use the theatres on certain days and my brother was not on the schedule..   I believed him but I knew Dr. Fred Osei will be around.  After all, he is an Osei and we care for our own.

My next set of visitors were nurses who work at the theatre.  They wanted to know if all my tests were done and I had been approved.  Then they said I needed to be purged before the surgery.  They were selling a purgative that could help me clear my tummy.

I was to buy two of them at a cost of GHC120 each and mix one with four bottles of water. In all,  I was to take 8 bottles of that.

Ladies, and gentlemen,  I am happy to tell you I didn’t take all…  Come on… drink 8 bottles of some weird tasting water that made me want to throw up… Please…

Once I started running.. I stopped. I was scared though. I knew I wanted my rectum empty during the procedure, but I also did not want to be wearing diapers like I had been told.

I honestly don’t know whether it’s because I didn’t have enough food in my system but I only visited the washroom only twice that night.

By 5 am on Friday, May 28, the night nurse was waking me up. I needed to wash down and get ready for the surgery.

Unlike, the previous one, this was going to be done really early. I was nervous about being part of the first batch to be operated on.

Among other things, Kwame and I had taken out all the cowries and chains in my hair. I had also taken off my bracelet and earrings. In short, no foreign material.

By 6 am, my drugs were being inspected by the nurses. Once everything was accounted for, I was given a gown to change into, a hair net for my hair and diapers to put on.

Diapers oo…diapers. I had on adult diapers.

Forget the fact that it was comfortable, I was shy to my soul. I also remember being so nervous that I felt like visiting the washroom. It was then I understood why the diaper was necessary.

After a few back and forth, two young assistants were asked to take me to the theatre. With my face up and my arms by my side, memories of my first trip to the theatre came flooding in.

The shame I felt, how nervous and scared I was and the feeling of helplessness.

If you have been to any floor of the surgical department, it will be common to see sick people being transported on their beds, to and from surgery.

Today, I was one of those people. I saw people looking down on me from that bed.. and once again I felt shy.

I wished I could disappear into the theatre hall and back… And sharing a crowded elevator with a woman who must have been praying for me, didn’t make me feel any better.

Mind you, I had not seen my mom since Thursday. Visitors are only allowed upstairs after 7:30 am and I was pushed down before 6:45 am.

“What if she gets worried, don’t I get to say goodbye? What about Kwame? Has he seen the message I sent to him? Is he ok?” All these questions kept running through my mind.

Inside Korle-Bu’s theatre

Finally pushed through the entrance of the theatre, I remember the nurse who was to accept my transfer from the ward say she could not do that because my toe nails were painted.

Eeii.. Painted toe nails. I mean, upon all the prepping. I didn’t even know having painted nails could disqualify me.

In fact, I was terrified that my surgery was going to be delayed because of something as basic as painted nails. I just didn’t understand the role it will play in the cut about to be done between my legs.

I got so nervous I felt like going to the washroom again. “You see why you needed diapers?” I teased myself.

When I was finally, allowed to enter, I asked for the nearest washroom from one of the many nurses walking around. She took one look at me and asked if I was not in diapers.

I was shocked.

“Is this girl expecting me to use the diapers? Me? For what? Never.”

I would rather drag myself and my drip stand to a washroom than lie in bed and ‘use’ my diaper.. “This girl paa”.

So I insisted on using a proper toilet and rushed toward the washroom that was pointed out to me.

The cubicle was more like a storeroom, with a big sink and bin. There were mops and buckets everywhere.

Apart from the door I used to enter, there was another door that led to the recovery room.

I knew I will never be shy again in my life when a gentleman entered the room while I was sitting on the toilet bowl going about my business.

He greeted and I responded and he moved to the sink to wash the bucket he was holding.

Every shyness in my body walked out of Korle-Bu that minute. Of course, we both had on face masks, but for a stranger to listen to me clear my bowels after taking a purgative, that was a different level of bonding.

I can never be shy again, I told myself. Now just get ready to go and open your legs.

Back on my bed, my anesthesiologist came to see me. He introduced himself and the role he was to play during my procedure.

He had a gentle voice and demeanour that reminded me of a male colleague, Andy.

He spoke in a sweet voice and assured me that all was well… And just like my cousin, Dr. Osei… I was willing to trust this guy.

I saw familiar faces outside the door of my theatre room. The most unfriendly one was Dr. Agama.. I mean, after the whole consent form thing, I didn’t really like him much.

I also saw the two girls who sold the purgative to me. They asked if it worked and whether I was ‘running’. I told them I had visited the washroom three times and I didn’t really have much food in my system or tummy.

Honestly, I was scared. I was nervous. It was only the sight of my brother, that took the fear away.

He was going to be in another operation room, but he promised to come check up on me.. I felt better, I was ready.

On the theatre table

Have you ever wondered why it is called a theatre table and not a bed? Maybe it is because of all the cutting that takes place on it.

I mean, people serve stuff on a table, so as you are moved from one bed to another and prepped for the surgery, you actually feel like you are being served to the surgeon.

In my operation room, I was asked to take off my diaper.

Then my anesthesiologist came over to fix my drip and checked my vitals. As usual, something was placed under my breast to monitor my heartbeat and another on my thumb. Then he asked me to sit upright so he could inject my spine with the anesthesia.

I remembered how I cried and how scared I was the last time it was done. I got soo nervous, I started shivering.

Just like all doctors, he also had students with him.

I could hear him explaining to them what he was doing and what he expected to happen. He explained why that procedure was chosen for me and some possible side effects.

After sitting on the bed, I was told to bend forward with my chin almost touching my knees. I felt a tiny prick on my back and I asked if I had moved and therefore it had to be done again.

My doctor said he was done.

How?? I felt nothing.. This is the best I have had, I thought .. But after being discharged for close to a month and still feeling some slight pain around my lower spine whenever I touch my back or try to bend, I know it is not the best I have had.

I also wonder if my spine will ever stop hurting.

As usual, within 5 minutes, my legs started to go numb. I could feel nothing at all. I was then helped back on my bed/table and a green cloth used to separate the lower and upper parts of my body. I couldn’t see a thing.

My legs were lifted and positioned on two leg rests. I tried to flex my muscles or even my toes and felt nothing. 

I knew I was naked from my waist down and my legs were wide open. I also refused to think about the over 10 students who had walked in with my surgeon.

I heard them talking to Prof and he seemed to really know how to connect with the students. He cracked a lot of jokes and asked questions too..

I never saw his face and thankfully, I felt nothing as he cut into my skin and made his way to my rectum or anus or wherever the infected tract was.

While all that was happening, I was trying to keep my mind on the young assistant who came with the anesthesiologist.

I don’t remember how the conversation started but I got to know about his wife being part of Roverman Productions.

We shared scenes from our favourite plays and complained about the restrictions put in place because of Covid-19.

I could still hear his teacher talking to the other students, while Prof continued to cut and work his way into the skin between my legs.

I am definitely not going to have sex again till 2024, I told myself when after 20 minutes he was still not done.

About 45 minutes later, I felt some things being moved from between my legs. I heard him ask someone to clean me up properly so I could be moved to recovery. Time check was 10:15 am.

Back in recovery, my cousin came to see me, he congratulated me for being brave about the procedure.

Again, he asked me not to come back to Korle-Bu. I couldn’t move. I felt so heavy between my legs. But thankfully, no pain.

When I started gaining control of my legs and my body, I noticed the catheter that had been inserted through my urethra to collect my urine.

That was so weird for me..  When did someone even connect something to my bladder without me knowing? Silly question, right? I know.

I spent close to three hours in the recovery room.

Unlike the first time I was there, it was practically empty.

Only a few nurses and doctors passed through but no patient. Finally, an old man was brought in. I immediately went into a mental competition with him. I told myself I was going to leave that room before him.

So yes, after the monitoring and no bad beep.. I was cleared to be taken back to my ward.

Call me whatever you want, I felt like a hero returning home after winning a battle.

Out of theatre

Immediately, I came out of the theatre, I heard my mom screaming with joy.  She started throwing her hands in the air and thanking God. Then she took out her phone to start making calls and telling people that I was okay.

It was embarrassing. I didn’t want her to follow me. If you are my age mate you will understand.  I needed my phone badly to try and get in touch with Kwame. I knew my mom was updating my dad and big brother. I had a few people to talk to but he was the most important to me.

Once I was back in my ward, I got hold of my phone. I still could not move the lower part of my body.  I wasn’t in pain yet but I felt heavy.

So I stayed that way.  No food, no water.. I just laid there patiently in bed and continued to pee from my bed.. 

I don’t think I will ever forget how uncomfortable that felt.  Always had fears the catheter will disconnect and I will wet my bed.

In fact, Friday May 28, was a very long day for me. It is true, the surgery had ended well and I was okay but I now had a big hole between my legs.

I knew this was bigger than the last one which means it will take a longer time to heal. I just didn’t know how close it was to my anus. So, I was determined not to even eat or go to the washroom.. Again, I stayed without food and went to bed with a grateful heart.

I was grateful for my life, and the lives of the amazing doctors and nurses at Korle-Bu.

Life after surgery

The next day, my doctors came to see me. They were happy with the way the surgery went and felt my wound needed dressing.

To be frank, I had been worried about that.

Memories of a doctor ripping off an old dressing from my fresh wound after my previous procedure was back.

I was mentally preparing myself for the worse. So you should have seen my face when one of the young doctors recommended that I should be given a shot of something that works like anesthesia before my wound is dressed.

He saved my life…lol.

I never got his name but he was soo young and lanky. In my mind, he must be a Presecan but then I decided to settle on Persco.

From there on, he became my Persco doctor.

He was intelligent and kind. He took his time to listen to complaints and never brushed me off. I was so grateful to him.

That evening, I had my first shot. I am not going to mention the name of the drug but I can describe how I felt whenever it was administered.

I felt like I was floating. My mind could understand and comprehend things happening but my whole body goes numb.

It was a mixture of being high or being drunk or both. I suspected both. The drug was also given on my thigh and within 2 minutes, I would be gone..

I will go high and numb then sink into a deep sleep. Not once did I feel my wound being dressed.

I was so grateful to the doctors and grateful that the medicine gave me the opportunity to stay still while my wound was being dressed.

But then my doctors got worried that I was getting addicted to it.

Aba, addicted s3n?. Anyway, I was taken off the meds and while enduring the pain that came with wound dressing, I also had to endure the attitude of some of my night nurses.

There was one who was just terrible.

Going through the whole fistula-in-ano thing took an emotional toll on me, but that nurse broke my spirit one night.

She was also the reason I decided to be discharged from Korle-Bu and go through the stress of reporting for wound dressing every morning from my home at Ashalley Botwe.

Mean nurses and going home

I must say I have had some low points since my admission at Korle-Bu but on that Sunday, May 30, I felt my dignity and self-worth being taken away.

Since I had the operation, I had practically been begging nurses for permission before using the washroom.

True, I had developed a phobia that I might infect the place and prevent the wound from healing beautifully but their attitude did not help.

I mean, I don’t have to be a nurse to know that a visit to the washroom could result in the gauze used to pack the wound getting stained and even though I tried as much as possible not to eat, the purgative had given me a ‘soft tummy’ which meant even biscuit could earn me a visit to the washroom.

But to come out of there and not have anyone attend to me was the worse feeling ever.

Mind you, I have also not been taken off my drip so I had a line in my right hand; leaving me with only a left hand that I still have to use to hold paper wipes over the wound to prevent further contamination.

Then I need to try and get more swipes using my right hand to wipe myself and try not to damage the drip line that is always held on with a plaster that never holds.

Leaving the washroom that Sunday evening, I knew I had done a poor job of cleaning myself. I felt dirty and disgusted. I wasn’t so much worried about the faeces on my skin than the one on the gauze.

I immediately told a nurse I needed help. My dressing had to be done.

She asked me to go lie down whiles she attends to other things. “I will get back to you”, she said.

And as I laid on my bed, knowing I was contaminating everything around me and still helpless, I cried like a baby.

I began to wonder if I would have done better if I were a nurse or in her shoes. Would I have allowed a grown woman to go lie down when she has told me about spoiling herself? Would I have gotten so used to sick people that I will stop caring?

I cried. I wept silently on my bed. From my room, I could hear some of the nurses complaining about their job. They complained about having too many patients to look after, about having to receive new admissions at night and after the patients in general.

For close to 30minutes, I stayed in bed, crying, praying and refusing to wish this on my worst enemy.

“Father, even if you will not give me prosperity, please, give me good health then at least I won’t have to pay before I am treated like a human.”

I even asked myself if a private hospital would have been better? Is it really about the people/individuals or it is just the environment they find themselves in?

No matter what, I wanted to go home. And I wanted to go home then and now.

The next day, which was Monday, I started begging and pleading my case.

By this time, I already had a new roommate called Hannah.

She was only 14 years and had kidney stones. I heard it was not her first surgery but I remember her because of her sister.

She was always by Hannah’s side.. I am sure if she had been allowed she would have slept by her bed side…  The full story on Hannah will be told another day.

After enduring Sunday…  I told my doctors I was ready to run away. I said I was tired of the hospital bed and some of the nurses.

Amazing people like Nana, Abigail and Loriencia made staying at the hospital and in bed bearable but some nurses had just lost their humanity and their love for the profession… I had to go home.

I went through the day hoping my night nurse will be changed. I was happy when that evening a new person was assigned to me. But I was still fed up with the dry-bathing and lying in bed.

On Tuesday, June 1, I was done with Korle-Bu. I wanted out.  Kwame passed by that morning to see me before going to the office. In honour of his earlier bribe, he had a surprise for me. Our trip from the 4th Floor to the car park was the farthest I had walked since my admission.

It was a bit uncomfortable and I felt really tired but modelling back to the ward in my new red sneakers was definitely worth it.

As usual my mom was also around to make sure I lacked nothing.

I spent the bigger part of the day harassing my doctors and asking to be discharged.

Finally,  Dr. Philip said I could go if he checks my wound and it’s better than before. Also, I was to promise to report to Korle-Bu every morning for wound dressing..

I said yes to both.  During the examination, I refused to flinch or scream in pain.

My nurse Abigail, kept laughing .. She knew I was in pain but still wanted to go home. She had cleaned me up so many times I actually got used to her doing it.. 

I also loved when she was on duty.. She took her time with me..  But as for that other nurse, hmmmm…

Finally, around 5pm.. I was discharged. I was asked to wait for my bill and settle with accounts before leaving.

But even before the bill would be sorted I started packing. Then I called my best friend,  Eugenia to come pick me up. 

My mom had already left the hospital around 3 pm. After all, nobody knew I was going to be discharged.

Total bill was almost GHC1,600…

This was after insurance and everything. I had been billed for food and some other things that I wasn’t in the mood to argue about.

After the accountant said he didn’t accept mobile money, I took a taxi to the roadside to withdraw the money for him.

By 7 pm, I was done and ready for Eugenia. She arrived around 8pm to help me pack the rest of the stuff.. It was probably silly of me to leave that late when I could have just spent the night and left in the morning.

After all, I was to report at 7 am for dressing, but I left; in my new red sneakers. I was determined not to spend another night over there.

As usual, I left behind all the drugs that I got prescribed and bought but were not used on me… I didn’t trust the nurses when they said it will be given to others, if I understood how things worked, they will definitely let whoever gets them replace it. This was far from my reason for leaving them.

Anyways, I am home now. We can talk about my anus and the constant pain I feel after using the washroom every morning and evening. We can talk about my inability to sit down or stand for long. We can talk about the various antibiotics and painkillers that I am on and we can talk about my trip to Korle-Bu every morning for dressing.

But for now, I would like to talk about this girl who is grateful for life and the people who stood by her. People like Kojo, Naa, Kofi, GoodLord and Presiding.

People like my colleagues at Multimedia; Winifred, Ken, Nasiba, Ama, Andy, Jessy and Amanda.

People like my bosses, Ato Kwamena Dadzie and Elvis Kwashie.

For now, I will like to talk about them and the role they played in my recovery. For the encouragement and the prayers.

Korle-Bu is not a fun place to be, that I can tell you.

In January 2019, I decided to enter into the dating game again. This was after I had been single for close to two years.

I had broken up with the guy I had been dating for three years. Actually, we didn’t break up; we just stopped talking. He dropped me at home from work, and I didn’t hear from him later that night. I decided not to get in touch with him first, and that was it. A day turned into a week, then months and boom, two years.

I don’t know if we would have worked out if I had called, but I swore heaven and earth not to be the first to reach out, and I didn’t. So that was it for us. The year was 2018…and now, 2020 was here.

I told a few friends I was tired of being single. The idea now was to mingle and maybe find love.  

I was not in a rush. Whichever came first was cool and welcoming.

Thinking about it now, I realize I just wanted to be with someone.

Then around March, a friend got in touch with good news. He has finally found someone for me. He has a friend who lives close by, was freshly out of a bad relationship, and was also ready to mingle.

The deal was simple. The guy was not interested in dating or having a relationship. No love things, no feelings. Nothing. He was ok being friends.

“Not a bad offer”, I said. “Send me his pictures.”

To be honest, I didn’t get a lot from the picture, but he looked tall, and that was enough for me.

My number was given to him, and he got in touch. The week we were to meet was his birthday; he was busy, and I was travelling to Ho in the Volta region. I remember getting in touch with him from my hospital bed at the Ho Regional Hospital.

I had gone to eat some tilapia and banku and was dying from food poisoning…But I still wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday.

Back in Accra and after escaping death, we finally met. Covid was still scary, and most companies were running a shift system with their staff.

He looked good. He spoke really well, had this kind of ‘D-bee’ vibe, didn’t talk much but appeared observant.

I will call him Kwesi.

Kwesi told me about his family. He was the only boy and had two married sisters he adored and worshipped. He was living with his parents and was working with one of the banks in the country.

He also told me about his side hustles, including manufacturing sandals with a friend in Accra.

In return, I told him about my job as a journalist, my love for reading, writing and travelling, as well as my dreams for the future.

Based on what our mutual friend had told him, I was quick to put my cards on the table.

I told him I didn’t want a relationship (too)…I also didn’t want to hear anything about love and feelings. We were to be ‘adults’ about this and agreed not even to involve our mutual friend. We hugged to seal our new friendship.

Moving from friends to the benefits

After some months of being friends, Kwesi got more comfortable coming to my end. It was usually after work or on weekends when he was free. He will either sit by me and watch me work or lie down whiles I read or do something.

Sometimes, we spoke like friends; other times, we were just strangers sharing a space.

Then one afternoon, during his usual visit, it happened. The benefit. His benefit. My benefit. Our benefit.

I don’t think we were ready for it. I remember asking him to leave after since it was getting late. We didn’t talk about it. We didn’t cuddle or anything. Just like the adults we said we were going to be, we moved beyond it.

But that was it. A new twist had been added to our friendship.

It was as simple as, “Are you home?” Or “Do you want to come over?”

It really meant nothing until it started to mean everything.

The smile that followed a text. The empty feeling after every goodbye.

At this point, I wasn’t in love. I just had somebody around me, and that felt good.

Yes, I was excited about being wanted. But I loved the fact that there was no commitment or stress.

So I allowed it, and we continued for months, gradually developing feelings without even knowing it.

Hold on, me… I meant me. I was the one gradually developing feelings without knowing it.

The day I realized what had happened was the day my heart got broken.

It was a calm Sunday afternoon. With nothing to do and nowhere to go, Kwesi decided to pass by.

Time check, 5 pm. 

After the usual chit-chat about his week and a few kisses here and there, I told him I had missed him.

I then went ahead to tell him about a friend who had asked me out on a date the previous day.

Kwesi told me to go out with the guy in a calm tone. In fact, I could go out with any guy who was interested in me because he was not.

According to him, since we were not dating, there was no reason for me to even tell him or ask for permission. He said he didn’t mind me being with anyone else, and he was not going to date anytime soon.

I am sure I have been insulted before…But that statement from him was hurtful and insulting. I felt embarrassed, belittled, and disrespected.

I suddenly fell sick…I could taste the tears in my throat. I couldn’t get it. So, I was good enough for this but nothing more?

I asked him to leave. I was an inch away from crying, and I didn’t want him to see the tears. I was angry and confused.

“Was it possible for a guy to be with a girl for this long and just keep it physical?” I wondered.

I then called our mutual friend to share my story. I told him I had developed feelings for Kwesi even though I wasn’t supposed to. I asked him if he could talk to Kwesi to find out if he felt anything…Anything at all.

I told him I wasn’t asking Kwesi to love me…I just wanted to find out if there was a possibility he ever will.

Pathetic, right? I know now, not then.

In fact, the answer that came back from my friend drove my soul into a coma.

Kwesi said his heart was too broken for him to love again. According to him, he was not ready to date…Not me or any other girl. He could be friends if I were cool with that… If not, he was okay not talking to me again.

The arrogance. The audacity. The disrespect. The coldness. How did such a person ever find love? How can such a person ever find love?

How was I okay with this in the beginning? How could I have allowed such a cold-hearted individual to touch me repeatedly?

Such heartless talk. I didn’t even wait for more. That was all the push I needed.

The small feeling I was developing for him died instantly. I told myself I would never allow him to get that close again. To love him or be with him was going to be over my dead body.

Maybe someday, he will meet someone who will understand him and be everything to him, but for me, I was done.

Truthfully speaking, I didn’t hate him. But he woke me up and taught me to be more guided when it comes to my heart.

Hard girl had almost fallen in love, and it was definitely with the wrong person.

Who would have thought?

From then, I added some new rules to my life… No more friends with benefits.

No more undefined dating. No more mingling.

No more him.

I was done going out there to look for love. It will find me when the time is right. I was also not going to mistake lust for love.

I was going for the soft life, and a broken heart had no place there. None.

1. This essentially was an articulation of achievements and vision, fundamentally in the broader area of Digitization and honestly, the various manifestations of this overarching policy, and what it can do to promote development, is indubitable and enormous. No doubt it formed the interwoven central theme of the presentation.

2. Unfortunately, Ghanaians had to wait to be told more about what digitization has done for them by the man himself, in a manner that makes many of the achievements that should have been long known, sound new. Consequently, there may be the need to fact-check many of the claims in order to be sure.

3. It appears DMB is the only one who has a firm grasp over the policy, as the party itself has either been ignorant about the claims about Digitization or has been incompetent in communicating its achievements to fester in the psyche of Ghanaians. Unless the party begins to undertake remedial tutorials about Digitization and its achievements for the purposes of political communication, the work will be difficult for DMB.

4. Despite what it can do, Digitization is not the sine qua non to development. Other key interventions such as good governance and deliberate efforts to seal the leakages and slippages, fight corruption, exemplary leadership that first tightens its belt, rather than living bourgeoisie, etc should have been emphasized more than being treated nearly as appendages.

5. Parts of the presentation was an indictment on the government of which he is part, in a manner that raises serious questions and vindicates those of us who have been critics of the government. Promising to have not more than 50 Ministers when you are part of a government of over 100 Ministers; and promising to abolish some taxes like the Emissions tax, Gaming Tax, E-Levy, VAT on electricity consumption, etc makes some of us feel vindicated for criticizing and calling for downsizing of government and the abolition of such nuisance taxes.

DMB’s supporters came after us for such criticisms and I am wondering whether they will go after him, now that he’s taken a position that responds favorably to our criticisms on the size of government and nuisance taxes.

6. But the more important question is, why do these great interventions tomorrow, instead of today that they are greatly needed? Does the answer still lie in the claim that he’s not the one in charge? Well, in that case, then karma is not good at all. There was then absolutely no basis for the 170 questions posed to Veep Amissah-Arthur because he was also a mate and wasn’t in charge.

7. DMB still blames our challenges on COVID and the Russian-Ukraine war and there is no doubt at all that these have had negative effects on many countries including Ghana. But a more convincing explanation could have also focused on an admission of what was done wrong domestically, and a promise to refrain from our own contributions to the challenges. It cannot be entirely accurate for us to blame all other than ourselves for our challenges.

8. Finally, there were great ideas that were espoused including the need for a national development plan, a move that was initiated by the predecessor government but was jettisoned. All the other contenders in the 2024 elections also have great plans. But it appears great plans wouldn’t really matter.

Available empirical survey reports show that many Ghanaians now, do not believe in political promises, as many of them are merely vote garnering gimmicks. What would therefore be the decider in the 2024 elections, would be a side by side comparison of the trustworthiness, credibility and achievements of the various contenders.

In my next post, I will now offer a sharper focus and properly interrogate some of the policy vision outlined. Where they deserve commendations, we would commend and where they must be fact-checked and critiqued, we will do so.

READ ALSO:

I’ll not ask for a honeymoon period, I’m ready to work…

Ghana Card holders will no longer have to apply separately for a passport – Bawumia

I slept very well after listening to Bawumia’s lecture – Economist

I write to emphasize the need to keep the 2024 general elections on a firm date, not on a day.

Discussions on changing the date for the general elections have filled the media in recent weeks and have divided the major political players.

The general election ha bs always been held on December 7^th, except that of 1992 which divided the presidential and parliamentary election

The talk of the day is the need to change the election date from December 7 to November 7^th for this year.

Two reasons thus, the short period of transition which is worsened by possible run-off have been argued as the basis for this solicited change.

The other reason is the concern and request from the Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) that this year’s elections will fall on Saturday and would interfere with their freedom of worship and civic right to vote.

In respect to changing the date from December to November, it is an absolute necessity, if the present date leaves not enough room for the administration of free and fair elections and transition.

Taking it to November or any other month should pose no problem in the present or future. I notice, however, an opposition to this change.

The major opposition party, NDC is concerned that this change, effective this year will disadvantage them.

They argue that this is a crucial elections that they do not want to play or experiment. I wonder which general elections have not been that crucial in this country.

Even by-elections are crucial. While I wonder how a change in a voting month could advantage or disadvantage one political party or another, I also wonder why we delight in making major changes always take immediate effect.

In respect of changing the voting date to a fixed day of the week, I applaud the interest to make room for a religious movement to freely exercise their divine rights while upholding their civic responsibility.

Nevertheless, I am of the firm reasoning that changing the voting date may solve a problem today but may bring us back to this hue and cry in the future.

The Electoral Commission is resolved not only to place no stumbling blocks in the way of the SDA but also to be sure to leave out Fridays and Sundays so that the Muslims and the bigger Christian fraternity who worship on these other days are also not affected.

This Fourth Republic has seen eight general elections on December 7^th. Three of those elections fell on Saturday (1992), Sunday (2008), and Friday (2012) respectively.

I do not recall any challenges that the elections for those years suffered or how the turnout and results were affected.

I must say that for true Christians, all the days of the week are equal in the eyes of God and we would not be bothered what day of the week an election is held.

Here is the problem I have not yet heard anyone talk about, if the elections are moved from a date to a day.

What happens when a new religious movement emerges in the future and demands that their “God” wants them to have this or that elections day as their sacred worship day?

They say their membership runs in the millions. Are we going to respect their right and freedom of faith and religion and go through this confusion again? We will be back with this hue and cry about changing or not changing an election day.

For the safety of the nation, I reason that the general elections should be locked on a firm date as it already is rather than tied to a day of the week.

This year, December 7 falls on Saturday; the next will fall on a different day and so on. That way, every citizen’s freedom and right of faith and worship and the civic right to vote are guaranteed at all times without controversy.

Rev. Alfred Marshall Adjaottor

This Rock Baptist Church, Ablekuma

February 7, 2024

The forthcoming Valentine’s Day, imposed by our kids, may be good after all. It tells adults to ‘beloved let us laugh’ putting behind us grievances nursed between children of ‘konkonte’ sellers and their political rivals.

The very nicknames of ‘konkonte’ should caution offending tongues not to mess with that meal. ‘Face the Wall’ is what l best remember from student days: the only meal you were advised to battle with your back turned to spectators.

That was not taken as a sign of disrespect; it was to allow you enough privacy to wrestle and floor the meal, walking away with no evidence of rough play.

Other nicknames like ‘abetee, ‘okpolatse, and the rest are meaningless, and do not prescribe ideal eating postures in their manuals.

Students prefer ‘Face the Wall; a cassava-based meal with groundnut soup, which big men pretend they despise, but in whispers send their drivers to buy at Adjiringanor or Bantama (and not tell anybody who sent them).

Since the recent NPP parliamentary primaries, Face the Wall has earned extra respect, and many politicians who lost the polls, have regretted not changing the vocation of their mother, to ‘konkonte seller’ on candidate application forms.

This compels me to flatter Dan Kweku Yeboah, my nephew whose political ambitions in Agona could be bolstered with a big secret I am about to reveal.

Our beloved Nana Ekua, mother of celebrated broadcaster Dan Kweku Yeboah, was a renowned ‘bofrot’ seller at Power House in Agona Duakwa, a modest vocation that transformed the fortunes of her talented son.

I hereby salute all wayside food vendors, retailers, traffic light traders, konkonte and omo tuo sellers, whose modest efforts have produced graduates, maverick politicians and big business executives. These should include our beloved Kennedy Agyapong and my own ‘Daavi, whose mother was a ‘waakye’ seller, nicknamed Mama Waakye.

That derogatory reference to ‘son of a konkonte seller’ at a political rally, must have turned on the appetite of Bantama delegates who picked ballot papers and voted heavily for Asenso. Francis gleefully extended the joke, and organized a big party a day after his victory.

Call it the Bantama Konkonte Banquet that saw delegates wrestling konkonte with tilted necks and soup dripping at elbows. It’s not known whether Asenso Boakye at the banquet provided enough wall space for celebrants to face that day.

At the end of the day, however, a record had been set at the Bantama Constituency in Ashanti.

For the first time an MP in Bantama had got the mandate to extend his term beyond four years; and this feat stands in the name of son of a konkonte seller.

Indeed my heroes at the entire parliamentary primaries were Asenso Boakye and his rival, Ralph Agyapong. These two are a great sport. After results had been announced, there was no love lost.

Ralph despite the bitter contest, plucked love and courage, and walked to Asenso lifting his hand in congratulation. It was such a moving spectacle. No victors, no losers.

Their Party had won, and Ghana was the greatest beneficiary. The best part of the show was when Francis and Ralph during voting, chose to dissipate tension not with blows, but through a peaceful song-dialogue (akutia) as spectators cheered. Congratulations, Ralph and Francis!

I hereby request Ken to do likewise, and in the name of Valentine extend a warm hand to Asenso, putting behind them a bitter campaign trail that needlessly sapped energies; then work towards further victories for democracy.

Politics can indeed be a sport and also give us lessons about the Black Stars, who with heads bowed, returned from Cote D’Ivoire but need our love.

Beloved let us smile at the Stars, particularly Inaki Williams who committed a fatal defensive blunder allowing Egypt to equalize.

At home in Accra, Inaki would have been advised after the game, to hang on at the dressing room until further notice. Phobia supporters would be waiting to greet him with a few parting words.

But don’t forget our beloved Kudus who made our day during the match with Egypt. For those who delay meals till Black Stars have finished a match, you may have worsened your stomach ulcers by now. Please advise yourself next time.

Where unsure of the Black Stars, simply take advantage of goals scored by Kudus to quickly eat your dinner before opponents pull even. By the time Kudus’ goal is equalized and you start mourning, you would be grieving at least on a full stomach!

Please enjoy your meals while Green Eagles, Elephants, Bafana Bafana and DR Congo battle it out towards Afcon finals; it enables you to transfer all heart attacks across the border, to whom it may concern.

This week, my heart has been heavy with sadness and my mind full of reflections about life. During the week, I saw an elderly patient-about 75 and his adult son.

They told me that the father, who has many chronic illneses, lives with his son, and his wife. To put it bluntly, even though, he has a room of his own, his daughter-in-law wants him out of the house.

“I want the house to myself and my family. I didn’t sign up to take care of your father” she said, according to them. So, they are looking for a place so that father can live alone. A week ago, a female patient reported similar problems with her daughter-in-law. Now, in fairness to the in-laws involved in these cases, I have not heard from them. As an attorney friend once told me, “Between God and the devil, we have only heard God’s side of the story. Let’s get Lucifer’s side too.”.

I believe these stories are broadly true. I have heard and witnessed similar stories about spouses– both male and females wanting step-children out of their homes. The 5th Commandment, as narrated in Exodus 20:12, states, “Honour your father and your mother that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Now, is your father-in-law the same as your father? Is your mother-in-law the same as your mother? My mother’s favorite song was “Etan wonua na edo Christ a na otoro ye wo” ( If you hate your brother and love Christ, you are a liar).

It seems in many families, people see their in-laws differently from their own mothers, fathers etc. Listening to my patients broke my heart. Even aside from the fact that in-laws are family, the story of the Good Samaritan makes it clear that even strangers deserve our help.

To end on a happy note, while growing up fatherless, quite few men adopted me as their kid and helped my education even though they  didn’t even know my mother.

And the week before, I met a former wife, ten years divorced from her husband,  who had taken him back in because, “He can’t live by himself and I can’t watch him go to a nursing home.”

Let us all reflect on the meaning of family and offer help to those in need, be they our  parents, in-laws or even strangers.

As the Bible says, “whatever you do to the least of these, that you do unto me.”

We shall overcome!

God bless you all.

Arthur Kobina Kennedy

4th February, 2024.

In December of last year, Ghanaians were greeted with a new fiscal imposition from their government: an annual levy tied to the carbon emissions emanating from their petrol or diesel-powered vehicles.

Proponents of this levy, including the government itself, argue that it serves the dual purpose of curbing the nation’s emissions and bolstering governmental revenue.

The levy was recently greenlit by Ghana’s parliament, encompassing fees ranging from 75 Ghanaian cedis for motorized tricycles and motorcycles to 300 cedis for vehicles boasting a capacity of 3,000cc or higher.

While on the global scale, fuel emissions levies are intended to foster the adoption of eco-friendly technology and green energy, the rationale behind this specific tax begs scrutiny.

Firstly, it is imperative to question whether this levy stands any credible chance of significantly curbing emissions.

The resounding answer is ‘no’!

This levy, as it stands, isn’t a progressive solution to carbon emission in Ghana as the absence of credible alternatives will effectively take away the levy’s deterrent effect necessary to dissuade individuals from operating carbon-emitting vehicles.

The fact is, if this levy is meant to incentivise the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), then it is too far-fetched as vehicle buyers in Ghana have no such alternatives.

In the Ghanaian context, where such alternatives remain scarce, this tax merely imposes an additional burden on citizens without offering a tangible pathway toward sustainable transportation.

It’s baffling that the government proceeds with the implementation of this levy despite acknowledging the populace’s lack of choice in the matter.

The move appears particularly egregious in light of the government’s purported commitment to shifting the nation’s focus from taxation to production, a promise now seemingly contradicted by the imposition of multiple taxes, including this emissions levy.

In essence, Ghana’s venture into carbon emissions taxation raises pertinent questions regarding its efficacy, feasibility, and alignment with broader economic objectives.

As it stands, citizens will have to grapple with yet another tax burden but what can the people do but obey?

I notice that after Kofi Bentil’s glowing endorsement of Dr Bawumia’s candidature for presidential office, morally deficient characters like Prof Ransford Gyampo are out in the public square having a field day.

Kofi Bentil simply opined that amongst the two fore runners for the 2024 presidential elections, Dr Bawumia is more credible to lead.

And as always Ransford Gyampo is out there with a dagger trying to mark Bawumia’s homework and to award marks. He’s an expert in that. Isn’t it?

Honestly, it has been excruciating reading Ransford Gyampo’s response to Kofi Bentil.

Indeed, it was a harmless advocacy by Kofi Bentil and instead of Rasnford Gyampo and his likes, to counter him with verifiable facts to render his argument lifeless, they’re out there on the offensive and acting like the proverbial Kweku Ananse who thought he owns all the wisdom in the universe.

In fact, the irredeemable dreadfulness of Rasnford Gyampo’s argument confirms my long held suspicions that the man has simply lost it.

Ransford Gyampo feels he is the most important person in any room he enters; His ego is in inverse proportion to his self worth. There is Gyampo’s World or there is nothing. That level of narcissism must get tiring after a while – the constant struggle to reconfigure reality, the terror of it all falling apart.

Truly, nobody is advocating that Dr Bawumia should be given a free pass but then, we need to have a dispassionate conversation about the two front runners seeking to lead our nation, and the conversation ought to be fact based.

Isn’t it a fact that Dr Bawumia hasn’t been President? Isn’t it also true that Mahama has been President before?

Isn’t it true that Dr Bawumia has been Ghana’s best and most impactful Vice President ever?

Again, isn’t it pretty obvious that Dr Bawumia is incorruptible?

Can we say the same about Mahama?

Is Mahama not under investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor?

Isn’t it trite that Mahama has been embroiled in corrupt activities locally and internationally?

Isn’t it also true that the Special Prosecutor has established that Mahama is Government Official 1 in the receipt of bribes regarding the Airbus corruption saga?

So, where is the lie in Kofi Bentil’s argument?

I am always bemused as to how those people who say they are opposed to the Dr Bawumia always transform into comedians once there’s a call for intellectual conversation between Bawumia and Mahama.

Yes, by courtesy of a democratic vote on both sides of the political aisle, Dr Bawumia will win the presidency in the forthcoming elections and all of this tiresome nonsense will be left for future generations of schoolkids to marvel at the pettiness of it all

I shall be back

Ernest Owusu-Bempah
Deputy Director of Communications, NPP