Sunday, 29 April 2012
What Will Save The NDC From The Jaws of Defeat In The December 2012 Presidential Election?
A gentleman who read one of my blog postings recently, called this morning, to ask me why I am so insistent that President Mills and Vice President Mahama, ought to resign from their positions - and be replaced by a new National Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket consisting of Martin Amidu for president, with Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, as his running mate.
Well, that potent game-changing NDC ticket, will put the New Patriotic Party (NPP) permanently on the defensive - by dramatically altering the dynamics of the December 2012 election campaign.
It will provide the NDC with the opportunity to set the political agenda, with their own unassailable winning-narrative for the December 2012 election campaign.
That new NDC narrative, will urge Ghanaians to elect a new metaphorical broom to sweep high-level corruption away for good, and finally end the impunity of our ruling elites.
As most ordinary Ghanaians know to their cost, our nation's ruling elites, have, over the years (both before and under the current democratic dispensation of the 4th Republic), gotten away with stealing and siphoning off trillions of cedis of taxpayers' money.
A tough-minded leader, able to end their impunity by prosecuting the crooks amongst them - from across the political spectrum - who have participated in the brutal and repeated gang-rape of Mother Ghana for decades, will win the presidential election by a landslide.
The vast majority of ordinary Ghanaians understand perfectly that high-level corruption is Ghana's number one problem - and electing a leader they trust can deal with it is something that most will willingly do.
Is the Martin Amidu narrative's shorthand, "ending gargantuan crimes against the people of Ghana" not something that will resonate with the vast majority of ordinary Ghanaians?
Do they not all sense that somehow there are two nations in Ghana now: the prosperous nation of "haves" - in which most families own fleets of expensive vehicles; an array of posh houses; shop in the most exclusive and expensive retail outlets in Ghana; can even afford to give their offspring the most expensive private education in Europe and North America, and elsewhere in the developed world; and, most mystifying of all to the "have-nots", the fact that the "haves" never seem to feel the pain of daily existence in Ghana, no matter how harsh the economic climate gets?
And above all, most befuddling of all, for ordinary Ghanaians, is the practical evidence before them (in the shape of shiny new expensive vehicles and a cornucopia of architectural designs of Hollywood-style homes in gated communities) that Ghana's rich are indeed getting even wealthier - and in inverse proportion to the free-fall in the living standards and quality of life of their half of Ghana, the nation of "have-nots".
Who will not vote for an NDC presidential candidate like Martin Amidu, promising to end this iniquitous societal situation? Is Amidu not a politician who has demonstrated to ordinary Ghanaians, in a very practical manner, his disapproval of elite-rip-off culture - evidenced by a belief in the rule of law that underpins his personal motto that all are equal before the law, in his eyes, and that impunity in Ghana must therefore be ended?
Has he not demonstrated clearly that he can fight the high-level corruption, which is slowly bleeding our nation to death, I ask, dear reader?
Which politician in Ghana would have done what he did, in risking his ministerial position protecting the national interest - in the face of a determined onslaught on him from wealthy, powerful and well-connected crooks, out to dupe Mother Ghana?
It is a wonder that the NDC refuses to seize this 11th-hour lifeline available to it, that a Martin Amidu candidature represents - at practically no cost to its unity.
Is it not a fact that both President Mills and Vice President Mahama were reluctant warriors - before being finally prevailed upon to accept to stand as the NDC's candidates in the December 2008 presidential election, which ended in that near-miraculous victory for their party?
Alas, the trouble about the geniuses into whose hands President Rawlings' NDC has now fallen, is that they are such a hard-of-hearing lot - and, despite their undoubted intelligence and impressive educational backgrounds, have proved to be serial-bunglers: many of them seemingly blinded by "Awoof sika" (easy money, to non-Twi speakers).
Well, if they fail to listen to some us, yet again, as they did when we advised them, when they first came into office, that if they wanted to ensure a tangible legacy, then they ought to quickly get to talk to the Chinese - whom we said would willingly loan Nkrumah's Ghana as much as US$20 billions, to fund projects for them: such as the Accra-Paga railway line, and at least 500,000 affordable houses in each of the ten regions - they will end up being soundly defeated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December elections.
They must stop their whistling-in-the-dark bravado, end their politics of never-ending propaganda, and, above all, stop deluding themselves that President Mills will win a second term - and demand instead that both the president and vice president step aside now, to save their party from imminent defeat.
At this stage in the game, they must literally start thinking what probably for them is the unthinkable - get Martin Amidu to stand as their candidate for the December presidential election, with Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings as his running mate.
That is what will save them from the jaws of certain defeat in the December polls. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Like Kennedy Adjapong Is President Kufuor Too Not Really A Tribal-Supremacist Politician - As Are Many Of Their Party's Leading Members?
Do those independent-minded and patriotic Ghanaians, in whose view,
charging that nouveau riche philistine and tribal-supremacist
politician, Kennedy Adjapong, with treason, genocide and terrorism,
amounted to "crass stupidity" (to quote one such Ghanaian), not have a
point after all, one wonders?
Why trivialise a serious crime against humankind, such as genocide, by charging him with it, when in saying what he did, that bloody fool had not actually killed a single soul - let alone hundreds of thousands of Ga Dangbes and Ewes, in an orgy of ethnic cleansing by his party members, financed and organised by him, I ask?
And if he did not in fact also take part in a conspiracy with others, seeking the overthrow of the elected government of the day, which he also agreed he would finance, why charge him for treason, too?
And why terrorism - when what they were confronted with, was a man whose utterances were liable to cause fear and panic, amongst a section of the general public?
It was daft and politically inept to do so, on the part of the faceless (and power-drunk) individuals, behind this classic example of the abuse of the legal system for political ends.
One's rather surprised too, at those who feel outraged by ex-President Kufuor's "sledgehammer" remarks, when he commented openly on Kennedy Adjapong's nation-wrecking and vituperative verbiage.
What else did they expect from that quarter, dear reader? Has it escaped them, that the hypocritical Kufuor too, is himself an arch tribal-supremacist politician?
Have they forgotten so soon that there were many discerning and independent-minded Ghanaians, who said at the time, that he saw his election to power as president of our homeland Ghana, as a golden opportunity, for the tribal-supremacist cabal that dominated the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regime he led for eight long years, to use the entire machinery of state to promote their tribal Chieftain as the de facto leader of a state-within-a-state, and monarch of Nkrumah's Ghana?
Indeed many patriotic individuals say that he is actually cast in the same mould as Kennedy Adjapong - only a tad more diplomatic (hypocritical's the word one ought to use, perhaps) than that tribalistic blackguard: as are many of their confounded party's leading lights. That is why they must be prevented from fragmenting our country further - by keeping them away from the Osu Castle and the Flagstaff House, in the December 2012 elections. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Why trivialise a serious crime against humankind, such as genocide, by charging him with it, when in saying what he did, that bloody fool had not actually killed a single soul - let alone hundreds of thousands of Ga Dangbes and Ewes, in an orgy of ethnic cleansing by his party members, financed and organised by him, I ask?
And if he did not in fact also take part in a conspiracy with others, seeking the overthrow of the elected government of the day, which he also agreed he would finance, why charge him for treason, too?
And why terrorism - when what they were confronted with, was a man whose utterances were liable to cause fear and panic, amongst a section of the general public?
It was daft and politically inept to do so, on the part of the faceless (and power-drunk) individuals, behind this classic example of the abuse of the legal system for political ends.
One's rather surprised too, at those who feel outraged by ex-President Kufuor's "sledgehammer" remarks, when he commented openly on Kennedy Adjapong's nation-wrecking and vituperative verbiage.
What else did they expect from that quarter, dear reader? Has it escaped them, that the hypocritical Kufuor too, is himself an arch tribal-supremacist politician?
Have they forgotten so soon that there were many discerning and independent-minded Ghanaians, who said at the time, that he saw his election to power as president of our homeland Ghana, as a golden opportunity, for the tribal-supremacist cabal that dominated the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regime he led for eight long years, to use the entire machinery of state to promote their tribal Chieftain as the de facto leader of a state-within-a-state, and monarch of Nkrumah's Ghana?
Indeed many patriotic individuals say that he is actually cast in the same mould as Kennedy Adjapong - only a tad more diplomatic (hypocritical's the word one ought to use, perhaps) than that tribalistic blackguard: as are many of their confounded party's leading lights. That is why they must be prevented from fragmenting our country further - by keeping them away from the Osu Castle and the Flagstaff House, in the December 2012 elections. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Friday, 27 April 2012
A Note To Readers Of The Ghanapolitics Blog
I am informing readers of my blog, that as a result of some challenges I am currently facing posting articles online through my mobile phone (on which I do all my writing and editing, incidentally), I shall not be able to post new articles on my Ghanapolitics google-blog, as frequently and as regularly, as I hitherto did.
I crave readers indulgence and ask them to bear with me, whiles I master the art and science of downloading a mobile Google chrome browser (not an easy task for a senile old fool like me), unto my phone - if I can manage to get that done in time, whiles my phone still remains connected to the internet, that is.
For some extraordinary reason, my wireless network ISP provider, Vodafone's web link to my phone, always gets broken, the moment I begin the process of downloading the Google chrome browser. Odd, that.
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana , which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
December 2012 Elections: For The Sake of Ghana's Unity Patriotic Ghanaians Must Vote Against NPP Presidential and Parliamentary Candidates
With the lesson of the near-destruction of the Ivory Coast etched deeply in their subconscious, one doubts very much whether the ordinary people of this country, will allow their homeland Ghana, too, to be led into the abyss, by politicians or political parties.
One also hopes that most ordinary Ghanaians are sensible enough, to understand clearly, that were they to allow the tragedy that befell the Ivory Coast, to be repeated here by selfish politicians, they will end up seeing their lives (and that of their loved ones), turned completely upside down.
They cannot afford to allow their relatively peaceful, stable and democratic nation, which has taken decades of never-ending sacrifice on their part, to get where it is today, to be torn apart by civil strife - orchestrated by opposing sets of power-hungry and power-drunk politicians, too callous to care about the effect of their actions, on others: and who, in any case, are bound to escape from Ghana, with their nearest and dearest, were Ghana to burn.
It is such a pity that when Providence gave him a historic opportunity, to make a difference in our national life, by changing the nature of Ghanaian politics, for the better, alas, President Mills was unable to do so.
Instead, for some extraordinary reason - which is hard to fathom - he appears to have allowed others (referred to in pithy fashion by ex-President Rawlings as "greedy bastards") to take advantage of his tenure as president, to put narrow self-interest above the common-good goal of creating a political milieu, in which the personal cost of engaging in corruption (of the rogues-in-high-places variety) would be so high, that none, but a daring and foolhardy few, would ever consider entangling themselves in it.
As a result of that failure, high-level corruption persists and still remains a hindrance, in the effort to transform Ghana, and better the lot of ordinary people.
The perception amongst most ordinary Ghanaians that high-level corruption still persists in Ghana under President Mills, is the reason for the widespread disillusionment with the Mills administration.
As a result of that, today, incredibly, the rather unfortunate situation has been created, in which the clever and grasping acolytes of Kufuor & Co., under whom - despite the unrelenting propaganda blitz to make us believe the contrary - we did not also experience a rule of saints, either, are actually on the cusp of returning to power again, after the December 2012 elections. How can that be, I ask, dear reader?
Yet, as we all know, whiles the vast majority of Ghanaians did not experience a change for the better, in their personal circumstances, a lucky and small group of extremely well-connected individuals, and the most influential New Patriotic Party (NPP) members, benefited a great deal, and prospered mightily, from Kufuor & Co.'s not-so-secret agenda, of asset-stripping the enterprise Ghana - which underpinned the ethos-of-greed that characterised many of the self-serving policies, of the NPP regime of President Kufuor.
Given the record of Kufuor & Co., in the eight years that the NPP ruled Ghana and consistently put their crony-capitalist pals' interests above that of the Ghanaian nation-state, one would have to agree with those who say, that such is the unfathomable greed that drives that clever, self-seeking and ruthless lot, that were they to succeed in returning to power again, after the December polls, it would be catastrophic for Mother Ghana.
Despite the failings of President Mills' National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime (which, incidentally, pale into insignificance, when compared to the brutal and repeated gang-rape of Mother Ghana, and the many other crimes against ordinary Ghanaians perpetrated by the perfidious Kufuor & Co.), for the sake of the unity of our nation, it is vital that the discerning, independent-minded and patriotic individuals in Ghana, whose crucial swing-votes now decide who becomes president of Nkrumah's Ghana (the so-called "floating voters"), do not allow those tribal-supremacist NPP wolves-in-sheep's-clothing, to return to power again in our country, any time soon.
The surest and most effective way to prevent that, would be for those who currently control the NDC to remove their deeply buried heads from the sand, and, together with those seeking to reconcile President Mills and ex-President Rawlings, focus instead, on the creative-thinking solution, of persuading President Mills and Vice President Mahama to resign from their respective positions - and replace that doomed ticket with Martin Amidu as the NDC's new presidential candidate for the December 2012 elections, and also pick Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to be his running mate.
It would be such a relief, dear reader, for Ghanaian Progressives, were President Mills and Vice President Mahama themselves to decide to resign from their positions, in order to help their party secure victory in the December elections - and save Ghana from that party of asset-strippers and super-sly tribal-supremacist politicians.
Those arrogant and selfish individuals, whose hidden agenda is the perpetual dominance by their ethnic group, of our unified country of diverse-ethnicity, in which no tribe is inferior or superior to another, do not deserve to be allowed to govern our homeland Ghana again, under any circumstances, ever.
However, were Mills to still go ahead regardless, and insist on standing as his party's presidential candidate, then patriotic Ghanaians must make a lesser-of-two-evils choice, and vote for NDC candidates, standing against the candidates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in the December 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
One also hopes that most ordinary Ghanaians are sensible enough, to understand clearly, that were they to allow the tragedy that befell the Ivory Coast, to be repeated here by selfish politicians, they will end up seeing their lives (and that of their loved ones), turned completely upside down.
They cannot afford to allow their relatively peaceful, stable and democratic nation, which has taken decades of never-ending sacrifice on their part, to get where it is today, to be torn apart by civil strife - orchestrated by opposing sets of power-hungry and power-drunk politicians, too callous to care about the effect of their actions, on others: and who, in any case, are bound to escape from Ghana, with their nearest and dearest, were Ghana to burn.
It is such a pity that when Providence gave him a historic opportunity, to make a difference in our national life, by changing the nature of Ghanaian politics, for the better, alas, President Mills was unable to do so.
Instead, for some extraordinary reason - which is hard to fathom - he appears to have allowed others (referred to in pithy fashion by ex-President Rawlings as "greedy bastards") to take advantage of his tenure as president, to put narrow self-interest above the common-good goal of creating a political milieu, in which the personal cost of engaging in corruption (of the rogues-in-high-places variety) would be so high, that none, but a daring and foolhardy few, would ever consider entangling themselves in it.
As a result of that failure, high-level corruption persists and still remains a hindrance, in the effort to transform Ghana, and better the lot of ordinary people.
The perception amongst most ordinary Ghanaians that high-level corruption still persists in Ghana under President Mills, is the reason for the widespread disillusionment with the Mills administration.
As a result of that, today, incredibly, the rather unfortunate situation has been created, in which the clever and grasping acolytes of Kufuor & Co., under whom - despite the unrelenting propaganda blitz to make us believe the contrary - we did not also experience a rule of saints, either, are actually on the cusp of returning to power again, after the December 2012 elections. How can that be, I ask, dear reader?
Yet, as we all know, whiles the vast majority of Ghanaians did not experience a change for the better, in their personal circumstances, a lucky and small group of extremely well-connected individuals, and the most influential New Patriotic Party (NPP) members, benefited a great deal, and prospered mightily, from Kufuor & Co.'s not-so-secret agenda, of asset-stripping the enterprise Ghana - which underpinned the ethos-of-greed that characterised many of the self-serving policies, of the NPP regime of President Kufuor.
Given the record of Kufuor & Co., in the eight years that the NPP ruled Ghana and consistently put their crony-capitalist pals' interests above that of the Ghanaian nation-state, one would have to agree with those who say, that such is the unfathomable greed that drives that clever, self-seeking and ruthless lot, that were they to succeed in returning to power again, after the December polls, it would be catastrophic for Mother Ghana.
Despite the failings of President Mills' National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime (which, incidentally, pale into insignificance, when compared to the brutal and repeated gang-rape of Mother Ghana, and the many other crimes against ordinary Ghanaians perpetrated by the perfidious Kufuor & Co.), for the sake of the unity of our nation, it is vital that the discerning, independent-minded and patriotic individuals in Ghana, whose crucial swing-votes now decide who becomes president of Nkrumah's Ghana (the so-called "floating voters"), do not allow those tribal-supremacist NPP wolves-in-sheep's-clothing, to return to power again in our country, any time soon.
The surest and most effective way to prevent that, would be for those who currently control the NDC to remove their deeply buried heads from the sand, and, together with those seeking to reconcile President Mills and ex-President Rawlings, focus instead, on the creative-thinking solution, of persuading President Mills and Vice President Mahama to resign from their respective positions - and replace that doomed ticket with Martin Amidu as the NDC's new presidential candidate for the December 2012 elections, and also pick Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to be his running mate.
It would be such a relief, dear reader, for Ghanaian Progressives, were President Mills and Vice President Mahama themselves to decide to resign from their positions, in order to help their party secure victory in the December elections - and save Ghana from that party of asset-strippers and super-sly tribal-supremacist politicians.
Those arrogant and selfish individuals, whose hidden agenda is the perpetual dominance by their ethnic group, of our unified country of diverse-ethnicity, in which no tribe is inferior or superior to another, do not deserve to be allowed to govern our homeland Ghana again, under any circumstances, ever.
However, were Mills to still go ahead regardless, and insist on standing as his party's presidential candidate, then patriotic Ghanaians must make a lesser-of-two-evils choice, and vote for NDC candidates, standing against the candidates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in the December 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Thursday, 19 April 2012
PRESIDENT MILLS: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - TAKE CHARGE OF GHANA AND YOUR OWN REGIME NOW!
Is Ghana falling apart, one wonders? If those power-drunk individuals in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime of President Mills, behind the intimidation of their political opponents (especially New Patriotic Party (NPP) members), by remote control, via the security agencies, have any doubt about how their foolishness and high-handedness is rebounding on their regime's image, and leaving it in tatters, let them call for, and watch, and listen, to the audio-visual recording of Yaw Buabeng Asamoah and Atiku Djaba's passionate denoucement of their regime, and the tactics of the police, on the current affairs "National Agenda" programme this morning, on Net2 TV.
Yet again, those selfish self-seekers (ex-President Rawlings' "greedy bastards"), are making it obvious, to the discerning in Ghana, that President Mills, who is supposed to have executive authority under our constitution, is somehow a mere bystander, and powerless, in his own regime. In the meantime, Ghana is being torn apart.
And yet again, those "greedy bastards" are proving that they really are an incompetent bunch of third-rate individuals, who have unfortunately succeeded in hijacking ex-President Rawlings' NDC party, for their own selfish ends - and have ended up presiding over one of the most shambolic regime's ever to rule Ghana, in terms of their PR.
If they are unaware of it, in the internet age, you cannot intimidate anyone in a leadership position, in a political party, such as the silver-tongued Yaw Buabeng Asamoah, in today's Ghana, and hope to get away with it, successfully.
Have those geniuses responsible for the latest Mills regime PR debacle, heard, by any chance, Yaw Buabeng Asamoah and Atiku Djaba mocking their regime, on Net2 TV this morning? Talk about the double-agony of a self-inflicted head-wound and shooting oneself in the foot, politically. Pity.
The upper echelons of the Ghana Police Service and Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), would do well to take Yaw Buabeng Asamoah's wise counsel, that they ought to be always open and forthcoming about who they arrest, where they keep them, and what necessitated their arrest, as well as the charges being preferred against them, if any.
Perhaps that will avoid creating the fear and panic that drives party faithful to assemble in large numbers at places like the BNI HQ, and the CID HQ, in solidarity with incarcerated party colleagues.
President Mills must understand that it is his legacy as president that those self-seekers in his party are toying with and gradually destroying, with their high-handedness and selfish foolishness.
Yes, some, myself included, might loathe and mistrust the NPP, but this is a democracy - and those elected to rule our country ought to always bear that in mind, when deciding to have their political opponents arrested.
And in case they forget, no condition is permanent - and sooner or later, like their predecessors in office, they too will be turfed out of power, by ordinary Ghanaians fed up with their monumental incompetence.
It is time President Mills woke up from his deep slumber. If the burden of leadership is too heavy for him, let him step down as president - which is what some of us have called on him to do, for Ghana's sake. Ditto his hapless political partner, Vice President Mahama.
Above all, he must stop listening to what the pro-NDC media - in whose financial interest it is to be sycophantic - tell him about his standing in the country.
If truth be told, the vast majority of ordinary Ghanaians are completely disillusioned with his leadership. They simply cannot fathom why someone elected to be Ghana's president, appears to be allowing others to rule the country, from the shadows, in his name.
It is outrageous that having worked hard for him and the NDC to come to power, the selfsame unfathomable greed and corruption that drove some of us to risk our lives, fighting to rid our nation of the miasma that Kufuor & Co., represented, is leading those in the NDC who it appears have hijacked some of his executive powers, to gradually ruin our nation. It is intolerable - and unacceptable.
President Mills ought to be seen to be actually taking charge of Ghana, as president - for once. And he must make a start by ignoring all his third-rate advisors and invite all the leaders of Ghana-s political parties to a peace summit, at the Peduase Lodge - to chart a course, going forward, for a peaceful election in December 2012. The buck does indeed stop with him, as president.
For example, in the light of the tension in the country at the moment, did his regime have to compound Kennedy Adjapong's foolishness, with the farce his prosecution turned into? The question is, will the president hold someone in his administration responsible for this tragicomedy - and sack them?
The needless trashing of Ghana's international reputation as a democratic oasis of peace and stability in sub-Saharan Africa, by violence-prone extremists in both the NDC and NPP, must be stopped at all costs. But it must be done with some finesse by intelligent people - who can out-think and outsmart those nation-wreckers, who profit from the violence, chaos and tension in the country.
Is the president not supposed to be the Asumdwehene, I ask? Let him act now - and take charge of his own regime and Nkrumah's Ghana. What is going on now, is shameful, and totally unacceptable.
Enough is enough. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Yet again, those selfish self-seekers (ex-President Rawlings' "greedy bastards"), are making it obvious, to the discerning in Ghana, that President Mills, who is supposed to have executive authority under our constitution, is somehow a mere bystander, and powerless, in his own regime. In the meantime, Ghana is being torn apart.
And yet again, those "greedy bastards" are proving that they really are an incompetent bunch of third-rate individuals, who have unfortunately succeeded in hijacking ex-President Rawlings' NDC party, for their own selfish ends - and have ended up presiding over one of the most shambolic regime's ever to rule Ghana, in terms of their PR.
If they are unaware of it, in the internet age, you cannot intimidate anyone in a leadership position, in a political party, such as the silver-tongued Yaw Buabeng Asamoah, in today's Ghana, and hope to get away with it, successfully.
Have those geniuses responsible for the latest Mills regime PR debacle, heard, by any chance, Yaw Buabeng Asamoah and Atiku Djaba mocking their regime, on Net2 TV this morning? Talk about the double-agony of a self-inflicted head-wound and shooting oneself in the foot, politically. Pity.
The upper echelons of the Ghana Police Service and Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), would do well to take Yaw Buabeng Asamoah's wise counsel, that they ought to be always open and forthcoming about who they arrest, where they keep them, and what necessitated their arrest, as well as the charges being preferred against them, if any.
Perhaps that will avoid creating the fear and panic that drives party faithful to assemble in large numbers at places like the BNI HQ, and the CID HQ, in solidarity with incarcerated party colleagues.
President Mills must understand that it is his legacy as president that those self-seekers in his party are toying with and gradually destroying, with their high-handedness and selfish foolishness.
Yes, some, myself included, might loathe and mistrust the NPP, but this is a democracy - and those elected to rule our country ought to always bear that in mind, when deciding to have their political opponents arrested.
And in case they forget, no condition is permanent - and sooner or later, like their predecessors in office, they too will be turfed out of power, by ordinary Ghanaians fed up with their monumental incompetence.
It is time President Mills woke up from his deep slumber. If the burden of leadership is too heavy for him, let him step down as president - which is what some of us have called on him to do, for Ghana's sake. Ditto his hapless political partner, Vice President Mahama.
Above all, he must stop listening to what the pro-NDC media - in whose financial interest it is to be sycophantic - tell him about his standing in the country.
If truth be told, the vast majority of ordinary Ghanaians are completely disillusioned with his leadership. They simply cannot fathom why someone elected to be Ghana's president, appears to be allowing others to rule the country, from the shadows, in his name.
It is outrageous that having worked hard for him and the NDC to come to power, the selfsame unfathomable greed and corruption that drove some of us to risk our lives, fighting to rid our nation of the miasma that Kufuor & Co., represented, is leading those in the NDC who it appears have hijacked some of his executive powers, to gradually ruin our nation. It is intolerable - and unacceptable.
President Mills ought to be seen to be actually taking charge of Ghana, as president - for once. And he must make a start by ignoring all his third-rate advisors and invite all the leaders of Ghana-s political parties to a peace summit, at the Peduase Lodge - to chart a course, going forward, for a peaceful election in December 2012. The buck does indeed stop with him, as president.
For example, in the light of the tension in the country at the moment, did his regime have to compound Kennedy Adjapong's foolishness, with the farce his prosecution turned into? The question is, will the president hold someone in his administration responsible for this tragicomedy - and sack them?
The needless trashing of Ghana's international reputation as a democratic oasis of peace and stability in sub-Saharan Africa, by violence-prone extremists in both the NDC and NPP, must be stopped at all costs. But it must be done with some finesse by intelligent people - who can out-think and outsmart those nation-wreckers, who profit from the violence, chaos and tension in the country.
Is the president not supposed to be the Asumdwehene, I ask? Let him act now - and take charge of his own regime and Nkrumah's Ghana. What is going on now, is shameful, and totally unacceptable.
Enough is enough. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
IS KENNEDY ADJAPONG A FIT AND PROPER PERSON TO OWN MEDIA ORGANISATIONS IN NKRUMAH'S GHANA?
After what the uncharitable would say was an interminable wait, presumably to see which way the wind was blowing, Ghana's National Media Commission (NMC), finally issued a statement that somehow succeeded in not mentioning Kennedy Adjapong, by name, even once - despite the widespread outrage and offence, caused by his latest tribal-supremacist diatribe, on Oman FM.
Be that as it may, and considering the fact that radio was an important and effective propaganda weapon in the armoury-of-mass-murder, of the Hutu extremists responsible for the genocide in Rwanda, discerning, independent-minded and patriotic individuals in Ghana, will have to ensure that the NMC and the National Communications Authority (NCA), squarely face the issue of Kennedy Adjapong's suitability, as an individual allowed to own and operate media organisations, in our ethnically-diverse nation, in which no tribe is superior or inferior to another.
To educate the public on the subject of whether or not an individual such as Kennedy Adjapong, passes the fit and proper person test, for media ownership - which in the light of his recent utterances, he clearly does not - I am reproducing an article published in the online newspaper, Crikey, entitled: "A ‘fit and proper’ test case: rating Alan Bond’s character" written by Dr Vincent O'Donnell.
Perhaps if the Hutu extremists had been denied ownership of media entities, and access to the media in Rwanda, they could not have spread their poisonous message so quickly, countrywide.
Clearly, dear reader, it is in the supreme interest of our nation (and to ensure the continued well-being of the vast majority of ordinary Ghanaians), that Kennedy Adjapong is not allowed to continue owning any media organisation in Ghana.
The question is, for the sake of the stability and unity of Ghana, should the NMC and the National Communications Authority (NCA) not find a lawful means of denying a hot-tempered and tribal-supremacist politician - who should never have been allowed to own them in the first place - the right to continue owning radio and television stations in Ghana?
Can the overbearing and all-powerful Kennedy Adjapong be trusted, for example, to keep an arms-length relationship with his media organisations, and thereby allow the professionals he hires to run them, to do so for the common good, whiles making a tidy profit for him?
With respect, one doubts that very much. In any case, whiles reading Dr. Vincent O'Donnell's article, readers must always bear in mind the fact that access to radio aided the Hutu extremists responsible for the genocide in Rwanda - and that we are trying to ensure that tribal-supremacist politicians in Ghana, do not own media entities: in order to avoid a possible descent into the barbarism of ethnic wars, in Ghana.
And above all, let us not also forget that Alan Bond's media ownership, never posed a danger to race relations in Australia. Perhaps, the Federal High Court would have come to a different conclusion if that was the case. Please read on:
"A ‘fit and proper’ test case: rating Alan Bond’s character
by Dr Vincent O'Donnell, of RMIT university and media policy editor for Screen Hub
Chris Huhne, a Liberal Democrat member of the British cabinet, says Rupert Murdoch “has to pass the ‘fit and proper’ test as a person to own a broadcasting organisation like Sky … and if he doesn’t pass that, it’s not a question of just stopping the BSkyB deal, it will be a question of him getting rid of Sky altogether”.
Of course overnight it was announced that News has withdrawn the bid for BSkyB, but what does being a “fit and proper” person mean?
Australia became one of the few countries to test what fit and proper might mean when it comes to being a media licensee, when in 1989, the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (ABT) took on Alan Bond, who had become the owner of the Nine Network several years earlier. Kerry Packer had sold Bond the jewel in the Packer family media interests at a very favourable price, remarking that “you only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime”.
The concept of the fit and proper person turns up in much legislation that regulates the private use of a public resource or public good. The Mineral Resources Development Act 1990 of Victoria demands it as a quality of anyone seeking a miner’s licence. In fact, auctioneers, builders, plumbers, gasfitters and drainers, tobacco wholesalers, estate agents, fishermen, food processors, surveyors, travel agents, motor car traders, second-hand dealers, pawnbrokers, teachers and solicitors, must all be fit and proper persons to hold a licence or carry on a business under Victorian legislation.
But, of course, Alan Bond was a citizen of the world and Western Australia.
Bond was hauled before the ABT on two quite serious allegations.
The first was that an out-of-court settlement, in 1985, of a defamation action by Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen against a Bond Media-owned television station was, in fact, a backhander for favours done by Sir Joh for other Bond interests. The deal had been negotiated privately by Bond and Sir Joh and was thought to be generous, given the nature of the complaint and its chances of success if the action went to court.
The second was that threats were made by Bond to a Leigh Hall, an executive of the AMP Society, that Bond would use his television staff to gather information unfavourable to the AMP, and expose the AMP’s alleged wrongdoings by disclosing the material on television.
Among three lesser issues was the question of the authenticity of audio tapes that Bond Media radio stations had submitted to the hearing. Had they been faked to support Bond’s defence?
The tribunal had found that Bond was no longer a “fit and proper” person for the purposes of the licensing provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1942. But things did not stop there. Bond appealed the finding to a Full Court of the Federal Court, which partially overturned findings of the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal and then to a Full Court of the High Court of Australia.
At issue were two related matters: the personal qualities of Bond as a fit and proper person, and whether the lack of fitness as judged by the ABT also tainted Bond Media, the group of companies that actually held the licences. This had been seen as the direct consequence of the findings.
The High Court found that the Federal Court was wrong in setting aside the ABT’s decision that the licensee companies were no longer “fit and proper” persons, but wrong for the wrong reasons.
Mason CJ considered the association between a corporate licensee and an individual:
“The degree of an individual’s capacity for control may not be so great as to warrant an inference that his character should be identified automatically with that of the licensee; in that event it would be necessary to look to the character and performance of the directors and management. In another case, where the capacity of the individual for control of the licensee is great, the inference may be justified without examining the character and performance of the directors and the management of the licensee. Especially is this so when it is established that the person having the capacity to control participates in the decision-making processes of a licensee and procures the making of reprehensible decisions which are designed to enhance and protect his own interests.” (Australian Broadcasting Tribunal v Bond (1990) 64 ALJR 462 at 474.)
The High Court held that the finding that the companies were not “fit and proper persons” was provided for by the Act, and hence a “decision” under the Act, but that the principal ground for that decision — the finding that Bond himself was not a “fit and proper person” — was not required or authorised by the Broadcasting Act, and as such, was not a decision.
Thus Alan Bond was not a “fit and proper” person to hold a TV licence but companies that he had a substantial interest in could continue to be fit and proper corporate persons and hold TV licences.
Chris Huhne, a Liberal Democrat member of the British cabinet, says Rupert Murdoch “has to pass the ‘fit and proper’ test as a person to own a broadcasting organisation like Sky … and if he doesn’t pass that, it’s not a question of just stopping the BSkyB deal, it will be a question of him getting rid of Sky altogether”.
Of course overnight it was announced that News has withdrawn the bid for BSkyB, but what does being a “fit and proper” person mean?
Australia became one of the few countries to test what fit and proper might mean when it comes to being a media licensee, when in 1989, the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (ABT) took on Alan Bond, who had become the owner of the Nine Network several years earlier. Kerry Packer had sold Bond the jewel in the Packer family media interests at a very favourable price, remarking that “you only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime”.
The concept of the fit and proper person turns up in much legislation that regulates the private use of a public resource or public good. The Mineral Resources Development Act 1990 of Victoria demands it as a quality of anyone seeking a miner’s licence. In fact, auctioneers, builders, plumbers, gasfitters and drainers, tobacco wholesalers, estate agents, fishermen, food processors, surveyors, travel agents, motor car traders, second-hand dealers, pawnbrokers, teachers and solicitors, must all be fit and proper persons to hold a licence or carry on a business under Victorian legislation.
But, of course, Alan Bond was a citizen of the world and Western Australia.
Bond was hauled before the ABT on two quite serious allegations.
The first was that an out-of-court settlement, in 1985, of a defamation action by Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen against a Bond Media-owned television station was, in fact, a backhander for favours done by Sir Joh for other Bond interests. The deal had been negotiated privately by Bond and Sir Joh and was thought to be generous, given the nature of the complaint and its chances of success if the action went to court.
The second was that threats were made by Bond to a Leigh Hall, an executive of the AMP Society, that Bond would use his television staff to gather information unfavourable to the AMP, and expose the AMP’s alleged wrongdoings by disclosing the material on television.
Among three lesser issues was the question of the authenticity of audio tapes that Bond Media radio stations had submitted to the hearing. Had they been faked to support Bond’s defence?
The tribunal had found that Bond was no longer a “fit and proper” person for the purposes of the licensing provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1942. But things did not stop there. Bond appealed the finding to a Full Court of the Federal Court, which partially overturned findings of the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal and then to a Full Court of the High Court of Australia.
At issue were two related matters: the personal qualities of Bond as a fit and proper person, and whether the lack of fitness as judged by the ABT also tainted Bond Media, the group of companies that actually held the licences. This had been seen as the direct consequence of the findings.
The High Court found that the Federal Court was wrong in setting aside the ABT’s decision that the licensee companies were no longer “fit and proper” persons, but wrong for the wrong reasons.
Mason CJ considered the association between a corporate licensee and an individual:
“The degree of an individual’s capacity for control may not be so great as to warrant an inference that his character should be identified automatically with that of the licensee; in that event it would be necessary to look to the character and performance of the directors and management. In another case, where the capacity of the individual for control of the licensee is great, the inference may be justified without examining the character and performance of the directors and the management of the licensee. Especially is this so when it is established that the person having the capacity to control participates in the decision-making processes of a licensee and procures the making of reprehensible decisions which are designed to enhance and protect his own interests.” (Australian Broadcasting Tribunal v Bond (1990) 64 ALJR 462 at 474.)
The High Court held that the finding that the companies were not “fit and proper persons” was provided for by the Act, and hence a “decision” under the Act, but that the principal ground for that decision — the finding that Bond himself was not a “fit and proper person” — was not required or authorised by the Broadcasting Act, and as such, was not a decision.
Thus Alan Bond was not a “fit and proper” person to hold a TV licence but companies that he had a substantial interest in could continue to be fit and proper corporate persons and hold TV licences.
However Bond Media share prices had taken a battering, falling from $1.55 to just over 30 cents at the time of the first finding by the ABT, and the writing was on the stockmarket wall. Kerry Packer bought back the Nine Network for a third of what Bond had paid Packer a decade earlier.
These proceeding are doubtless being pored over by News Corporation lawyers in case the 80-year-old Rupert Murdoch is asked to demonstrate his fitness and properness to have command of one of the world’s most diversified, powerful and influential media empires."
End of Dr. Vincent O'Donnell's culled article, from Crickey.
Well, dear reader, having watched the New Patriotic Party's Ursula Owusu's Oscar-winning performance on Net2 TV this morning (Awurade Nyankupong, what a hypocrite that clever woman is - an asset-stripper par excellence, acting as if she was Ghana's Joan of Arc. She, who ended up with a Ghana Airways bungalow, after the national carrier had been deliberately killed off, in order to asset-strip it, during the golden age of business for Kufuor & Co., claiming to love Mother Ghana. Made me feel like throwing up, actually), I am convinced that for the sake of our country, that entity and all the media entities owned, or indirectly controlled by Kennedy Adjapong, through his wife, ought to be closed down. They exist to spread the poison of the Kennedy Adjapongs in our midst.
The NMC and the NCA must find a way to do so, which will not be in conflict with the relevant existing laws on media ownership, for all our sake. It is said that coming events cast their shadows. Kennedy Adjapong is definitely not a fit and proper person, who should be allowed by regulators in this country, to own media entities in our ethnically-diverse and united homeland of Ghana, which Nkrumah founded. A word to the wise.
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Be that as it may, and considering the fact that radio was an important and effective propaganda weapon in the armoury-of-mass-murder, of the Hutu extremists responsible for the genocide in Rwanda, discerning, independent-minded and patriotic individuals in Ghana, will have to ensure that the NMC and the National Communications Authority (NCA), squarely face the issue of Kennedy Adjapong's suitability, as an individual allowed to own and operate media organisations, in our ethnically-diverse nation, in which no tribe is superior or inferior to another.
To educate the public on the subject of whether or not an individual such as Kennedy Adjapong, passes the fit and proper person test, for media ownership - which in the light of his recent utterances, he clearly does not - I am reproducing an article published in the online newspaper, Crikey, entitled: "A ‘fit and proper’ test case: rating Alan Bond’s character" written by Dr Vincent O'Donnell.
Perhaps if the Hutu extremists had been denied ownership of media entities, and access to the media in Rwanda, they could not have spread their poisonous message so quickly, countrywide.
Clearly, dear reader, it is in the supreme interest of our nation (and to ensure the continued well-being of the vast majority of ordinary Ghanaians), that Kennedy Adjapong is not allowed to continue owning any media organisation in Ghana.
The question is, for the sake of the stability and unity of Ghana, should the NMC and the National Communications Authority (NCA) not find a lawful means of denying a hot-tempered and tribal-supremacist politician - who should never have been allowed to own them in the first place - the right to continue owning radio and television stations in Ghana?
Can the overbearing and all-powerful Kennedy Adjapong be trusted, for example, to keep an arms-length relationship with his media organisations, and thereby allow the professionals he hires to run them, to do so for the common good, whiles making a tidy profit for him?
With respect, one doubts that very much. In any case, whiles reading Dr. Vincent O'Donnell's article, readers must always bear in mind the fact that access to radio aided the Hutu extremists responsible for the genocide in Rwanda - and that we are trying to ensure that tribal-supremacist politicians in Ghana, do not own media entities: in order to avoid a possible descent into the barbarism of ethnic wars, in Ghana.
And above all, let us not also forget that Alan Bond's media ownership, never posed a danger to race relations in Australia. Perhaps, the Federal High Court would have come to a different conclusion if that was the case. Please read on:
"A ‘fit and proper’ test case: rating Alan Bond’s character
by Dr Vincent O'Donnell, of RMIT university and media policy editor for Screen Hub
Chris Huhne, a Liberal Democrat member of the British cabinet, says Rupert Murdoch “has to pass the ‘fit and proper’ test as a person to own a broadcasting organisation like Sky … and if he doesn’t pass that, it’s not a question of just stopping the BSkyB deal, it will be a question of him getting rid of Sky altogether”.
Of course overnight it was announced that News has withdrawn the bid for BSkyB, but what does being a “fit and proper” person mean?
Australia became one of the few countries to test what fit and proper might mean when it comes to being a media licensee, when in 1989, the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (ABT) took on Alan Bond, who had become the owner of the Nine Network several years earlier. Kerry Packer had sold Bond the jewel in the Packer family media interests at a very favourable price, remarking that “you only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime”.
The concept of the fit and proper person turns up in much legislation that regulates the private use of a public resource or public good. The Mineral Resources Development Act 1990 of Victoria demands it as a quality of anyone seeking a miner’s licence. In fact, auctioneers, builders, plumbers, gasfitters and drainers, tobacco wholesalers, estate agents, fishermen, food processors, surveyors, travel agents, motor car traders, second-hand dealers, pawnbrokers, teachers and solicitors, must all be fit and proper persons to hold a licence or carry on a business under Victorian legislation.
But, of course, Alan Bond was a citizen of the world and Western Australia.
Bond was hauled before the ABT on two quite serious allegations.
The first was that an out-of-court settlement, in 1985, of a defamation action by Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen against a Bond Media-owned television station was, in fact, a backhander for favours done by Sir Joh for other Bond interests. The deal had been negotiated privately by Bond and Sir Joh and was thought to be generous, given the nature of the complaint and its chances of success if the action went to court.
The second was that threats were made by Bond to a Leigh Hall, an executive of the AMP Society, that Bond would use his television staff to gather information unfavourable to the AMP, and expose the AMP’s alleged wrongdoings by disclosing the material on television.
Among three lesser issues was the question of the authenticity of audio tapes that Bond Media radio stations had submitted to the hearing. Had they been faked to support Bond’s defence?
The tribunal had found that Bond was no longer a “fit and proper” person for the purposes of the licensing provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1942. But things did not stop there. Bond appealed the finding to a Full Court of the Federal Court, which partially overturned findings of the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal and then to a Full Court of the High Court of Australia.
At issue were two related matters: the personal qualities of Bond as a fit and proper person, and whether the lack of fitness as judged by the ABT also tainted Bond Media, the group of companies that actually held the licences. This had been seen as the direct consequence of the findings.
The High Court found that the Federal Court was wrong in setting aside the ABT’s decision that the licensee companies were no longer “fit and proper” persons, but wrong for the wrong reasons.
Mason CJ considered the association between a corporate licensee and an individual:
“The degree of an individual’s capacity for control may not be so great as to warrant an inference that his character should be identified automatically with that of the licensee; in that event it would be necessary to look to the character and performance of the directors and management. In another case, where the capacity of the individual for control of the licensee is great, the inference may be justified without examining the character and performance of the directors and the management of the licensee. Especially is this so when it is established that the person having the capacity to control participates in the decision-making processes of a licensee and procures the making of reprehensible decisions which are designed to enhance and protect his own interests.” (Australian Broadcasting Tribunal v Bond (1990) 64 ALJR 462 at 474.)
The High Court held that the finding that the companies were not “fit and proper persons” was provided for by the Act, and hence a “decision” under the Act, but that the principal ground for that decision — the finding that Bond himself was not a “fit and proper person” — was not required or authorised by the Broadcasting Act, and as such, was not a decision.
Thus Alan Bond was not a “fit and proper” person to hold a TV licence but companies that he had a substantial interest in could continue to be fit and proper corporate persons and hold TV licences.
Chris Huhne, a Liberal Democrat member of the British cabinet, says Rupert Murdoch “has to pass the ‘fit and proper’ test as a person to own a broadcasting organisation like Sky … and if he doesn’t pass that, it’s not a question of just stopping the BSkyB deal, it will be a question of him getting rid of Sky altogether”.
Of course overnight it was announced that News has withdrawn the bid for BSkyB, but what does being a “fit and proper” person mean?
Australia became one of the few countries to test what fit and proper might mean when it comes to being a media licensee, when in 1989, the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (ABT) took on Alan Bond, who had become the owner of the Nine Network several years earlier. Kerry Packer had sold Bond the jewel in the Packer family media interests at a very favourable price, remarking that “you only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime”.
The concept of the fit and proper person turns up in much legislation that regulates the private use of a public resource or public good. The Mineral Resources Development Act 1990 of Victoria demands it as a quality of anyone seeking a miner’s licence. In fact, auctioneers, builders, plumbers, gasfitters and drainers, tobacco wholesalers, estate agents, fishermen, food processors, surveyors, travel agents, motor car traders, second-hand dealers, pawnbrokers, teachers and solicitors, must all be fit and proper persons to hold a licence or carry on a business under Victorian legislation.
But, of course, Alan Bond was a citizen of the world and Western Australia.
Bond was hauled before the ABT on two quite serious allegations.
The first was that an out-of-court settlement, in 1985, of a defamation action by Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen against a Bond Media-owned television station was, in fact, a backhander for favours done by Sir Joh for other Bond interests. The deal had been negotiated privately by Bond and Sir Joh and was thought to be generous, given the nature of the complaint and its chances of success if the action went to court.
The second was that threats were made by Bond to a Leigh Hall, an executive of the AMP Society, that Bond would use his television staff to gather information unfavourable to the AMP, and expose the AMP’s alleged wrongdoings by disclosing the material on television.
Among three lesser issues was the question of the authenticity of audio tapes that Bond Media radio stations had submitted to the hearing. Had they been faked to support Bond’s defence?
The tribunal had found that Bond was no longer a “fit and proper” person for the purposes of the licensing provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1942. But things did not stop there. Bond appealed the finding to a Full Court of the Federal Court, which partially overturned findings of the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal and then to a Full Court of the High Court of Australia.
At issue were two related matters: the personal qualities of Bond as a fit and proper person, and whether the lack of fitness as judged by the ABT also tainted Bond Media, the group of companies that actually held the licences. This had been seen as the direct consequence of the findings.
The High Court found that the Federal Court was wrong in setting aside the ABT’s decision that the licensee companies were no longer “fit and proper” persons, but wrong for the wrong reasons.
Mason CJ considered the association between a corporate licensee and an individual:
“The degree of an individual’s capacity for control may not be so great as to warrant an inference that his character should be identified automatically with that of the licensee; in that event it would be necessary to look to the character and performance of the directors and management. In another case, where the capacity of the individual for control of the licensee is great, the inference may be justified without examining the character and performance of the directors and the management of the licensee. Especially is this so when it is established that the person having the capacity to control participates in the decision-making processes of a licensee and procures the making of reprehensible decisions which are designed to enhance and protect his own interests.” (Australian Broadcasting Tribunal v Bond (1990) 64 ALJR 462 at 474.)
The High Court held that the finding that the companies were not “fit and proper persons” was provided for by the Act, and hence a “decision” under the Act, but that the principal ground for that decision — the finding that Bond himself was not a “fit and proper person” — was not required or authorised by the Broadcasting Act, and as such, was not a decision.
Thus Alan Bond was not a “fit and proper” person to hold a TV licence but companies that he had a substantial interest in could continue to be fit and proper corporate persons and hold TV licences.
However Bond Media share prices had taken a battering, falling from $1.55 to just over 30 cents at the time of the first finding by the ABT, and the writing was on the stockmarket wall. Kerry Packer bought back the Nine Network for a third of what Bond had paid Packer a decade earlier.
These proceeding are doubtless being pored over by News Corporation lawyers in case the 80-year-old Rupert Murdoch is asked to demonstrate his fitness and properness to have command of one of the world’s most diversified, powerful and influential media empires."
End of Dr. Vincent O'Donnell's culled article, from Crickey.
Well, dear reader, having watched the New Patriotic Party's Ursula Owusu's Oscar-winning performance on Net2 TV this morning (Awurade Nyankupong, what a hypocrite that clever woman is - an asset-stripper par excellence, acting as if she was Ghana's Joan of Arc. She, who ended up with a Ghana Airways bungalow, after the national carrier had been deliberately killed off, in order to asset-strip it, during the golden age of business for Kufuor & Co., claiming to love Mother Ghana. Made me feel like throwing up, actually), I am convinced that for the sake of our country, that entity and all the media entities owned, or indirectly controlled by Kennedy Adjapong, through his wife, ought to be closed down. They exist to spread the poison of the Kennedy Adjapongs in our midst.
The NMC and the NCA must find a way to do so, which will not be in conflict with the relevant existing laws on media ownership, for all our sake. It is said that coming events cast their shadows. Kennedy Adjapong is definitely not a fit and proper person, who should be allowed by regulators in this country, to own media entities in our ethnically-diverse and united homeland of Ghana, which Nkrumah founded. A word to the wise.
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
KENNEDY ADJAPONG: WE ARE ALL ONE PEOPLE - OUR SUPPOSED DIFFERENCES EXIST ONLY IN THE MINDS OF THE NARROW-MINDED
That Ghana is in some sort of political crisis, caused by the arrest of the Hon. Kennedy Adjapong, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) member of Parliament for Assin North, is not in doubt.
It is a situation that calls for maturity and sober minds - and leadership by the most influential politicians in all the political parties in our country.
They must impress upon their party supporters, the need to keep our nation peaceful and stable - to ensure that vital job-creating investment keeps flowing into Ghana.
That is why in my humble view, the chairperson of the main opposition party, the NPP's, Jake Obestebi-Lamptey, ought to be commended.
His measured response, when questioned about the events surrounding the arrest of Kennedy Adjapong, on Net2 TV, this morning, was very dignified and sober. He showed statesmanship that is unfortunately rare, in Ghanaian politics, today.
Clearly, it is time for President Mills to show some decisive leadership. He must quickly invite the leadership of all the political parties for a peace summit, at the Peduase Lodge. It will help diffuse tension in the nation. There must be none of the usual procrastination over this.
The party leaders must discuss ways in which all the political parties can work together to ensure that Ghana's international reputation as a peaceful and stable democratic nation isn't ruined by the voter-registration centre violence, being perpetrated by the extremists in the two major political parties in our country: the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP.
This ought to be a priority for the NDC regime of President Mills - for he has vowed to Ghanaians, and promised the international community, that he will ensure that peace prevails "before, during and after the [December 2012] elections." He must keep his word - and be seen to be keeping his promise in that regard.
In spite of Kennedy Adjapong's monstrous and abominable statements, it must be stated, that Akans are amongst the most welcoming and tolerant of peoples, anywhere on the surface of the planet Earth.
Unfortunately, like all the ethnic groups in our ethnically-diverse homeland Ghana, the Akans also have a small group of tribal-supremacist individuals in their midst.
Clearly, however, the warped and antediluvian views of such narrow-minded jingoists, do not represent the views of the majority of ordinary Akans.
Above all, it is important that Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo and the entire leadership of the NPP openly reject Kennedy Adjapong's unacceptable tribalism and barbarism - which culminated in the alleged hate-speech apparently calling for Ewes and other non-Akans in the Ashanti Region, to be butchered when they enter Akan-owned shops in the Ashanti Region.
If it is true that he actually uttered them, his dreadful and irresponsible words cannot be justified, under any circumstances - and no responsible politician must attempt to do so. His foolish and divisive words must be disowned by his party. Period.
And if they intend to charge him, it is not treason that he should be charged with. The police ought to charge Kennedy Adjapong for broadcasting hate-speech on the airwaves, likely to cause fear and panic, amongst a section of the Ghanaian populace. It fits his crime against Mother Ghana - and charge him they must.
He has no excuse for his irresponsible and ghastly words. He claims to love Ghana. Well, he certainly has a curious way of showing his love of country. It needs to be pointed out to politicians of his ilk, that no patriotic individual who truly loves his or her country, will want to see it go up in flames - regardless of the provocation emanating from their political opponents.
For his part, President Mills must also show the country that he means it when he says he will ensure that there is peace in Ghana - by dismissing Nii Lante Vanderpuije from his official position as a presidential aide: to serve as an example to other NDC parliamentary candidates, who might be tempted to follow his foolish example, of declaring a part of Ghana a no-go area, for their political opponents.
That tiresome Nii Lante Vanderpuije's breathtaking arrogance, and predilection for extreme action, has no place in any government of Ghana that believes in the rule of law. He most certainly does not deserve to serve Ghana's president in any official capacity.
Finally, let those Akan tribal-supremacist individuals - and the tribal-supremacist individuals amongst other ethnic groups in Ghana - with dark minds understand clearly, that genetically we are all one people. That is a scientific fact of life they must all accept.
This is the 21st century, not the sodden Dark Ages. No tribe is superior or inferior to another, in Nkrumah's Ghana - and the sooner foolish and arrogant individuals like Kennedy Adjapong understand that, the better life in Ghana will be for them.
The Kennedy Adapongs in our midst, must understand that our supposed differences, only exist in the minds of narrow-minded individuals - for cultural and historic reasons that are no longer valid, and of any consequence, in 21st century Ghana. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
It is a situation that calls for maturity and sober minds - and leadership by the most influential politicians in all the political parties in our country.
They must impress upon their party supporters, the need to keep our nation peaceful and stable - to ensure that vital job-creating investment keeps flowing into Ghana.
That is why in my humble view, the chairperson of the main opposition party, the NPP's, Jake Obestebi-Lamptey, ought to be commended.
His measured response, when questioned about the events surrounding the arrest of Kennedy Adjapong, on Net2 TV, this morning, was very dignified and sober. He showed statesmanship that is unfortunately rare, in Ghanaian politics, today.
Clearly, it is time for President Mills to show some decisive leadership. He must quickly invite the leadership of all the political parties for a peace summit, at the Peduase Lodge. It will help diffuse tension in the nation. There must be none of the usual procrastination over this.
The party leaders must discuss ways in which all the political parties can work together to ensure that Ghana's international reputation as a peaceful and stable democratic nation isn't ruined by the voter-registration centre violence, being perpetrated by the extremists in the two major political parties in our country: the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP.
This ought to be a priority for the NDC regime of President Mills - for he has vowed to Ghanaians, and promised the international community, that he will ensure that peace prevails "before, during and after the [December 2012] elections." He must keep his word - and be seen to be keeping his promise in that regard.
In spite of Kennedy Adjapong's monstrous and abominable statements, it must be stated, that Akans are amongst the most welcoming and tolerant of peoples, anywhere on the surface of the planet Earth.
Unfortunately, like all the ethnic groups in our ethnically-diverse homeland Ghana, the Akans also have a small group of tribal-supremacist individuals in their midst.
Clearly, however, the warped and antediluvian views of such narrow-minded jingoists, do not represent the views of the majority of ordinary Akans.
Above all, it is important that Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo and the entire leadership of the NPP openly reject Kennedy Adjapong's unacceptable tribalism and barbarism - which culminated in the alleged hate-speech apparently calling for Ewes and other non-Akans in the Ashanti Region, to be butchered when they enter Akan-owned shops in the Ashanti Region.
If it is true that he actually uttered them, his dreadful and irresponsible words cannot be justified, under any circumstances - and no responsible politician must attempt to do so. His foolish and divisive words must be disowned by his party. Period.
And if they intend to charge him, it is not treason that he should be charged with. The police ought to charge Kennedy Adjapong for broadcasting hate-speech on the airwaves, likely to cause fear and panic, amongst a section of the Ghanaian populace. It fits his crime against Mother Ghana - and charge him they must.
He has no excuse for his irresponsible and ghastly words. He claims to love Ghana. Well, he certainly has a curious way of showing his love of country. It needs to be pointed out to politicians of his ilk, that no patriotic individual who truly loves his or her country, will want to see it go up in flames - regardless of the provocation emanating from their political opponents.
For his part, President Mills must also show the country that he means it when he says he will ensure that there is peace in Ghana - by dismissing Nii Lante Vanderpuije from his official position as a presidential aide: to serve as an example to other NDC parliamentary candidates, who might be tempted to follow his foolish example, of declaring a part of Ghana a no-go area, for their political opponents.
That tiresome Nii Lante Vanderpuije's breathtaking arrogance, and predilection for extreme action, has no place in any government of Ghana that believes in the rule of law. He most certainly does not deserve to serve Ghana's president in any official capacity.
Finally, let those Akan tribal-supremacist individuals - and the tribal-supremacist individuals amongst other ethnic groups in Ghana - with dark minds understand clearly, that genetically we are all one people. That is a scientific fact of life they must all accept.
This is the 21st century, not the sodden Dark Ages. No tribe is superior or inferior to another, in Nkrumah's Ghana - and the sooner foolish and arrogant individuals like Kennedy Adjapong understand that, the better life in Ghana will be for them.
The Kennedy Adapongs in our midst, must understand that our supposed differences, only exist in the minds of narrow-minded individuals - for cultural and historic reasons that are no longer valid, and of any consequence, in 21st century Ghana. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Monday, 16 April 2012
GHANAIAN POLITICIANS: WATCH YOUR WORDS!
Ghanaian politicians need to be careful in their choice of words. As some prominent members of our political class have found to their cost, recently, carelessness in their choice of words, can result in endless political difficulties for them.
It is such a pity that they have very little professional help available in Ghana, to help them navigate the positive-communications world's language maze successfully.
Take the presidential candidate of the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP), Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo, for instance. As we all know, he is a gentleman who has mastery of the English language.
Yet, for some extraordinary reason, at a point in time, not too long ago, he resorted to a phrase in pidgin English, to rally his followers - and instead of saying "cowards die many times before their death" in exhorting his followers to be courageous, unfortunately plumped for the pidgin English phrase: "All die be die!"
Alas, he has not been allowed to forget that error of judgement, in his choice of words, in a hurry, by his political opponents.
Then there is President Mills' momentary loss of concentration, which led to his curious response that he was "not a policeman" - to those who wanted him to have the individuals responsible for the violence at voter-registration centres arrested.
The president should have simply responded to those making that unfair demand of him, by making the point, that they were more or less expecting him to behave like a military strongman - and usurp the role of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, by going around the country arresting those responsible for the violence at voter-registration centres.
He should have then gone on to remind them that they were forgetting that there is a pressing need for our institutions of state to be allowed to work - in order to deepen the roots of Ghanaian democracy: and that at such moments in our democratic journey, as a people, we should all be encouraging the police to enforce the electoral laws - and act swiftly to arrest those responsible for voter-registration centre violence, nationwide.
(Naturally, dear reader, I shall deny the latest of the many foolish, irresponsible, inflammatory and dangerous utterances of the Hon. Kennedy Adjapong, the NPP MP for Assin North, the oxygen of publicity, by not repeating them here - safe to remind him, and other arrogant and verbally-aggressive politicians of his ilk, that any politician or political party that thinks that ordinary Ghanaians will allow their country to burn, just so that a new group of clever and self-serving politicians, in our musical-chairs-democracy, can also come to power, and "chop Ghana small" - to use an infamous pidgin English phrase, first employed by a Lebanese crook doing business in Ghana decades ago - is living in cloud-cuckoo-land. But I digress.)
If our leaders are to avoid the linguistic equivalent of slipping on banana skins, they need to make a conscious effort to choose their words carefully.
Above all, as the campaign season begins, they need to find world-class professionals to speak for them - and to train them to respond appropriately whenever they need to respond directly to questions themselves, and to comment on issues personally.
Let them watch their words carefully, at all material times - lest their utterances get them into endless trouble, when what they say returns to haunt them. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
It is such a pity that they have very little professional help available in Ghana, to help them navigate the positive-communications world's language maze successfully.
Take the presidential candidate of the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP), Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo, for instance. As we all know, he is a gentleman who has mastery of the English language.
Yet, for some extraordinary reason, at a point in time, not too long ago, he resorted to a phrase in pidgin English, to rally his followers - and instead of saying "cowards die many times before their death" in exhorting his followers to be courageous, unfortunately plumped for the pidgin English phrase: "All die be die!"
Alas, he has not been allowed to forget that error of judgement, in his choice of words, in a hurry, by his political opponents.
Then there is President Mills' momentary loss of concentration, which led to his curious response that he was "not a policeman" - to those who wanted him to have the individuals responsible for the violence at voter-registration centres arrested.
The president should have simply responded to those making that unfair demand of him, by making the point, that they were more or less expecting him to behave like a military strongman - and usurp the role of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, by going around the country arresting those responsible for the violence at voter-registration centres.
He should have then gone on to remind them that they were forgetting that there is a pressing need for our institutions of state to be allowed to work - in order to deepen the roots of Ghanaian democracy: and that at such moments in our democratic journey, as a people, we should all be encouraging the police to enforce the electoral laws - and act swiftly to arrest those responsible for voter-registration centre violence, nationwide.
(Naturally, dear reader, I shall deny the latest of the many foolish, irresponsible, inflammatory and dangerous utterances of the Hon. Kennedy Adjapong, the NPP MP for Assin North, the oxygen of publicity, by not repeating them here - safe to remind him, and other arrogant and verbally-aggressive politicians of his ilk, that any politician or political party that thinks that ordinary Ghanaians will allow their country to burn, just so that a new group of clever and self-serving politicians, in our musical-chairs-democracy, can also come to power, and "chop Ghana small" - to use an infamous pidgin English phrase, first employed by a Lebanese crook doing business in Ghana decades ago - is living in cloud-cuckoo-land. But I digress.)
If our leaders are to avoid the linguistic equivalent of slipping on banana skins, they need to make a conscious effort to choose their words carefully.
Above all, as the campaign season begins, they need to find world-class professionals to speak for them - and to train them to respond appropriately whenever they need to respond directly to questions themselves, and to comment on issues personally.
Let them watch their words carefully, at all material times - lest their utterances get them into endless trouble, when what they say returns to haunt them. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Saturday, 14 April 2012
THE IGP MUST IGNORE CALLS FOR THE TRANSFER OF ACP AGWUBUTOGE AWUNI
No one should be above the law in a democracy. No matter how important an individual might be in society, the police ought to arrest him or her, when they break the law, and it comes to their notice.
That is why it so happens that whenever some senior British Establishment figure is embroiled in a scandal, for example, they are either arrested for a brief period, in the course of police enquiries - and are then either freed or eventually prosecuted.
The MPs' expenses scandal, and the prosecution of the Coalition government's former Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne - the first British Cabinet minister forced from office by a criminal prosecution, in history - readily come to mind.
Incidentally, Huhne's case dates back to a driving offence committed as far back as 2003 - when he allegedly dodged a speeding offence, by letting his then wife, Vicky Pryce, take speeding penalty points on his behalf.
Huhne is charged with perverting the course of justice. The handling of such cases by the police, demonstrate, in a very practical manner, the fact that no one is above the law in Great Britain.
It would appear that we might be on the threshold of soon becoming just such a democratic society, in which all are equal before the law, too.
We have to thank Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Agwubutoge Awuni, for his no-nonsense approach to policing, in ordering the brief arrest of a former regional minister and member of Parliament for Korle-Klottey, the Hon. Nii Armah Ashittey - who was alleged to be interfering with the voter-registration process in his Korle-Klottey constituency.
It is time it was made absolutely clear to "big people" in Ghana, that this is a nation of laws - in which all are equal before the law: and none above it.
It is an outrage that a number of politicians who ought to know better, including Mr. Ade Coker, the chairperson of the Greater Accra Region's branch of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), are demanding the transfer from the region, of this hard-working senior police officer.
His crime? Doing his duty by ordering the brief arrest of a leading politician from the region, the member of Parliament for the Korle-Klottey constituency, the Hon. Nii Armah Ashittey.
Both the ruling NDC and the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have been irresponsible in making statements questioning the independence of the Ghana Police Service, in the ongoing nationwide voter-registration exercise.
They are being unfair to the police - and playing a very dangerous game on top of that: in trying to erode public confidence in the police, so that their myrmidon-goons can continue to terrorise the law-abiding with impunity.
The foolish and unjustifiable demand by the NPP's General Secretary, Mr Kojo Owusu-Afriyie, for the IGP's resignation is an example - as are Ursula Owusu's open declarations in the print and electronic media, that she has no faith in the police, and will therefore make her own arrangements for protection.
And this, dear reader, is a very competent lawyer, a well-educated and highly-intelligent woman - who will doubtless become a cabinet minister, were her party's presidential candidate to win the December 2012 presidential election. Hmm, Ghana - eyeasem oo!
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, must ignore those politicians, including the National Democratic Congress' chairperson of the party's branch in the Greater Accra Region, who are demanding the transfer of ACP Agwubutoge Awuni.
Ghana needs more, not fewer, police officers able to stand up to the high and mighty in society, like him.
If the irresponsible behaviour of those extremist politicians in the NDC and the NPP, behind the violence in voter-registration centres across the nation, is a harbinger of what is to come in the December 2012 elections, then the IGP and the men and women under his command, may very well stand between us and a descent into chaos and violence.
For that reason, and to maintain morale in the service, the IGP must demonstrate that he will always show loyalty to the professionals he leads - by ignoring all those calling for the transfer from the Greater Accra Region of ACP Agwubutoge Awuni. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
That is why it so happens that whenever some senior British Establishment figure is embroiled in a scandal, for example, they are either arrested for a brief period, in the course of police enquiries - and are then either freed or eventually prosecuted.
The MPs' expenses scandal, and the prosecution of the Coalition government's former Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne - the first British Cabinet minister forced from office by a criminal prosecution, in history - readily come to mind.
Incidentally, Huhne's case dates back to a driving offence committed as far back as 2003 - when he allegedly dodged a speeding offence, by letting his then wife, Vicky Pryce, take speeding penalty points on his behalf.
Huhne is charged with perverting the course of justice. The handling of such cases by the police, demonstrate, in a very practical manner, the fact that no one is above the law in Great Britain.
It would appear that we might be on the threshold of soon becoming just such a democratic society, in which all are equal before the law, too.
We have to thank Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Agwubutoge Awuni, for his no-nonsense approach to policing, in ordering the brief arrest of a former regional minister and member of Parliament for Korle-Klottey, the Hon. Nii Armah Ashittey - who was alleged to be interfering with the voter-registration process in his Korle-Klottey constituency.
It is time it was made absolutely clear to "big people" in Ghana, that this is a nation of laws - in which all are equal before the law: and none above it.
It is an outrage that a number of politicians who ought to know better, including Mr. Ade Coker, the chairperson of the Greater Accra Region's branch of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), are demanding the transfer from the region, of this hard-working senior police officer.
His crime? Doing his duty by ordering the brief arrest of a leading politician from the region, the member of Parliament for the Korle-Klottey constituency, the Hon. Nii Armah Ashittey.
Both the ruling NDC and the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have been irresponsible in making statements questioning the independence of the Ghana Police Service, in the ongoing nationwide voter-registration exercise.
They are being unfair to the police - and playing a very dangerous game on top of that: in trying to erode public confidence in the police, so that their myrmidon-goons can continue to terrorise the law-abiding with impunity.
The foolish and unjustifiable demand by the NPP's General Secretary, Mr Kojo Owusu-Afriyie, for the IGP's resignation is an example - as are Ursula Owusu's open declarations in the print and electronic media, that she has no faith in the police, and will therefore make her own arrangements for protection.
And this, dear reader, is a very competent lawyer, a well-educated and highly-intelligent woman - who will doubtless become a cabinet minister, were her party's presidential candidate to win the December 2012 presidential election. Hmm, Ghana - eyeasem oo!
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, must ignore those politicians, including the National Democratic Congress' chairperson of the party's branch in the Greater Accra Region, who are demanding the transfer of ACP Agwubutoge Awuni.
Ghana needs more, not fewer, police officers able to stand up to the high and mighty in society, like him.
If the irresponsible behaviour of those extremist politicians in the NDC and the NPP, behind the violence in voter-registration centres across the nation, is a harbinger of what is to come in the December 2012 elections, then the IGP and the men and women under his command, may very well stand between us and a descent into chaos and violence.
For that reason, and to maintain morale in the service, the IGP must demonstrate that he will always show loyalty to the professionals he leads - by ignoring all those calling for the transfer from the Greater Accra Region of ACP Agwubutoge Awuni. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
NO PLACE FOR VIOLENCE IN OUR NATION'S POLITICS - FOR WE ARE A CIVILISED PEOPLE
One of the most precious assets Ghana has, is its international reputation as a peaceful, stable and democratic African nation. It is something our nation's political class must endeavour to safeguard, at all material times, and at all costs.
It is therefore regrettable that there have been reports of acts of violence, yet again, in the Greater Accra Region's  Ododododio constituency.
Both the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), need to exercise maximum restraint - and get their members on the ground in the Ododododio constituency, to act a tad more responsibly.
In the light of the violence being experienced around the country at voter-registration centres, perhaps the question we must pose is: did our politicians not learn any lessons at all, from the Ivory Coast's tragic descent into chaos and violence - as a result of the power-drunkenness and lust for power, of some of the most powerful members of its political class?
In the end, did the Ivory Coast's ruling elites' selfish disregard for the well-being of their nation and its long-suffering people, not turn the lives of ordinary Ivorians who survived the brutal and deadly battles between pro-Gbagbo and pro-Quattara forces, completely upside down?
Surely, all the members of our nation's political class, are also aware that Ghana's well-earned international reputation as a haven of peace and stability in Africa, is one of the considerations that foreign and local investors take into account, when deciding to invest in our national economy?
Furthermore, are they also not aware that the vast majority of ordinary Ghanaians want their country to remain peaceful - as they do not want to end up as refugees in neighbouring countries, or as internally displaced persons, away from the security of familiar surroundings, and suffering elsewhere, in their homeland Ghana?
And is any violence by the members of political parties and their supporters, which will jeopardise that all-important and positive international reputation, in any way, in a nation with such high youth unemployment, not an unpardonable crime against ordinary Ghanaians, I ask?
And could such violence not be construed as adopting a negative political strategy, tantamount to deliberately driving away potential investment - that could create jobs for some of the many unemployed Ghanaians who are desperate to find work - because it suits the selfish ends some politicians seek: power at all costs, in the December 2012 general election?
Perchance are the cynics amongst us right indeed, when they say that the brinkmanship in places such as the Ododododio constituency, is really about angling for pole position - to be in the gang that will be brutally and repeatedly gang-raping Mother Ghana for the next four years, after the December polls?
Has the time not come for all Ghana's politicians to eschew the use of violence as a political weapon, to enable them win power in this country - if the ends they seek in politics are truly honourable and altruistic?
Violence is a dead-end for any developing nation that has aspirations - and those offering themselves for leadership positions in our homeland Ghana, who don't understand that basic fact of 21st century Ghanaian politics, don't deserve the support of discerning voters who are independent-minded, and love Mother Ghana passionately.
Incidentally, is it not instructive, dear reader, that our country's politicians, who are usually amongst the best-educated individuals in Ghanaian society, and many of whom say that a desire to serve their country and its people is their motivation for going into politics, have, in 21st century Ghana, still not seen it fit to disassociate themselves and their parties from the known violent-types, whom it would appear they still feel a need to include in their campaign entourages: as they criss-cross our nation campaigning for votes that will get them elected to power to govern our country?
The question is, why should all decent and fair-minded Ghanaians not condemn the trading of accusations and counter-accusations by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of violent attacks on each other's party members and supporters at registration centres, particularly in parts of the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions (and elsewhere in Ghana)?
The leadership of both parties must bow their heads in shame for letting Mother Ghana down so terribly. And to think that this is only just a registration exercise, too - important though that is.
What will they do to our nation, on polling day then - when it suddenly becomes obvious to them that they are on the losing side, one wonders?
It really ought to be made plain to all Ghanaians that those acts of violence at registration centres, do not bode well for our country.
That is why the Ghana Police Service must ensure that all those actually responsible for the violence occurring at registration centres, are apprehended, charged and prosecuted in the law courts.
Finally, dear reader, it really is important that all the members of Ghana's political class, understand clearly, that in 21st century Ghana, it is imperative that in the run-up to all general elections, political parties and their supporters always act responsibly, at what are indeed critical moments, in our democratic journey as a people.
There must be no place for violence in our nation's politics - for we are a civilised people. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
It is therefore regrettable that there have been reports of acts of violence, yet again, in the Greater Accra Region's  Ododododio constituency.
Both the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), need to exercise maximum restraint - and get their members on the ground in the Ododododio constituency, to act a tad more responsibly.
In the light of the violence being experienced around the country at voter-registration centres, perhaps the question we must pose is: did our politicians not learn any lessons at all, from the Ivory Coast's tragic descent into chaos and violence - as a result of the power-drunkenness and lust for power, of some of the most powerful members of its political class?
In the end, did the Ivory Coast's ruling elites' selfish disregard for the well-being of their nation and its long-suffering people, not turn the lives of ordinary Ivorians who survived the brutal and deadly battles between pro-Gbagbo and pro-Quattara forces, completely upside down?
Surely, all the members of our nation's political class, are also aware that Ghana's well-earned international reputation as a haven of peace and stability in Africa, is one of the considerations that foreign and local investors take into account, when deciding to invest in our national economy?
Furthermore, are they also not aware that the vast majority of ordinary Ghanaians want their country to remain peaceful - as they do not want to end up as refugees in neighbouring countries, or as internally displaced persons, away from the security of familiar surroundings, and suffering elsewhere, in their homeland Ghana?
And is any violence by the members of political parties and their supporters, which will jeopardise that all-important and positive international reputation, in any way, in a nation with such high youth unemployment, not an unpardonable crime against ordinary Ghanaians, I ask?
And could such violence not be construed as adopting a negative political strategy, tantamount to deliberately driving away potential investment - that could create jobs for some of the many unemployed Ghanaians who are desperate to find work - because it suits the selfish ends some politicians seek: power at all costs, in the December 2012 general election?
Perchance are the cynics amongst us right indeed, when they say that the brinkmanship in places such as the Ododododio constituency, is really about angling for pole position - to be in the gang that will be brutally and repeatedly gang-raping Mother Ghana for the next four years, after the December polls?
Has the time not come for all Ghana's politicians to eschew the use of violence as a political weapon, to enable them win power in this country - if the ends they seek in politics are truly honourable and altruistic?
Violence is a dead-end for any developing nation that has aspirations - and those offering themselves for leadership positions in our homeland Ghana, who don't understand that basic fact of 21st century Ghanaian politics, don't deserve the support of discerning voters who are independent-minded, and love Mother Ghana passionately.
Incidentally, is it not instructive, dear reader, that our country's politicians, who are usually amongst the best-educated individuals in Ghanaian society, and many of whom say that a desire to serve their country and its people is their motivation for going into politics, have, in 21st century Ghana, still not seen it fit to disassociate themselves and their parties from the known violent-types, whom it would appear they still feel a need to include in their campaign entourages: as they criss-cross our nation campaigning for votes that will get them elected to power to govern our country?
The question is, why should all decent and fair-minded Ghanaians not condemn the trading of accusations and counter-accusations by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of violent attacks on each other's party members and supporters at registration centres, particularly in parts of the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions (and elsewhere in Ghana)?
The leadership of both parties must bow their heads in shame for letting Mother Ghana down so terribly. And to think that this is only just a registration exercise, too - important though that is.
What will they do to our nation, on polling day then - when it suddenly becomes obvious to them that they are on the losing side, one wonders?
It really ought to be made plain to all Ghanaians that those acts of violence at registration centres, do not bode well for our country.
That is why the Ghana Police Service must ensure that all those actually responsible for the violence occurring at registration centres, are apprehended, charged and prosecuted in the law courts.
Finally, dear reader, it really is important that all the members of Ghana's political class, understand clearly, that in 21st century Ghana, it is imperative that in the run-up to all general elections, political parties and their supporters always act responsibly, at what are indeed critical moments, in our democratic journey as a people.
There must be no place for violence in our nation's politics - for we are a civilised people. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
GHANA'S RENTED-MEDIA CROWD: DON'T MESS WITH KOFI THOMPSON - THERE ARE NO SKELETONS IN HIS CUPBOARD
When I was told some time ago about an alleged conspiracy to film and illegally record conversations in the house I live in, by a cross-spectrum party-rented media crowd, I couldn't help laughing.
Did they think that I too was involved in the disgraceful and unprofessional habit of media professionals compromising themselves by selling their consciences to politicians - when they are supposed to be society's watchdogs over those selfsame politicians they are beholden to financially?
And for their information, my private life is led in such fashion that it ensures that were a spotlight to be shone unexpectedly on it, neither I nor my children and grandchildren would be ashamed of it.
What saddened me most, dear reader, was that there were snakes-in-the grass types who were happy to allow their properties to apparently serve as bases for what is clearly an illegality - as it cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Well, I wouldn't let even our sodden secret services get away with such an abuse of my basic human right to privacy, let alone unprofessional journalists, who are under the misapprehension that somehow their profession is a lucrative business opportunity, and an influence-peddling lobbyist's dream-platform.
I am waiting to hear more details from the mole who volunteered the information about this outrage to me. And when I get to independently confirm what I've been told by this particular source, I shall let the buffoons who allegedly thought of this foolish caper understand clearly that this is one illegality too far for them.
Where did they get to with their previous efforts to trip me up with the daft stories they planted online - and endless online honey-pot entrapment emails, Facebook friend requests and LinkedIn invitations to connect? Nowhere. And this too won't get them anywhere either, I promise them.
And the last time I checked the 1992 constitution and looked at our statute books, not making friends (with tribal-supremacist individuals and philistines one has nothing in common with); keeping to oneself; and being a semi-recluse who prefers friends from the animal kingdom to feckless humans, weren't crimes either.
They will pay dearly for their arrogance. And they can be sure that they will eventually come to bitterly regret the day they thought of this stupid and juvenile plan to invade my privacy for no good reason whatsoever (such as preventing treason or a pressing - no pun intended - public interest reason vital for ensuring the well-being of Ghanaian society).
I mess with no one's private space, and much less do I tolerate others messing with mine. I might be a nobody and poor as a church mouse, but they must watch their step where I am concerned. Unlike so many of them, I have old-fashioned values and principles, and actually have no skeletons hiding anywhere in my cupboard. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Did they think that I too was involved in the disgraceful and unprofessional habit of media professionals compromising themselves by selling their consciences to politicians - when they are supposed to be society's watchdogs over those selfsame politicians they are beholden to financially?
And for their information, my private life is led in such fashion that it ensures that were a spotlight to be shone unexpectedly on it, neither I nor my children and grandchildren would be ashamed of it.
What saddened me most, dear reader, was that there were snakes-in-the grass types who were happy to allow their properties to apparently serve as bases for what is clearly an illegality - as it cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Well, I wouldn't let even our sodden secret services get away with such an abuse of my basic human right to privacy, let alone unprofessional journalists, who are under the misapprehension that somehow their profession is a lucrative business opportunity, and an influence-peddling lobbyist's dream-platform.
I am waiting to hear more details from the mole who volunteered the information about this outrage to me. And when I get to independently confirm what I've been told by this particular source, I shall let the buffoons who allegedly thought of this foolish caper understand clearly that this is one illegality too far for them.
Where did they get to with their previous efforts to trip me up with the daft stories they planted online - and endless online honey-pot entrapment emails, Facebook friend requests and LinkedIn invitations to connect? Nowhere. And this too won't get them anywhere either, I promise them.
And the last time I checked the 1992 constitution and looked at our statute books, not making friends (with tribal-supremacist individuals and philistines one has nothing in common with); keeping to oneself; and being a semi-recluse who prefers friends from the animal kingdom to feckless humans, weren't crimes either.
They will pay dearly for their arrogance. And they can be sure that they will eventually come to bitterly regret the day they thought of this stupid and juvenile plan to invade my privacy for no good reason whatsoever (such as preventing treason or a pressing - no pun intended - public interest reason vital for ensuring the well-being of Ghanaian society).
I mess with no one's private space, and much less do I tolerate others messing with mine. I might be a nobody and poor as a church mouse, but they must watch their step where I am concerned. Unlike so many of them, I have old-fashioned values and principles, and actually have no skeletons hiding anywhere in my cupboard. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Kudos To Mr. Kweku A. Anno - A Brilliant And Innovative Green Ghanaian Entrepreneur
Today, dear reader, I am posting a culled piece from www.citifmonline.com. In my humble view, it is definitely one of the most interesting and inspiring business stories, that I have ever come across, in the Ghanaian media - in all of the nearly twenty years or so that I have been associated with it.
This is the clincher for me: "The system is inspired by nature – just like on a forest floor, waste is broken down rapidly and effectively within days. The only by-product generated from the system is nutrient-rich, filtered water, which can be reused for landscaping or other purposes.
The Biofil system not only works thirty times faster than the current, most effective system – the septic system – it is also up to thirty times smaller! More importantly, this simple structure does not require the ground to be dug up, and can easily be integrated into the building design, hidden away in the back yard, or customised for tight spaces.
Anno and his team have installed more than 2,000 new Biofil Digesters in homes, office blocks and other commercial facilities in Ghana, Belize, India, South Africa and Liberia.
They have also installed a significant number of solutions to manage existing septic systems which have problems such as overflowing. These “trickling filters” are designed to treat the water and sludge generated in the septic tank and completely eliminates the need for contents to be pumped out by waste trucks."
The story is about a Ghanaian entrepreneur, a Mr. Kweku A. Anno, who must be one of the most dynamic and innovative green businesspeople, anywhere on the surface of the planet Earth - and the proud owner of Biological Filters and Composters Limited.
CitiFM deserves our congratulations for this positive story. The government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, must do all it can to actively promote the business of innovative Ghanaian businesspeople, such as Mr. Kweku A. Anno.
Our leaders must take advantage of the tremendous fund of goodwill, which still exists throughout the continent, for Nkrumah's Ghana, to help innovative Ghanaian entrepreneurs like Mr. Kweku A. Anno to expand their businesses across Africa, in joint-ventures with local businesspeople.
It is dynamic and game-changing individuals like him, that our leaders ought to take abroad with them, on their many junketting trips overseas - not the many lazy, semi-literates in the Ghanaian media world: whom they pack unto jet planes at hapless taxpayers' expense, but who produce precious little to enlighten their audiences, upon their return home.
Apparently the producer of the "biofil digester" (according to Citi FM), from the sound of it, Mr. Kweku Anno's efficient waste treatment system could indeed help the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, to solve a pressing public health problem: managing the disposal of emptied household liquid waste in septic tanks safely, as well as dealing with the unsanitary conditions blighting the lives of the poorest of the poor, in the poverty-stricken parts of both rural and urban Africa.
This brilliant entrepreneur is godsend for Ghana - and all the District Assemblies ought to partner his company in public private partnerships (PPP) to enable them deal effectively with their liquid waste management problems in a more scientific manner.
Here is the culled www.citifmonline piece about the brilliant Mr. Kweku A. Anno, whose company produces the "biofil digester." Please read on:
"Ghanaians need to build to effectively eliminate waste
A local entrepreneur has challenged Ghanaian architects and real estate developers to be more creative and innovative when it comes to putting up their designs for buildings.
Kweku A. Anno, inventor of the Biofil Digester, a unique waste treatment system, said that current trends in the building industry call for new thinking when it comes to design of buildings and communities.
Issues such as limited land, soil conditions and poor drainage systems, among others, affect design of housing developments in the country. Anno however insists that sanitation and waste management are even more essential considerations, given in our current situation.
“Our population is increasing, especially in the urban areas, and even those who practice proper sanitation are not spared the effects of the generally poor waste management in the country,” Anno added. “The frequent cholera epidemics, the prevalence of intestinal diseases, foul smells and a general eyesore across the country are all evidence of this.”
Real estate developers are leaning toward smaller-sized housing units than before, and the limited amount of land is also driving more upward development in the form of apartment blocks and flats. Such developments may require a central sewage system to provide necessary sanitation for residents, and Kweku Anno believes his company has the best solution.
Anno’s invention; the Biofil Digester, appears a simple concrete box, large enough for an average-sized person to fit in. The device however uses a unique filtration technology that has been researched and standardised by his company, Biological Filters and Composters Ltd (Biofilcom), over the past 15 years.
The system is inspired by nature – just like on a forest floor, waste is broken down rapidly and effectively within days. The only by-product generated from the system is nutrient-rich, filtered water, which can be reused for landscaping or other purposes.
The Biofil system not only works thirty times faster than the current, most effective system – the septic system – it is also up to thirty times smaller! More importantly, this simple structure does not require the ground to be dug up, and can easily be integrated into the building design, hidden away in the back yard, or customised for tight spaces.
Anno and his team have installed more than 2,000 new Biofil Digesters in homes, office blocks and other commercial facilities in Ghana, Belize, India, South Africa and Liberia.
They have also installed a significant number of solutions to manage existing septic systems which have problems such as overflowing. These “trickling filters” are designed to treat the water and sludge generated in the septic tank and completely eliminates the need for contents to be pumped out by waste trucks.
Anno states that their product goes beyond toilet waste management; “we have been treating organic waste from the kitchen and household by dumping these materials directly into a customised Biofil Digester” he explained.
So far, this application of the technology has resulted in up to 50% reduction in the amount of rubbish generated in these households. Furthermore, waste is easy to sort and recycle, because all the decomposing material has been eliminated from the waste stream.
“The solutions to our sanitation problems lie right here with us – it is up to us to make use of the technology, and within the next five years, Ghana would be able to achieve 100% coverage of sanitation,” Anno said.
End of culled www.citifmonline.com piece about Mr. Kweku A. Anno.
Well, there we are, dear reader. And what a marvellous and positive Ghanaian media story, for a change. Mr. Kweku A. Anno deserves a Grand Medal - and I hope that his business makes him millions of dollars, as the years roll by. He is certainly deserving of it.
Above all, I do hope that our equally innovative and hard-working Fanteakwa District Assembly's Chief Executive, the Hon. Abass Fuseini Shaabe, will arrange for Mr. Anno to pay our Fanteakwa District Assembly a visit soon - to explore the possibility of a PPP. A word to the wise...
However, since this is about Mr. Kweku A. Anno, let me end this particular blog-posting, by saying kudos to him, for his is marvellous, brilliant, innovative and green Ghanaian enterprise.
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone company in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.

Post Script
Since this is a nation in which altruism has become virtually extinct and many individuals in society, on the make and on the take, let me quickly make the point that I have neither met nor spoken to Mr. Kweku A. Anno before.
And I haven't been given a back-hander by him or anyone acting on his behalf either, to do a PR job for him. I simply happen to admire what he has achieved - and wish him and his innovative green business well, going forward into the future.
Finally, dear reader, it is time we all understood that it is innovative and dynamic entrepreneurs like Mr. Kweku A. Anno, not our mostly-unimaginative and self-serving political class, who will help transform Ghana's economy.
The current government definitely ought to consider giving innovative green businesses such as his, a long tax holiday: at the very least, of 20 some years duration.
He really is adding value, in quality-of-life terms, to Ghanaian society - and helping to improve the living standards of the generality of the Ghanaian populace. Really splendid chap!
PPS Comments.
To Claire Marie:
Apparently Blogger no longer supports my smartphone's web browser, so I have been unable to moderate comments, for some time.
This particular comment on the blog-posting entitled "Kudos To Mr. Kweku A. Anno - A Brilliant And Innovative Green Ghanaian Entrepreneur" was from Claire Marie:
"This is probably one of the most popular kitchen sink about and is accessible in all prices ranges.
Even so, you don’t expect to buy the best quality sink for a cheap price. Usually a cheap stainless steel sink is created of thin metal which flexes and vibrates".
My response: Claire Marie, not many of the residential areas in urban Ghana are connected to a central sewage system.
So most homes in Ghana have a concrete septic tank that when full, has to be emptied of its contents by liquid waste tanker-trucks that suck them into their tanks for disposal elsewhere.
That is what the story's main point is: that Mr Kweku Anno's 'innovation' breaks down the septic tank's contents biologically - obviating the need for regular emptying oif its contents by liquid-waste tanker trucks.
In the Ghanaian context, it is definitely an innovation - a vast improvement on the old system of managing septic tanks.
I would accept that in a strictly scientific sense, its not a new "methodology" that he's come up with. But business wise, its an innovation here - as its a very useful service no commercial entity has ever offered here before. Any of that make any sense to you, Claire Marie? Hope so.
This is the clincher for me: "The system is inspired by nature – just like on a forest floor, waste is broken down rapidly and effectively within days. The only by-product generated from the system is nutrient-rich, filtered water, which can be reused for landscaping or other purposes.
The Biofil system not only works thirty times faster than the current, most effective system – the septic system – it is also up to thirty times smaller! More importantly, this simple structure does not require the ground to be dug up, and can easily be integrated into the building design, hidden away in the back yard, or customised for tight spaces.
Anno and his team have installed more than 2,000 new Biofil Digesters in homes, office blocks and other commercial facilities in Ghana, Belize, India, South Africa and Liberia.
They have also installed a significant number of solutions to manage existing septic systems which have problems such as overflowing. These “trickling filters” are designed to treat the water and sludge generated in the septic tank and completely eliminates the need for contents to be pumped out by waste trucks."
The story is about a Ghanaian entrepreneur, a Mr. Kweku A. Anno, who must be one of the most dynamic and innovative green businesspeople, anywhere on the surface of the planet Earth - and the proud owner of Biological Filters and Composters Limited.
CitiFM deserves our congratulations for this positive story. The government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, must do all it can to actively promote the business of innovative Ghanaian businesspeople, such as Mr. Kweku A. Anno.
Our leaders must take advantage of the tremendous fund of goodwill, which still exists throughout the continent, for Nkrumah's Ghana, to help innovative Ghanaian entrepreneurs like Mr. Kweku A. Anno to expand their businesses across Africa, in joint-ventures with local businesspeople.
It is dynamic and game-changing individuals like him, that our leaders ought to take abroad with them, on their many junketting trips overseas - not the many lazy, semi-literates in the Ghanaian media world: whom they pack unto jet planes at hapless taxpayers' expense, but who produce precious little to enlighten their audiences, upon their return home.
Apparently the producer of the "biofil digester" (according to Citi FM), from the sound of it, Mr. Kweku Anno's efficient waste treatment system could indeed help the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, to solve a pressing public health problem: managing the disposal of emptied household liquid waste in septic tanks safely, as well as dealing with the unsanitary conditions blighting the lives of the poorest of the poor, in the poverty-stricken parts of both rural and urban Africa.
This brilliant entrepreneur is godsend for Ghana - and all the District Assemblies ought to partner his company in public private partnerships (PPP) to enable them deal effectively with their liquid waste management problems in a more scientific manner.
Here is the culled www.citifmonline piece about the brilliant Mr. Kweku A. Anno, whose company produces the "biofil digester." Please read on:
"Ghanaians need to build to effectively eliminate waste
A local entrepreneur has challenged Ghanaian architects and real estate developers to be more creative and innovative when it comes to putting up their designs for buildings.
Kweku A. Anno, inventor of the Biofil Digester, a unique waste treatment system, said that current trends in the building industry call for new thinking when it comes to design of buildings and communities.
Issues such as limited land, soil conditions and poor drainage systems, among others, affect design of housing developments in the country. Anno however insists that sanitation and waste management are even more essential considerations, given in our current situation.
“Our population is increasing, especially in the urban areas, and even those who practice proper sanitation are not spared the effects of the generally poor waste management in the country,” Anno added. “The frequent cholera epidemics, the prevalence of intestinal diseases, foul smells and a general eyesore across the country are all evidence of this.”
Real estate developers are leaning toward smaller-sized housing units than before, and the limited amount of land is also driving more upward development in the form of apartment blocks and flats. Such developments may require a central sewage system to provide necessary sanitation for residents, and Kweku Anno believes his company has the best solution.
Anno’s invention; the Biofil Digester, appears a simple concrete box, large enough for an average-sized person to fit in. The device however uses a unique filtration technology that has been researched and standardised by his company, Biological Filters and Composters Ltd (Biofilcom), over the past 15 years.
The system is inspired by nature – just like on a forest floor, waste is broken down rapidly and effectively within days. The only by-product generated from the system is nutrient-rich, filtered water, which can be reused for landscaping or other purposes.
The Biofil system not only works thirty times faster than the current, most effective system – the septic system – it is also up to thirty times smaller! More importantly, this simple structure does not require the ground to be dug up, and can easily be integrated into the building design, hidden away in the back yard, or customised for tight spaces.
Anno and his team have installed more than 2,000 new Biofil Digesters in homes, office blocks and other commercial facilities in Ghana, Belize, India, South Africa and Liberia.
They have also installed a significant number of solutions to manage existing septic systems which have problems such as overflowing. These “trickling filters” are designed to treat the water and sludge generated in the septic tank and completely eliminates the need for contents to be pumped out by waste trucks.
Anno states that their product goes beyond toilet waste management; “we have been treating organic waste from the kitchen and household by dumping these materials directly into a customised Biofil Digester” he explained.
So far, this application of the technology has resulted in up to 50% reduction in the amount of rubbish generated in these households. Furthermore, waste is easy to sort and recycle, because all the decomposing material has been eliminated from the waste stream.
“The solutions to our sanitation problems lie right here with us – it is up to us to make use of the technology, and within the next five years, Ghana would be able to achieve 100% coverage of sanitation,” Anno said.
End of culled www.citifmonline.com piece about Mr. Kweku A. Anno.
Well, there we are, dear reader. And what a marvellous and positive Ghanaian media story, for a change. Mr. Kweku A. Anno deserves a Grand Medal - and I hope that his business makes him millions of dollars, as the years roll by. He is certainly deserving of it.
Above all, I do hope that our equally innovative and hard-working Fanteakwa District Assembly's Chief Executive, the Hon. Abass Fuseini Shaabe, will arrange for Mr. Anno to pay our Fanteakwa District Assembly a visit soon - to explore the possibility of a PPP. A word to the wise...
However, since this is about Mr. Kweku A. Anno, let me end this particular blog-posting, by saying kudos to him, for his is marvellous, brilliant, innovative and green Ghanaian enterprise.
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone company in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.

Post Script
Since this is a nation in which altruism has become virtually extinct and many individuals in society, on the make and on the take, let me quickly make the point that I have neither met nor spoken to Mr. Kweku A. Anno before.
And I haven't been given a back-hander by him or anyone acting on his behalf either, to do a PR job for him. I simply happen to admire what he has achieved - and wish him and his innovative green business well, going forward into the future.
Finally, dear reader, it is time we all understood that it is innovative and dynamic entrepreneurs like Mr. Kweku A. Anno, not our mostly-unimaginative and self-serving political class, who will help transform Ghana's economy.
The current government definitely ought to consider giving innovative green businesses such as his, a long tax holiday: at the very least, of 20 some years duration.
He really is adding value, in quality-of-life terms, to Ghanaian society - and helping to improve the living standards of the generality of the Ghanaian populace. Really splendid chap!
PPS Comments.
To Claire Marie:
Apparently Blogger no longer supports my smartphone's web browser, so I have been unable to moderate comments, for some time.
This particular comment on the blog-posting entitled "Kudos To Mr. Kweku A. Anno - A Brilliant And Innovative Green Ghanaian Entrepreneur" was from Claire Marie:
"This is probably one of the most popular kitchen sink about and is accessible in all prices ranges.
Even so, you don’t expect to buy the best quality sink for a cheap price. Usually a cheap stainless steel sink is created of thin metal which flexes and vibrates".
My response: Claire Marie, not many of the residential areas in urban Ghana are connected to a central sewage system.
So most homes in Ghana have a concrete septic tank that when full, has to be emptied of its contents by liquid waste tanker-trucks that suck them into their tanks for disposal elsewhere.
That is what the story's main point is: that Mr Kweku Anno's 'innovation' breaks down the septic tank's contents biologically - obviating the need for regular emptying oif its contents by liquid-waste tanker trucks.
In the Ghanaian context, it is definitely an innovation - a vast improvement on the old system of managing septic tanks.
I would accept that in a strictly scientific sense, its not a new "methodology" that he's come up with. But business wise, its an innovation here - as its a very useful service no commercial entity has ever offered here before. Any of that make any sense to you, Claire Marie? Hope so.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
How Safe Is The Water Produced By The Ghana Water Company Limited's Weija Treatment Plant?
I despair when I look at the green-tinged water in a white pail, which I fill up every night purposely, to check the quality of the water that flows through the taps in the house I live in, near Jayee University College, at McCarthy Hill.
That green-tinged water, always reminds me of the refusal by the then managing director of the Ghana Water Company Limited - a New Patriotic Party (NPP) appointee, who was in place when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime of President Mills, came into office in January 2009 - to accept poor quality chemical inputs from an "Alhaji" businessman.
That selfish and greedy businessman used the NDC rented-press to mount a campaign of vilification against the poor aforementioned GWCL's managing director who was adamant that even if it meant losing his job, he would not compromise the quality of the drinking-water supply of the residents of Accra - by accepting those poor quality chemicals that the "Alhaji" businessman wanted to palm off the GWCL.
I guess he must have been gotten rid of, not too long after that - judging by what I see in my white pail when I do my daily morning visual inspection. Perhaps the "Alhaji" businessman is now supplying his sub-standard Chinese-made chemicals to the GWCL?
It really is scandalous that water that ought to be crystal clear is tinged green - in 21st century Accra: and at a point not even a kilometre away from its Weija treatment plant as the crow flies. Incredible.
Can the GWCL tell us why that is so - and if they are sure that it meets the minimum World Health Organisation (WHO) standards specified for safe potable water. Is this not a city prone to cholera outbreaks, I ask, dear reader?
For public health reasons, surely, we must at least have good drinking water flowing through our taps in Ghana's capital - and elsewhere in our country? Yes, most may not drink it - but what are we supposed to wash our fruits and vegetables with, one wonders?
Perhaps the question we ought to ask is: Can the GWCL tell Accra's residents just how safe the water produced by its Weija water treatment plant, really is - and why it has a green hue?
In an age of consumer activism in Ghana, with Kofi Kapito's Consumers Association at the forefront, if the GWCL is not careful, one of these days, someone will take them to court: if they continue in this fashion.
They really must do better. Put simply, they must tell us just how safe the water from their Weija treatment plant actually is.
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
That green-tinged water, always reminds me of the refusal by the then managing director of the Ghana Water Company Limited - a New Patriotic Party (NPP) appointee, who was in place when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime of President Mills, came into office in January 2009 - to accept poor quality chemical inputs from an "Alhaji" businessman.
That selfish and greedy businessman used the NDC rented-press to mount a campaign of vilification against the poor aforementioned GWCL's managing director who was adamant that even if it meant losing his job, he would not compromise the quality of the drinking-water supply of the residents of Accra - by accepting those poor quality chemicals that the "Alhaji" businessman wanted to palm off the GWCL.
I guess he must have been gotten rid of, not too long after that - judging by what I see in my white pail when I do my daily morning visual inspection. Perhaps the "Alhaji" businessman is now supplying his sub-standard Chinese-made chemicals to the GWCL?
It really is scandalous that water that ought to be crystal clear is tinged green - in 21st century Accra: and at a point not even a kilometre away from its Weija treatment plant as the crow flies. Incredible.
Can the GWCL tell us why that is so - and if they are sure that it meets the minimum World Health Organisation (WHO) standards specified for safe potable water. Is this not a city prone to cholera outbreaks, I ask, dear reader?
For public health reasons, surely, we must at least have good drinking water flowing through our taps in Ghana's capital - and elsewhere in our country? Yes, most may not drink it - but what are we supposed to wash our fruits and vegetables with, one wonders?
Perhaps the question we ought to ask is: Can the GWCL tell Accra's residents just how safe the water produced by its Weija water treatment plant, really is - and why it has a green hue?
In an age of consumer activism in Ghana, with Kofi Kapito's Consumers Association at the forefront, if the GWCL is not careful, one of these days, someone will take them to court: if they continue in this fashion.
They really must do better. Put simply, they must tell us just how safe the water from their Weija treatment plant actually is.
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Monday, 9 April 2012
To The Owners of www.modernghana.com
I am emailing you to demand that you remove all my articles from your plagiarising www.modernghana.com website immediately - and also remove my name from your list of columnists.
I am outraged that despite emailing you hours ago to point out the fact that my article entitled "HAND OVER INTERCITY STC TO GHANA'S MILITARY - THEY WILL KEEP NATION MOVING IN ANY FUTURE TRANSPORT SECTOR STRIKE" has been wrongly attributed to a Dr. Thaddeus Ulzen, when it is my original work, nothing has been done about it.
Your inaction is tantamount to theft of my intellectual property - something that I will not tolerate under any circumstances.
Please note that I shall not contact you again. If my justifiable demands are not met by your www.modernghana.com website, I shall refer the matter to my lawyers without further recourse to you. Be warned.
Kofi Thompson.
I am outraged that despite emailing you hours ago to point out the fact that my article entitled "HAND OVER INTERCITY STC TO GHANA'S MILITARY - THEY WILL KEEP NATION MOVING IN ANY FUTURE TRANSPORT SECTOR STRIKE" has been wrongly attributed to a Dr. Thaddeus Ulzen, when it is my original work, nothing has been done about it.
Your inaction is tantamount to theft of my intellectual property - something that I will not tolerate under any circumstances.
Please note that I shall not contact you again. If my justifiable demands are not met by your www.modernghana.com website, I shall refer the matter to my lawyers without further recourse to you. Be warned.
Kofi Thompson.
Sunday, 8 April 2012
HAND OVER INTERCITY STC TO GHANA'S MILITARY - THEY WILL KEEP NATION MOVING IN ANY FUTURE TRANSPORT SECTOR STRIKE
One of the saddest things about our country, is that very often good free advice that will benefit the nation, is simply ignored by those at the helm of affairs - either because it doesn't benefit them directly, or fails to increase the net worth of their regime's crony-capitalist pals.
Take the case of Intercity STC for example, the partially divested state-owned bus company, which was once the transport sector's leading passenger bus company. Alas, it is now a pale shadow of itself - and reeling from being over-leveraged.
It has been crippled by a daft bus-purchase decision, taken during the Kufuor-era, which benefited some of that regime's crony-capitalist rip-off merchants mightily, but did not redound to the company's benefit.
Incredibly, and typical of the unfathomable greed and high-level corruption of the Kufuor-era, the untested FAW buses were totally unsuited for our roads, and lacked the durability to serve the purpose for which they were purchased - provide years of reliable service carrying fare-paying passengers in comfort across Ghana and beyond.
The bank loan taken from the National Investment Bank (NIB) to purchase those unsuitable Chinese-made FAW buses that lasted only two years, has ended up crippling Intercity STC, unfortunately.
The question is, could the NIB not be persuaded to take a combination of long-term government paper, and a conversion of part of the loan into an equity stake in a GAF-owned Intercity STC, dear reader?
And could all those who have won orders for judgement-debt payments from the law courts, against Intercity STC, not also be persuaded to accept long-term government paper as settlement of those debts? The practicality of that arrangement being that they could have their money today, selling them to those who will discount those instruments for cash.
(Needless to say, the crooks who killed off Ghana Airways in order to asset-strip it during the NPP's tenure, would have eventually done the same with Intercity STC, if the Kufuor & Co. tribal-supremacist cabal that dominates the NPP had been returned to power in the December 2008 elections. But I digress.)
You would think that those in charge of our country's affairs, now grappling with turbulence from frequent public-sector employee strikes, would seize the golden opportunity offered by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust's (SSNIT) decision to divest itself of its 80 percent stake in Intercity STC - and move quickly to acquire it for the commercial wing of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
It is a strategic transport sector asset, that will serve as rainy-day-insurance, which will enable the government to have the capability to keep the nation moving - in case there ever is a full-blown transport sector strike, engineered by its political opponents, in order to bring it to its knees.
I am flabbergasted to hear that the usual negative cries of "we don't have money" have already started coming from the corridors of power - when government appointees have been urged to quickly take over Intercity STC and hand it over to the commercial wing of the GAF.
God give us patience. Why do so many of our political leaders seldom think creatively, when faced with such nation-building challenges? Will SSNIT not happily accept long-term government paper, with a decent coupon, in exchange for its 80 percent stake in Intercity STC, I ask?
I repeat my question: Has it never struck the geniuses who now rule us, that to buy Intercity STC and hand it over to the military to run, will provide it with a strategic asset, which, should the need ever arise, will enable the government of the day to keep the nation moving, regardless, were Ghana's private passenger bus companies to embark on a nationwide strike, for whatever spurious reason its mostly pro-New Patriotic Party (NPP) owners were to conjure up - ostensibly in protest against high fuel prices, should the world price of oil soar to the US$160 per barrel, which the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Managing Director, Christine Largarde, has said it might spike to, for example?
Let the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime of President Mills move quickly to purchase Intercity STC, and hand it over to the Ghana Armed Forces.
In their very capable hands, Intercity STC will keep the nation moving, when the transport sector grinds to a halt and passenger bus companies stop operating, because of a nationwide strike. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana that actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Take the case of Intercity STC for example, the partially divested state-owned bus company, which was once the transport sector's leading passenger bus company. Alas, it is now a pale shadow of itself - and reeling from being over-leveraged.
It has been crippled by a daft bus-purchase decision, taken during the Kufuor-era, which benefited some of that regime's crony-capitalist rip-off merchants mightily, but did not redound to the company's benefit.
Incredibly, and typical of the unfathomable greed and high-level corruption of the Kufuor-era, the untested FAW buses were totally unsuited for our roads, and lacked the durability to serve the purpose for which they were purchased - provide years of reliable service carrying fare-paying passengers in comfort across Ghana and beyond.
The bank loan taken from the National Investment Bank (NIB) to purchase those unsuitable Chinese-made FAW buses that lasted only two years, has ended up crippling Intercity STC, unfortunately.
The question is, could the NIB not be persuaded to take a combination of long-term government paper, and a conversion of part of the loan into an equity stake in a GAF-owned Intercity STC, dear reader?
And could all those who have won orders for judgement-debt payments from the law courts, against Intercity STC, not also be persuaded to accept long-term government paper as settlement of those debts? The practicality of that arrangement being that they could have their money today, selling them to those who will discount those instruments for cash.
(Needless to say, the crooks who killed off Ghana Airways in order to asset-strip it during the NPP's tenure, would have eventually done the same with Intercity STC, if the Kufuor & Co. tribal-supremacist cabal that dominates the NPP had been returned to power in the December 2008 elections. But I digress.)
You would think that those in charge of our country's affairs, now grappling with turbulence from frequent public-sector employee strikes, would seize the golden opportunity offered by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust's (SSNIT) decision to divest itself of its 80 percent stake in Intercity STC - and move quickly to acquire it for the commercial wing of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
It is a strategic transport sector asset, that will serve as rainy-day-insurance, which will enable the government to have the capability to keep the nation moving - in case there ever is a full-blown transport sector strike, engineered by its political opponents, in order to bring it to its knees.
I am flabbergasted to hear that the usual negative cries of "we don't have money" have already started coming from the corridors of power - when government appointees have been urged to quickly take over Intercity STC and hand it over to the commercial wing of the GAF.
God give us patience. Why do so many of our political leaders seldom think creatively, when faced with such nation-building challenges? Will SSNIT not happily accept long-term government paper, with a decent coupon, in exchange for its 80 percent stake in Intercity STC, I ask?
I repeat my question: Has it never struck the geniuses who now rule us, that to buy Intercity STC and hand it over to the military to run, will provide it with a strategic asset, which, should the need ever arise, will enable the government of the day to keep the nation moving, regardless, were Ghana's private passenger bus companies to embark on a nationwide strike, for whatever spurious reason its mostly pro-New Patriotic Party (NPP) owners were to conjure up - ostensibly in protest against high fuel prices, should the world price of oil soar to the US$160 per barrel, which the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Managing Director, Christine Largarde, has said it might spike to, for example?
Let the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime of President Mills move quickly to purchase Intercity STC, and hand it over to the Ghana Armed Forces.
In their very capable hands, Intercity STC will keep the nation moving, when the transport sector grinds to a halt and passenger bus companies stop operating, because of a nationwide strike. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana that actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Saturday, 7 April 2012
FOR THE SECURITY OF WEST AFRICA & THE WORLD MALI'S AL QAEDA-AFFILIATED TUAREG REBELLS MUST BE DEFEATED
The leaders of the nation's that constitute the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), deserve to be congratulated for forcing the coup-makers in Mali, to agree to hand over power to an interim civilian leader, within the short space of two weeks.
Under the circumstances, the ECOWAS brokered deal in which the speaker of Mali's Parliament, Diouncounda Traore, is to be sworn in as interim president, and organise elections in 40 days, establishes the precedent that ECOWAS will not permit military coups in the region to stand.
ECOWAS must now move quickly to get its military to work with France and the US, to organise special forces from the regional bloc's member states' military, to help Mali deal with the Tuaregs who have declared independence in the north of the country, and announced a new breakaway state, Azawad.
The EU and the US must provide all the funding needed for an ECOWAS joint-force, made up of special forces, to defeat the northern Tuareg rebellion.
That combined force will need total dominance of the airspace in northern Mali, and the active cooperation of Algeria, whose secret services are known to have direct links with the Malian Tuareg leadership.
As a first step, whiles the joint-force is mobilised and readied for the long and tough battle ahead, drones will have to be deployed to harry the Tuareg rebels and destroy their forces' ability to fight and mount raids on Malian forces.
The weapon of economic sanctions, will play a key role in defeating the Malian Tuareg rebellion. For example, no fuel must be allowed up north. That will quickly cause the civilian population in the north of Mali to become disaffected with the Tuareg rebels.
Anything else that will help sustain the rebellion must also be included in the list of items not allowed into the north. That will tighten the noose around the rebels further.
That Malian Tuareg rebellion must be defeated, whatever it takes to do so - if the miasma of Islamic fanaticism linked to Al Qaeda, is not to spread its poison across the entire region, and pose a threat to the rest of the world too.
For the security of West Africa and the rest of the world, Mali's Al Qaeda-affiliated Tuareg rebels must be defeated, at all costs. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Under the circumstances, the ECOWAS brokered deal in which the speaker of Mali's Parliament, Diouncounda Traore, is to be sworn in as interim president, and organise elections in 40 days, establishes the precedent that ECOWAS will not permit military coups in the region to stand.
ECOWAS must now move quickly to get its military to work with France and the US, to organise special forces from the regional bloc's member states' military, to help Mali deal with the Tuaregs who have declared independence in the north of the country, and announced a new breakaway state, Azawad.
The EU and the US must provide all the funding needed for an ECOWAS joint-force, made up of special forces, to defeat the northern Tuareg rebellion.
That combined force will need total dominance of the airspace in northern Mali, and the active cooperation of Algeria, whose secret services are known to have direct links with the Malian Tuareg leadership.
As a first step, whiles the joint-force is mobilised and readied for the long and tough battle ahead, drones will have to be deployed to harry the Tuareg rebels and destroy their forces' ability to fight and mount raids on Malian forces.
The weapon of economic sanctions, will play a key role in defeating the Malian Tuareg rebellion. For example, no fuel must be allowed up north. That will quickly cause the civilian population in the north of Mali to become disaffected with the Tuareg rebels.
Anything else that will help sustain the rebellion must also be included in the list of items not allowed into the north. That will tighten the noose around the rebels further.
That Malian Tuareg rebellion must be defeated, whatever it takes to do so - if the miasma of Islamic fanaticism linked to Al Qaeda, is not to spread its poison across the entire region, and pose a threat to the rest of the world too.
For the security of West Africa and the rest of the world, Mali's Al Qaeda-affiliated Tuareg rebels must be defeated, at all costs. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
ARE THERE INVISIBLE HANDS BEHIND THE POWER OUTAGES & MANY PUBLIC-SECTOR STRIKES OVER PAY?
I was stunned when I listened to an old cynic's take, on the frequent power outages and the many public-sector strikes, over pay, going on in the country, at the moment.
According to him, not too long after the current government came to power in January 2009, elements of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) regime, put together a secret plan to cause disaffection amongst ordinary Ghanaians, against the new National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime of President Mills.
The private media houses and journalists that had been supported financially by the NPP regime (apparently on a one-removed basis, to hide the fact), were to play a key role in the implementation of that plan.
In his view, the current public-sector strikes over pay and the frequent power outages, are not a coincidence - and that there is more to what's going on, than actually meets the eye.
He is convinced that they result from pro-NPP individuals in the upper echelons of public sector institutions, professional associations and organised bodies - and aware of the existence of that 2009 plan to cause disaffection against the NDC regime - seizing the opportunity to embarrass the government, in the run-up to the December 2012 elections.
Well, it all does sound rather far-fetched, in my humble view - but in the byzantine world of Ghanaian politics, anything is possible.
Whatever be the case, it is important that the government pays particular attention to the power sector: as power outages affect households and businesses directly, and give ordinary people the impression that things aren't being managed efficiently, by their rulers.
At all costs, the NDC government of President Mills, must ensure that those who would like to take advantage of operational difficulties in that sector, to play their own role in the realisation of that 2009 NPP plan, do not succeed in doing so.
Above all, for strategic national security reasons, we must end our reliance on gas from Nigeria - which has proven not to be a very reliable supplier - for power generation, as soon as practicable.
And whiles the project to harness Ghana's own gas deposits proceeds apace, surely, there must be financial penalties that the Nigerian suppliers of gas to Ghana, ought to be paying the Volta River Authority (VRA), if gas doesn't flow to its Ghanaian customer?
If it is indeed a fact that gas expected to flow through the West African gas pipeline from Nigeria has failed to do so, surely, it must amount to a breach of contract - for which penalties must exist?
If that is a contractual obligation, and the position is that they have to honour legal undertakings, why not invoke those particular relevant clauses - and utilise any penalty payments made by the Nigerian gas suppliers, for the ongoing modernisation of Ghana's power sector?
Whatever be the case, steps ought to be taken to ensure that the difficulties over public-sector pay, and that faced by the power sector, are not taken advantage of, by any unpatriotic individuals, keen to sabotage the government of the day's nation-building efforts - because they are disloyal citizens, who only care about Mother Ghana, when their own political party is in power.
Prudence dictates that those now in power, take steps to make the manipulation of such elements by invisible hands, of no consequence to our nation and its hard-pressed people. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
According to him, not too long after the current government came to power in January 2009, elements of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) regime, put together a secret plan to cause disaffection amongst ordinary Ghanaians, against the new National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime of President Mills.
The private media houses and journalists that had been supported financially by the NPP regime (apparently on a one-removed basis, to hide the fact), were to play a key role in the implementation of that plan.
In his view, the current public-sector strikes over pay and the frequent power outages, are not a coincidence - and that there is more to what's going on, than actually meets the eye.
He is convinced that they result from pro-NPP individuals in the upper echelons of public sector institutions, professional associations and organised bodies - and aware of the existence of that 2009 plan to cause disaffection against the NDC regime - seizing the opportunity to embarrass the government, in the run-up to the December 2012 elections.
Well, it all does sound rather far-fetched, in my humble view - but in the byzantine world of Ghanaian politics, anything is possible.
Whatever be the case, it is important that the government pays particular attention to the power sector: as power outages affect households and businesses directly, and give ordinary people the impression that things aren't being managed efficiently, by their rulers.
At all costs, the NDC government of President Mills, must ensure that those who would like to take advantage of operational difficulties in that sector, to play their own role in the realisation of that 2009 NPP plan, do not succeed in doing so.
Above all, for strategic national security reasons, we must end our reliance on gas from Nigeria - which has proven not to be a very reliable supplier - for power generation, as soon as practicable.
And whiles the project to harness Ghana's own gas deposits proceeds apace, surely, there must be financial penalties that the Nigerian suppliers of gas to Ghana, ought to be paying the Volta River Authority (VRA), if gas doesn't flow to its Ghanaian customer?
If it is indeed a fact that gas expected to flow through the West African gas pipeline from Nigeria has failed to do so, surely, it must amount to a breach of contract - for which penalties must exist?
If that is a contractual obligation, and the position is that they have to honour legal undertakings, why not invoke those particular relevant clauses - and utilise any penalty payments made by the Nigerian gas suppliers, for the ongoing modernisation of Ghana's power sector?
Whatever be the case, steps ought to be taken to ensure that the difficulties over public-sector pay, and that faced by the power sector, are not taken advantage of, by any unpatriotic individuals, keen to sabotage the government of the day's nation-building efforts - because they are disloyal citizens, who only care about Mother Ghana, when their own political party is in power.
Prudence dictates that those now in power, take steps to make the manipulation of such elements by invisible hands, of no consequence to our nation and its hard-pressed people. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Thursday, 5 April 2012
WHY A MARTIN AMIDU-NANA KONADU AGYEMANG RAWLINGS PRESIDENTIAL TICKET IS GOOD FOR THE NDC & GOOD FOR GHANA
I had a phone call yesterday, from a gentleman whose ire had been raised by yesterday's Ghanapolitics blog posting - in which I asked the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to insist that both President Mills and Vice President Mahama step down from office now: and replace them with Martin Amidu as president, and Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, as the new vice president.
The aforementioned gentleman, demanded to know why I was asking for President Mills and Vice President Mahama to resign - and be replaced by Martin Amidu and Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.
Well, to begin with, since this is a nation in which altruism is almost extinct (and most people therefore invariably think that one has ulterior motives, in such matters - although one is acting for purely altruistic reasons), let me state that I have neither ever met nor spoken to either Martin Amidu or Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings before, in my entire life. And I have no desire to do so, either, actually.
And, no, being a journalist who refuses to sell his conscience at any price, I have also not been paid by anyone, to do a hatchet job on President Mills and Vice President Mahama, for anyone's benefit.
I simply want what's best for our country - which in a very real sense, will be at the crossroads, on the day of the presidential and parliamentary elections, in December 2012. At all costs, Nkrumah's Ghana must not be allowed to fall into the grasping hands of ruthless asset-strippers, elite-rip-off merchants and blood-thirsty tribal-supremacist politicians.
Above all, let me state that I am not secretly acting for the NPP either, when I call for President Mills and Vice President Mahama to step aside now - whiles there is still time for their NDC party to make a fresh start, when that happens.
On the contrary, my parallel thinking, in this instance, if acted upon by the NDC, will deny the NPP the certain victory that is now theirs to lose, if President Mills and Vice President Mahama were to be on the NDC ticket for that December presidential poll.
As those who know me will attest to, I have never hidden my loathing for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) - which I do with a passion that few of its most implacable opponents can muster.
That loathing, stems from the fact that unlike many, I actually do know what its true purpose is: to enable today's descendants of the pre-colonial ruling elites of a particular ethnic group in our country, to dominate Nkrumah's multi-ethnic Ghana, till the very end of time.
To a true Ghanaian patriot, that is an enterprise that is an abomination, pure and simple - in a nation of diverse-ethnicity, in which no one tribe is superior or inferior, to another. And this is 21st century Africa, after all - not the sodding Dark Ages.
And so, dear reader, I am not destroying President Mills and Vice President Mahama for anyone's benefit - surprising though that might be to some.
As it happens, I am a patriot and Progressive, who just wants our homeland Ghana to remain in the hands of the NDC - which, despite its many faults is a lessor-of-two-evils choice, and is at least more protective of the national interest, than the NPP, as presently constituted, can ever be.
Well, dear reader, in asking President Mills and Vice President Mahama to step aside, I am actually asking both of them to make what amounts to a supreme personal sacrifice for Mother Ghana's benefit (and by extension that of the NDC).
Alas, despite what their supporters might think or say, they are unelectable. Plain and simple. The plain truth, is that the dismissal of Martin Amidu, was a watershed event, which ushered in a new era in Ghanaian politics.
Virtually every ordinary Ghanaian who learnt about his dismissal, doubted the cynical explanation advanced by the government's communications team - to try and explain that foolish and short-sighted decision away.
Not surprisingly, it failed to do so - ordinary Ghanaians not being fools. It doomed Mills presidency permanently, and derailed his re-election chances too, alas.
To most Ghanaians, it is obvious that Martin Amidu was sacked for making public, the gargantuan crimes against Ghanaians and their nation, which he said were being committed by regime-insiders.
His dismissal made many ordinary people put the Woyome judgement-debt payment scandal, in a personal context. In their view, the nation-building contributions totalling tens of millions of Ghana cedis, made by scores of ordinary people paying their taxes regularly, and meant for common-good national development projects, had been unfairly handed over to one well-connected individual, in a conspiracy that amounted to high-level corruption to enrich a powerful and greedy few.
In the light of all the above, a Martin Amidu-Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings ticket makes a great deal of sense to an NDC party, facing eminent defeat at the polls in December, does it not, dear reader?
In one stroke, it enables the NDC to literally get a fresh start - and put all the Mills-Mahama negative baggage behind it.
The party can then campaign using a new narrative: A President Martin Amidu uniting Ghana through a government of national unity, comprising brilliant and honest individuals from all the political parties in the country.
And together with those patriotic politicians, that government of national unity, rooting out high level corruption in Ghana, once and for all - to enable the saved resources that hitherto would have ended up enriching a well-connected powerful few with greedy ambitions (to paraphrase President Nkrumah), to be used for common-good projects benefiting all Ghanaians, instead.
Thus, the question has to be: has the sense of judgement of the "greedy bastards" around President Mills and Vice President Mahama, been so distorted, by the Awoof-sikaa-waa-waa (easy money from dubious sources), which their ability to provide Osu Castle corridors-of-power access, to the wealthy crooks engaged in elite rip-off of our nation, earns them regularly, that they are enable to read the clear and very obvious signs that their candidate will be soundly defeated, in a landslide victory for the NPP's presidential candidate, were he to stand as the NDC's presidential candidate in that December poll?
And as evidence of his pulling power, have the NDC supporters of a Mills-Mahama ticket, not yet noticed, that so popular and highly regarded is Martin Amidu, that today, even New Patriotic Party (NPP) die-hards, openly acknowledge Mr. Amidu's sense of patriotism - and freely admit that they don't doubt his commitment to the fight against high-level corruption in Ghana: for which they admire him a great deal?
And do virtually all the discerning and independent-minded individuals in this country, who love Ghana so passionately that they are prepared to even die for her - and whose crucial swing-votes now elect Ghanaian presidents - not argue that Martin Amidu is a rare kind of Ghanaian politician, and a man of undoubted patriotism and integrity: who they believe can help end high-level corruption in Ghana?
With respect, between a Mills-Mahama NDC ticket, and a Martin Amidu-Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings NDC ticket, in a nation that has lost all faith in President Mills, because many feel that temperamentally he is not suited to lead Ghana (contrasted with Martin Amidu, who nationwide is regarded as a politician who is serious about fighting corruption, irrespective of who is involved), which particular NDC presidential ticket is most likely to attract sufficient swing-votes, to defeat the NPP ticket of Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, I ask?
Will a Martin Amidu-Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings NDC ticket, whose campaign theme ought to be "uniting Ghana in a coalition government of national unity - and working across party lines to prevent elite-rip-off, countrywide!" not be sufficiently attractive to Ghanaian voters, to guarantee a return to power of the NDC party, after the December 2012 elections?
That, dear reader, is why I believe that a Martin Amidu-Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings presidential ticket, is good for Ghana and good for the NDC. I do hope that all the well-meaning and honest NDC bigwigs, will listen to free good advice for once - and act swiftly to save their party from certain defeat. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
The aforementioned gentleman, demanded to know why I was asking for President Mills and Vice President Mahama to resign - and be replaced by Martin Amidu and Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.
Well, to begin with, since this is a nation in which altruism is almost extinct (and most people therefore invariably think that one has ulterior motives, in such matters - although one is acting for purely altruistic reasons), let me state that I have neither ever met nor spoken to either Martin Amidu or Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings before, in my entire life. And I have no desire to do so, either, actually.
And, no, being a journalist who refuses to sell his conscience at any price, I have also not been paid by anyone, to do a hatchet job on President Mills and Vice President Mahama, for anyone's benefit.
I simply want what's best for our country - which in a very real sense, will be at the crossroads, on the day of the presidential and parliamentary elections, in December 2012. At all costs, Nkrumah's Ghana must not be allowed to fall into the grasping hands of ruthless asset-strippers, elite-rip-off merchants and blood-thirsty tribal-supremacist politicians.
Above all, let me state that I am not secretly acting for the NPP either, when I call for President Mills and Vice President Mahama to step aside now - whiles there is still time for their NDC party to make a fresh start, when that happens.
On the contrary, my parallel thinking, in this instance, if acted upon by the NDC, will deny the NPP the certain victory that is now theirs to lose, if President Mills and Vice President Mahama were to be on the NDC ticket for that December presidential poll.
As those who know me will attest to, I have never hidden my loathing for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) - which I do with a passion that few of its most implacable opponents can muster.
That loathing, stems from the fact that unlike many, I actually do know what its true purpose is: to enable today's descendants of the pre-colonial ruling elites of a particular ethnic group in our country, to dominate Nkrumah's multi-ethnic Ghana, till the very end of time.
To a true Ghanaian patriot, that is an enterprise that is an abomination, pure and simple - in a nation of diverse-ethnicity, in which no one tribe is superior or inferior, to another. And this is 21st century Africa, after all - not the sodding Dark Ages.
And so, dear reader, I am not destroying President Mills and Vice President Mahama for anyone's benefit - surprising though that might be to some.
As it happens, I am a patriot and Progressive, who just wants our homeland Ghana to remain in the hands of the NDC - which, despite its many faults is a lessor-of-two-evils choice, and is at least more protective of the national interest, than the NPP, as presently constituted, can ever be.
Well, dear reader, in asking President Mills and Vice President Mahama to step aside, I am actually asking both of them to make what amounts to a supreme personal sacrifice for Mother Ghana's benefit (and by extension that of the NDC).
Alas, despite what their supporters might think or say, they are unelectable. Plain and simple. The plain truth, is that the dismissal of Martin Amidu, was a watershed event, which ushered in a new era in Ghanaian politics.
Virtually every ordinary Ghanaian who learnt about his dismissal, doubted the cynical explanation advanced by the government's communications team - to try and explain that foolish and short-sighted decision away.
Not surprisingly, it failed to do so - ordinary Ghanaians not being fools. It doomed Mills presidency permanently, and derailed his re-election chances too, alas.
To most Ghanaians, it is obvious that Martin Amidu was sacked for making public, the gargantuan crimes against Ghanaians and their nation, which he said were being committed by regime-insiders.
His dismissal made many ordinary people put the Woyome judgement-debt payment scandal, in a personal context. In their view, the nation-building contributions totalling tens of millions of Ghana cedis, made by scores of ordinary people paying their taxes regularly, and meant for common-good national development projects, had been unfairly handed over to one well-connected individual, in a conspiracy that amounted to high-level corruption to enrich a powerful and greedy few.
In the light of all the above, a Martin Amidu-Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings ticket makes a great deal of sense to an NDC party, facing eminent defeat at the polls in December, does it not, dear reader?
In one stroke, it enables the NDC to literally get a fresh start - and put all the Mills-Mahama negative baggage behind it.
The party can then campaign using a new narrative: A President Martin Amidu uniting Ghana through a government of national unity, comprising brilliant and honest individuals from all the political parties in the country.
And together with those patriotic politicians, that government of national unity, rooting out high level corruption in Ghana, once and for all - to enable the saved resources that hitherto would have ended up enriching a well-connected powerful few with greedy ambitions (to paraphrase President Nkrumah), to be used for common-good projects benefiting all Ghanaians, instead.
Thus, the question has to be: has the sense of judgement of the "greedy bastards" around President Mills and Vice President Mahama, been so distorted, by the Awoof-sikaa-waa-waa (easy money from dubious sources), which their ability to provide Osu Castle corridors-of-power access, to the wealthy crooks engaged in elite rip-off of our nation, earns them regularly, that they are enable to read the clear and very obvious signs that their candidate will be soundly defeated, in a landslide victory for the NPP's presidential candidate, were he to stand as the NDC's presidential candidate in that December poll?
And as evidence of his pulling power, have the NDC supporters of a Mills-Mahama ticket, not yet noticed, that so popular and highly regarded is Martin Amidu, that today, even New Patriotic Party (NPP) die-hards, openly acknowledge Mr. Amidu's sense of patriotism - and freely admit that they don't doubt his commitment to the fight against high-level corruption in Ghana: for which they admire him a great deal?
And do virtually all the discerning and independent-minded individuals in this country, who love Ghana so passionately that they are prepared to even die for her - and whose crucial swing-votes now elect Ghanaian presidents - not argue that Martin Amidu is a rare kind of Ghanaian politician, and a man of undoubted patriotism and integrity: who they believe can help end high-level corruption in Ghana?
With respect, between a Mills-Mahama NDC ticket, and a Martin Amidu-Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings NDC ticket, in a nation that has lost all faith in President Mills, because many feel that temperamentally he is not suited to lead Ghana (contrasted with Martin Amidu, who nationwide is regarded as a politician who is serious about fighting corruption, irrespective of who is involved), which particular NDC presidential ticket is most likely to attract sufficient swing-votes, to defeat the NPP ticket of Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, I ask?
Will a Martin Amidu-Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings NDC ticket, whose campaign theme ought to be "uniting Ghana in a coalition government of national unity - and working across party lines to prevent elite-rip-off, countrywide!" not be sufficiently attractive to Ghanaian voters, to guarantee a return to power of the NDC party, after the December 2012 elections?
That, dear reader, is why I believe that a Martin Amidu-Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings presidential ticket, is good for Ghana and good for the NDC. I do hope that all the well-meaning and honest NDC bigwigs, will listen to free good advice for once - and act swiftly to save their party from certain defeat. A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
NDC: Force President Mills & Vice President Mahama To Step Down Now - Before It Is Too Late!
What is it about political power, that makes even the canniest of individuals, so complacent?
For example, there's no question that both former Egyptian President Mubarak and the former Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi, could have survived if they and the political organisations they led, had realised and accepted, that there had been a sea change in the politics of their two nations - and bent with the wind-of-change, so to speak.
There has been a sea change, in Ghanaian politics, too: Ghanaians are now fed up with high-level corruption - and the impunity of the well-connected.
And it is obvious to all those whose eyes and ears have not been blinded and made deaf by the corrupting influence of Awoof-sika-waa-waa (ever-flowing easy-money from dubious sources - to those who don't speak Twi).
If they want their party to retain power, then it is time those now in charge of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), moved quickly to force the resignation of both President Mills and Vice President Mahama from office.
It will pave the way for those in the party, who will ensure that the party triumphs in the December 2012 presidential elections, to take control of their party's election strategy.
As things stand Mills and Mahama are simply unelectable. Let there be no doubt about that. To guarantee a return to power after December 2012, the NDC must be creative and replace President Mills and Vice President Mahama - with Martin Amidu as president, and Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, as vice president.
That will ensure that instead of the December presidential elections being seen by voters as a referendum on Mills' leadership, and voting to kick him out of office, in order to finally bring an end to their troubles, it will rather be seen by them as an election to select the individual most capable of protecting our nation from elite rip-off - of the egregious kind seen during the golden age of business for Kufuor & Co., the tribal-supremacist cabal that dominated the New Patriotic Party (NPP), throughout the eight years of the party's two-term tenure: and whose members comprehensively asset-stripped and repeatedly gang-raped Mother Ghana.
For those in the NDC who have deliberately buried their heads in the sand, the sea change in Ghanaian politics, is that the dismissal of Martin Amidu - after he told the nation that there were individuals committing gargantuan crimes against Ghanaians - suddenly exposed President Mills as a weak and ineffectual leader, dictated to and held captive, by powerful rogues, using him as perfect legal cover, to enable them get away with their gargantuan crimes against Ghanaians.
The fact of the matter, is that today, the vast majority of ordinary Ghanaians see him as a weak and ineffectual leader, unable to curb burgeoning corruption in his administration.
And worst of all, they now regard him as a man totally unsuited, by temperament, to lead their country. To be fair to him, in reality, President Mills is a good and decent man. But we cannot pretend that that widely-held negative perception about him is not a fact-on-the-ground political reality.
Whichever way one looks at it, it is a fact that the honest and incorruptible President Mills, has led a regime, which has ended up with an extra-large albatross round its collective neck - that the outrage of the Woyome judgement-debt payment scandal represents.
That is why ultimate control of the NDC must now be taken away from those in the party whose complacency, greed and corrupt ways have ended up soiling the party's image amongst ordinary Ghanaians, with Woyomegate.
Paradoxically, together with President Hilla Limman, President Mills actually counts amongst the two most honest individuals to lead Ghana, since. Nkrumah's overthrow in 1966. But that won't help him now - and is of no use to Mother Ghana, if, as is said by some, he is manipulated by faceless individuals, for their own selfish ends.
That is why he must give his party a fighting chance of returning to power again - by resigning from office now. Failing that, the NDC ought to simply force President Mills and Vice President Mahama to step down - before it becomes too late! A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
For example, there's no question that both former Egyptian President Mubarak and the former Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi, could have survived if they and the political organisations they led, had realised and accepted, that there had been a sea change in the politics of their two nations - and bent with the wind-of-change, so to speak.
There has been a sea change, in Ghanaian politics, too: Ghanaians are now fed up with high-level corruption - and the impunity of the well-connected.
And it is obvious to all those whose eyes and ears have not been blinded and made deaf by the corrupting influence of Awoof-sika-waa-waa (ever-flowing easy-money from dubious sources - to those who don't speak Twi).
If they want their party to retain power, then it is time those now in charge of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), moved quickly to force the resignation of both President Mills and Vice President Mahama from office.
It will pave the way for those in the party, who will ensure that the party triumphs in the December 2012 presidential elections, to take control of their party's election strategy.
As things stand Mills and Mahama are simply unelectable. Let there be no doubt about that. To guarantee a return to power after December 2012, the NDC must be creative and replace President Mills and Vice President Mahama - with Martin Amidu as president, and Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, as vice president.
That will ensure that instead of the December presidential elections being seen by voters as a referendum on Mills' leadership, and voting to kick him out of office, in order to finally bring an end to their troubles, it will rather be seen by them as an election to select the individual most capable of protecting our nation from elite rip-off - of the egregious kind seen during the golden age of business for Kufuor & Co., the tribal-supremacist cabal that dominated the New Patriotic Party (NPP), throughout the eight years of the party's two-term tenure: and whose members comprehensively asset-stripped and repeatedly gang-raped Mother Ghana.
For those in the NDC who have deliberately buried their heads in the sand, the sea change in Ghanaian politics, is that the dismissal of Martin Amidu - after he told the nation that there were individuals committing gargantuan crimes against Ghanaians - suddenly exposed President Mills as a weak and ineffectual leader, dictated to and held captive, by powerful rogues, using him as perfect legal cover, to enable them get away with their gargantuan crimes against Ghanaians.
The fact of the matter, is that today, the vast majority of ordinary Ghanaians see him as a weak and ineffectual leader, unable to curb burgeoning corruption in his administration.
And worst of all, they now regard him as a man totally unsuited, by temperament, to lead their country. To be fair to him, in reality, President Mills is a good and decent man. But we cannot pretend that that widely-held negative perception about him is not a fact-on-the-ground political reality.
Whichever way one looks at it, it is a fact that the honest and incorruptible President Mills, has led a regime, which has ended up with an extra-large albatross round its collective neck - that the outrage of the Woyome judgement-debt payment scandal represents.
That is why ultimate control of the NDC must now be taken away from those in the party whose complacency, greed and corrupt ways have ended up soiling the party's image amongst ordinary Ghanaians, with Woyomegate.
Paradoxically, together with President Hilla Limman, President Mills actually counts amongst the two most honest individuals to lead Ghana, since. Nkrumah's overthrow in 1966. But that won't help him now - and is of no use to Mother Ghana, if, as is said by some, he is manipulated by faceless individuals, for their own selfish ends.
That is why he must give his party a fighting chance of returning to power again - by resigning from office now. Failing that, the NDC ought to simply force President Mills and Vice President Mahama to step down - before it becomes too late! A word to the wise...
Tel (Powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana, which actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
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