Author's note: This was written on 24/11/2012. It is being posted today because I was unable to do so on the day. It did, however, subsequently appear on Vibeghana.com. Please read on:
It is totally unacceptable that in 21st century Africa, fellow Africans
can be traumatised on the scale being witnessed in the tragedy now
unfolding in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) must ensure that
those responsible for the trail of death and destruction in DR Congo,
are eventually indicted and tried by the International Criminal Court
(ICC) in The Hague, for crimes against humanity.
No matter what the M23's leader, Colonel Vianey Kazaramah's
complaints are, nothing can justify taking up arms against one's own
country and subjecting one's fellow citizens to untold hardship, on a
scale that is almost apocalyptic.
Those responsible for the abominable crimes against humanity that are
occurring in the villages lying in the path of the advancing M23
rebels, must not be allowed to get away with the endless suffering
being experienced by so many ordinary people in eastern DR Congo.
Yesterday, it was General Nkunda rebelling against the central
government in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Today, it is Colonel
Vianey Kazarama.
Clearly, both of them have had the support of elements within Rwanda's ruling elite, in their rebellions.
Although on paper Rwanda is a democracy, in reality it is effectively a
police state in which nothing goes on without the knowledge and consent
of the highly-intelligent despot who rules it with an iron fist,
President Paul Kagame.
It is intolerable that a nation in which genocide occurred years ago,
continues to sponsor armed rebellions against its neighbour DR Congo,
which result in such widespread misery and the mass slaughter of
innocents.
The time has come for the African Union (AU) and the United Nation's to
put diplomatic niceties aside, and condemn Rwanda's leadership in no
uncertain terms - and demand that they end their support for armed
rebellions in the DR Congo immediately.
If they fail to confront Rwanda's leaders this time round, they will
have the blood of the teeming innocents now being murdered daily in
eastern DR Congo on their hands.
Whiles condemning Rwanda, the AU and the UN must also assist the DR
Congo's government to move the Rwandan Hutu refugees in the eastern DR
Congo enmasse, to the west of that nation.
That will finally remove the eternal excuse for Rwanda's constant
meddling in the DR Congo's internal affairs - and deny Rwanda's elite
the opportunity it offers them to rob the DRC of some of its vast
mineral wealth.
With respect, to maintain their credibility with ordinary Africans, both
the African Union and the United Nations must condemn Rwanda for
assisting the DR Congo M23 rebels. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Monday, 26 November 2012
Ensuring That Ghana Remains Peaceful Is The Patriotic Duty Of Our Political Leaders
Author's note:
This was written on 24/11/2012. It is being posted today because I was unable to do so on the day. It did appear on Vibeghana.com subsequently. Please read on.
Whichever party's candidate emerges victorious after the presidential election on the 7th of December, one hopes that he will move quickly to bring the nation together - by reaching out to the candidates he defeated: and promising to seek their counsel throughout his tenure.
Our nation needs to come together and unite for the daunting task ahead.
That is why as we head towards the December 7th elections, it is one's hope that the leadership of all the political parties will have the wisdom to isolate the extremists in their midst.
Nothing will be gained by a recourse to violence during and after the elections.
The stability of our nation is a vital ingredient in the mix of factors that investors - both local and foreign - take into account, when considering whether or not to invest in projects in our nation.
Ghana can advance only when it is able to attract further investment into its economy. The desperately needed jobs for the teeming millions searching for meaningful employment, can only materialise when the private sector is thriving.
It is therefore crucial that the presidential and parliamentary elections pass off peacefully. To remain a magnet for investment, Ghana needs to maintain its worldwide reputation as a stable and peaceful democracy in sub-Saharan Africa.
And, that, dear reader, is in the hands of the leadership of all the political parties competing to be given the people's mandate to govern Ghana, after 7th January 2013. Ensuring that Ghana remains peaceful is their patriotic duty. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
This was written on 24/11/2012. It is being posted today because I was unable to do so on the day. It did appear on Vibeghana.com subsequently. Please read on.
Whichever party's candidate emerges victorious after the presidential election on the 7th of December, one hopes that he will move quickly to bring the nation together - by reaching out to the candidates he defeated: and promising to seek their counsel throughout his tenure.
Our nation needs to come together and unite for the daunting task ahead.
That is why as we head towards the December 7th elections, it is one's hope that the leadership of all the political parties will have the wisdom to isolate the extremists in their midst.
Nothing will be gained by a recourse to violence during and after the elections.
The stability of our nation is a vital ingredient in the mix of factors that investors - both local and foreign - take into account, when considering whether or not to invest in projects in our nation.
Ghana can advance only when it is able to attract further investment into its economy. The desperately needed jobs for the teeming millions searching for meaningful employment, can only materialise when the private sector is thriving.
It is therefore crucial that the presidential and parliamentary elections pass off peacefully. To remain a magnet for investment, Ghana needs to maintain its worldwide reputation as a stable and peaceful democracy in sub-Saharan Africa.
And, that, dear reader, is in the hands of the leadership of all the political parties competing to be given the people's mandate to govern Ghana, after 7th January 2013. Ensuring that Ghana remains peaceful is their patriotic duty. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
What Is The Free In A Free Secondary Education Policy Proposal - And From Where Will It Be Funded?
Author's note:
This was written on 20/11/2012. I am posting it today because I was unable to do so on the day. It did however appear on Vibeghana.com and Ghanaweb.com subsequently. Please read on:
Today, I am reproducing a story written by reporters of the UK newspaper, the Daily Telegraph, entitled: "£230 million British aid programme to support schools in Nigeria is failing".
It is my two-pesewa contribution to the debate about free secondary education in Ghana.
There are many discerning Ghanaians who feel that somehow the lack of a proper national debate on the subject, might lead society to sleepwalk towards a possible future disaster, which might destroy second-cycle education, and possibly dislocate our national economy on top too.
One hopes, therefore, that the discerning and independent-minded Ghanaian patriots, whose crucial swing-votes now determine who becomes Ghana's president, will step back and make up their minds that they will prevent a gigantic fraud being perpetrated on ordinary people in Ghana.
If the uncharitable in our midst are right about them, then those they describe as "ruthless and determined politicians", who they allege care precious little about the education of ordinary people, but are nonetheless using the promise of free secondary education as a clever campaign-carrot ploy, to enable them win power, ought to be prevented from succeeding in their cynical aim, at all costs.
Let this culled story about the shortcomings of education in Nigeria, serve as a warning of what possibly awaits ordinary Ghanaians in the not too distant future - if decent and independent-minded people are prevented from demanding answers to the troubling question of how we will fund free second-cycle education in Ghana on a sustainable basis, and, above all, precisely how much it will cost our nation over the first four years. Please read on:
"A £230 million British aid programme to support schools in Nigeria has failed to produce any major improvement in pupil learning, the development watchdog said today.
By Telegraph reporters
6:00AM GMT 20 Nov 2012
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) said the UK's education programme in Nigeria was being undermined by a shortage of effective teachers and a lack of support from local state governments.
On its system traffic light ratings, the commission ranked the scheme amber-red - the second lowest rating - indicating "significant improvements" were required.
To date, the Department for International Development (Dfid) has spent £102 million on supporting education in 10 of Nigeria's 36 states, with a further £126 million committed to 2019.
However, the commission found that around a third of the eligible children - an estimated 3.7 million - were still not in school, while those that were received little by way of education.
"We are concerned by the very high numbers of out-of-school children and the very poor learning outcomes in nine of the 10 Nigerian states supported by Dfid," it said.
"Dfid's education programme in Nigeria operates in a very challenging environment, with too few effective teachers, poor infrastructure and unpredictable state funding all contributing to poor learning outcomes for pupils in basic education.
"Our review indicates no major improvement in pupil learning."
The findings will further add to the pressure on ministers over the aid budget, with many Tory MPs strongly opposed to David Cameron's commitment to maintain overseas aid at a time of spending cuts at home.
ICAI chief commissioner Graham Ward said: "The communities we spoke to in Nigeria want their children to become self-reliant by learning to read and write.
"In our view, Dfid's programmes will only become sustainable when they can routinely help to unlock state governments' budgets to fund the required improvements both adequately and equitably."
A spokesman for Dfid said: "This was a limited enquiry in that the team only visited one per cent of schools, most of which were in only one state in Nigeria, and they did not take into account the most recent evidence of the projects' progress. However, we will carefully review the report's recommendations and respond in due course."
End of culled Daily Telegraph report.
Whiles a very good and progressive idea, it is essential, dear reader, that no political party is allowed to get to power in Ghana, promising free secondary education, without thoroughly explaining exactly what the "free" in its promised free second-cycle education policy proposal consists of, precisely how much it will cost our nation over a 4-year period and from whence those funds will be sourced. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
This was written on 20/11/2012. I am posting it today because I was unable to do so on the day. It did however appear on Vibeghana.com and Ghanaweb.com subsequently. Please read on:
Today, I am reproducing a story written by reporters of the UK newspaper, the Daily Telegraph, entitled: "£230 million British aid programme to support schools in Nigeria is failing".
It is my two-pesewa contribution to the debate about free secondary education in Ghana.
There are many discerning Ghanaians who feel that somehow the lack of a proper national debate on the subject, might lead society to sleepwalk towards a possible future disaster, which might destroy second-cycle education, and possibly dislocate our national economy on top too.
One hopes, therefore, that the discerning and independent-minded Ghanaian patriots, whose crucial swing-votes now determine who becomes Ghana's president, will step back and make up their minds that they will prevent a gigantic fraud being perpetrated on ordinary people in Ghana.
If the uncharitable in our midst are right about them, then those they describe as "ruthless and determined politicians", who they allege care precious little about the education of ordinary people, but are nonetheless using the promise of free secondary education as a clever campaign-carrot ploy, to enable them win power, ought to be prevented from succeeding in their cynical aim, at all costs.
Let this culled story about the shortcomings of education in Nigeria, serve as a warning of what possibly awaits ordinary Ghanaians in the not too distant future - if decent and independent-minded people are prevented from demanding answers to the troubling question of how we will fund free second-cycle education in Ghana on a sustainable basis, and, above all, precisely how much it will cost our nation over the first four years. Please read on:
"A £230 million British aid programme to support schools in Nigeria has failed to produce any major improvement in pupil learning, the development watchdog said today.
By Telegraph reporters
6:00AM GMT 20 Nov 2012
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) said the UK's education programme in Nigeria was being undermined by a shortage of effective teachers and a lack of support from local state governments.
On its system traffic light ratings, the commission ranked the scheme amber-red - the second lowest rating - indicating "significant improvements" were required.
To date, the Department for International Development (Dfid) has spent £102 million on supporting education in 10 of Nigeria's 36 states, with a further £126 million committed to 2019.
However, the commission found that around a third of the eligible children - an estimated 3.7 million - were still not in school, while those that were received little by way of education.
"We are concerned by the very high numbers of out-of-school children and the very poor learning outcomes in nine of the 10 Nigerian states supported by Dfid," it said.
"Dfid's education programme in Nigeria operates in a very challenging environment, with too few effective teachers, poor infrastructure and unpredictable state funding all contributing to poor learning outcomes for pupils in basic education.
"Our review indicates no major improvement in pupil learning."
The findings will further add to the pressure on ministers over the aid budget, with many Tory MPs strongly opposed to David Cameron's commitment to maintain overseas aid at a time of spending cuts at home.
ICAI chief commissioner Graham Ward said: "The communities we spoke to in Nigeria want their children to become self-reliant by learning to read and write.
"In our view, Dfid's programmes will only become sustainable when they can routinely help to unlock state governments' budgets to fund the required improvements both adequately and equitably."
A spokesman for Dfid said: "This was a limited enquiry in that the team only visited one per cent of schools, most of which were in only one state in Nigeria, and they did not take into account the most recent evidence of the projects' progress. However, we will carefully review the report's recommendations and respond in due course."
End of culled Daily Telegraph report.
Whiles a very good and progressive idea, it is essential, dear reader, that no political party is allowed to get to power in Ghana, promising free secondary education, without thoroughly explaining exactly what the "free" in its promised free second-cycle education policy proposal consists of, precisely how much it will cost our nation over a 4-year period and from whence those funds will be sourced. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Food For Thought For Self-Righteous Ghanaian Pastors?
Author's note:
This was written on 20/11/2012. It is being posted today because I was unable to do so on the day. It subsequently appeared on Vibeghana.com and Ghanaweb.com. Please read on:
Listening to a pastor issuing veiled threats on an Accra FM radio station yesterday, implying that Christian pastors in Ghana would use the numbers making up their congregations against a political party - some of whose extremist members' campaign activities had incurred the wrath of Pastor Otabil - on election day, an old wag I know, expressed his disappointment at the turn of events.
By definition, pastors ought to be infinitely wise, open-minded and forgiving. Pastor Mensah Otabil, a very wise man, obviously meant it when he said he had left the matter in God's hands.
And what better hands to leave punishment for the machinations of one's detractors, than those of God Almighty, I ask?
In the view of the old wag, it is most unfortunate that some pastors have now apparently forgotten that President Mills came to power after the December 2008 presidential election, precisely because a majority of the Ghanaian electorate had become fed up with the unfathomable greed and amoral behaviour of some of the leading lights of the then ruling regime, led by Mills' predecessor as president.
He wondered if those indignant pastors ever passed judgement on any of those whose "insensitivity and unparalleled selfishness, created a dog-eat-dog society in our country, in which a few hundred politically well-connected individuals, exploited the national economy for private gain, at the expense of the rest of the Ghanaian populace: in the halcyon days of the golden-age-of-business-for-a-
One can only hope, dear reader, that in this matter, God will touch the hearts of some of those pastors in Ghana, who focus exclusively on materialism, instead of helping members of their congregations' to build good characters.
If they did that perhaps ours would become the sort of moral society, free of corruption, and in which extremist politicians whose campaign tactics is underpinned by Goebbels-style sophistry, would think twice before embarking on the sort of activities that raised the ire of Pastor Mensah Otabil, for fear of attracting public opprobrium.
Rather than demonising whole political parties, as punishment for the transgression of their more extremist members, pastors in Ghana must be more even-handed and less judgemental, when commenting on national affairs.
Pastors must never forget that ordinary Ghanaians will not experience a period of rule by saints, whichever political party wins power after the December 2012 elections.
And lest they forget, pastors in Ghana must also remember that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is as full of selfish and amoral self-seekers lurking in the shadows, as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is.
Above all, after the elections, a moral society will not emerge in Ghana - one in which God-fearing pastors focus on character-building, instead of encouraging unbridled avarice - with endless sermons that encourage crass materialism dressed up as heavenly blessings.
Regardless of which of the two biggest political parties in Ghana wins power after the December elections, it is inevitable that we will continue to have an opaque system riddled with high-level corruption, in which the self-interest of a powerful few with greedy ambitions, determine our nation's destiny.
Alas, that is the reality of our times - and as the old wag I know pondered: "Kofi, food for thought for self-righteous Ghanaian pastors, perhaps?" A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
This was written on 20/11/2012. It is being posted today because I was unable to do so on the day. It subsequently appeared on Vibeghana.com and Ghanaweb.com. Please read on:
Listening to a pastor issuing veiled threats on an Accra FM radio station yesterday, implying that Christian pastors in Ghana would use the numbers making up their congregations against a political party - some of whose extremist members' campaign activities had incurred the wrath of Pastor Otabil - on election day, an old wag I know, expressed his disappointment at the turn of events.
By definition, pastors ought to be infinitely wise, open-minded and forgiving. Pastor Mensah Otabil, a very wise man, obviously meant it when he said he had left the matter in God's hands.
And what better hands to leave punishment for the machinations of one's detractors, than those of God Almighty, I ask?
In the view of the old wag, it is most unfortunate that some pastors have now apparently forgotten that President Mills came to power after the December 2008 presidential election, precisely because a majority of the Ghanaian electorate had become fed up with the unfathomable greed and amoral behaviour of some of the leading lights of the then ruling regime, led by Mills' predecessor as president.
He wondered if those indignant pastors ever passed judgement on any of those whose "insensitivity and unparalleled selfishness, created a dog-eat-dog society in our country, in which a few hundred politically well-connected individuals, exploited the national economy for private gain, at the expense of the rest of the Ghanaian populace: in the halcyon days of the golden-age-of-business-for-a-
One can only hope, dear reader, that in this matter, God will touch the hearts of some of those pastors in Ghana, who focus exclusively on materialism, instead of helping members of their congregations' to build good characters.
If they did that perhaps ours would become the sort of moral society, free of corruption, and in which extremist politicians whose campaign tactics is underpinned by Goebbels-style sophistry, would think twice before embarking on the sort of activities that raised the ire of Pastor Mensah Otabil, for fear of attracting public opprobrium.
Rather than demonising whole political parties, as punishment for the transgression of their more extremist members, pastors in Ghana must be more even-handed and less judgemental, when commenting on national affairs.
Pastors must never forget that ordinary Ghanaians will not experience a period of rule by saints, whichever political party wins power after the December 2012 elections.
And lest they forget, pastors in Ghana must also remember that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is as full of selfish and amoral self-seekers lurking in the shadows, as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is.
Above all, after the elections, a moral society will not emerge in Ghana - one in which God-fearing pastors focus on character-building, instead of encouraging unbridled avarice - with endless sermons that encourage crass materialism dressed up as heavenly blessings.
Regardless of which of the two biggest political parties in Ghana wins power after the December elections, it is inevitable that we will continue to have an opaque system riddled with high-level corruption, in which the self-interest of a powerful few with greedy ambitions, determine our nation's destiny.
Alas, that is the reality of our times - and as the old wag I know pondered: "Kofi, food for thought for self-righteous Ghanaian pastors, perhaps?" A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Do Not Encourage Galamsey In Ecologically-sensitive Areas Like The Atewa Range Upland Evergreen Rain Forest
It is most unfortunate that in their bid to win power, some politicians
are promising those involved in illegal surface gold mining - galamsey -
that were they to come to power after the December 2012 elections, they
will not clamp down on what is an illegal activity responsible for
the destruction of the natural environment, in vast swathes of the
Ghanaian countryside.
It is time Ghana's hard-of-hearing politicians understood clearly that at a time of global climate change, the natural environment in ecologically-sensitive areas like the Atewa Range upland evergreen rain forest, must be protected and preserved at all costs.
From the point of view of creating jobs, would it not be far better for our nation, if a viable way could be found that will enable the big multinational gold mining companies to exploit part of their concessions, by outsourcing the work to self-employed galamsey miners: whose work could be more closely monitored that way?
Akyem Abuakwa - where the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) presidential candidate Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo's late mother's family hail from - used to have some of the most beautiful countryside in Ghana.
Alas, today, a large part of an area of outstanding natural beauty, which potentially could become a leading eco-tourism destination in Africa, has been more or less destroyed by the ruinous and criminal activities of illegal surface gold miners and loggers.
Let our nation's leaders understand clearly, once and for all, that at a time of global climate change it is imperative that Ghana abandons all plans to mine bauxite and gold in the Atewa Range upland evergreen rain forest. Community-based eco-tourism is a viable and sustainable alternative to mining in that area.
Life as we presently know it will become impossible to sustain, were the three major river systems that take their headwaters from that part of our nation - and on which much of urban and rural southern Ghana depend on for their drinking water supply - to dry up.
At a time when global climate change is impacting the Ghanaian countryside negatively, it is vital that political parties in our country understand the importance of protecting what is left of our nation's forest cover.
For the sake of present and future generations, galamsey activities should neither be encouraged nor tolerated, in ecologically sensitive areas, such as the Atewa range upland evergreen rain forest - an area designated a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA). A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.
It is time Ghana's hard-of-hearing politicians understood clearly that at a time of global climate change, the natural environment in ecologically-sensitive areas like the Atewa Range upland evergreen rain forest, must be protected and preserved at all costs.
From the point of view of creating jobs, would it not be far better for our nation, if a viable way could be found that will enable the big multinational gold mining companies to exploit part of their concessions, by outsourcing the work to self-employed galamsey miners: whose work could be more closely monitored that way?
Akyem Abuakwa - where the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) presidential candidate Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo's late mother's family hail from - used to have some of the most beautiful countryside in Ghana.
Alas, today, a large part of an area of outstanding natural beauty, which potentially could become a leading eco-tourism destination in Africa, has been more or less destroyed by the ruinous and criminal activities of illegal surface gold miners and loggers.
Let our nation's leaders understand clearly, once and for all, that at a time of global climate change it is imperative that Ghana abandons all plans to mine bauxite and gold in the Atewa Range upland evergreen rain forest. Community-based eco-tourism is a viable and sustainable alternative to mining in that area.
Life as we presently know it will become impossible to sustain, were the three major river systems that take their headwaters from that part of our nation - and on which much of urban and rural southern Ghana depend on for their drinking water supply - to dry up.
At a time when global climate change is impacting the Ghanaian countryside negatively, it is vital that political parties in our country understand the importance of protecting what is left of our nation's forest cover.
For the sake of present and future generations, galamsey activities should neither be encouraged nor tolerated, in ecologically sensitive areas, such as the Atewa range upland evergreen rain forest - an area designated a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA). A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.
Ghana Mourns Former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama
Author's note:
This piece was written on the day former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama passed away. It is being posted today because I was unable to do so at the time - although it was posted on Vibeghana.com and Ghanaweb.com not too long after his death was officially announced.
Please read on:
One commiserates with the immediate and extended family members of former Vice President Aliu Mahama, whose untimely death was announced today.
One is pretty sure that the general consensus in Ghana, will be that on balance, former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama was a good and decent gentleman.
Naturally, the cynics amongst us would also say that he was a man who was hard done by his New Patriotic Party (NPP) - which showed him disrespect by not allowing him to succeed President Kufuor as its presidential candidate for the December 2008 election.
Those selfsame cynics will also insist that had he hailed from the southern part of Ghana, and had his name been Barimah Osei Prempeh, for example, Alhaji Aliu Mahama's party would have gone to great length to ensure that he was automatically chosen by his party, to lead it, after President Kufuor's two-term tenure.
Whatever be the case, former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama deserves the state funeral he is getting tomorrow. He did his best for Mother Ghana, as vice-president.
He was a simple man, who despite his considerable wealth, was always humble and down to earth - and, notably, was never infected by the unfathomable-greed-bug that soiled the record of so many of his upper-echelon party colleagues, during the NPP's tenure.
It is fit and proper that a state of mourning has been declared by President John Dramani Mahama, as Ghana mourns a decent politician who in his time served his country to the best of his abilities. May his soul rest in peace - and may the Almighty Allah grant him a place in paradise.
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
This piece was written on the day former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama passed away. It is being posted today because I was unable to do so at the time - although it was posted on Vibeghana.com and Ghanaweb.com not too long after his death was officially announced.
Please read on:
One commiserates with the immediate and extended family members of former Vice President Aliu Mahama, whose untimely death was announced today.
One is pretty sure that the general consensus in Ghana, will be that on balance, former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama was a good and decent gentleman.
Naturally, the cynics amongst us would also say that he was a man who was hard done by his New Patriotic Party (NPP) - which showed him disrespect by not allowing him to succeed President Kufuor as its presidential candidate for the December 2008 election.
Those selfsame cynics will also insist that had he hailed from the southern part of Ghana, and had his name been Barimah Osei Prempeh, for example, Alhaji Aliu Mahama's party would have gone to great length to ensure that he was automatically chosen by his party, to lead it, after President Kufuor's two-term tenure.
Whatever be the case, former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama deserves the state funeral he is getting tomorrow. He did his best for Mother Ghana, as vice-president.
He was a simple man, who despite his considerable wealth, was always humble and down to earth - and, notably, was never infected by the unfathomable-greed-bug that soiled the record of so many of his upper-echelon party colleagues, during the NPP's tenure.
It is fit and proper that a state of mourning has been declared by President John Dramani Mahama, as Ghana mourns a decent politician who in his time served his country to the best of his abilities. May his soul rest in peace - and may the Almighty Allah grant him a place in paradise.
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Could Technology-Enabled Learning Hold The Key To Providing Quality Free Education In Ghana?
Today, dear reader, I am reproducing an article that highlights the
possibilities that technology-enabled learning offers our nation, as it
strives to provide quality free education - from kindergarten to
tertiary level - for the younger generation of Ghanaians.
One hopes that all the political parties in Ghana will focus on how the use of digital devices such as tablet computers, could help our country provide quality free education from kindergarten to tertiary level, to all Ghanaians with the aptitude to study - at a fraction of the cost of providing education through the traditional bricks-and-mortar method.
Entitled "The World's Cheapest Tablet Unveiled", the article was posted on Wealth Wire by Adam English, in the website's Monday, November 12th, 2012 edition. Please read on:
"While the world waits on bated breath for any news about Apple tablets, a small UK firm named Datawind just announced the world's cheapest Tablet.
While a top of the line IPad with the much-touted retina display costs a whopping $829.00, the new UbiSlate 7Ci will cost a mere $64.00. Students in India will be able to take advantage of a subsidy that lowers the price to $24.65.
The Aakash tablets have been developed through a public-private partnership to make computing technology available to Indian students. Internet usage is only at around 10% in the country, which leaves many students at a disadvantage as they move into the workforce.
Indian president Pranab Mukherjee personally launched the tablet while highlighting the importance of putting computing devices in the hands of hundreds of millions of students over the coming five years.
"Technology-enabled learning is a very important aspect of education," Mukherjee said. "This must be adapted to our specific needs and introduced expeditiously in all educational institutions across the country."
Unlike its predecessor from a year ago, the new tablet received widespread praise from the 15,000 teachers already trained on the device. Positive reviews are also popping up in the media.
The original model was slow, plagued by delivery delays and widely panned as an outdated and poorly designed tablet.
The first 100,000 will be provided directly to students at engineering universities and colleges. After the first batch, the new tablets will go on sale at university and college stores around India
While the tablet is not competitive with top-of-the-line tablets, it is more than capable of handling the needs of students and casual users.
The tablet run on the latest Android 4 platform and feature a 7 inch 800x480 capacitive display, 1 Ghz processor and 512 MB of DDR3 Ram. The device will store 4 GB of data internally and will be compatible with a 32 GB small external drive.
For internet access, a Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n card will guarantee compatibility with the latest wireless routers.
It even comes with a USB cable and a 4 port USB hub will allow it to communicate directly with more traditional computers."
End of culled Wealth Wire article by Adam English.
As a people, dear reader, there is nothing we cannot do, if we are creative in our thinking.
Providing quality free education from kindergarten to tertiary level, need not bankrupt our nation. We have the Indian example to guide us.
Could we not educate millions by making e-textbooks available to all those in our educational institutions, and outside of those institutions - and also providing them with broadband wireless internet access? Ditto providing wi-fi for all educational institutions in our country?
Perhaps by involving all the telecommunications companies in Ghana, and Google - through the use of tax incentives - our ruling elites may yet discover that indeed technology-enabled learning, could well hold the key to providing quality free education in Ghana.
A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
One hopes that all the political parties in Ghana will focus on how the use of digital devices such as tablet computers, could help our country provide quality free education from kindergarten to tertiary level, to all Ghanaians with the aptitude to study - at a fraction of the cost of providing education through the traditional bricks-and-mortar method.
Entitled "The World's Cheapest Tablet Unveiled", the article was posted on Wealth Wire by Adam English, in the website's Monday, November 12th, 2012 edition. Please read on:
"While the world waits on bated breath for any news about Apple tablets, a small UK firm named Datawind just announced the world's cheapest Tablet.
While a top of the line IPad with the much-touted retina display costs a whopping $829.00, the new UbiSlate 7Ci will cost a mere $64.00. Students in India will be able to take advantage of a subsidy that lowers the price to $24.65.
The Aakash tablets have been developed through a public-private partnership to make computing technology available to Indian students. Internet usage is only at around 10% in the country, which leaves many students at a disadvantage as they move into the workforce.
Indian president Pranab Mukherjee personally launched the tablet while highlighting the importance of putting computing devices in the hands of hundreds of millions of students over the coming five years.
"Technology-enabled learning is a very important aspect of education," Mukherjee said. "This must be adapted to our specific needs and introduced expeditiously in all educational institutions across the country."
Unlike its predecessor from a year ago, the new tablet received widespread praise from the 15,000 teachers already trained on the device. Positive reviews are also popping up in the media.
The original model was slow, plagued by delivery delays and widely panned as an outdated and poorly designed tablet.
The first 100,000 will be provided directly to students at engineering universities and colleges. After the first batch, the new tablets will go on sale at university and college stores around India
While the tablet is not competitive with top-of-the-line tablets, it is more than capable of handling the needs of students and casual users.
The tablet run on the latest Android 4 platform and feature a 7 inch 800x480 capacitive display, 1 Ghz processor and 512 MB of DDR3 Ram. The device will store 4 GB of data internally and will be compatible with a 32 GB small external drive.
For internet access, a Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n card will guarantee compatibility with the latest wireless routers.
It even comes with a USB cable and a 4 port USB hub will allow it to communicate directly with more traditional computers."
End of culled Wealth Wire article by Adam English.
As a people, dear reader, there is nothing we cannot do, if we are creative in our thinking.
Providing quality free education from kindergarten to tertiary level, need not bankrupt our nation. We have the Indian example to guide us.
Could we not educate millions by making e-textbooks available to all those in our educational institutions, and outside of those institutions - and also providing them with broadband wireless internet access? Ditto providing wi-fi for all educational institutions in our country?
Perhaps by involving all the telecommunications companies in Ghana, and Google - through the use of tax incentives - our ruling elites may yet discover that indeed technology-enabled learning, could well hold the key to providing quality free education in Ghana.
A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
The Achimota Melcom Tragedy Must Change Our Attitude To Building Regulations
One's heart goes out to the families of all those who died and were
injured, when the building housing the Achimota Melcom superstore
collapsed.
An inquiry into this disaster is crucial. It is important that the authorities learn important lessons from this tragedy - and ensure that they are incorporated in Ghana's building code.
One wonders whether the filling-in that was done when the section of the Achimota-Ofankor highway that runs in front of the collapsed building was being constructed, might somehow be a contributory factor to the tragedy.
Perhaps it might be prudent to carry out an inspection of all the nearby buildings, to avert another tragedy - if the ground in the area isn't properly drained and thus soaking up run-off storm-water.
Those public officials charged with enforcing building regulations must carry out their work more diligently - as such tragedies will be averted if they carried out on-site inspections more frequently during the construction of buildings in Ghana.
The Achimota Melcom superstore tragedy must change the attitude of all stakeholders in the building industry, to building regulations in Ghana. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com.
An inquiry into this disaster is crucial. It is important that the authorities learn important lessons from this tragedy - and ensure that they are incorporated in Ghana's building code.
One wonders whether the filling-in that was done when the section of the Achimota-Ofankor highway that runs in front of the collapsed building was being constructed, might somehow be a contributory factor to the tragedy.
Perhaps it might be prudent to carry out an inspection of all the nearby buildings, to avert another tragedy - if the ground in the area isn't properly drained and thus soaking up run-off storm-water.
Those public officials charged with enforcing building regulations must carry out their work more diligently - as such tragedies will be averted if they carried out on-site inspections more frequently during the construction of buildings in Ghana.
The Achimota Melcom superstore tragedy must change the attitude of all stakeholders in the building industry, to building regulations in Ghana. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com.
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
We Must Pay Those Who Serve In The Judiciary, Legislature & The Executive Well
It is understandable that in a nation in which there are huge
disparities in wealth, any increase in the salaries of judges,
parliamentarians and members of the executive branch of government,
will be frowned on by many ordinary people struggling to survive on a daily basis.
However, if we are serious about fighting high-level corruption and the wealthy criminal syndicates destroying our natural heritage and our social fabric, it is necessary that judges, parliamentarians, the president and those who serve in his administration are paid well.
Though not perfect, democracy is preferable to any other form of government known to humankind - and it does not come cheap.
If we expect those who act as stewards of our nation's wealth, write the laws that govern us and interpret them, to do their work without fear or favour, then we must ensure that they are well-paid and have secure and good pension benefits.
The more responsible sections of the Ghanaian media ought to play a leading role in helping to make ordinary people understand the importance and necessity of ensuring that judges, parliamentarians, the president and those serving in his administration are paid well.
A democracy under assault by international drug traffickers and powerful local criminal-syndicates, cannot afford not to pay those who govern it, well. For that reason, let us keep envy and populism out of this vital matter.
Paying judges, parliamentarians, the president and those who serve in his administration, well, will help preserve our free and peaceful society. A word to the wise.
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
However, if we are serious about fighting high-level corruption and the wealthy criminal syndicates destroying our natural heritage and our social fabric, it is necessary that judges, parliamentarians, the president and those who serve in his administration are paid well.
Though not perfect, democracy is preferable to any other form of government known to humankind - and it does not come cheap.
If we expect those who act as stewards of our nation's wealth, write the laws that govern us and interpret them, to do their work without fear or favour, then we must ensure that they are well-paid and have secure and good pension benefits.
The more responsible sections of the Ghanaian media ought to play a leading role in helping to make ordinary people understand the importance and necessity of ensuring that judges, parliamentarians, the president and those serving in his administration are paid well.
A democracy under assault by international drug traffickers and powerful local criminal-syndicates, cannot afford not to pay those who govern it, well. For that reason, let us keep envy and populism out of this vital matter.
Paying judges, parliamentarians, the president and those who serve in his administration, well, will help preserve our free and peaceful society. A word to the wise.
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Those Conspiring To Hijack It: Hands Off Plot B90 La bone!
Since my conscience will not allow me to remain silent, in the face
of a blatant attempt to deprive an old widow of 86, of her
property (plot No. B90, Labone), I am firing off this
if-the-cap-fits-wear-it-piece to warn those attempting this outrage.
I am doing so, because the recounting of her
plight by an elderly pensioner (aged 86) - who seventeen years or
so ago was made to sign a document that effectively deprived her of her own
house at Labone for over a decade and a half, because of her kind-heartedness -
moved me to tears.
That shabby story, illustrates perfectly how so many
Ghanaian professionals aren't guided by the ethics of their profession in their
everyday dealings with ordinary people.
How would one describe individuals who choose to
repay an honest woman who gave out her own house to save
their business - without a pesewa being paid her in compensation for her
extraordinary act of kindness - by yet again asking her to sign away the
remainder of the government-granted 99-year lease for no compensation, when the
property leased by her to save their business, ought to have reverted to
her two years ago: the lease having expired for that length of time?
That 86 year old pensioner, is now in an agitated
state and highly stressed - because she has been handed the most outrageous
legal document covering the purchase of a leasehold, that I have ever
come across, to sign.
It appears that the period for the leasing of her
Labone property - which she was made to sign years ago without her
being told the full implication of what she was doing - has now
lapsed.
Yet, she is being asked to sign away the rest of the
remainder of the 99 year lease - again without any financial compensation
whatsoever.
Naturally, the brave old lady refuses to sign away her
property yet again, at what is the evening of her life. She is adamant that her
signature will never be appended to that monstrous document.
So, for now, dear reader, I am asking the
people involved in this shabby story of unfathomable greed and unparalleled
ruthlessness, to immediately cease what amounts to the mental torture of a
helpless old lady of 86, and ensure that the noble lady gets her property at
plot B90 Labone back immediately.
Though I am loathe to do so, they must know that if need be,
I will not hesitate to ensure that the whole world gets to know
the identities of people who should be protecting of widows and orphans - but
as we speak are rather attempting what effectively amounts to the
defrauding of an old widow: in a conspiracy to
deprive her of her property situated at plot B90, Labone.
To each one of them, I simply say: Hands
off plot B90, Labone! A word to
the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Ghana's Burgeoning Middle Class Must Get Off The Fence - & Speak Out More Against Bad Leadership
According to a conspiracy theorist I encountered the other day, were
our system as transparent and our society one that frowned on
corruption, perhaps Ghana would be as free of corruption as Botswana is.
In his view, it is precisely because our system is opaque and principled individuals often regarded as awkward customers, in a society that worships wealth - regardless of how it is acquired - that high-level corruption persists in Ghana.
To him, it is instructive that to date not a single presidential candidate has publicly published his net worth (and that of his spouse). And neither has any political party revealed the sources of party funds.
That political parties can get away with ignoring this fundamental 21st century transparency requirement, says a lot about the byzantine nature of our national life, according to him.
He was adamant that as things stand, should there be a change in government after the December 7th 2012 presidential election, the only thing that will change is that a new ruling party will replace the previous regime and become the recipient of the munificence of the wealthy and ruthless special-interests for whose benefit he believes the Ghanaian nation-state now exists.
And under the guise of public private partnerships, he predicts that our nation's wealth will gradually be transferred to the powerful few with greedy ambitions - to whom our political class and the parties they belong to are all beholden, and whose ambition is to own our homeland Ghana.
In the process, those with access to the president, and some of the leading lights in the new ruling party will grow super-rich - advancing the interests of the few faceless and powerful individuals who actually control our nation's destiny - regardless of what our rulers say in public.
It may be a rather cynical view of our country, but it is a snapshot of what the post-Nkrumah Ghanaian nation-state has become.
It is said that when good people shun serving their nation, it often falls into the hands of those who do not deserve to lead it. Food for thought for Ghana's burgeoning middle class perhaps.
They ought to get off the fence and speak out more about what goes on in Ghana - and demand competent leadership from those at the helm of affairs in our country. Let them take a leaf from Pastor Otabil's book. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
In his view, it is precisely because our system is opaque and principled individuals often regarded as awkward customers, in a society that worships wealth - regardless of how it is acquired - that high-level corruption persists in Ghana.
To him, it is instructive that to date not a single presidential candidate has publicly published his net worth (and that of his spouse). And neither has any political party revealed the sources of party funds.
That political parties can get away with ignoring this fundamental 21st century transparency requirement, says a lot about the byzantine nature of our national life, according to him.
He was adamant that as things stand, should there be a change in government after the December 7th 2012 presidential election, the only thing that will change is that a new ruling party will replace the previous regime and become the recipient of the munificence of the wealthy and ruthless special-interests for whose benefit he believes the Ghanaian nation-state now exists.
And under the guise of public private partnerships, he predicts that our nation's wealth will gradually be transferred to the powerful few with greedy ambitions - to whom our political class and the parties they belong to are all beholden, and whose ambition is to own our homeland Ghana.
In the process, those with access to the president, and some of the leading lights in the new ruling party will grow super-rich - advancing the interests of the few faceless and powerful individuals who actually control our nation's destiny - regardless of what our rulers say in public.
It may be a rather cynical view of our country, but it is a snapshot of what the post-Nkrumah Ghanaian nation-state has become.
It is said that when good people shun serving their nation, it often falls into the hands of those who do not deserve to lead it. Food for thought for Ghana's burgeoning middle class perhaps.
They ought to get off the fence and speak out more about what goes on in Ghana - and demand competent leadership from those at the helm of affairs in our country. Let them take a leaf from Pastor Otabil's book. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Was Pastor Otabil's Recent Intervention In Ghanaian Politics Suicidal?
That those in the sectors of the national economy that are booming,
are doing pretty well for themselves, can be seen in the many brand new
vehicles clogging roads in urban Ghana; the many gated-communities
springing up in our major cities and the plethora of shops selling a
conurcopia of fast-moving expensive goods in cities and towns across
Ghana.
Parents from this Ghanaian demographic, prefer to invest in the best possible education available in Ghana (and elsewhere), for their offspring.
In speaking out against "free" education, Pastor Mensa Otabil - who has worked his way up from a poor background to join this elite group in Ghanaian society - was merely expressing what many in this group of well-off Ghanaians think and say in private.
That is why reputable fee-paying tertiary institutions like Pastor Otabil's own Central University College, and the Aseshi University, do not have enough places for all those wishing to be educated in them.
Alas, those who have been left behind as some sectors of the Ghanaian economy boom, haven't been so lucky.
For those unlucky souls, life is incredibly tough. Sadly, it is this group of Ghanaians who are most likely to fall prey to the wiles of the cynical politicians making empty promises that they know very well are unlikely to be kept, once they are in power.
Yes, a developing nation with aspirations - such as the Republic of Ghana - cannot afford not to have free education from kindergarten to tertiary level for all its citizens who have the aptitude to study.
However, it is imperative that voters insist that political parties committed to offering free education - to any level in the educational system - point to a credible and sustainable funding source, before deciding which way to cast their vote.
Free education is far from being inexpensive. Ghanaians will have to make enormous sacrifices, to enable such a policy to be successfully implemented, on a long-term basis.
It will be disastrous for Ghana, if the usual recourse to implementing what the New Patriotic Party (NPP) often refers to as "social intervention policies", without first securing a sustainable funding source (as they are wont to, in such cases), is applied to implementing its "free" senior high school policy proposal.
The consequences would be dire for second-cycle education in Ghana, and apart from destroying it, could even end up dislocating our national economy on top too.
That the NPP hasn't a clue how much "free secondary education" will actually cost Ghana over the four years it will be in office for, were its presidential candidate to be elected on December 7th, should be obvious to any discerning and independent-minded observer.
It really is intolerable that because our nation is cursed with being saddled with millions of gullible "My-party-my-tribe-right-or-
It is no use saying funds for its "free" secondary education policy proposal will come from oil revenues, when the NPP is perfectly aware that the bulk of the relatively paltry sums we earn from that source - because our leaders signed some of the worst oil production agreements in the world, during the selfsame NPP's tenure - are already more or less committed to the repayment of sundry loans.
Perhaps in what some see as an unwarranted intervention by him in Ghanaian politics, Pastor Otabil may have done our nation a world of good, in saying what he did about the "free" secondary education policy proposal.
Ghana is a nation full of fence-sitting moral cowards. There are many who will say that he was being suicidal in saying what he did - in terms of incurring the wrath of those who some accuse of using what they know is an empty promise, to win power in the December polls.
However, far from that, Pastor Otabil has earned the gratitude and respect of many well-meaning Ghanaians - a majority of who want a sensible national conversation about how best to fund "free" secondary education in Ghana on a sustainable basis before the December elections.
Tel: 027 745 3109.
peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Parents from this Ghanaian demographic, prefer to invest in the best possible education available in Ghana (and elsewhere), for their offspring.
In speaking out against "free" education, Pastor Mensa Otabil - who has worked his way up from a poor background to join this elite group in Ghanaian society - was merely expressing what many in this group of well-off Ghanaians think and say in private.
That is why reputable fee-paying tertiary institutions like Pastor Otabil's own Central University College, and the Aseshi University, do not have enough places for all those wishing to be educated in them.
Alas, those who have been left behind as some sectors of the Ghanaian economy boom, haven't been so lucky.
For those unlucky souls, life is incredibly tough. Sadly, it is this group of Ghanaians who are most likely to fall prey to the wiles of the cynical politicians making empty promises that they know very well are unlikely to be kept, once they are in power.
Yes, a developing nation with aspirations - such as the Republic of Ghana - cannot afford not to have free education from kindergarten to tertiary level for all its citizens who have the aptitude to study.
However, it is imperative that voters insist that political parties committed to offering free education - to any level in the educational system - point to a credible and sustainable funding source, before deciding which way to cast their vote.
Free education is far from being inexpensive. Ghanaians will have to make enormous sacrifices, to enable such a policy to be successfully implemented, on a long-term basis.
It will be disastrous for Ghana, if the usual recourse to implementing what the New Patriotic Party (NPP) often refers to as "social intervention policies", without first securing a sustainable funding source (as they are wont to, in such cases), is applied to implementing its "free" senior high school policy proposal.
The consequences would be dire for second-cycle education in Ghana, and apart from destroying it, could even end up dislocating our national economy on top too.
That the NPP hasn't a clue how much "free secondary education" will actually cost Ghana over the four years it will be in office for, were its presidential candidate to be elected on December 7th, should be obvious to any discerning and independent-minded observer.
It really is intolerable that because our nation is cursed with being saddled with millions of gullible "My-party-my-tribe-right-or-
It is no use saying funds for its "free" secondary education policy proposal will come from oil revenues, when the NPP is perfectly aware that the bulk of the relatively paltry sums we earn from that source - because our leaders signed some of the worst oil production agreements in the world, during the selfsame NPP's tenure - are already more or less committed to the repayment of sundry loans.
Perhaps in what some see as an unwarranted intervention by him in Ghanaian politics, Pastor Otabil may have done our nation a world of good, in saying what he did about the "free" secondary education policy proposal.
Ghana is a nation full of fence-sitting moral cowards. There are many who will say that he was being suicidal in saying what he did - in terms of incurring the wrath of those who some accuse of using what they know is an empty promise, to win power in the December polls.
However, far from that, Pastor Otabil has earned the gratitude and respect of many well-meaning Ghanaians - a majority of who want a sensible national conversation about how best to fund "free" secondary education in Ghana on a sustainable basis before the December elections.
Tel: 027 745 3109.
peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Friday, 26 October 2012
Ghana's Political Class Must Work Closer Together - To Make Ghana Prosperous
Ghana's middle classes are incredibly hard-working and dynamic.
Across the country, the small and medium-scale enterprises they own and run, employ thousands of ordinary people - whose wages enable them support their families.
Our dynamic middle classes deserve exemplary leadership from our political class.
That is why the time has come for Ghana's politicians to be less confrontational and start working closer together - in order to make the enterprise Ghana a more efficient and competitive African nation-state.
It is only when our country is truly competitive and efficient that it can become prosperous.
Why should Ghana not have the lowest corporate tax rates in Africa, for example, I ask?
And what catastrophe would befall our nation, if we abolished personal income tax, to put more money in the pockets of workers? Would that not be incentive enough to boost productivity in Ghana, I ask?
Will cross-party cooperation not provide the political will to cut down endless bureaucratic red tape and remove the web of restrictive regulation that no longer serve any purpose in today's competitive world?
If Ghana's politicians worked closer together to further the national interest, could all the above not be done in record time, dear reader?
And would many companies not move their African headquarters here to take advantage of such a business-friendly climate?
If taxes on businesses were the lowest in Africa, for example, surely that will make the many informal sector business entities that are currently not paying their fair share of taxes, feel obliged to do so?
It simply does not make sense for those hard-working private individuals who contribute so much to wealth-creation in Ghana, to be constantly hampered by the public-sector's inefficiencies.
If our political class worked closer to create a more conducive climate for the private sector, Ghana will grow at a much quicker pace - and the real economy will expand faster to create more jobs for the younger generation: who hold the key to Ghana's future. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Across the country, the small and medium-scale enterprises they own and run, employ thousands of ordinary people - whose wages enable them support their families.
Our dynamic middle classes deserve exemplary leadership from our political class.
That is why the time has come for Ghana's politicians to be less confrontational and start working closer together - in order to make the enterprise Ghana a more efficient and competitive African nation-state.
It is only when our country is truly competitive and efficient that it can become prosperous.
Why should Ghana not have the lowest corporate tax rates in Africa, for example, I ask?
And what catastrophe would befall our nation, if we abolished personal income tax, to put more money in the pockets of workers? Would that not be incentive enough to boost productivity in Ghana, I ask?
Will cross-party cooperation not provide the political will to cut down endless bureaucratic red tape and remove the web of restrictive regulation that no longer serve any purpose in today's competitive world?
If Ghana's politicians worked closer together to further the national interest, could all the above not be done in record time, dear reader?
And would many companies not move their African headquarters here to take advantage of such a business-friendly climate?
If taxes on businesses were the lowest in Africa, for example, surely that will make the many informal sector business entities that are currently not paying their fair share of taxes, feel obliged to do so?
It simply does not make sense for those hard-working private individuals who contribute so much to wealth-creation in Ghana, to be constantly hampered by the public-sector's inefficiencies.
If our political class worked closer to create a more conducive climate for the private sector, Ghana will grow at a much quicker pace - and the real economy will expand faster to create more jobs for the younger generation: who hold the key to Ghana's future. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
We Must Never Accept What Politicians Say At Face Value
Every time a political party comes up with a policy proposal that will
benefit ordinary people, we must commend them for it, to encourage the
other parties to do same too.
That is why it is gratifying that at long last, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has finally come up with a policy proposal for which they will not have to resort to Kweku-Ananse-economics, in order to try and justify.
That is because it is a policy proposal that is actually doable and feasible, and, above all, just the sort of policy proposal that will impress an important Ghanaian demographic: the nation's small crop of independent-minded, patriotic and discerning individuals whose crucial swing-votes now decide who becomes Ghana's president.
In a nation in which the two biggest political parties, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), can almost always rely on the support of millions of "My-party-my-tribe-right-or-
And luckily for Mother Ghana, those independent-minded and patriotic citizens, are also very much aware of the fact that there is only so much available to the government of the day, by way of tax revenues, to enable it implement its developmental agenda.
They are also aware that a large chunk of those revenues invariably go into the payment of public-sector employees and to ensure that the machinery of state functions effectively.
It is this awareness of how little room for manoeuvre there is for every government, budget-wise, which makes such individuals doubt the sincerity of those politicians promising to turn Ghana more or less into a land flowing with milk and honey, in which there are endless freebies for ordinary people, if voters elect them to power in the December 7th elections.
In reality, every policy proposal that offers something "free" to Ghanaians, actually has to be paid for, out of those selfsame inadequate tax revenues.
What that means in practice, in the real world, is that the government of the day has to resort to either borrowing money or levying additional taxes, or make drastic cuts in government spending.
That is why discerning and independent-minded Ghanaians are keen that Ghana's politicians tell ordinary people, precisely where they intend to find the money from, to pay for the freebies they are offering Ghanaians.
It is in the light of all the above that as someone who for over two decades has advocated that tax holidays on rental-income ought to be extended to real estate companies offering well-designed, well-built and affordable rental accommodation to ordinary Ghanaians, I now feel able to commend Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) presidential candidate, for assuring members of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) that that will be one of his government's key policies.
That is just the sort of creative thinking by politicians that will redound to the benefit of ordinary working families in urban Ghana. Pity that the hard-of-hearing Mills regime never listened to those of us who gave them that selfsame idea for free.
So kudos to the NPP's Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, for proposing to offer tax incentives to real estate companies in Ghana, that provide affordable rental accommodation.
Let us hope that the many promises that members of our political class (across the spectrum) are making to voters, don't end in tears for the ordinary people of Ghana, eventually.
For this year's presidential and parliamentary elections, it really is vital that ordinary Ghanaians are a great deal more discerning than has been the case in the past.
Above all, instead of accepting things that Ghana's politicians say at face value, ordinary people must constantly question those politicians making policy proposals in campaign speeches across the country, in order to get a whole-picture-view of issues. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
That is why it is gratifying that at long last, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has finally come up with a policy proposal for which they will not have to resort to Kweku-Ananse-economics, in order to try and justify.
That is because it is a policy proposal that is actually doable and feasible, and, above all, just the sort of policy proposal that will impress an important Ghanaian demographic: the nation's small crop of independent-minded, patriotic and discerning individuals whose crucial swing-votes now decide who becomes Ghana's president.
In a nation in which the two biggest political parties, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), can almost always rely on the support of millions of "My-party-my-tribe-right-or-
And luckily for Mother Ghana, those independent-minded and patriotic citizens, are also very much aware of the fact that there is only so much available to the government of the day, by way of tax revenues, to enable it implement its developmental agenda.
They are also aware that a large chunk of those revenues invariably go into the payment of public-sector employees and to ensure that the machinery of state functions effectively.
It is this awareness of how little room for manoeuvre there is for every government, budget-wise, which makes such individuals doubt the sincerity of those politicians promising to turn Ghana more or less into a land flowing with milk and honey, in which there are endless freebies for ordinary people, if voters elect them to power in the December 7th elections.
In reality, every policy proposal that offers something "free" to Ghanaians, actually has to be paid for, out of those selfsame inadequate tax revenues.
What that means in practice, in the real world, is that the government of the day has to resort to either borrowing money or levying additional taxes, or make drastic cuts in government spending.
That is why discerning and independent-minded Ghanaians are keen that Ghana's politicians tell ordinary people, precisely where they intend to find the money from, to pay for the freebies they are offering Ghanaians.
It is in the light of all the above that as someone who for over two decades has advocated that tax holidays on rental-income ought to be extended to real estate companies offering well-designed, well-built and affordable rental accommodation to ordinary Ghanaians, I now feel able to commend Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) presidential candidate, for assuring members of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) that that will be one of his government's key policies.
That is just the sort of creative thinking by politicians that will redound to the benefit of ordinary working families in urban Ghana. Pity that the hard-of-hearing Mills regime never listened to those of us who gave them that selfsame idea for free.
So kudos to the NPP's Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, for proposing to offer tax incentives to real estate companies in Ghana, that provide affordable rental accommodation.
Let us hope that the many promises that members of our political class (across the spectrum) are making to voters, don't end in tears for the ordinary people of Ghana, eventually.
For this year's presidential and parliamentary elections, it really is vital that ordinary Ghanaians are a great deal more discerning than has been the case in the past.
Above all, instead of accepting things that Ghana's politicians say at face value, ordinary people must constantly question those politicians making policy proposals in campaign speeches across the country, in order to get a whole-picture-view of issues. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Should Strike Action By Public Sector Teachers & Healthcare Professionals Be Banned In Ghana?
If our parliamentarians see the need to adopt a consensus approach when
it comes to the issue of their emoluments, then they must also do so in
tackling many of the problems that confront Ghanaian society.
Take the issue of students in public educational institutions not being taught, and patients in government hospitals being denied the services of healthcare personnel, as a result of strike action, for example.
Can it not be argued that it is totally unacceptable that ordinary people can be held to ransom in such unacceptable fashion in 21st century Ghana - by professionals trained at great cost to taxpayers?
Has the time therefore not come for all the political parties in Ghana to unite and agree that after the December presidential and parliamentary elections, Government and Parliament will be asked to take immediate steps to ensure that legislation is passed, which will ensure that never again will those being educated in public educational institutions, and patients attending public-sector healthcare facilities, be denied access to the services offered by those institutions, as a result of strike action by teachers and healthcare professionals?
To whom much is given, much is also expected of. Compared to the many struggling families of working class Ghanaians, those who teach in public educational institutions and public-sector healthcare professionals, are relatively much better off materially.
Surely, in this day and age, there can be no justification for teachers and healthcare professionals putting the education of those attending public educational institutions in jeopardy, and the health of those who use public-sector healthcare facilities, at risk, by embarking on strike action?
Can it not be argued, dear reader, that schoolchildren, students, outpatients and those on admission in government hospitals and polyclinics across Ghana, are being held to ransom in such circumstances - and that in a sense it is an abuse of their human rights?
Yes, healthcare professionals and teachers are important to society, and must be well-compensated.
However, they must always remember that all Ghanaians have, of necessity, to make sacrifices as we journey towards a prosperous future together.
What will happen to our nation and its people, were the men and women who serve in the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and the other security agencies - who put their lives on the line on a daily basis - to embark on strike action over pay, I ask?
The Ghanaian nation-state does not have a bottomless pot of cash sitting in the national treasury. For the general good, all those who work for the Ghanaian nation-state must be prepared to sacrifice a little for the sake of Mother Ghana.
If it were possible, perhaps public-sector healthcare professionals and those who teach in public educational institutions in Ghana, would be paid some of the highest salaries for healthcare professionals and teachers in the world - but in our present circumstances, that is simply not possible.
Perhaps providing accommodation near where they work across the country, would make a difference to healthcare professionals and those who teach in public educational institutions.
Let Ghana's politicians agree that that will be done in phases, until they are all housed near where they work.
Since their work is of an essential nature, for the common good, should Ghanaian politicians not unite to pass legislation banning strike action by public-sector healthcare professionals and teachers working in public educational institutions?
One hopes that that will be done quickly - for the sake of ordinary people in Ghana. A word to the wise.
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com.
Take the issue of students in public educational institutions not being taught, and patients in government hospitals being denied the services of healthcare personnel, as a result of strike action, for example.
Can it not be argued that it is totally unacceptable that ordinary people can be held to ransom in such unacceptable fashion in 21st century Ghana - by professionals trained at great cost to taxpayers?
Has the time therefore not come for all the political parties in Ghana to unite and agree that after the December presidential and parliamentary elections, Government and Parliament will be asked to take immediate steps to ensure that legislation is passed, which will ensure that never again will those being educated in public educational institutions, and patients attending public-sector healthcare facilities, be denied access to the services offered by those institutions, as a result of strike action by teachers and healthcare professionals?
To whom much is given, much is also expected of. Compared to the many struggling families of working class Ghanaians, those who teach in public educational institutions and public-sector healthcare professionals, are relatively much better off materially.
Surely, in this day and age, there can be no justification for teachers and healthcare professionals putting the education of those attending public educational institutions in jeopardy, and the health of those who use public-sector healthcare facilities, at risk, by embarking on strike action?
Can it not be argued, dear reader, that schoolchildren, students, outpatients and those on admission in government hospitals and polyclinics across Ghana, are being held to ransom in such circumstances - and that in a sense it is an abuse of their human rights?
Yes, healthcare professionals and teachers are important to society, and must be well-compensated.
However, they must always remember that all Ghanaians have, of necessity, to make sacrifices as we journey towards a prosperous future together.
What will happen to our nation and its people, were the men and women who serve in the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and the other security agencies - who put their lives on the line on a daily basis - to embark on strike action over pay, I ask?
The Ghanaian nation-state does not have a bottomless pot of cash sitting in the national treasury. For the general good, all those who work for the Ghanaian nation-state must be prepared to sacrifice a little for the sake of Mother Ghana.
If it were possible, perhaps public-sector healthcare professionals and those who teach in public educational institutions in Ghana, would be paid some of the highest salaries for healthcare professionals and teachers in the world - but in our present circumstances, that is simply not possible.
Perhaps providing accommodation near where they work across the country, would make a difference to healthcare professionals and those who teach in public educational institutions.
Let Ghana's politicians agree that that will be done in phases, until they are all housed near where they work.
Since their work is of an essential nature, for the common good, should Ghanaian politicians not unite to pass legislation banning strike action by public-sector healthcare professionals and teachers working in public educational institutions?
One hopes that that will be done quickly - for the sake of ordinary people in Ghana. A word to the wise.
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com.
Friday, 19 October 2012
No Politician Who Fails To Publicly Publish His Or Her Assets Is Fit To Be President Of The Republic Of Ghana
Sometimes one finds it extremely difficult to understand the cognitive
processes, of the geniuses who call to berate one, because they disagree
with something one has written. Hmm, Ghana, eyeasem o - asem kesie ebeba debi ankasa.
I wrote and posted an article entitled, “Ghanaian Media: Force Presidential Candidates To Publicly Publish Assets - & Political Parties To Disclose Funding Sources," on my Ghanapolitics Google blog, yesterday.
Apparently, I have been bought by Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom – according to the aforementioned genius who called to malign me yesterday, after reading the article mentioned above. Wonders.
To begin with, my conscience is not for sale at any price – and has never been, and will never be.
Everything I write and have written in the past has been underpinned by national interest considerations only.
I love Mother Ghana passionately – and happen to be very proud to be a Ghanaian national.
That is the ethos that underpins my journalism – which is of the ethical kind: and has always been.
I have neither ever met nor spoken to Dr. Nduom in my life before. I commended him in the blog article I posted online yesterday, simply because it just so happens that he has done something, which for the past 20 years I have suggested that members of our political class, and the parties they belong to, ought to do, in the national interest: publicly publish their assets and sources of campaign funds, to help fight high-level corruption in Ghana.
Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom is the first Ghanaian politician who has publicly given a solemn undertaking to Ghanaians - in a campaign for a presidential election in which he is a candidate - that he will publicly publish his filed tax-returns, as well as disclose the source of funding for the party he founded, the Progressive People's Party (PPP).
He deserves to be praised by every patriotic Ghanaian for so doing.
In my view, for now, it has put clear blue water between him and all the other presidential candidates for the December election. And if they fail to do same, then they do not deserve to rule our nation.
I wish President Mahama - whose party's principled and most honest members I have some sympathy for - had done so, when some of us called on him to publicly publish his assets and those of wife, Lordina, at the beginning of his tenure as president.
However, much as I wish it was him who had done so instead of Dr. Nduom, for the sake of our country, one must not ignore the fact that thus far, President Mahama has failed to publicly publish his assets and those of his wife.
At this critical stage in its history, no one who fails to publicly publish his or her assets, is fit to become president of the proud African nation-state, which the selfless Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah founded.
The Republic Ghana, of today, is not the nation it was four years ago. Ordinary Ghanaians have come to understand that good governance is of huge importance in ensuring a fair society in our country.
That is why if they want the votes of the discerning and independent-minded Ghanaians, whose crucial swing-votes now decide who becomes president of the Republic of Ghana, the other presidential candidates too must follow Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom’s shining example.
I wrote and posted an article entitled, “Ghanaian Media: Force Presidential Candidates To Publicly Publish Assets - & Political Parties To Disclose Funding Sources," on my Ghanapolitics Google blog, yesterday.
Apparently, I have been bought by Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom – according to the aforementioned genius who called to malign me yesterday, after reading the article mentioned above. Wonders.
To begin with, my conscience is not for sale at any price – and has never been, and will never be.
Everything I write and have written in the past has been underpinned by national interest considerations only.
I love Mother Ghana passionately – and happen to be very proud to be a Ghanaian national.
That is the ethos that underpins my journalism – which is of the ethical kind: and has always been.
I have neither ever met nor spoken to Dr. Nduom in my life before. I commended him in the blog article I posted online yesterday, simply because it just so happens that he has done something, which for the past 20 years I have suggested that members of our political class, and the parties they belong to, ought to do, in the national interest: publicly publish their assets and sources of campaign funds, to help fight high-level corruption in Ghana.
Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom is the first Ghanaian politician who has publicly given a solemn undertaking to Ghanaians - in a campaign for a presidential election in which he is a candidate - that he will publicly publish his filed tax-returns, as well as disclose the source of funding for the party he founded, the Progressive People's Party (PPP).
He deserves to be praised by every patriotic Ghanaian for so doing.
In my view, for now, it has put clear blue water between him and all the other presidential candidates for the December election. And if they fail to do same, then they do not deserve to rule our nation.
I wish President Mahama - whose party's principled and most honest members I have some sympathy for - had done so, when some of us called on him to publicly publish his assets and those of wife, Lordina, at the beginning of his tenure as president.
However, much as I wish it was him who had done so instead of Dr. Nduom, for the sake of our country, one must not ignore the fact that thus far, President Mahama has failed to publicly publish his assets and those of his wife.
At this critical stage in its history, no one who fails to publicly publish his or her assets, is fit to become president of the proud African nation-state, which the selfless Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah founded.
The Republic Ghana, of today, is not the nation it was four years ago. Ordinary Ghanaians have come to understand that good governance is of huge importance in ensuring a fair society in our country.
That is why if they want the votes of the discerning and independent-minded Ghanaians, whose crucial swing-votes now decide who becomes president of the Republic of Ghana, the other presidential candidates too must follow Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom’s shining example.
Thursday, 18 October 2012
Ghanaian Media: Force Presidential Candidates To Publicly Publish Assets - & Political Parties To Disclose Funding Sources
The Ghanaian media is failing Ghanaians by not demanding that presidential candidates in the December 2012 election ought to publicly publish their assets (and that of their spouses).
And, worst of all, the media have failed to call for political parties to disclose their funding sources.
Surveying today's political landscape, and judging by the campaign narratives we have heard and read thus far, were the Ghanaian electorate just as discerning as that found in the United States of America and the United Kingdom, there's no question that Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom and his Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), would win the December 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections, by a landslide.
Why, when they know it is vital evidence that a political leader and the political party he or she leads are incorruptible, would American and British voters cast their ballots for a presidential candidate and political party, other than the candidate and party demanding that presidential candidates publicly publish their assets and filed tax returns, and that political parties ought to disclose their funding sources, I ask, dear reader?
Sadly, in Ghana, this remarkable and positive development in the politics of our nation is yet to attract any media comment at all. Amazing.
Perhaps it is no accident that Ghana's mostly corrupt media entities and journalists have not shown the slightest interest in bringing this most positive of campaign narratives to the attention of voters.
Yet, ordinary people now fully understand that the quality of life for ordinary Ghanaians will never improve, if high-level corruption in Ghana is not dealt with decisively once and for all.
As things stand, by declaring that he will publicly publish his assets and filed tax returns, as well as disclose the source of funding for the party he founded and leads, it is Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom and the party he founded (the Progressive Peoples Party), which deserve the mandate of Ghanaian voters.
Surely, on behalf of the good people of Ghana, the Ghanaian media ought to demand same from all the other presidential candidates and the parties they lead? Will that not help ensure good governance at long last, dear reader?
As a people, if we want to end high-level corruption in the years ahead, then the time has come to force all the political parties in Ghana to disclose their sources of funding.
Shining the spotlight on that aspect of our politics will lessen the influence of the lobbyists and influence-peddlers, who spread the miasma of corruption in our system.
It is the opaque nature of the financing of the activities of political parties that is at the heart of high-level corruption in Ghana.
Consequently, in a corrupt society such as ours, it would be a grave error of judgement on the part of voters, to trust any presidential candidate who does not publicly publish his or her assets and filed tax returns (as well as that of their spouse).
And to vote for any political party that is unwilling or unable to disclose all its sources of funding, would be suicidal on the part of Ghanaian voters.
Given the parlous nature of our public finances, every voter in Ghana must take into account the fact that this is a nation that spends the bulk of its tax revenues paying public-sector employees.
It will be in their interest, for that reason, to demand that political parties show them precisely how they intend to fund all the policy proposals they make in their manifestos.
Voters must be particularly wary of those politicians who like to give ordinary people the impression that Ghana can be turned into paradise - the day after they are elected to rule Ghana. It won't happen.
So to help fight high-level corruption, voters must neither trust nor vote for politicians and political parties that are unwilling or unable to publicly publish their candidate's personal net worth and disclose the sources of their party's funding.
Above all, for the sake of Mother Ghana, the media must help end the continued entrenchment of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP in the minds of the gullible millions of "My-party-my-tribe-right-or-wrong" myrmidon-types.
Their blinkered support for those two leading political parties is slowly destroying Ghanaian democracy.
It must end in this election.
The Ghanaian media can help us make a start in that direction, by demanding that all the presidential candidates in December election publicly publish their assets (and that of their spouses) and latest filed tax returns.
Above all, the Ghanaian media must insist that political parties fully disclose their funding sources. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Ghanaians Want To Live In A Meritocracy – That Amply Rewards Honest Hard Work & Ambition!
Ghanaians must thank Providence that just recently a historic
meeting took place between the founder of the National Democratic
Congress (NDC), former President Rawlings, and the presidential
candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Danquah
Akufo-Addo.
It is yet another sign that indeed the roots of Ghanaian democracy have deepened considerably.
It is hard to imagine such a meeting taking place in the past. That it took place, does indeed auger well for Ghana's future.
Perhaps it is indicative of the fact that it is gradually dawning on members of our political class that ordinary Ghanaians simply want their homeland Ghana to remain peaceful and united.
We want to see consensus and national-interest-oriented politicians like the NPP's Alan Kyremateng; the NDC's Alban Bagbin; the Convention Peoples Party's (CPP) Professor Akosa playing leading roles in their parties.
Democracy is not just about institutions. It is also a way of life based on tolerance.
Our politics must be a competition of ideas. Instead of exchanging insults and demonising each other, Ghanaian politicians must share with ordinary people, the nature of the society they want to fashion for today's Ghana.
At a time when global climate change poses a potential threat to our very existence, politicians must tell Ghanaians precisely how they plan to ensure the rapid development of Ghana - using a sustainable green paradigm that ensures a good quality of life for all Ghanaians.
The vast majority of ordinary people want the generality of the Ghanaian populace - not just a powerful and well-connected few with greedy ambitions - to benefit from economic growth in our homeland Ghana.
A dynamic and aspirational people, Ghanaians want a climate in which they can utilise their talents and improve their living standards through their own effort.
They do not want to be dependent on the munificence of the enterprise Ghana.
They simply want a corruption-free model of development - with the lowest corporate tax rates in Africa; no personal income tax to encourage individual initiative; a business bank that charges interest rates that are the lowest on the continent, and, above all, efficient utility services and modern infrastructure.
Put simply, dear reader, Ghanaians want to live in the most liberal and pro-business society in Africa.
They are desirous of living in a meritocracy in which hard work is amply rewarded, and the honest and ambitious are guaranteed a level playing field in which to thrive.
One hopes members of our political class will come up with policy proposals that take all the above into consideration. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thimpson@gmail.com
It is yet another sign that indeed the roots of Ghanaian democracy have deepened considerably.
It is hard to imagine such a meeting taking place in the past. That it took place, does indeed auger well for Ghana's future.
Perhaps it is indicative of the fact that it is gradually dawning on members of our political class that ordinary Ghanaians simply want their homeland Ghana to remain peaceful and united.
We want to see consensus and national-interest-oriented politicians like the NPP's Alan Kyremateng; the NDC's Alban Bagbin; the Convention Peoples Party's (CPP) Professor Akosa playing leading roles in their parties.
Democracy is not just about institutions. It is also a way of life based on tolerance.
Our politics must be a competition of ideas. Instead of exchanging insults and demonising each other, Ghanaian politicians must share with ordinary people, the nature of the society they want to fashion for today's Ghana.
At a time when global climate change poses a potential threat to our very existence, politicians must tell Ghanaians precisely how they plan to ensure the rapid development of Ghana - using a sustainable green paradigm that ensures a good quality of life for all Ghanaians.
The vast majority of ordinary people want the generality of the Ghanaian populace - not just a powerful and well-connected few with greedy ambitions - to benefit from economic growth in our homeland Ghana.
A dynamic and aspirational people, Ghanaians want a climate in which they can utilise their talents and improve their living standards through their own effort.
They do not want to be dependent on the munificence of the enterprise Ghana.
They simply want a corruption-free model of development - with the lowest corporate tax rates in Africa; no personal income tax to encourage individual initiative; a business bank that charges interest rates that are the lowest on the continent, and, above all, efficient utility services and modern infrastructure.
Put simply, dear reader, Ghanaians want to live in the most liberal and pro-business society in Africa.
They are desirous of living in a meritocracy in which hard work is amply rewarded, and the honest and ambitious are guaranteed a level playing field in which to thrive.
One hopes members of our political class will come up with policy proposals that take all the above into consideration. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thimpson@gmail.com
We Cannot Elect Politicians To Do The Impossible Without Ending Up Being Disappointed!
The nether reaches of the illiterate mind happens to be dark, mysterious and
complex - and is invariably full of negativity. That is why we must rid our nation of illiteracy
- in order to tap the talents of the many geniuses whose lives it
blights.
A few days ago, an early evening incident that took place where I live, forcefully drove home to me the urgent need to provide free education from kindergarten to tertiary level, to all Ghanaians with the aptitude to study, as soon as practicable.
Determined that I would not tolerate being threatened and intimidated in my own home under any circumstances - by someone I was being a good Samaritan to, by providing free accommodation for - I called out the police.
I had literally had enough of lip from an eavesdropping nosy-parker and freeloader, who wanted to get away with doing as little as possible around the house.
A desire to help an acquaintance who is an illiterate, has turned out to be one of the worst decisions I ever made.
Invited into my home to occupy the boys' quarters, in the end, it was as if it was me who had been invited to live with that person, instead of the other way round.
Alas, as usual my gentle and caring nature had been taken for a sign of weakness - and I was having to deal with a two-captains-in-one-boat situation: being forced unto me by a wolf in sheep's clothing.
It is such a pity that arrogance and pride can ruin things for some of those who desperately need a helping hand in order to lift themselves out of poverty and progress into Ghana's burgeoning middle class.
A perfectionist and a genius with the hands, that illiterate could so easily have become an engineer or designer, had the opportunity to acquire an education come the way of that insolent individual.
It is a sad story that illustrates perfectly why the number of illiterate Ghanaians must be lessened, and why the provision of free education from kindergarten to tertiary level is a must in our country - and vital if we are to advance as a nation.
As a people we must do all we can to take the bold and hard decisions necessary to make it possible for our nation to provide free education from kindergarten to tertiary level on a sustainable basis.
The politicians (from across the spectrum) now cynically exploiting the provision of free secondary education for the masses of our people, for political gain, must be more responsible in this matter.
They must end the Kweku-Ananse-economics employed as evidence of their ability to provide fully-funded free secondary education in Ghana.
It is intolerable that the media is allowing them to get away with what actually amounts to dissembling. We must be told exactly how this additional burden will be paid for.
Rather than resorting to smoke-and-mirrors economics, politicians must be bold enough to tell the good people of Ghana about the hard decisions needed to be taken in order to make it possible to fund free education at all levels in Ghana.
As things stand, in the real world, even at the secondary level, there is simply no money available to fund such an undertaking, without destroying secondary education in Ghana and dislocating our national economy.
Whatever we do, we must find the money for it by first cutting unnecessary public-sector spending. And where to cut such spending, is the question, dear reader.
For example, to conserve taxpayers' money, should we not let market forces decide the fate of our national currency and the prices of petroleum products in Ghana - instead of the financial equivalent of pouring water into a sieve that current interventions represent?
Surely, if we were more sensible and decided that propping up the new Ghana cedi with precious taxpayers' cash is a mug's game, and that our central bank and those managing the national economy must be forced to stop playing it, could we not make some savings in so doing? Over the years has it not cost us trillions of cedis?
Ditto admitting that allowing criminal syndicates to grow super-rich smuggling subsidised petroleum products into the nations that border Ghana is daft and untenable, and must be brought to an end and replaced with a regime in which prices of petroleum products are determined by market forces?
Only heaven knows the amount of taxpayers' money poured into this financial equivalent of a blackhole over the years.
So having found some real-world savings in both instances outlined above, in a nation with limited finances, could we not find other real-world savings too, in our national economy - and then proceed to find a revenue-generating funding source which could then be ring-fenced, as a sustainable funding-source for implementing the free secondary education policy proposal?
For that reason alone, has the time not come to consider allowing market forces to decide the fate of our national currency, the prices of petroleum products, and perhaps abandon the policy of subsidising other goods and services altogether, to save money to fund free education in Ghana?
No pain, no gain. We can't eat our cake and have it.
There is a sense of déjà vu in the December presidential and parliamentary election campaign narratives one hears.
When he was campaigning to be elected president, perhaps if Ghanaians had demanded that Professor Mills outline precisely how he was going to make the promised drastic reduction in fuel prices, he would never have been elected to attempt to do the impossible, in a cash-strapped nation whose people refuse to allow politicians to abandon subsidising petroleum products.
To ensure that we are not disappointed yet again, ordinary Ghanaians must simply be told how free secondary education can be funded on a sustainable real-world basis, before the December polls.
We must not expect to elect politicians to power to do the impossible without ending up being disappointed by unfulfilled promises. Period. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
A few days ago, an early evening incident that took place where I live, forcefully drove home to me the urgent need to provide free education from kindergarten to tertiary level, to all Ghanaians with the aptitude to study, as soon as practicable.
Determined that I would not tolerate being threatened and intimidated in my own home under any circumstances - by someone I was being a good Samaritan to, by providing free accommodation for - I called out the police.
I had literally had enough of lip from an eavesdropping nosy-parker and freeloader, who wanted to get away with doing as little as possible around the house.
A desire to help an acquaintance who is an illiterate, has turned out to be one of the worst decisions I ever made.
Invited into my home to occupy the boys' quarters, in the end, it was as if it was me who had been invited to live with that person, instead of the other way round.
Alas, as usual my gentle and caring nature had been taken for a sign of weakness - and I was having to deal with a two-captains-in-one-boat situation: being forced unto me by a wolf in sheep's clothing.
It is such a pity that arrogance and pride can ruin things for some of those who desperately need a helping hand in order to lift themselves out of poverty and progress into Ghana's burgeoning middle class.
A perfectionist and a genius with the hands, that illiterate could so easily have become an engineer or designer, had the opportunity to acquire an education come the way of that insolent individual.
It is a sad story that illustrates perfectly why the number of illiterate Ghanaians must be lessened, and why the provision of free education from kindergarten to tertiary level is a must in our country - and vital if we are to advance as a nation.
As a people we must do all we can to take the bold and hard decisions necessary to make it possible for our nation to provide free education from kindergarten to tertiary level on a sustainable basis.
The politicians (from across the spectrum) now cynically exploiting the provision of free secondary education for the masses of our people, for political gain, must be more responsible in this matter.
They must end the Kweku-Ananse-economics employed as evidence of their ability to provide fully-funded free secondary education in Ghana.
It is intolerable that the media is allowing them to get away with what actually amounts to dissembling. We must be told exactly how this additional burden will be paid for.
Rather than resorting to smoke-and-mirrors economics, politicians must be bold enough to tell the good people of Ghana about the hard decisions needed to be taken in order to make it possible to fund free education at all levels in Ghana.
As things stand, in the real world, even at the secondary level, there is simply no money available to fund such an undertaking, without destroying secondary education in Ghana and dislocating our national economy.
Whatever we do, we must find the money for it by first cutting unnecessary public-sector spending. And where to cut such spending, is the question, dear reader.
For example, to conserve taxpayers' money, should we not let market forces decide the fate of our national currency and the prices of petroleum products in Ghana - instead of the financial equivalent of pouring water into a sieve that current interventions represent?
Surely, if we were more sensible and decided that propping up the new Ghana cedi with precious taxpayers' cash is a mug's game, and that our central bank and those managing the national economy must be forced to stop playing it, could we not make some savings in so doing? Over the years has it not cost us trillions of cedis?
Ditto admitting that allowing criminal syndicates to grow super-rich smuggling subsidised petroleum products into the nations that border Ghana is daft and untenable, and must be brought to an end and replaced with a regime in which prices of petroleum products are determined by market forces?
Only heaven knows the amount of taxpayers' money poured into this financial equivalent of a blackhole over the years.
So having found some real-world savings in both instances outlined above, in a nation with limited finances, could we not find other real-world savings too, in our national economy - and then proceed to find a revenue-generating funding source which could then be ring-fenced, as a sustainable funding-source for implementing the free secondary education policy proposal?
For that reason alone, has the time not come to consider allowing market forces to decide the fate of our national currency, the prices of petroleum products, and perhaps abandon the policy of subsidising other goods and services altogether, to save money to fund free education in Ghana?
No pain, no gain. We can't eat our cake and have it.
There is a sense of déjà vu in the December presidential and parliamentary election campaign narratives one hears.
When he was campaigning to be elected president, perhaps if Ghanaians had demanded that Professor Mills outline precisely how he was going to make the promised drastic reduction in fuel prices, he would never have been elected to attempt to do the impossible, in a cash-strapped nation whose people refuse to allow politicians to abandon subsidising petroleum products.
To ensure that we are not disappointed yet again, ordinary Ghanaians must simply be told how free secondary education can be funded on a sustainable real-world basis, before the December polls.
We must not expect to elect politicians to power to do the impossible without ending up being disappointed by unfulfilled promises. Period. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Saluting Examples Of The Very Best In The Ghana Police Service!
At about 1am on the morning of 9th October 2012, we heard our next-door neighbours shouting
"Akronfuoo, akronfuoo, akronfuoo!". It was immediately followed by a
phone call from them alerting us to the fact that the burglar had
jumped into our place.
So we immediately called the Ghana Police Service. Within ten minutes, a patrol team (Monitors Accra Team 1 - telephone number: 0243536898) had arrived to answer our distress call.
As a people we are fond of condemning the Ghana Police Service in blanket fashion. Yet, on a daily basis, they work round the clock risking their lives to keep us safe and secure.
I did notice that they had a brand new Toyota Landcruiser - clearly a factor in their ability to respond so quickly to our distress call.
It is important that we ensure that the Ghanaian nation-state constantly strives to equip the Ghana Police Service regularly - particularly empowering them to communicate whiles on the move.
Although the burglar had disappeared by the time they appeared on the scene, my neighbours and I were relieved and pleased that they showed up.
My neighbours and I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the police officers who came to our rescue so quickly.
They were very professional in their approach. Indeed, to reassure us, they even returned again after a while - to make sure we were actually free of the intruder.
We would like to commend the police officers who constituted that 1am 9th October 2012 Accra Monitors Team 1, to the Inspector General of Police (IGP). He can be proud of them - for they are examples of the very best in the Ghana Police Service.
We salute them!
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
So we immediately called the Ghana Police Service. Within ten minutes, a patrol team (Monitors Accra Team 1 - telephone number: 0243536898) had arrived to answer our distress call.
As a people we are fond of condemning the Ghana Police Service in blanket fashion. Yet, on a daily basis, they work round the clock risking their lives to keep us safe and secure.
I did notice that they had a brand new Toyota Landcruiser - clearly a factor in their ability to respond so quickly to our distress call.
It is important that we ensure that the Ghanaian nation-state constantly strives to equip the Ghana Police Service regularly - particularly empowering them to communicate whiles on the move.
Although the burglar had disappeared by the time they appeared on the scene, my neighbours and I were relieved and pleased that they showed up.
My neighbours and I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the police officers who came to our rescue so quickly.
They were very professional in their approach. Indeed, to reassure us, they even returned again after a while - to make sure we were actually free of the intruder.
We would like to commend the police officers who constituted that 1am 9th October 2012 Accra Monitors Team 1, to the Inspector General of Police (IGP). He can be proud of them - for they are examples of the very best in the Ghana Police Service.
We salute them!
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Saturday, 6 October 2012
President Mahama: Act Before It Is Too Late!
In a nation in which altruism has virtually died out, people are always
suspicious of the motives of those whose actions are guided by
altruism.
Over the years, some of us have given creative and original ideas freely, to those at the helm of affairs in our country - because we love our nation passionately: and believe that there is enough wealth within Ghana to ensure a good quality of life for all Ghanaians: if our country is governed well and justly.
When the fate of Ghana Airways was finally sealed by those who wanted to asset-strip it with perfect legal covering, it was set up for the corporate equivalent of murder-by-contract-killing.
At the time, whiles the would-be asset-strippers' co-conspirators in the media were busy pulling wool over the eyes of Ghanaians disseminating endless dissimulation, on their paymasters' behalf, some of us suggested that a joint-venture with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airlines, would revitalise Ghana Airways and make it a profitable airline.
Needless to say, that advice fell on deaf ears - and the rest, as they say, is history.
Sir Richard Branson, of course, is someone who famously refuses to pay bribes in his business dealings - so there was no way a joint-venture between Virgin Atlantic Airlines and Ghana Airways, could have occurred.
It was of no personal benefit to the powerful few with greedy ambitions - who sometimes give the impression aspire to 100 percent ownership of the enterprise Ghana. Hmm, Ghana - asem ebaba debi ankasa.
Just a couple of days ago, I was railed at, for close to half an hour, by someone who telephoned me after reading an article of mine entitled: "To The Ghanaian Feminists Forum - Power To Ghanaian Feminists Worldwide!".
Incredibly, that misogynist did not understand why I had suggested that linking up with Alhaji Asuma Banda, in order to approach Ryanair's Michael O'Leary to set up a joint-venture with Antrak Air, to rival Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou's Fastjet using the low-cost carrier business model, represented a business opportunity for brilliant female Ghanaian entrepreneurs in the diaspora. Amazing.
To that furious chap, I was a "big fool" for not approaching Alhaji Asuma Banda myself. Did I not realise it was a "golden opportunity" for me "to become seriously rich"? Why do some people not realise that not all Ghanaians worship money, I ask? Such is life.
What that concerned gentleman risking a heart attack with his fury, did not know, was that long before Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou dreamt of setting up Fastjet, I had suggested to the geniuses now ruling us, to liquidate Ghana International Airlines (GIA), and invite Sir Stelios to set up a low-cost airline with Ghana, as a joint-venture to replace GIA.
Needless to say, sound advice that today could enable them point to a profitable national carrier as a tangible achievement of their hard-of-hearing regime - had they paid heed to that piece of free advice - was ignored by the exasperating Mills administration.
As it happens, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou also famously refuses to pay bribes in his business dealings. Alas, loving Mother Ghana passionately, can be a very frustrating experience sometimes.
That is why it is to the eternal credit of those in the Ministry of Information and that of Local Government and Rural Development, that they immediately grasped the gem of the idea for what eventually became the Local Enterprises and Skills Development Programme (LESDEP), when I outlined it in a number of my previous articles.
Their confounded party owes them a huge debt of gratitude indeed - for were enough of the teeming underclass of unemployable youth to get to know about it nationwide, it could end up becoming a game-changing narrative for President Mahama.
The pleasure one gets when one's humble ideas, offered freely in one's writing, help improve the lives of one's fellow citizens - because our leaders take them up - is immeasurable.
For the information of the furious gentleman who called to insult me for being altruistic, that is reward enough for a "big fool" like me. God give me patience.
Finally, dear reader, it is still not too late for President Mahama to listen to those of us who say that he must publicly publish the assets of both himself and his wife.
Had he done so when we first suggested it to him, today, he would not be the target of the sustained and vicious attacks, by the hypocrites now destroying his chances of being re-elected, by constantly questioning his integrity.
And whiles he is at it, let him also act finally to rid himself of the power-broking self-seekers who held our late leader hostage at the Osu Castle and went on to destroy President Mills' legacy with their selfishness.
Above all, let him bring back Martin Amidu to signal to ordinary Ghanaians that he is indeed determined to fight high-level corruption in Ghana. The added bonus in so doing, is that It will put clear blue water between him and his party's main opponents, the New Patriotic Party. But he must act before it is too late. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
Over the years, some of us have given creative and original ideas freely, to those at the helm of affairs in our country - because we love our nation passionately: and believe that there is enough wealth within Ghana to ensure a good quality of life for all Ghanaians: if our country is governed well and justly.
When the fate of Ghana Airways was finally sealed by those who wanted to asset-strip it with perfect legal covering, it was set up for the corporate equivalent of murder-by-contract-killing.
At the time, whiles the would-be asset-strippers' co-conspirators in the media were busy pulling wool over the eyes of Ghanaians disseminating endless dissimulation, on their paymasters' behalf, some of us suggested that a joint-venture with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airlines, would revitalise Ghana Airways and make it a profitable airline.
Needless to say, that advice fell on deaf ears - and the rest, as they say, is history.
Sir Richard Branson, of course, is someone who famously refuses to pay bribes in his business dealings - so there was no way a joint-venture between Virgin Atlantic Airlines and Ghana Airways, could have occurred.
It was of no personal benefit to the powerful few with greedy ambitions - who sometimes give the impression aspire to 100 percent ownership of the enterprise Ghana. Hmm, Ghana - asem ebaba debi ankasa.
Just a couple of days ago, I was railed at, for close to half an hour, by someone who telephoned me after reading an article of mine entitled: "To The Ghanaian Feminists Forum - Power To Ghanaian Feminists Worldwide!".
Incredibly, that misogynist did not understand why I had suggested that linking up with Alhaji Asuma Banda, in order to approach Ryanair's Michael O'Leary to set up a joint-venture with Antrak Air, to rival Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou's Fastjet using the low-cost carrier business model, represented a business opportunity for brilliant female Ghanaian entrepreneurs in the diaspora. Amazing.
To that furious chap, I was a "big fool" for not approaching Alhaji Asuma Banda myself. Did I not realise it was a "golden opportunity" for me "to become seriously rich"? Why do some people not realise that not all Ghanaians worship money, I ask? Such is life.
What that concerned gentleman risking a heart attack with his fury, did not know, was that long before Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou dreamt of setting up Fastjet, I had suggested to the geniuses now ruling us, to liquidate Ghana International Airlines (GIA), and invite Sir Stelios to set up a low-cost airline with Ghana, as a joint-venture to replace GIA.
Needless to say, sound advice that today could enable them point to a profitable national carrier as a tangible achievement of their hard-of-hearing regime - had they paid heed to that piece of free advice - was ignored by the exasperating Mills administration.
As it happens, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou also famously refuses to pay bribes in his business dealings. Alas, loving Mother Ghana passionately, can be a very frustrating experience sometimes.
That is why it is to the eternal credit of those in the Ministry of Information and that of Local Government and Rural Development, that they immediately grasped the gem of the idea for what eventually became the Local Enterprises and Skills Development Programme (LESDEP), when I outlined it in a number of my previous articles.
Their confounded party owes them a huge debt of gratitude indeed - for were enough of the teeming underclass of unemployable youth to get to know about it nationwide, it could end up becoming a game-changing narrative for President Mahama.
The pleasure one gets when one's humble ideas, offered freely in one's writing, help improve the lives of one's fellow citizens - because our leaders take them up - is immeasurable.
For the information of the furious gentleman who called to insult me for being altruistic, that is reward enough for a "big fool" like me. God give me patience.
Finally, dear reader, it is still not too late for President Mahama to listen to those of us who say that he must publicly publish the assets of both himself and his wife.
Had he done so when we first suggested it to him, today, he would not be the target of the sustained and vicious attacks, by the hypocrites now destroying his chances of being re-elected, by constantly questioning his integrity.
And whiles he is at it, let him also act finally to rid himself of the power-broking self-seekers who held our late leader hostage at the Osu Castle and went on to destroy President Mills' legacy with their selfishness.
Above all, let him bring back Martin Amidu to signal to ordinary Ghanaians that he is indeed determined to fight high-level corruption in Ghana. The added bonus in so doing, is that It will put clear blue water between him and his party's main opponents, the New Patriotic Party. But he must act before it is too late. A word to the wise...
Tel: 027 745 3109.
Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com
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