From Nkrumah to Professor Do-Little

Last month we celebrated Heritage Day here in South Africa.
A popular holiday also known as braai day. The day is spent by millions of South Africans consuming tonnes of jolly good braai ( that is roasted meat for those of you who have no southern African connection) and drinking generous amounts of beer, wine and various derivatives of alcohol in homes and gatherings across the land.
I must add though that the link between heritage and braai remains evasive to me though. Perhaps one day I need to do some research on this quintessential South African thing.
However, instead of hovering around chunks of roasted meat and liquor, my day was spent quietly in and around the bedroom drifting between reading, sleeping and reflecting on life.
A pretty decent and daintily choice it was, if you ask me.
So here I was reflecting on my own heritage as a Ghanaian in South Africa. After all who will not grasp such an opportunity to reflect on the issues of heritage with both heart and mind?
So I did or should I say I was doing in between bouts of idyllic naps. Naps that came only when I tried to reflect on the question of the Ghanaian heritage. Lol. Perhaps, those recurring naps were an indication of boredom or probably an 'allergy' to the very idea of reflecting on something as banal as national heritage. I don't know.

One thing which was far from boring though was the passionate discourse that took place in many Ghanaian communities regarding the centenary anniversary of Kwame Nkrumah's birthday.
It was an opportunity for Ghanaians to reminiscent about the life and times of one of our own, probably the greatest Pan-Africanist that ever lived.
In the firmament of Africa's political superstars, the name of Osagyefo will continue to shine very brightly. So far no other Ghanaian politician has come close to the exploits of the man.
One question though. Why is it that almost always politicians are the only ones we attach greatness to in our national discourse? Where are our great industrialists, farmers, economists, businessmen, educationists, scientists?
Probably, as a people, our cultural heritage as a whole is skewed towards the overestimation of politics and politicians. Until our focus is shifted from politics to economics, science, business, technology and education we will continue to be dogged by underdevelopment.
Apart from Kwame Nkrumah and perhaps two other individuals, our long-suffering Ghana has been (mis)ruled by political and military chancers. And with those misfits, the nation has become increasingly polarised along tribal lines. It is sad to see successive leaders continue to ignore the issue of national cohesion. Today many Ghanaians view their heritage exclusively through the experience of their tribal affiliations. The tribe is being gradually pushed ahead of the nation. I wonder if today's Ghanaianness does have any grand nationally ubiquitous underpinnings. Yes we sing the same anthem and carry one flag. But that is all there is to our unity. Is the Ghanaian heritage a congregation of deeply relating tribal identities or a set of clusters of different tribal identities ever moving apart? Where is the centre of the Ghanaian heritage? What has damaged any meaningful prospects of a grand national heritage is the intentional and mischievous gravitation towards tribal clusters in our body politic and the adherence and promotion of such by political parties.
The question is can this unfortunate tendency be reversed? I thinks so. The best way to bring about a "better Ghana" is to unleash the forces that will create economic growth and development across all the regions of our land. This brings my attention to what is happening in Ghana at the present moment. NDC is playing the same old political game. Having promised to put money in every pocket and chicken in every pot, the reality they are facing is that they are inadequately prepared for the challenges. Ghanaians believed their tall tales and then oops! Don't we always learn after the fact. Now we have quickly come to the shocking realisation that at the 'tortoise' rate the Atta Mills' administration is crawling, our pockets and pots will be long gone by the time, if ever, the clueless bunch finally figure out where the switch of the economic engine is.
For the past nine months the government has been searching for the elusive switch to no avail. They are now pinning their impotent hope on the windfall from our oil, thinking that spending money is the essence of governance. Wait for the oil to start flowing and see the spenders wake up from their bewildering comatose state.
For goodness sake, let the clueless bunch admit that the " better Ghana" mantra was a cheap propaganda. They do not have the capacity nor the means to deliver on the tall promises.
Shame.

Ghana In Limbo

So the NDC has managed to turn the summer of Ghana's emergence into a freezing winter of bewilderment and disillusionment just within a matter of months after Ghanaians entrusted the affairs of the state into their hands!
Like the arrival of an ominous dark cloud, Ghana is being engulfed by the agenda of a few disgruntled men bent on returning us to the past and in the process all our flickering lights of hope are being switched off and our dreams and aspirations are being assaulted. One by one I see them go.
We are being pulled gradually into an abyss of fear, despair and chaos.
The horizon looks bleak. The shrieks of catastrophe so sharp. I hear the murmurs of hopelessness. I feel the cold presence of doom in this belly of painful struggle as in the day when anguish takes control and the power to flee fails .
In the midst of this unfolding drama of national turmoil, the captain of the ship is missing in action. Ghana sits like a defenceless and rudderless ship on the high seas. And, mind you, this is just the beginning of the long journey. Is it fate playing a cruel prank on us? No. Certainly not. Is it merely a passing dream just unfolding before our eyes? How I wish!
Whilst Atta Mills continues to hibernate in this winter of incompetence and dysfunction, the hatred-driven disciples of the Generalissimo are beginning to fill the leadership vacuum with the repulsive stench of wanton abuse, thuggish intimidation and savage lawlessness.
Today, our economy continues to tumble, our currency is in a state of free fall. Inflation is on the ascendancy but there is neither desire nor ability to arrest the economic deterioration.
The focus is elsewhere. Settling of scores and plotting means for vengeance are the overriding priorities. In their zeal to silence, humiliate and dehumanize their opponents, they are oblivious to the fact that when they dehumanize others they themselves become dehumanized.
Like Pontious Pilate, Atta Mills has decided to wash his hands concerning Kuffour and the NPP and released them into the hands of those wanting their pound of flesh.
By failing to speak out against the gathering momentum of abuse, Atta Mills is making himself irrelevant to the cause of millions of Ghanaians who are waiting on him to do what is right, just and commendable.
Mr President take responsibility for what is happening in Ghana. Put your foot down and allow the rule of law to prevail. Or is it a matter of you not being really in charge of Ghana?

The Antics Of A Spoilt Brat

I am sooooo pissed off like you won't believe it.
Gosh. There surely must be a root hidden somewhere in our national psyche which is responsible for all the gall and bitterness being spewed all over the place.
The antics of one particular individual in the political arena is doing enormous damage to the integrity of our nationhood more than any weapon of war ever made by man could ever do.
I dread the growing polarisation within our body politic. It is an undeniable fact that there is a prevalent culture of ethnocentricism in Ghana right now and that there is a deepening tribalisation of our state and institutions. If Ghanaians are not careful, the strange fires being ignited by the irresponsible actions of a few individuals will wreak an irreparable catastrophe upon our land.
The truth is when the fires start he, like the coward that he is, will be the first person to trudge out of the burning mess.
Why can't the spoilt brat of our national politics for once think of the good of Ghana for a change? Why must he continue to sow seeds of divisiveness, vengeance, acrimony and lawlessness amongst our people? How can a man throw away all forms of decency for the sole purpose of pursuing vain populism?
Like an addict hell-bent on getting his fix, 'Mr irresponsibility' only cares about himself and he would do anything including spewing baseless and improbable allegations as facts to incite the mob. This rubble-rouser specialises in throwing about meaningless phrases and fomenting hatred and animosity wherever he goes. Why can't the dude smile for once and be nice instead of the ever-present mean and miserable countenance?
Why does he behave like the perpetual sadist, solely driven by a delight in seeing his political opponents shamefully treated, brutalised and silenced. Never once has the spoilt brat ever preached the message of national reconciliation and unity.
Here is a man who despite the fact that the referee has whistled for the end of the bout, refuses to climb out of the boxing arena and continues to throw punches at everybody and anybody who comes near the arena, while shouting at the judges to declare him the winner.
Not only is he disrupting the beauty of the game, he is making a total clown of himself and in the process continues to hold the viewing public to ransom by his nauseating dramas.
Like a bully who fights with the children for the toys, he is oblivious to the fact that he is no longer a child and that the children simply don't want to play with him any more.
This individual is no more than an ill-bred brat whose behaviour is not only repulsive, but crude by the standards of any culture in the world.
I want to advise him to go and learn how to behave.
I, for one, am sick and tired of his despicable tantrums!

The War has Been Won Now The Battle Begins

I knew the bittersweet day will come.
It always does in the game of politics.
The eventful winning of an election as euphoric as it may appear is always essentially just the layer of sugar that coats the bitter pill of meeting the complex needs of a developing society like ours. The actual victory is the ability to survive the traps and snakes, the turns and twists, the ups and downs and of course meeting some of the unrealistic expectations of the population vis-a-vis the competing demands of one's political mates.
Atta Mills victory in the recent presidential election is really nothing more than a poisoned chalice. From the onset it was predicted that his victory will awaken the pack of hungry wolves in his own political camp who if not expertly managed could hold him hostage for their selfish pursuits. Now we hear the menacing growls of the mischievous power brokers baying for his blood for not allowing them to have their share of the captured prey: the plum positions of government as well as positions of power and graft in state institutions.
Methinks the intended target(s) of the recent innuendo-laden remarks by Atta Mills at the Castle is now crystal clear to Ghanaians: Generalissimo and his gang.
Atta Mills' greatest battle is not the one he fought with Nana Akuffo-Addo and the NPP for the presidential crown. His most pyrrhic battle is yet to unfold and it is against the very people in his political camp who are sharpening the knives for a fight.
The Generalissimo must rule, you know!
As for the NPP, they are still shell-shocked by the defeat in the elections and they are evidently not in the mood for any spurring matches with the current administration for the time being. Will the impending showdown do the damage for them?
I believe a fiery persecution of the officials of the past administration is about to begin in earnest pretty soon. I expect Atta Mills to respond to the pressure coming from the Generalissimo and his gang by acting macho on the NPP. After all, when the Generalissimo thundered that all officials of the past government in the metropolitan centres, municipalities and districts should be sacked his wishes were granted pronto. According to the Generalissimo the NDC as a party won the presidency and not Atta Mills as an individual consequently the NDC must rule and not Atta Mills.
Poor John Atta Mills, let us wait and see what stuff he is made of.
One thing though. He really needs the support of all Ghanaians.

The Rhetorics Of An Insecure Leader

The Asomdwoehene, once the cool, calm and collected dude, we are told, is already throwing a national tantrum because he is exasperated and pissed off by the fact that some chaps are not allowing him, him only, to be the president. He does not feel like sharing the presidency, you know! He is even prepared to sacrifice the few endearing attributes given to him by the Almighty for the service of humanity. According to him, Ghanaians are misconstruing his patience and peace-loving nature for weakness, incompetence and timidity and so he has decided to tighten the screw on us so that we as a people learn to recognise that he is just as hot-headed as his boss, JJ Rawlings, who apparently is 'loved, admired and respected' by Ghanaians for his penchant for provocative speeches.

This Atta Mills man does not get it.
He is choosing very early in his presidency to be belligerent and reactionary.
Here are a few points for consideration.

• According to him, it is time to show Ghanaians who really is in charge of the country. Duh? The chap is still oblivious to the fact that Ghanaians did put him in charge of running the affairs of the country and therefore he does not need to show us anything. What we want to see is that he is doing a damn good job.
• He chooses to tell Ghanaians the most profound secret hidden from us since January 2009! And that is: there is only one president in Ghana and that he is the one! Geez, I really never expected such twaddle to come from Atta Mills. He is leading me and many others to believe that we have been overestimating him all along . Unlike the rest of us, he has still not come to terms with the fact that he is actually the president. He does not need to tell Ghanaians that he is the president. What sort of inferiority complex is that? Man, prove your competence by action and not threats. You cannot threaten us as a result of your own grasshopper mentality. It appears to me that this man is in a fix. Having fought the presidency for so many years, he now dreads the very responsibility that accompanies that office. He does not seem to have any clear sets of priorities by which to govern Ghana. Threats and insinuations are a sign of incompetence, if you ask me.
• He says he has not authorised Kuffour to use the late Hawa Yakubu's ministerial bungalow as the former president's offices. My question is: if he hasn't signed whatever he is supposed to have signed, why doesn't he just go ahead and sign the blooming thing and let us all get on with our lives instead of the the petty childish games he and his minnows are playing. I cannot understand why the President of the Republic is the one to authorize which building should be used as an office by the former president. Are there not state institutions to do that. Besides, one of his own guys, PV Obeng, has confirmed that Kuffour indeed did ask for the permission to use that office and a letter was subsequently sent to the presidency on the 6th February so how come Atta Mills and his gang are wasting their time and energy on something as 'trivial' as a small bungalow for a 'ceremonial' office of the former president . Has Atta Mills not got important matters of state to deal with? We hear the president's spokesman, his communications director as well as the National Security Coordinator spending days and nights arguing about something of minimal national importance. What is the big deal here?
• He says he will instruct the law enforcers to enforce the law. Why should the president have to instruct law enforcement personnel to carry out their constitutionally obligated responsibilities? The days when everything that happened in Ghana had to originate from the Osu castle is surely coming back big time.

While inflation is shooting through the roof and the New Ghana Cedi is falling like lightning, the circus of blame-game and the mischievous plot to disgrace the former president and the NPP appears to be the only issue that is gripping the sacred attention of Atta Mills and his administration.
Did not Atta Mills promise us a better Ghana? Why then is the gear stuck in reverse for so long?

The Way I See Us

The world we live in is quite a weird place.
To function as normal as possible, one needs to follow a prescribed lifestyle with built-in mechanisms able to weed out the multitudes of psychosocial pollutants around us.
I have personally made a decision to laugh a lot, both at myself as well as at those things that will make me mad under normal circumstances. Why should I take myself so seriously and end up becoming a statistics, if you ask me?
Ghanaians, it appears to me, are a pretty lunatic bunch. I read somewhere that 40% of us, that is more than 9 million people, suffer from some form of mental disorder. Mind you, these includes our uncles, parents, aunties, brothers and sisters and ourselves.
Gee that is a scary statistics!
And most of us, sickos, will never get access to any mental care any time soon because there are only 4 psychiatrists in our public hospitals. No wonder most of us walk around with super-inflated egos. We easily blow our gaskets and threaten each other every time things don't go our way. Most of these threats are empty, but hey, how we love to issue them!
Just listen to the unmitigated twaddle we spew continuously on our radio stations daily. Take a hard look at the way we treat our womenfolk. Look at our cities, town and villages drowning in filth and garbage. Gee, take a second look at our priorities and the pull-him-down syndrome so quintessentially Ghanaian. Now tell me are we not nuts?
But the clearest sign yet of this collective psychosis is the ominous propensity for the politics of dysfunction, chaos, indiscipline and disorder. Ghanaians get easily bored by an environment where things run orderly, smoothly and progressively. Some nuts amongst us always have to come up with some plan to throw us back into the bowl of confusion and retrogression.
The history we have written, and continue to write, of ourselves clearly paints a picture of acute eccentricity. It is as if we are uncomfortable or even allergic to a quiet, well-functioning and progressive society. There is this latent nostalgia for interruptions whenever we are ushered into a continuum of socio-economic development and advancement.
We yearn for a return of the chaotic, the noisy, the messy common denominator: a strife for an entropic familiarity.
We are not that different from the sadomasochist who derives maximum satisfaction from being tortured.
Ghanaians must surely be having an orgasm now that we are being whipped by the goons of the elected dysfunction. Relax, take your fill. We are in familiar territory. Again!