VICIOUS CYCLE RECALL, SELF SACKED AMIDU, FORCES OF FOUNDER AND DR VALERIE SAWYER

“You don’t value your buttocks until it develops a boil,” this is one of the numerous humor-filled wise sayings of the indefatigable Member of Parliament [MP] for Sagnarigu constituency, Hon ABA Fuseini.

Some years back; for those who will recall, these wise sayings used to be a regular feature on Radio Gold, 90.5MHz as Hon ABA Fuseini was more than a regular panel member on “Alhaji and Alhaji.”

Someway somehow, some of his own colleagues, others higher up at Graphic Communication Group limited (GCGL) and beyond sought every means possible to have him barred from the program. It later emerged that the JA Kufour regime could not bear Alhaji’s critiques, therefore masterminded the action.

Truth be told, Alhaji’s professional work as an Editor of Foreign News at GCGL at no point conflicted with his persuasion but was not allowed to have his voice to speak. 

About the same time or much earlier, Kofi Amponsah Bediako of Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) became Government spokesperson on Social Services. He held that position until the J.A. Kufour Government lost power in 2008 after which he scampered back to the GSA and has been there throughout the eight years of the Prof Mills/Mahama regime.

He re-surfaced on radio about four months ago, speaking again as a political animal because his party, NPP is back in power. Tell me he was on secondment. I will ask back if that is not the effect of the “Father for all” which is meant to stop a vicious cycle?

Now, back is the New Patriotic Party (NPP) whose members including publicly known ones like Nana Damoah (a senior CEPS officer) benefitted from the “Father for all,”  eroding all the gains having the country more than sharply divided; reintroducing the vicious cycle – wanton dismissals.

It was so absurd to the extent that Vice President’s only job was placing phone calls pressuring the then Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to resign because he could not be sacked. Others who could easily be removed including those whose removal would have financial implications for the country were taken off resulting in hundreds of Ghanaians dismissed.

Perhaps deliberately, bodies including CSOs, religious groups among others with responsibility to safeguard the sanctity of the State in the face of the unacceptable acts remain quiet. The silence no doubt partly has to do with some members of the bodies assuming the status of power brokers; others chasing the regime for appointments and the rest busy expecting the delivery of the new Cathedral.

From Good to Bad

Sadly today, instead of funding public tertiary education, the institutions rather through an obnoxious government’s order are required to remit 34% of their Internally Generated Funds (IGF) into a special account for government.  This was not part of the numerous campaign promises made to the people.

The Akans have a wise saying translated as “If you cannot provide for your mother-in-law’s upkeep, you don’t steal what she has.”

Per the Presidential Transition Act 2012 [ACT 845], Governing Councils of public tertiary institutions stood dissolved by 7^th January 2017 and was incumbent on President Akufo Addo to form same but has since not formed the Councils for Polytechnics - Technical universities, hampering smooth running of the institutions including inability to graduate after completion over a year ago; leading to untold hardships among other things to students particularly. A government which says it is in a hurry?

Operation Vanguard and Threats

The Government's effort backed by the media coalition to fight illegal mining is commendable. First phase of the exercise which covers Eastern, Ashanti and Western regions has reportedly led to some deaths and excavators set ablaze; an act contrary to the Mineral and Mining law amended [2015] which rather provided for confiscation of such equipment. The equipment could help in reclamation exercise of degraded lands.

"Operation Vanguard" team

But more importantly, Hon. John Peter Amewu, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources - assured of professionalism on the part of the “Operation Vanguard” team on the fields; has that not been betrayed per the sad reports? Or it is ok? I am always livid seeing the level of environmental degradation and recollecting the death of Captain Maxwell Mahama but not sure that provides us free license to maim.

Multinational mining companies are reported to be funding the fight against local miners; information as such is creating non-relentlessness on the part of locals. What has happened to Government’s Multilateral Mining Integrated Program [MMIP] meant to provide alternative livelihood to the miners? The Chinese are dragging their feet on the $10 million MMIP cash promised? How about ourselves? Resources perhaps limited to only 110 Ministers, CEOs, board members and C1 himself. President Akufo Addo is known as such in NPP.  

By the way, will the “Operation Vanguard” team go to Central region, particularly the Denkyira area? Sure? As we speak today, the Chiefs and elders of Atti Mokoa area say the Offin and Pra rivers are being polluted through illegal activities more than ever, requiring urgent attention. We will see how it all puns out in the face of the “he who demands equity must come with clean hands” warnings some have reportedly served the Minister. Watching keenly!

It is not as though I trust John Peter Amewu. He peddles falsehoods; one was between him and myself on Onua FM, prior to the election where he on phone claimed HE President Kufour constructed Kpando-Worawora - Dambai road. The other lies were about HE J.J. Rawlings during the 2016 campaign which he admitted to during vetting, promising the Parliamentary Committee to apologize to the former President. He has not but has rather topped it with a call to have all public servants employed under the NDC sacked. Unfortunate!

Dr Valerie Sawyer’s Knock Outs and Good Riddance

Former Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Valerie Sawyer had literally landed hefty blows at the jaws and groins of Martin Amidu and Dr Akoto Afriyie. For Dr Akoto Afriyie, might take forever to first extricate his body and affected farms from fall army worms attack and so likely to take him eternity.

But Martin Amidu, his evasive nature in the 2 recent outbursts says it all. He knew “he meet his meter,” as Ayittey Powers would say and eloping from danger or extremely dazed in a “drunken-like manner,” with the punches. Dr Sawyer’s gloves are even not yet on. “Cut the crap” was the advice.

On the dismissal petition, glaring Mr Amidu has long renounced his membership from the party. His disregard for the party constitution, solely drawing his rights from Articles 3, 12, 42, 55 of the 1992 Constitution is enough basis. He seemed to hardly recollect that same Constitution as supreme as it is recognizes and in Article 21 provides for freedom of Association for which regulations are equally required which he and others developed for effective running of the NDC. 

Why had he all these years spent time as a lawyer with the party’s legal team to work on the NDC Constitution including amendments?  He should answer it! He is gone! What is left is the formality. By the way, the reasoned reconciliation he is seeking can only be with himself and not NDC.  

Of all is the spurious claim that the NDC for purposes of rigging the 2016 election recruited Mrs. Charlotte Osei as Chairperson of the EC. That is a lawyer!

In my estimation, a true Citizen Vigilante, convinced that an appointment such as EC Chair is questionable, would in the interest of the country have activated the constitutional processes for a removal. At least would always do his part. Perhaps, Mr Amidu remembers only the Constitutional provisions on his human rights. Principles!

On the EC Chair appointment claims, he never sounded different from NPP’s Ken Agyapong, Otiko Afisah Djaba, John Boadu etc. Not strange that it is NPP foot soldiers who serve as his conduit of information dissemination. Not strange he was part of the drafters of the dubious Special Prosecutors Office bill that had to be quickly withdrawn from Parliament.

Thought he had been clever to rush to criticize Speaker of Parliament and Majority leader in search of a balance after it was pointed out that he instead of the poor is in blatant defense of a disappointing government. Regime Vigilante!

Founder and Dr Sawyer Forces Combined

Founder, HE J.J. Rawlings and Dr Valerie Sawyer are great personalities in their own rights; interestingly both in my estimation have in common these attributes; selflessness, forthrightness, fearless, disciplined, care, fun loving and would do anything for the success of the great NDC and country.

Having the two joining forces, would have been just as Fidel Castro/ Ernesto ‘’Che’’ Guevara against any foe; in this case holding the legs of the Akufo Addo/Dr Bawumia government closely to the fire as the rest of us lend our supports as Raul Castro, Camilo Cienfuegos, Huber Matos and others. 

Founder, Jerry John Rawlings

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to a man in his language that goes to his heart” – Nelson Mandela

I think the time is more than ripe for NDC members to make Papa J’s home, the home and for engagements. That could help have some of the issues including open criticisms handled in ways that will promote party cohesion. Founder, Papa J loves to engage and such occasions could just prove right.

The Greats

While at that, pondering over the way forward, I humbly beseech you to help me sing Priscilla J. Owens' hymn “We have an anchor,” It is an amazing tune! Feel free to fix in NDC where you deem appropriate.

“Will your anchor hold in the storms of life…”

H.E. John Mahama and a grand mum [party activist]

Panel Discussion as part of 25 years Anniversary

One of the JM's key successes - Community SHS