THE ORDINARY THIEF VERSUS THE CORPORATE THIEF

It is an undeniable fact that in Ghana today, all sorts of crimes go unpunished. Culprits go scot-free each day. On the other hand, and rather unfortunately, a group of people get punished for these same crimes. Yes, the corporate thieves get a pat in the back for the very crimes for which the ordinary thief gets a slap in the face! That is how unfair life can be.

A bodyguard has recently been sentenced to 20years for attempted forgery and theft. He has gotten the full sentence. What baffles me is how quickly he was prosecuted! Indeed, it was fast-tracked! And for what? 800 Ghana cedis. 20years in prison.

But what happens to a minister or an MP, accused or arrested of the same crime? Did I say the same crime? My apologies; let me re-phrase it. What happens to a minister or an MP, accused or arrested for gross misappropriations or diversion of funds? He is asked to proceed on leave! Only that? Yes, just that! Proceed on leave, and the crime goes away. And what happens to our money? This is the Ghana we are nurturing.

In the same way, in our various organizations and institutions, the junior worker gets arrested for a petty theft, whiles the senior staff gets transferred or quietly discharged. And so, the era of double standards, continues.

As citizens, we ought to be concerned about such issues. What happened to “What is good for the goose is good for the gander”? Indeed, what is good for the goose is good for the gander! People steal from this nation each day, and continue to do so comfortable, to our unfortunate admiration. Our leaders are stealing each day and yet, we act ignorantly. Of course, as soon as an ordinary thief is caught, he quickly gets the full penalty.

Do not get me twisted. I am no advocate of crime, neither am I an advocate for, or of criminals. I am but an ordinary and concerned citizen who wants justice. I believe that all crimes are, and should be punishable. I am not in support of any crime or criminal but in enforcing punitive measures, we need justice. If we want peace, we need to embrace justice. The law was made for us all, and not just the ordinary man.

Why should our leaders go unpunished for the kinds of atrocities they keep committing? Have we ever stopped to consider the fact that situations influence our actions or inactions? People commit all sorts of crimes out of desperation. As a people, we ought to be more concerned about the root causes of problems, and not just the solutions.

Countless people live in poverty and desperation in this country. People are finding it difficult making ends meet. Several go to bed on empty stomachs. To make a single meal a day is a hurdle for many people. Paying utilities is practically becoming impossible with each growing day. Our currency is fast losing value. Prices of basic utilities and amenities are becoming an impossibility. For many people, obtaining jobs is only but a dream; jobs are not available. In the midst of this struggle, taxes are increasing. To make things worse, our leadership seems only interested in squandering our already scarce resources. Our taxes are being squandered lavishly.

And what do we do? Nothing! And yet, as soon as an ordinary and hungry man steals a piece of bread, he gets beaten or even lynched. Or gets a full penalty of several years in prison, for a common loaf of bread, a goat, fowl, cell phone, a few coins, whiles the man in suit, who is looting this nation, gets a pat on the back. He only has to append his signature, and the crime goes away.

Imagine the millions of cedis that have disappeared from our national coffers due to corporate theft. We only have to use a pen and paper. Consider the number of shady deals this nation has encountered in the past, and in recent times. Consider the number of times such cases have been covered up. And so, the theft continues. Corporate theft!

We must wake up before it is too late. Yes, there is a punishment to every crime, and our law makes that possible. Even without a law, there is the natural law of karma, but what do we do as a people, in ensuring fairness in the rule of law? In our prisons are people convicted for crimes they have not committed. Rather unfortunately, they are rotting in jail; some, forgotten by their families and friends. Rather ironically, the real criminals operate freely, under the umbrella of our laws. They move around freely, under the umbrella of government. We even help cover their crimes! Have our laws only be made for the ordinary people?

Where is this nation moving? Where are we going as a people?

Anna Esi Hanson (nnhanson2@yahoo.com); esociocomm.blogspot.com

CARELESS TALK, MAKE MONKEY FALL DOWN

For those who have no appreciation for Pidgin English or the colloquial English, this heading, would be difficult to interpret, but indeed, “Careless talk, make monkey fall down”. Literally, “Careless talk made the monkey fall”. Yes, the monkey did not fall from climbing any tree. He fell because, he made a careless remark; the loss of concentration led to the fall perhaps.

Indeed, it is fast becoming my favourite adage, courtesy, Ebenezer Nyamekye, a steel bending foreman at my work place, who never ceases to share this each day; as a constant reminder. We should be mindful of what we say, bottom line.

If there should be an award for the most popular personality currently in Ghana, one person would not escape this award. And if indeed, we would want to categorize this gender wise, again, this personality would be the ultimate winner. Not even our favourite Hon. Alfred Agbesie Wayome, would even contend. All, due to a simple conversation; of self appraisal, and over-cooked hyperboles or over-exaggerations. Careless talk!

Yes, Victoria Hammer has made the headlines, and would remain on top of the chart for a while! All over the country, her name reigns. Should royalties be paid, she would make the controversial $1 million overnight due to a million dollar conversation! Yes, careless talk, make monkey fall down.

The question is; how many of us are innocent of her supposed crime? Indeed, most of us, if not all, are liable. We talk too much. One simple conversation leads to so many issues. One innocent telephone conversation to say hello, leads to issues on our personal life, work, relatives, friends, sports, economy, politics, gossips, to anything we can imagine. The only difference between us and Madam Hammer is that, we have not yet been caught on tape.

If indeed we could eavesdrop on all telephone conversations, I wonder how many of us would bear to look our close friends and relatives in the face. Yes, careless talk, make monkey fall down.

On tape, Hon. Victoria Hammer was caught talking about how much it could perhaps take for her to consider quitting politics. Obviously, the ‘business’ is quite lucrative considering her target. This country continues to wallow in poverty and deprivation; majority of Ghanaians continue to suffer, simply because as a people, we are only interested in looting this nation dry. All we think of is what we stand to gain, and not what we can do. For a deputy minister to make such a remark, only gives a hint of the kind of canker or disease growing or spreading in our various ministries.

It is no surprise that such are the conducts and misconducts occurring in our institutions. For our ministries, it is disheartening. Our national coffers are being looted, by day. Let us consider the number of abandoned projects in this country. Let us consider the daily loss of revenue. Let us consider the poor nature of our roads, utilities and services, infrastructure, to mention but a few. Consider all the monies that keep disappearing due to supposed judgment debts. Let us consider how monies, meant for projects, are usually distributed in the contracting stages. It is no secret! That million dollar tape was no revelation, but rather, a confirmation. Ghana is in trouble!

The reality in our country is that most of our leaders are only interested in stealing from us. Victoria Hammer is but an alarm of caution! Indeed, we are in trouble! Considering the number of people, parading as government officials, what does this leave this nation, should each have an ambition like Madam Hammer? Poverty and deprivation! Is it then surprising that we keep retrogressing? Can corruption ever be uprooted? Can we even trace the roots?

There are several other Victoria Hammers yet to be uncovered. And until they are caught, our funds would keep disappearing.  There are several out there, scheming to rob us off our resources. There are several others stealing from this nation each day. Of course, the thief is always the one who gets caught. Until then, he is a good citizen.

There are several Hammers out there, waiting to be hammered, and I do pray for that day. For now, Victoria Hammer has only fallen victim to her own hammer. Careless talk make monkey fall down. Ghana must wake up, and do so quickly.

Anna Esi Hanson (nnhanson2@yahoo.com); esociocomm.blogspot.com