GHANA COMMENTARIES, by Anna Esi Hanson

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

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 h