VOLTA RIVER AUTHORITY OR VOLTA REVENUE AUTHORITY

Has the Volta River Authority, now turned from a power generation authority, into a power revenue authority? From Volta River Authority, into Volta Revenue Authority? Clearly in Ghana, a mere name change can be so expensive. When ordinary “Koobi” changes its name to Tilapia, it becomes very expensive.

Yes, our beloved Volta River Authority seems to have assumed a new status; a revenue authority status because each day, the only news I hear from them is how much more they want to extract from this nation, in the name of power generation. They claim to be generating power, and yet, each day in our various cities, the reality hits us; there is no power! We keep paying, but receive no power.

In Ghana today, it is one talk of a thermal plant after another. Each day, new thermal plants are being planned and cited. Various plants have been commissioned in the past year, and yet till date, no improvements have been noted. The situation is rather getting worse. Huge revenues are being pumped into power generation, and for what?

Quite recently, the Takoradi Thermal Plant was commissioned. Rather unfortunately, till date, nothing promising has been heard about its operations or functionality. What is happening with or to the newly commissioned Takoradi thermal plant? From all indications, Volta River Authority is dribbling around this issue. We are not being told much about its operations, and yet, we are being asked to pay more; pay for no service? That is the story of Ghana.

Volta River Authority is asking for increased tariffs, in order to serve us better; so they claim. What becomes the benchmark for better service, if all that we know of is disappointments? How are these tariffs going to be used? Is it to service our machines; most of them white elephants? Is it to add to their already overgrown salaries? Or as always, to feed the insatiable appetites of some people in some offices?

Let us learn to be serious as a people. Each day, taxes are taken from us; extorted perhaps, and yet, no account is given. People pay huge sums of monies as taxes or levies, each day, and yet, no remarkable development is attained or even sustained.

On our roads, monies go out as road taxes or levies, and yet, the poor nature of our roads is an unfortunate attestation. People pay water bills, but have no access to water. Huge monies are paid as communication taxes, and what do we get in return, poor communication networks. At our ports and harbours, this same trend of extortion persists. At our borders and checkpoints, it is the height of indiscipline and gross disappointment; from people we supposedly call our own. Not forgetting our tax-collecting police; junior Matthews’.

Is it then surprising, that our distinguished Volta River Authority, on grounds of their autonomy, is asking for outrageously increased tariffs? Increased tariffs, for power we do not have! They have turned into a revenue authority overnight. And as per the current development in this nation, their request, or better still as an authority, their demands, are being backed by a threat; a threat of worse services, as if their existing records, speaks otherwise.

In all this, Ghanaians sit and make no effort to correct the stench surrounding us! The stench that is gradually eating us all up! Instead of making all kinds of demands, let us also spend that much time, in correcting the ills in our lives. We need a change of attitude. This is a country, which is constantly making room for loss and wastage.

A newly commissioned thermal plant is not functioning, and yet, we are all silent. On this plant are all kinds of engineers, experienced as they may call themselves, and yet, their skills, knowledge, or experience cannot be applied to resolve the problems hindering their operations! And yet, they want increments! Our water supply and distribution system, after so many years of functionality, still leaves large rooms for all kinds of wastage. We keep complaining about water shortages, and yet, we are not looking at the root causes. Our roads are fast deteriorating and in deplorable states, but we do not question how our roads and revenues are being constructed or used, respectively. 

Who then speaks for us, considering the fact that most Ghanaians are reluctant to fight their own battles?

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

ONLY IN GHANA

Only in Ghana! Imagine a whole parliamentarian, screaming foul on national media. And I asked myself, what is his beef?

Apparently, his supposed HIPC fund had gone missing from the account. How was that possible, and why was the money sitting there in the first place. Apparently, as was his response, he was only saving the money for the next four or eight years, until it had substantiated enough for it to be used. A cock and bull story!

It was more interesting, when a couple of days later, other parliamentarians joined in the pandemonium, all threatening to boycott parliament. Indeed, it is quite remarkable, how these parliamentarians find a common ground on monetary issues.

Why the noise when we all know that the money would have been idle in the bank anyway? If it can idle for four years or even eight, as I heard that morning, I bet government can equally wait till four or eight years before disbursing it. What then would be the rationale for the funding anyway?

Only in Ghana!!! How can money, meant for development, be kept idle in a bank, simply because, a parliamentarian has decided that it is too small to be used so he could wait for at least, four, or eight years, should he be re-elected, before he uses it. According to him, that was the norm. He was not the only one.

What right does a parliamentarian have, to make such a decision? What happens, should he lose an election? What about his constituents? It means, for the entire period the money idles in the bank, nothing for his constituency! How was it possible for the account to be accessed by a non-signatory? Who takes the interest on the money? I need to be educated.

One thing was quite clear as I sat listening to this parliamentarian that morning. He had not thought about the repercussions of his statement.

Why should government monies sit idle, when there are dire issues to be addressed and resolved each day? People are hungry! People are sick and dying! School fees need to be paid! Accessibility to water supply is a hurdle! These are basic necessities that do not need thousands or millions. At least one single problem could be solved. And yet, our parliamentarians rather prefer to compound issues for a period of four or even eight years! Perhaps, it is convenient to wait until the political campaign seasons, before the money can be put to good use, as always.

Considering the utterance of this parliamentarian, his constituency would see no development, during the period that his funds are hibernating. What would he then be doing in his constituency, as a parliamentarian? He would only be showing up in parliament, to add to the numbers.

Such are the stories of several of our parliamentarians. They show up in parliament, but have no contributions to make. Each year, monies are handed out, but in the end, no tangible account is rendered.

In my final year in the university, for the school of engineering, our student president, did particularly nothing, for the whole year he remained in power. I remember participating in a solar power design competition, and even for us to receive our certificates of participation, proved futile! In the end however, a budget was exhausted. Millions had been spent! Like this young man, they usually, and almost always, find their way into government. Catch them young….

Ghanaians ought to be serious. Monies are sneaking out of government coffers each year, in the full glare of us all. We keep talking about judgment debts, corruption, embezzlements.

How do we put a stop to this canker? It is no longer news.

Yes, this parliamentarian had the audacity to openly scream foul and his colleagues joined in. That is the insult we receive each day. People steal from the nation, and then, parade them; from the mansions, vehicles, to several others.

Clearly, I am addressing a parliamentarian, but he is not the sole culprit. Like him, several others exist in our workplaces, and communities. We know them all. What have we done to put a stop to this nonsense? Within our various localities and offices, such are the realities.

Clearly, our auditors are still far behind because our money keeps disappearing each day. We keep on setting up committees to probe these cases, but in the end, what do we do with the findings?

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

POSITION IS NOT PROPERTY

I had a good laugh the first time I heard this phrase. It had been written behind a vehicle. Position is not property; what could it really mean? But by and by, each day, this word keeps getting meaning. Whenever I consider several issues affecting our society, I cannot help but side with the originator of this phrase. Position is not property!

Let us take a critical look at our noble continent Africa, and the world at large. We keep encountering all sorts of leadership, better called, dictators, and each time, we cannot help but ask ourselves if it is worth it at all. Why should people go through all kinds of abuse, attacks, or oppressions, just to hold on to power? Is it really worth it? Is it in any case by force, as most of us would bluntly put it? Is it by force? After all, position is not property! For some people however, position is by all standards, a property!

Position in this case represents a social status; a leadership position. It can be a leadership position in politics, at work, in church, in our local community, to mention but a few. Position is not property, simply means that it is not permanent, however permanent it might seem. Death in itself makes that impossible.

The problem is that in our world, whenever someone is given a kind of leadership position, it becomes the beginning of several unfortunate incidents for the very people who help secure that position. Power is corruptive, and so is position. As soon as someone is given a leadership position, it becomes an opportunity to trample on others. It becomes an opportunity to bully, intimidate, harass, abuse, punish, imprison, torture, and mostly, cause fear and panic. Yes, people thrive on fear, and that is their weapon. They use our vulnerability and defenselessness to their advantage.

In our various workplaces, such is our stories. We constantly encounter such people in the form of our immediate bosses, and even colleagues. Most people have several gruesome stories of abuse to be shared. The problem is that fear prevents us from coming out; prisoners of the fear of the consequences.

In our various homes, such are our stories; stories of abuse, stories of husbands and wives who seem to be in control and hence, turned tyrants overnight. Our relatives are at our mercy, and so are our house helps.

Our churches are also not ruled out. These days, the most unfortunate and sometimes humiliating stories are being heard from our spiritual centers.

How long can a person remain in charge? Situations change each day! Position is not property! It can never be permanent! Methuselah of the Holy book is an attestation. Although the oldest that lived, he still died! Like the Philosopher, it is all vanity! What I cannot understand is the fact that most people are forgetful of the fact that several others have come and gone, who have enjoyed that very position. Where are they now? Do we even stop to ask ourselves these questions at times?

Leadership is a huge responsibility! It is a position of service, and not an opportunity to put others to servitude. The greatest should always be the least.

This message goes to our leadership, whichever form it would take. This country needs able-bodied men and women who are willing to sacrifice much more than is being done if indeed, we want to progress as a people. The caliber of leadership we keep encountering raises huge questions.

As soon as an ordinary person is given a leadership position, this person changes into extraordinary. The same person who barely an hour ago was friendly, suddenly starts walking with the nose pointed in the air, all arms stretch out sideways, as they walk. People virtually have to run after them, just to get a chance to talk to them. To make a mere appointment takes heaven for the fortunate ones; for others, impossible!

Each day, I keep asking myself one question. What would God do? What do we expect of God, if ordinary human beings are asking for so much? If it takes several weeks of appointments, through several channels, just to meet with one person; how many years then, must it take for us to speak to God? We keep idolizing people each day. The same goes for our so-called celebrities!

Let us remember, that just as quickly as we arrived, we would equally depart! Position is not property! I therefore side with one great man for his greatest remark; No condition is permanent! Yes, today, the spotlight is on you. Just as you had the opportunity today, it would definitely be some other persons turn tomorrow. Position is not property. We leave everything behind in death; not even the flesh, do we take along.

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

AFRICA AND HER DICTATORS

Ever since my English literature class in my third year at the university, the poem “Look on His Works” by A.A Amoako has never left my memory. This splendid piece of literature was about Saddam Hussein. A.A Amoako started this poem, with the words; “The world loved to hate this Dictator and knew him more by his first name. A son of Adam, Adamant in his policies… He built adamantine walls around his foes……”

Yes, our world surely loves to hate its dictators. We only have to label someone as a dictator whether deserving or undeserving, and sooner or later, everyone learns to hate.

In a nation like Ghana, which cannot seem to find a leader who possesses the willpower to lead this nation higher, could a dictator not perhaps solve our problems? In all truth and fairness, who is a dictator? Can this word be defined solely based on terror or tyranny? Indeed, our society and livelihood, somewhat depends on fear because fear sometimes keeps people in check. It is the fear of a consequence that keeps people on the right. Is it always negative?

In our homes, we are all Saddams, Gaddafis, Mubaraks, in disguise. We are the terror of our homes. At our work places, it is no different. Most people thrive on dictatorship! Nonetheless, we are still loved and cherished because our loved ones and admirers understand that it is necessary. When people lack discipline, the disciplinarian, becomes a hero.

Several dictators have been killed by so-called Anti-corruption forces, at a cost, well known to us all. Who made them Anti-corruption, when they are themselves no saints? Today, these countries lie in peril and deprivation. Men like Saddam Hussein, Mohammed Al-Gaddafi, Hosni Mubarak, including our very own Dr. Kwame Nkrumah had certain qualities that cannot be matched up to, by leadership of today. They laboured to see their countries flourish, independently, without the interference or contribution of our so-called donor nations and have each paid the ultimate price.

Africa keeps sinking to all forms of dictatorship and yet, rather hypocritically, we cry foul to our own. For a fact, any loan or form of aid this continent has received has always come with a condition. Our governments are being told what to do all the time. Is there any better form of dictatorship?

The only true crime committed by our dictators is self-reliance and self-sufficiency!

Until recently, Egypt had a booming economy. One morning however, people had a sudden awakening that told them otherwise, and so, began a mighty crusade to get rid of their dictator. The country now lies in peril with more unrest, each day; they cannot seem to find a suitable leader. It so happened in great Libya; the envy of all! In the Libya of today however, not even the shadows of the past can be traced. The same goes for Iraq, Syria, to mention but a few.

Clearly, democracy has worked wonders for most nations, but again, can it work for all? Can it all be positive, considering how long it takes to reach a conclusive decision in this nation? Can democracy kill gross indiscipline and lawlessness? Can democracy truly enforce the law? Personally, I believe that democracy without its underlying responsibilities only creates convenient excuses for indiscipline. We stress on freedom and rights, without placing emphasis on responsibilities.

Most decisions taken under our current democratic governance are solely based on the views of the so-called majority in parliament; how different is that from a dictatorship? Collective dictatorship perhaps? Not all enjoy equal representation. Would dictators sit and watch as people trade off their countries? Would dictators sit and watch as people divide their countries on grounds of party politics? Would dictators sit and watch as government officials squander the nation’s wealth? Your guess is as good as mine. At least, under a dictatorship, we have a sole culprit, but under democracy, we have looters.

Like all dictators, mankind flourishes on power. We all want power! Our democratically elected leaders are walking in the exact footsteps of our dictators. How many of them listen to us? How many of them seek our approval in reaching certain decisions? The only difference is that, we actually endorse them; they have our votes; they are elected dictators!

Africa only sits and allows others to dictate to us, to hate our dictators. That is the irony of it all. We give room to democratic dictatorship! I am not here to beatify any dictator, but if indeed, there are qualities worth emulating, they deserve a bit of acknowledgement. Why are nations that brought down their dictators, still facing unrest? Were the dictators the real problem? Or was it the people themselves? Or were there external factors?

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

GHANAIAN POLITICS OF TRIVIALISM

I am a bit concerned about Ghana. It is the reign of double standards! People are always making comparisons and justifications! People are always making excuses! Whenever I read the comments from readers, I am a bit taken aback! Whenever I read comments on features of other writers, I am generally disappointed!

Let us call a spade, a spade! Enough of the comparison! It is disappointing, when people conveniently stray from the issues confronting this nation! Instead, they trivialize it! Some even have the effrontery to request that you talk about something else! It is as though what they imagine to be important really is important.

Some time ago, I wrote about homosexuality in Ghana and received varied responses; someone requested that I rather wrote about abortion, because to the person, that was more important! Another asked me to talk about corruption! But at that moment, I needed to tackle homosexuality! On another occasion, I wrote about doctors in Ghana, and several doctors attacked me, requesting that I rather addressed the recent rent allowance of our parliamentarians because to them, that issue was more critical! But again, I needed to address our doctors!

A few days ago, I wrote about the effects of the election petition on the nation’s economy, and again, a very learned fellow, decided to read and interpret otherwise, thereby launching a huge campaign against my article; his rejoinder went viral. What was meant to be a rejoinder to my article perhaps, turned out to be riddled with insults and personal attacks. Instead of addressing the issues as they needed to be, he only saw an opportunity to attack the government, but again, I had to be the tool.

Yes, issues ought to be addressed, just like I do each day, but we need to be civil in our dealings. Clearly, whatever I addressed seemed to be trivialized by this professor. That is the Ghana of today! We used big grammar to condemn and render all pertinent issues, null and void!

Ghana continues to drown each day, despite our so-called, virtual development and growth. Do you know that in terms of world peace as ranked by the EPI, Ghana had dropped eight places and keeps dropping each year. That is how far we are retrogressing as a nation. We need to take things more seriously.

Such are the realities! I receive emails from people, packed with all kinds of demands! Everyone thinks of an issue as more important! Depending on the side of the coin you belong, we always conveniently avoid specific issues!

If you avoid a problem today, you would definitely have to confront it another day! So why postpone issues? The issues need to be addressed! I do not run a one-way train! I tackle as much as I can. Ghanaians love to avoid issues! We love to belittle every issue that does not affect us directly! It is only after we have ourselves, fallen victims that we then acknowledge the gravity or importance of the issue! Some of us are only bold enough to hit the nail exactly on the head; at least, for the sake of Ghana and posterity.

The national spirit is fast being lost! All in the name of the politics of triviality! And rather sadly, our learned friends and colleagues are no different. We constantly lead this nation further astray. How are we serving this nation with our so-called education? By robbing her?

People would always want to protect their interest! Any statement, however innocent, has to be interpreted negatively! It is always about the NPP and the NDC, to the extent that serious issues confronting this nation are being turned into petty discussions and debates! It begins with the usual comments “They! They! They!”! They? Who are the “They?”

Most of us want to see the positivity in this election petition but personally, I beg to differ. If only all of us would learn to do the right thing at the right time, there would be no need for this petition. Our actions and inactions are rapidly becoming a threat to this nation’s peace.

Our politicians are turning this nation into a battle ground, and to some, a comedian’s platform! Instead of helping to keep our ‘sinking ship’ afloat, some people seem more interested in watching, and perhaps jeering or cheering on, as the ‘ship’, and her people sink to the bottom of the ocean! Fellow Ghanaians, Ghana is the only ship we have! Let not the politics of ideology create division! Let not the politics of ideology, trivialize very important issues that need lasting solutions!

In the end, if Ghana dies today, where would we all be? Ghana is bigger than us all! It is bigger than any politician, or political party! After all, there was Ghana before bi-partisan politics!

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

ELECTION PETITION; NEGATIVES OUTWEIGHED

It is obvious that the election petition is having grave repercussions on the economy of Ghana.  As a person working within the construction industry, I can feel the impact rather directly. Most contracts and projects are all pending! Most construction companies in Ghana are suffering! Workers within the industry are underemployed; people sit idle at work each day, because there is nothing to be done! Business has slowed down dramatically. Jobs are on hold for fear of the consequence of the election petition. A greater proportion of workers have been laid off, and it still continues. Workers are generally living in fear of the next day because they do not know when they would be in line for eviction.

Most contracts are pending because companies and potential investors, especially foreign, are unwilling to sign new contracts for the reason of the unknown; uncertainty. National stability is a key in any investment and business. No one would want to invest in a nation, which seems to be balancing on a scale of uncertainty. None knows who judgment might favour. And so, all live in wait. All are watching keenly. None wants to fall victim to a judgment debt saga! No one wants to be a second Wayome. 

The issue of underemployment or unemployment pertains in all sectors of the economy, and so, Ghanaians are complaining. Business is slow! There are no jobs! There is no money! In our markets, sales have declined, because there is no money.

Rather interestingly, it is as though our honourable leaders and politicians are unaware. Nothing is being done to boost this rapidly declining economy. We need an intervention of some sort. We need money. We need jobs. What is our leadership doing to make things better? 

For a fact, the election petition is having its toll on the economy. Of course, we all acknowledge the importance of the whole procedure in the area of transparency and accountability. But the question now is: How long until judgment? How long must we wait until the judgment is declared? How long must we sit idle, unemployed or underemployed, until things return to normalcy? How many more months would the country be in court? 

We need normalcy for prospective investors. We need normalcy for stability. We need our country back in order to ensure our growth and development. At the moment, everything seems to be at a standstill! Productivity in this country has rapidly declined. How long must Ghanaians endure the repercussions of the election petition? This is a question from all Ghanaians to our leaders?

I would want to believe that the whole election results re-battle is truly for the sake of promoting democracy, as has been publicly and widely acclaimed, and not solely for the selfish interest of someone or some people. We can to some extent feel the impact of this whole process on our nation’s economy, and do hope that such a somewhat unfortunate incidence, does not repeat itself because Ghana is beyond us all. Ghana continues paying the price for the atrocities that have been committed by her people. Ghanaians ought to start thinking beyond themselves, by putting the nation first.

Let us not create turmoil, where there is not. For a fact, the whole world is watching us. Ghana is a country that has found herself sandwiched between warzones, but has always managed to remain steadfast. That is our pride as a nation. Let us not take it for granted. The price of peace is negligible, when compared to the price of war or chaos. Let us not take our harmony for granted as a nation. 

We need our nation back. We need to steer this nation back on the track of progression, and not retrogression. Ghana needs us all! Our supreme court ought to fast-track the election petition because prolonging it, would kill this nation, rather than serve anything good. In Ghana today, most businesses and business plans, are created, with the election petition in focus. I am even sure that in parliament, most proceedings are taken with respect to the election petition. Whatever plans being made, are being done with the election petition in focus. The judgement is the focus. Most business negotiations now have a common condition; ‘if’. 

By far, the negatives of the election petition seem to be outweighing the positives...

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