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.
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