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

AFRICA AND HER UNCELEBRATED HEROES

Have you ever listened to a tribute that made you wonder if you were actually at the right place? Wow, am I at the right funeral? Is this the same person that I know of? Because at that moment, the person sounds like a saint! And that is supposed to be the worse person we all know of! The irony of our society!

Yes, it is in death that most people are celebrated! While alive however, it is as though they do not exist! There are so many of our departed friends and relations that we constantly wish were alive with us today because if they were, we would do so many things differently. If they were alive, we would make enough time to be with them. If they were alive, we would give them all the love and support they deserved. If they were alive, we would provide them with all the material things the world can offer. If only! If only! If only! That is the prefix for our regrets. 

For a fact, Ghana has a poor track record of celebrating her heroes! In all our history, one man has always been celebrated; Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, for his immense contribution to the liberation of the continent, and this country! Even for this man, the form of appreciation he received raises a huge question mark. For a fact, it has taken longer than it should for Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to receive the kind of recognition he deserves. 

What about our other heroes? This country can boast of several people who have contributed immensely to her growth and development. Quite regrettably, several of these people are departed. However, it is good to know that some are living although such are being taken for granted. It is not surprising, considering the fact that this country has a poor history of documentation. We cannot even keep track of these people, and their individual contributions! We only remember them in our tales!

In the arts and crafts, music, sciences, history, government to mention but a few, several people paved the path that most of us now tread on. People like Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Steve Biko, Ama Ata Aidoo, Nadine Gordimer, Buchi Emecheta and Okot p'Bitek. The bumpy roads of the past have been paved! And yet, they only reign in the realms of literature.

Most African writers and musicians of the past were the forces of change. They were the forces that somehow steered our continent this far. They were the voices of hope and inspiration!  Had we actually listened to them, much more would have been done for this continent. But like our other heroes, they only dwell in the realm of our imaginations. For the writers, they only exist in our world of literature; for those who actually appreciate literature. 

Africans only read for reading sakes. We watch movies for entertainment. In listening to music, we only enjoy the stories, and it ends there. We sing the chorus, but never gain anything from it. We look out for the twist and turn in a novel or movie, and so, fail to grasp or appreciate the true meanings. The words of our writers only stay in books. The only literature we truly appreciate are our text books. We do not take the words of our own; unless of course, it was written by a western author. Then we would do as they say! How then do we grow?

We only love and revere professional and relationship advice. When it comes to advice that would lead to a phenomenal change of life in terms of our attitudes and behaviour, we are subjective. We must shy away from the celebration of our heroes through awards or plaques but take a deeper meaning of learning from their examples. They should inspire us.

Chinua Achebe wrote several powerful literature. Most readers only analyzed these literature for the sakes of literature appreciation but never take lessons. There are underlying truths that should inspire us. We only attack the characters, but fail to recognize them in us, and in our society. Africa is failing, because Africans prefer to take advice elsewhere. Our writers in the past were forces of change and our literature, the tools.

Indeed there is some truth to the assertion that ‘If you want to hide something from the African, put it in a book.’

I write each day to inspire a change in our attitudes as a people but as always, what do people say when they see an article of mine online?  ‘Oh, here is another article by Anna Esi Hanson. Let’s see what she has to say today. Oh, here is another article, what does it say.’ We only read, and move on to the next page. We take no lessons. Those who respond to our articles are disappointingly more interested in attacking the writer, than the issue highlighted. 

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

THE BLACKMAN: THE AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

In Ghana, Bibini blackman, is a popular comment that often pops out of people’s lips during conversations. It usually comes with a negative sting. Whenever Africans meet to share stories of their disappointment and betrayal by their families and friends of African descent, it usually ends with the statement, ‘Blackman’. When we encounter people who are unwilling to embrace any form of positive change, we usually say ‘Bibini Blackman’. And by and by, the word Blackman sounds so negative.

But in the Ghanaian Akan parlance, can ‘Bibini’ be exactly synonymous to ‘Blackman’?

I sometimes wonder what the definition of black has now become because when I examine the complexion of my African brothers and sisters, I do not see the black that we are labeled as. I see people of varied complexion, and not necessarily dark or black as we are all labeled as. A greater proportion of Africans in our various countries can attest to this. And yet, we are still referred to as black. I believe someone somewhere is colour-blind.

I believe the African was racially referred to as black in a bid to lower our self-esteem, and not really for our complexion. It is more for the usual stigma with which people identify the colour black; darkness, evil, shame, destitute, sickness, poverty, grief, hopelessness, to mention but a few.

Although an African and a proud one at that, I would prefer to be called an African than the usual word ‘Black’. Yes, we tell ourselves, that black is good, black is beautiful. Black is natural. Of course, that is only a consolation. In truth, we live in perpetual fear of darkness. Indeed, anything negative, we do, is done under the cover of darkness.

I am proudly an African. I might be referred to as black, although my complexion might not necessarily be so. But what is proud about the colour black itself?

Our world has made it so. When someone wears anything black, we first ask if they have been bereaved; yes, it is a colour of mourning. When we encounter bad days, we label them as black e.g. black Friday, black Tuesday, to mention but a few. When we picture hell, we picture darkness; at least, the good book tells us so. When we talk about shame and anything sad, terrible or evil, we only paint them in black. Most people are afraid of their own shadows; because it is dark and scary! We loathe darkness! Darkness is sinister, mysterious or gloomy; no one wants that.

How then can black be good? How then can black be anything worth being proud of when we continually make such remarks as ‘The black mentality’?

Is then surprising that some Africans these days prefer to bleach? Oh yes, they hate their complexion!

As Africans, whenever we talk about backstabbing friends, relations, betrayal, we only lament saying ‘Blackman’. And so, in our own ways, by our own actions and inactions, we further endorse the idea that anything black is negative. How then do I exclaim that black is beautiful?

Africa is known as the Dark Continent; the mention of her name, sends shivers down the spine of people and their imaginations, ablaze. Is there any positivity in that? Why is she dark? What was the rationale or criteria? Yes, Africa is known as the Dark Continent in the negative sense. We are presumably the poorest, suffer from disease infestations, war-torn, struck by hunger; it is all negative.

Who called the African ‘Black’? Was it more out of spite than complexion?

And somehow, Africans have been born to accept it. And so, we call ourselves black, together with anything negative. And for that, we keep attracting negative energies. We embrace all things negative. For that, the continent suffers from deprivation, underdevelopment, pandemics, poverty, to mention but a few. It has been embedded in our psychology, and for that, the continent suffers. We are told that Africa and for that matter, Africans cannot do well for ourselves, and so, we keep depending on foreign economies. Africa cannot fend for herself. We cannot even decide on our own. We cannot even feed ourselves! Oh you African, wise up!

This article is not to promote any form of hatred or racially motivated attacks. It is only meant to evoke our thoughts.

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

IN THE POT OF LIES: THE AFRICAN MEDIA AND GOVERNMENT

They are still at it o… I thought things would take a positive turn but rather sadly, it is only getting worse. I believe some people failed to make any positive new year’s resolutions. We are still being deceived. 

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article challenging us all to get involved in the things that concern us; ‘The Passive Ghanaian: The need for a focus group’. In this article, I admonished us all to show interest in all that goes on around us notably what our governments claim to be doing for us. I believe that most of us are not doing our homework, whiles our news media, our partners in ensuring accountability in governance, keep failing us. For this reason, the charade continues.

I particularly hate watching our local news, because embedded in its core, are scripts of falsehood. Yes, on the television, we are told that all kinds of projects are being initiated and executed. In our various offices, at our various workplaces, especially in the public sector however, we all know the truth. Nothing is being done! Most government workers receive information on what is happening at their workplaces, on the news! Yes, it is news, because we have never heard of it. It is news because they are fabrications! That is how deceit is built and propagated.

We are told that projects are on-going. We are shown pictures! We watch documentaries and other news feeds and get excited. We are even given brochures and then we tell ourselves; oh, the country is doing great! Only to realize later on that, they are all lies. Our talented video editors and graphic designers are testimonies to the world of deceit in the form of video or photo editing. Rather sadly, our various news media are partakers in this act of betrayal. We see projects being commissioned, and yet, they are not even close to completion. Most of these projects lay abandoned at the various sites. Of course, the pictures are usually subjected to editing or are taken elsewhere.

This is the story of Africa! That is the story of the African! We only believe what we read or see on our screens, but like movies, people are only acting based on powerfully written scripts and camera tricks! Yes, this world itself is a huge stage, and us all, actors. We only play our various roles, take the applause, and then, bow out! The realities however, are on the ground! They are in our towns and villages; in our localities. They stare us in the face all the time, and yet, we do nothing.

We know the minister is telling a blatant lie, by making claims to certain projects. In truth, they have not even been proposed. We are told that certain structures are near completion, but truth, they lie abandoned at the sites. We are told that some logistics have been distributed to our communities, when all is nonexistent.  We are told that jobs have been created, and yet in our localities, we are still unemployed. Where are those jobs? Each year, workers in this country go on strike, and yet each year, there is the usual talk of negotiations, promises of which are never kept. Disbursements of funds are often delayed because someone is profiting from the delay. We know the truth, and yet prefer to remain silent.

Who do we talk to, in trying to reveal such conspiracies? The best tool would be our news media but again, they are the very tool being used to propagate such fallacies. They have become the vehicles of propaganda! In our mundane politics, the opposition would have been the best tool, but of course, in their debates, it is the reign of trivialities. We trivialize everything through our cheap political debates. The one who seeks to uphold the truth falls prey to cheap propaganda. For these reasons, no one takes anything or anyone serious.

In making reportage, our media are most often dictated to, as to what is to be reported. This is common among governments. And so, our reporters keep lying to us. We are being fed with lies. Ghana needs frank or candid journalism, and journalists, who would give clear pictures or true images, and not necessarily what someone would conveniently want to be reported. Failure to do so is a betrayal of the trust of the people of this nation.

As Ghanaians, our taxes fund the national agenda. Rather sadly, these monies are being misused and mismanaged. As citizens, it is our responsibility to probe into such fictitious dealings. We have to keep our governments in check. Until we take charge of this nation and her affairs, our elected leaders would keep squandering our wealth and resources. Let us not sit in the comfort of our homes and listen to the deceit being concocted by our leadership, but rather take a keener interest in the affairs of this nation, by getting ourselves involved. Our politicians keep lying to us because Ghanaians endorse the lies each day; Ghanaians say or do nothing about it!

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

HOW HONOURABLE IS THE HONOURABLE?

It is said in our local adage that ‘The one who climbs the good tree, gets the push’. Encouragement or praise ought to be given to the one who merits it. Rather than a push, some people in this nation deserve to be pulled down. 

 Our leadership keeps failing us and yet, instead of hitting the nail on the head in telling them of their failures, we have rather coined a decent name for these people, as though they merit it. They are being addressed as ‘honourable! I have thought about this issue, and cannot seem to wrap my head around it. Even when they show us gross disrespect, even when their promises are not being fulfilled, even when their behaviour is far from honourable, we still call them honourable!

We keep calling them ‘honourable’, and yet, they are not honourable. How honourable is the honourable? Of course, they respond to it with feigned importance.

Honourable is an adjective of the word ‘honour’, which is to have a quality that commands great respect or esteem, or allegiance to moral principles. To be considered honourable therefore implies that you should be worthy of the calling. What do principled people do? Having a principle requires a code, standard, rule, law, attitude, belief, or an opinion that does not wane whatever the circumstance.

Rather unfortunately, in our part of the world, this word seems to have another meaning, or perhaps, no meaning at all. At least, hawkers use this word to lure people into purchasing their wares. The con-artists also love to use this word in their trade. It therefore has a cunning appeal or sting. It is more or less, a word or tool of seduction. When someone uses that word unwarrantably, it is because the person perhaps needs a favour or we are being conned. At such times, we watch out for what follows, and as always, a request follows.

The African loves to call all politicians honourable, who in truth do not deserve such appellations. The conducts of our ‘honourables’ are inappropriate and undeserving and yet, we keep calling them... I am most certain that at times, some of them actually have a great laugh at the irony behind their appellations, because they are very much aware of the fact that their conducts and misconducts, do not warrant such appellations.

We call them honourable, and yet, when we demand that they carry out their responsibilities, our requests are usually denied! Our demands must be accompanied by a bribe of one form or the other! In our society where bribery and corruption is killing us, our honourables are the usual perpetrators. They are the most corrupt people in our society! And yet, we call them honourable! We call them honourable, even as we watch them loot our nations, dry. We call them honourable, even as we watch them scramble among themselves, the best that this nation has to offer; even when we know that every decision taken by them, is for their own selfish interests. Let us look around us because around us are the results of a society being run by a principle of no principle.

The invasion of this nation by unlawful foreigners in the form of  illegal miners, thrift shops, black market operations, to mention but a few, can all be traced to our ‘honourables’. Viable lands and water bodies in this nation are being destroyed each day, all being endorsed by our ‘honourables.’ For these reasons, the call to rid this nation off these people has not gone far! They are the very brains behind these illegal operations.

In this dear nation of ours, the laws governing this land are non-functional. Simply because our laws are being disregarded! People receive various forms of law exemptions each day! On our roads, we usually encounter them over speeding; they break traffic regulations all the time, and of course, we usually excuse them. They are on national assignment! We have made people so powerful that the very laws by which they must rule, and therefore must be upheld, are being broken. The very people, who have given them the power and authority, are being trampled upon!

For most people, it is more of fear than respect. People live in fear of authority, and so, are forced to call them by such names, and not for the actual meanings. Of course, who would defend us should we fall prey to the monsters we have created in the form of these ‘honourables?’  How honourable is the honourable? 

Not so honourable, I would say!

Anna Esi Hanson (nnhanson2@yahoo.com), esociocomm.blogspot.com (Published 14/5/13)

FOR LACK OF WILL, GHANA SUFFERS!

"Ghana is our country. We have nowhere to go. This is where God has placed us and the earlier we realized this the better for all of us." Ako Adjei

Most Ghanaians live in oblivion! Selective oblivion perhaps! We are oblivious to the fact that Ghana is not moving! Ghana needs to rise above her presumptuous middle age development status! I am doubtful of our economic status, because whenever I look around me, and whenever I consider our economic predicaments and perhaps level of institutionalization and professionalism in this nation, one thing becomes clear, Ghana has a long way to go! We live in self-professed or self-acclaimed glory!

Our leaders tell us; oh, Ghana is doing great! All is well! The economy is growing! We are not doing badly at all! Inflation has been constant or stable, and then, the gullible Ghanaian believes! We take solace in their words!

What is your standard of living? How much can you comfortably spend a day in this country? Most salaried workers count each single day to the end of the month! It is a continuous struggle however the qualification! Should that be the case, considering the wealth of this nation?

I am tired of the frequent strike actions! Simply because our governments are always looking for ways of ripping us off! I am tired of the stories of youth unemployment! Simply because the country is failing to be self-sufficient! I am tired of the frequent shortages in basic amenities and utilities; power cuts, water shortages, fuel and gas shortages! I am tired of hearing stories about child mortality, maternal mortality, and the inadequacies in our health delivery! Again, I am tired of the usual stories of inadequate educational infrastructure, liaised with the unrealistic cut-off points by our institutions, a deliberate attempt to reduce the numbers of entrants into our various institutions! Access to basic goods and services in this beloved nation of ours, is still a nightmare! And yet, we get excited, whenever we are told the elusive stories of our progress! A snail pace! The works of mediocre minds!

It is quite clear that our democratically elected leaders have no will! The will to correct the canker, reeking in our society! The will to enforce the law and kill corruption! Our dictators however, exhibited much more will than they are credited for!

Having a will or willpower means having a spirit, force, motivation, strength of character, determination, resolve or self control! Can we therefore say that this beautiful country of ours, with a population of over 24million people, cannot boast of people with the above qualities? Are we then saying that none of our leaders have such qualities? If so, Ghanaians need to seriously reconsider the qualities by which we elect our leaders!  Because from all indications, most of us lack self control! That is why Ghana is beset by so many problems!

God gave us all a will! It is either you chose to be good, or you chose to be bad! It is either you are law-abiding, or lawless! Can we therefore not say no to corruption? Can we therefore not ensure that we carry out our individual national assignments or jobs as we might prefer to call it? Can Ghana ever boast of a democratically elected leader who is actually willing to fight corruption and preserve the rule of law? All we see are leaders, who are willing to compromise on the truth! We are willing to bend the rules! Why must we always veer off our course; can our leaders for once stay on course in securing the national agenda, if any?

The marks of a developed nation, or its secret, lies in the rule of law! It lies within their institutions! As a nation, Ghana is always quick to embrace new policies and other legal frameworks! Perhaps, only to keep herself abreast with the times; like fashion! When it comes to the implementation however, their lies the shame!

The rationale behind most policies and legal frameworks has been trivialized in this nation! I am sometimes surprised whenever I am told that certain clauses or legislative instruments or laws exist in our constitution! This is because they are not being used! They are all gathering dust in our constitution!

We know of the stories of the struggle for independence; as a nation, and as a people, what have we learnt from these stories? They are stories of great men and women, who fought for our liberation. They had a will to make a difference! Today in Ghana, Ghanaians are trading off their liberties! We are trading off our liberation! It is because we lack the will to do things for ourselves! We sit and watch as foreigners take over our industries because in truth, we are incapable! We have no will!

Ako Adjei once said; ‘Ghana is our country. We have nowhere to go. This is where God has placed us and the earlier we realized this, better for all of us.’ What do those words mean to you?

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