GHANA’S INDEPENDENCE: ANOTHER MILESTONE OR WASTED YEARS?

Ghana is 57years old. On this occasion, and like several others, I am in a dilemma; should I jubilate or weep. Should I shout ‘hurray’, pop champagne, give a toast, sound the trumpet, light explosives, play the drum, as normally happens with birthdays and other milestones? Milestones of achievements or success perhaps? Or should I bow down my head and weep? Weep for the underachievement and underdevelopment I see around me. Weep for the people we have become, as suggested by a friend a couple of weeks ago?

Where are the visionary vistas?

Can they be found in our leadership of misappropriations, bribery and corruption, bi-partisanship, selfishness, gluttony, to mention but a few?  A leadership of misguided priorities, if any! Can they be found in a citizenry of lazy, corrupt, nonchalant, passive, selfish, tribalistic, and godlessness?

For today, I can only weep. I weep for men like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the big six, who were instrumental in the fight for our freedom. Considering the misadventures in this nation, I doubt whether we were actually prepared for the responsibilities or perhaps, consequence of that freedom. I weep for the soldiers or ex-service men who sacrificed their lives to build this nation. I weep for our great-great grandparents who lost their lives in this struggle. I weep for the good people of old, who worked tirelessly in securing this land, her resources, and her heritage. Most importantly, I weep for the few, struggling each day to uphold truth, freedom, justice, devotion, and most importantly, the spirit of patriotism.

And to what avail?

That we will trade off this land and all her resources for our selfish interests? That we will throw away our heritage? That we will allow bi-partisanship tear us apart? That we will allow bi-partisanship kill the spirit of patriotism? That the current breed of Ghanaians would scramble for any ship that would pull into our docks to take us to foreign lands for so-called greener pastures? That we will allow all sorts of dictatorship and neocolonialism pervade us? That we will underutilize our God-given talents and resources or in most cases, misuse them?

This is the nation we call home. This is our motherland. That is the people Ghana has begot! That is the people we have become! And so on this Independence Day, I weep! Many may choose to call the rainfall on 6^th of March 2014, showers of blessings, but I choose to call it a storm of pain, bitterness, sorrow and disappointment! It was no shower, as we prefer to call it. It was a heavy downpour, an outpour of grief and sorrow. Ghana must wake up.

Ghana is our heritage, secured for us, at the peril of priceless lives. This is a legacy. What have we done with this legacy? What have we done to this legacy? What will be said of us tomorrow?

Indeed, Ghana has come this far, through our collective efforts and effortlessness. Have we done enough? Considering the level of literacy and resources available back then, both human and otherwise, much more was achieved. In Ghana today, all kinds of resources are at our disposal. How useful have they been?

At our workplaces are stories of underemployment. We keep talking about unemployment, and yet, a considerable percentage has jobs, but is not working satisfactorily. We keep talking about better conditions of service when we do not merit it. It is all about greed and laziness. What are we doing for this nation? We may blame our leadership, but we are the government. We are no different from our leadership; from the same stock.

What is your dream for this nation?

A dream of robbery, stealing, murder, bribery and corruption, embezzlement, and all kinds of crimes, perhaps? A dream of laziness, self-pity, and mediocrity? A dream of resentment, hatred, to mention but a few? Ghana deserves much better.

Our governments seem to gamble, try and error in finding solutions to our problems. In the end, they lose their way; they get lost in the maze they create. Others get drowned.

Ghana is 57 years old, at least, old enough. For most 57 year olds, three years to retirement. As a nation, we should be at the peak of our development. Rather sadly, Ghana is far from that. For once, let us stop the try and error approach. Let us put a stop to gambling this nation away. For now, I can only look forward to another year; another milestone, or wasted years…….

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

SILENCE

"In our world are people who live in perpetual joy and happiness…
Others have been confined to perpetual sadness…
This is a life of no escape…
They suffer in pain…
Their pain, concealed…
Their tears unshed…
Their pleas, unheard…
Their scars, unseen…
There is no escape…
They suffer in silence…
The world of silence is one of darkness…
The world of the silent is one of several stories…
Stories better left untold…
These are stories of hidden truths, the bitter truth perhaps...
Better left unsaid, better left unheard…
For this, its victims had prices to pay.”…

My Ghanaian Economy; So so wahala

For those who know me personally, I have always been a fan of President Mahama but considering all that is currently facing this nation, I must ask: Bosso, how far? Because all around me, it is so so wahala!!!

Bosso, how far now? This country is facing several hardships. This bus seems to be steering off course, and so, we need to alert our driver.

For a fact, most countries are facing hardships. It is a global recession. My Italian colleagues would tell me that, on the average, most people in Italy earn below their average household expenditure. In the United Kingdom, things are no different. Even in America, God’s own supposed country, things are quite tough, and have been for a while now. What then becomes of our poor economy? Our economy, that is so reliant on foreign aid. Our economy that depends on foreign economies! In a country where we go carrying collection bags at various summits purposely for funds for almost all projects. A country that goes a-borrowing each time a project needs to be executed. So so wahala.

Quite recently, I heard on the news that Ghana made at least 800million dollars from our oil revenue. What has, or what will become, of that money? I live in Takoradi, and I keep asking myself this question on a daily basis; what is happening to the revenues from our oil exploration. We keep boasting of our oil country, but what is happening to that money? What of the oil? Yes, this country is earning from her oil find, but are Ghanaians enjoying the true benefits, if any? Until then, it is so so wahala.

I know some may argue that these monies are being used as subsidies but subsidies to what? Considering the current daily tax upsurges, I have serious doubts. Rather sadly, the usual talks continue. It is always talks about government putting in measures to secure our currency! Measures to curb inflation! To the average man, a hodgepodge of meaningless words! Are they any true measures? Like most measures put in place in the past, we feel the sting each day. Ghana never takes a holistic measure in addressing issues. We only put in temporal solutions, and then as always, a few years down the lane, nemesis catches up with us. So so wahala.

The economic hardships we are facing in this nation did not just pop up on us one morning like a surprise! It was gradual! There were warning signs, but our leadership ignored them. The poor state of our economy is because our leaders have failed to find lasting solutions to our developmental issues. Yes, the issues this country is facing are mere developmental issues, and not mystics. Our leadership only gives it surface dressings as solutions. Just like how we treat potholes on our roads! So so wahala!

Can Ghana ever learn to tackle issues from the foundation? Leaders come and go, and yet rather disappointingly, they leave without finding lasting solutions to our problems. In Ghana today, prices of utilities keep soaring each day. Can our governments not learn to take a bold step by increasing these prices once to cover a considerable period? That would save us the yearly or considering our current situation, the daily increments. Our central bank is talking about closing down dollar accounts, and yet, there are talks of exemptions, and so, in the end, the standards are further lowered! We keep talking about inflation but to what avail? Can these daily increments in any way, stabilize our economy? Of course, our dirty politics is quite elusive to the realities surrounding us. So so wahala.

Our central bank has now seen the need to forestall local transactions in foreign currencies. I am indeed surprised at how long it has taken us to come to this reality. But the question is: how many Ghanaians have dollar accounts or largely trade on such terms? It falls back to those on top! Yes, we are the cause of our own problems and so, in finding solutions, we conveniently go on a wild goose chase! We have made our markets and economy so susceptible! And for what? Our selfish interest, as always! So so wahala.

Can our governments really solve our problems? I am not happy with the current happenings in this nation.

President Mahama has been behind the steering wheel of this bumpy ride for some time now and as an optimist, I look forward to when he would turn this bumpy ride into a safe and smooth cruise. Until then, the future seems really bleak. So so wahala. Bosso, how far? It is so so wahala.

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

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