FUNNY COUNTRY, GOVERNED BY A FUNNY SYSTEM...

It was lunch break, and so as we left site for the closest town, Agona Nkwanta, for lunch, all we did was fantasize about the meal ahead. As we hit the main road, we sat in anticipation. Moving further and further, our stomachs rumbled and churned at an increasing pace, and with increasing intensity. Until...

Further down the road, a long build-up of traffic was spotted, amid a thick mass of smoke. Alarmed and yet hopeful, devoid of any negativity, we drew closer, joining the trail of vehicles that had already built up. Curious, we got out, to realize that our dream would be almost squashed.

Ahead of us, about a 100m away was an accident between a tipper truck, and a Kia truck carrying a huge pile of logs. The vehicles were in a headlock with smoke emanating from one. 

As a result of the collision, the road had been blocked. No vehicle could move, either to, or fro! Our joy died out immediately. Our reverie, crinkled. Of course, the hunger remained. Lingering with each swallow of saliva.

For a while, we sat in traffic since there was no way out. There was no alternative route to get to our destination. The queue kept building up. Passengers sat in wait, high and dry and frustrated. Several trucks sat in wait, with their loads, trailers, taking up more space. Those on the way for various pressing needs or assignments could only pray that the road cleared soon enough. Of course by who, no one knew.

In all this, one thing became clear. Western region had a serious problem in terms of road network. There were no major alternative routes linking Takoradi to the immediate and remote towns apart from the main routes. From Takoradi to Tarkwa and beyond, had no alternative route apart from the Agona Nkwanta route. In the event of any unforeseen occurrence or accident, as did that gloomy afternoon, the consequences would be unfathomable. 

Eventually, people joined forces to clear the road off the pile of logs that had blocked the way for traffic to move. A portion of the road still had the accident vehicles in a head-lock.

And when everything was done, our gallant fire service showed up, siren blasting... As we moved further along, it was the turn of our police, who seemed in a hurry to exercise their mandate. The mandate, of which your guess, is as good as mine.

All we could do was to have a good laugh... At least, we still had some energy left to do that. I could only think of how crazy the system is, in this country.

Here I was in a city with a one-directional road network. In the event of any emergency, what would be the option?

Again here I was, having witnessed at first hand, the response time of the police and fire service to an accident scene. Even for the fire truck, accessing the scene of the accident seemed to be a hurdle since this very road, was not wide enough. Can you imagine what would have happened, had there been several casualties, requiring prompt or emergency medical attention? Sadly, one person perished. Hmm…

Did I fail to mention that this particular route was also an international route, linking Ghana to Cote D-'Ivoire and its immediate countries?

If I should start describing the nature and current state of roads and road networks within Sekondi-Takoradi, we would spend a decade. Governments have come and gone, and yet, things seem to only worsen. Of course, my fellow westerners seem to be in no hurry. My paddies are cool, chilling in the elusive Oil City!

I live in awe of the day there would be the inescapable reason to reconstruct the Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta stretch of road. Although I speak of western region, I speak not only of my region, or for my region. I speak of yours, and for yours, for such are your soliloquies.

But hey, what do I know? I live in a funny country, governed by a funny system.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

I recently phoned in on a radio program that was specifically addressing illegal migration. The guest speaker exhibited a lot of in-depth knowledge. It was as though he was reading my mind. The host of the program asked me an interesting question after I had finished with my input.

The question was: 'What would you tell the president, should you be granted a face to face encounter?' Interesting question right? My answer however, was simple: 'I have nothing to tell the president. He knows what to do.'

Well, I said that. Yes, I have nothing to tell the president. He knows what to do.

For those who have been friends and acquaintances, you would all bear witness to my numerous articles covering various issues. Till date, as has always been the bane of our society, nothing much has been done.

My notable success might be the commendations I have received, as well as the attacks and insults. That is Ghana, my beloved country. We keep talking, but no action.

I have nothing to tell the president because indeed, he knows what to do. Like most of our elected or appointed leaders, they know what to do. And like them, we know what to do. The real question is, why are we not doing what ought to be done?

We keep talking about research, planning, policies, enforcement or implementation, personnel, experts and expertise, and on, and on, and on. The reality however is, we have them all. There is nothing new to be done. Archimedes already developed the principles. So did Leonardo Davinci. So did Socrates. So did Isaac Newton. Our local inventors have played their own parts.

The numerous policies we talk about, and keep adding to without enforcement. The various government supposed interventions. The numerous radio discussions. The numerous debates. The numerous demonstrations. The numerous campaign promises. All, unfulfilled. And for those fulfilled however, we have our various individual reservations.

I have nothing to tell the president because he knows what to do. Most of our leaders have travelled far and wide, and continue to do so. They are very much aware of the various developmental and infrastructural milestones being chalked elsewhere. They are aware of the various policies or interventions behind these successes or achievements. Let's not forget our recent fascination with Rwanda! Right here in Africa. Not to sound condescending but I must ask: Are they supernatural? Are they not ordinary humans like us?

What is wrong with this nation? What is wrong with our leadership? And of course, what is wrong with us?

We definitely know what to do. But we choose not to do it. We keep talking about experts for this and that. Keep hailing accolades. In the end however, what do we have to show for it? A nation that keeps failing its people.

If we want to get it right, it starts with us. Do we have the will to do the right thing? Because we know right, from wrong. We keep talking about enforcement but as we all know, that is an issue better left unsaid.

For our failing healthcare, poor sanitation rotten roads, upsurge of crime and lawlessness, housing deficits with its associated canker, increasing slums, increasing unemployment, persistent floods and other human-made disasters, it's all about us.

Enough of the excuses. Our leaders know what to do. They must be held to higher standards. We must all be held to higher standards. We know what to do. The right thing must be done. It starts with us all, from wherever we find ourselves. Do what is rightly required of you today; your quota. If we all would, this country would be like the Malaysia and Singapore we keep talking about, and keep comparing ourselves to.

Right from the days of the Osagyefo, this country has always had a development plan. When it comes to national policies, we would be amazed at the numbers and types.

As always, governments come and go, each in pursuit of their various agendas, to our disadvantage. In the end, what do we have? An impoverished citizenry who seem clueless of their predicament.

But again, what do I know? It’s my opinion after all.

Anna Esi Hanson (nnhanson2@yahoo.com)

MR. PRESIDENT, WHY MUST I VOTE? WHERE IS MY SHARE OF THE NATIONAL CAKE?

Mr President, for the past couple of weeks, my taps have seen no running water.  For a mother, that can be described as a nightmare. Water is supposed to be the cheapest, and most easily or readily accessible commodity; so they claim. In our part of the world, this is an illusion. Availability of water, and its accessibility, is only through floods.  Inconsistency in supply of water is a major concern.  This is a problem confronting several people in this country, and currently, on a frequency, in Sekondi-Takoradi.  My tap flows twice a month, one, of which has assuredly, been programmed to be a day before the water bill is sent.

Like the few optimist, the recent improvement in power supply could be described as a glimpse of hope. Sadly however, we can attest to the fact that this hope has vanquished; a phenomenon associated with development in this country! A virtual development! That nothing is permanent.

These are but the genesis of my lamentations, Mr. President, and have led me to question the reason, if any, why I should vote in any form of political elections in this country.

For someone living in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, and on a more personal level, I am yet to identify how the exercise of my electoral rights has been beneficial to me, since that has always been the theme of our elections: ‘Consider your living conditions, and vote right.’ Very well then Mr. President, considering my current living conditions, I see no need in exercising this right. I rather see it as a complete waste of time and energy that I leave home, travel perhaps, join a long queue, to vote for no reason.

I know that some people might argue that it’s for the public good; the national interest but again, the argument is, who makes up the public? I constitute the public. Why then must I vote for a system that will fail me?

Mr. President, for someone living within the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, I am yet to catch a glimpse of my so-called fair share of the national cake. Where is my national cake Mr. President?

I work in a highly privatized sector. I do not enjoy any form of health capitation. I pay for healthcare outright. In terms of transportation, there is nothing to talk about. My routes have remained the same, and have seen no change or upgrade; I pry the very same roads that have existed for years.  When it comes to our public transportation, we are all aware of the consequence of the frequent hikes in fuel prices; automatic adjustment. Someone might argue that the hinterlands have received good feeder roads, the benefit thereof would be in terms of food supply but again, I have seen no boost in food production, nor enjoyed any resultant decrease in their prices thereof. I am spending more and more on food! Why then must I vote?

I am an ordinary Ghanaian, Mr. President, and my problems are ordinary. They are mundane issues and challenges, confronting most of us in this precious country of ours. Why then must we continue voting, if things will forever remain the same? Where is my fair share of the national cake?

As citizens, our needs vary, just as our reasons or individual motivation to vote might dictate. What then becomes a person’s motivation to vote, if none exists?

I need access to potable and regular supply of water. I believe it is under false pretenses, and rather criminal, that I do not have access to water supply, and yet receive water bills on a regular basis, in a timely manner, and most importantly, at a constant rate! My water does not flow, and yet, my consumption remains the same as when it did! I buy electricity, and yet denied usage; the dumsor phenomenon still persists! Where i s my share of the national cake?

I have a resolution for this upcoming election; that I receive my fair share of the national cake. I know some people might not share my sentiments, but I believe the ordinary citizen would be the judge. Others might be reaping or enjoying their so-called fair share of the national cake in the form of misappropriations, fraud, theft, corruption, houses, cars, foodstuffs, paid vacations, jobs, to mention but a few. For these, my complaint will sound whimsical, but that is my reality.

For the willing and able men and women roaming our streets in dire need of employment, for the children roaming the streets in our towns and villages due to unavailability of educational infrastructure, for the thousands of lives that are lost each day due to poor healthcare delivery, for the thousand more who go hungry and homeless on our streets, for all the lost dreams, and for the lives lost, this is our plea.  We are waiting on our fair share of the national cake.

For a fact Mr. President, I am waiting on my fair share of the national cake.

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

OUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION ; A One Week Affair....

Like most years, and for most of us, the years past have all been virtually the same, except for the fact that we grow in age and draw closer to the end. We grow grey hairs, but do not reflect it; wisdom fails us. Our attitudes and behaviors remain the same. In actual fact, it gets worse! The thieves devise new strategies-petty thieves turn to armed-robbers, the poor gets poorer, diseases thrive, unsavory sanitary conditions worsen, lawlessness increase, the lazy gets lazier, children get rudder, corruption increasingly becomes a virtue!

Yes, for most of us, our new year's resolution lasts only a week; the first week of the year. Positive change seems almost impossible! And so with each passing year, things only worsen around us. Lands are fast being eaten up by filth, our water bodies are becoming more polluted, our drains are continually being choked, the potholes on our roads are turning into manholes, buildings are becoming death traps, unemployment rates spinning out of control, law and order being overtaken by crime, our noble religious and clergy, fast turning into confident tricksters, to mention but a few! We are fast loosing our virtues!!! Corruption reigns! We are failing ourselves by failing to learn from the past; from our own mistakes, and most importantly, that of others!

Ghanaians keep complaining about the hardships we are all facing, but we keep repeating our mistakes. That is how we live our lives each year; without learning.

This is a new year, and as expected, we have made various resolutions. We will all be amazed if a revelation is made on the kind of New Year's resolutions that have been made; theft and armed-robbery, murder, drugs, embezzlement and misappropriation, bribery and corruption,lies, rape, prostitution, gossiping,,to mention but a few. Such are people's dreams and aspirations for the new year. Yes, people are already neck-deep in these.

Each year, our mundane bipartisan politics fails us, and yet, each year, the cycle continues. How long will we fail ourselves as a country? 

When will we ever remain true to ourselves, and our resolutions? What kind of resolution did you make this time? How realistic is it? How positive is it? What impact can it bring to you and those around you?

As a country, and as a people, we are beset with so many problems. What have you done to make things better? What is your contribution to this nation?

What is your resolve for the new year? Do you have any goals or plans for yourself? The year is young, with several possibilities. We must strive to make things better. 

THE GHANAIAN BLAME-GAME

These days when I ponder over events in this nation, I am at a loss. For a while now, I have not been able to bring myself to putting my thoughts on paper because I am filled with disappointment.

I am disappointed at a country, which seems to be spinning, with no purpose.  I am disappointed at a country, in which leadership is clueless as to how to manage its affairs. I am disappointed at a country, which is in crises, and yet, citizens seem only interested in mere talks and politics. I am most of all disappointed at a country, which seems to have all the God-given resources any nation can ever wish for, in terms of natural and human resources, and yet prefers to wallow in poverty!

On our airwaves, it is one discussion, after the other. The battle of words! The battle of grammar! The battle of insults! The battle of political parties! I guess our various radio stations seem not to have anything else to offer. They rather prefer to fuel anger and insults!

Can this nation, for once, put aside political differences, in finding lasting solutions, to our predicaments?

Each year in this country, comes the usual floods, and the associated loss of lives and property. Again it has happened; several people have perished and again, the debates have begun. The usual blame game is on-going. As always, everyone is screaming: It is the government! Really? 

What about us? What about you and I? Will we ever take responsibility for our role, no matter how ‘little’ it may seem? Tell me: how do you expect others to take responsibility, when you are unwilling to accept yours? How do you blame a few people for a disaster of such magnitude? How do we blame others for our poor sanitation practices? Our poor personal, and environmental hygiene? We know ourselves and what we do! Remember the day you threw that ice-cream plastic on the street? Remember when you disposed that plastic into that gutter? Remember when you carried your domestic waste and dumped it carelessly in your neighbourhood that night? Remember when you defecated into that plastic bag and threw it into the gutter in your neighbourhood?

Of course, there are the usual talks of the incompetence of our sanitation agencies and other governmental institutions but guess what? They are all being manned by GHANAIANS! Yes, by you and I! As always, people are being paid for doing nothing! Our waste collection companies keep failing us, just as we continue littering. All around us is the stench from our choked gutters and drains, containing all sorts of human waste! Is it then surprising that each year we experience these floods? Mother Nature will send it back to us! Shedding the blame on a few minority, would never solve this problem! I have seen several cases of people throwing rubbish right in front of rubbish containers! It is our attitude! Blame no one but yourself! People have lost their lives! This is a wake-up call to us all!

What about our power crisis?

Over the past decades, how many power projects has this nation embarked on? Talk about the Akosombo dam, Bui dam, the numerous thermal plants in Tema and Takoradi, those constructed by private entities, to mention but a few. What are the states of these facilities? Why is it that in this country, a new project leads to the destruction or abandonment of the existing? Whenever a new road is constructed, the existing ones get destroyed. The same exists with our drains; as soon as it is constructed, we immediately fill it with garbage!

Is it then necessary to construct new facilities, if we cannot even manage the existing ones? And yet, we prefer to politicize every issue!

On our airwaves, we keep hearing all sorts of talks and accusations of gross mismanagement of national assets or resources. Rather interestingly however, we fail to focus on the true culprits.  Which people are in charge of our national resources or assets? THE GHANAIAN! Yes, the Ghanaian.

What are our priorities? This is a country in which local chief executives, would rather invest in extravagant lifestyles and expensive vehicles, rather than pump money into maintenance of facilities and other relevant operational costs in their institutions! We are crippling this nation!  What is the state of our national assets? Our hospitals and clinics? Our schools? Our national enterprises? Institutions?  Infrastructure? Plant and Equipment? Vehicles? National projects? The list is endless! As a country, what has been our maintenance culture? It is a Ghanaian attitude! And yet, we prefer to mask the truth with politics. No one dares speak the truth.

Until Ghanaians learn to be responsible and held accountable, no government can make our lives better. The collapse or failure of various national enterprises and policies, is as a result of our own doing.  We keep talking about enforcing our laws but the real question is: Who is competent enough or capable of enforcing these laws? The numerous task forces that have been commissioned in this nation have all turned into institutions of bribery and corruption. Talk about the city council guys who go parading themselves in uniforms, only to exploit people! Talk about our gallant law officers usually at our checkpoints and along our various roads. It is all about bribery for any offenders.  So then, how do we enforce our so-called rules and regulations?

From all indications, the Ghanaian cannot manage his own affairs!

We need honest people to steer the affairs of this nation. From my window, these beautiful ones, are not yet born. All I see are thousands of power-hungry, power-thirsty, and power-drunken individuals, who would do anything for power. I am yet to see a government, which can actually solve the problems confronting this nation. I am yet to encounter Ghanaians, who would do their best, to see this nation prosper. There are a few good nuts, but the rest are cancerous.

I am tired of listening to several theoretical solutions, axioms, or postulates whenever solutions are being sought to the country’s challenges. Ghana needs practicality.

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