GOVERNMENT’S SOCIAL POLICIES: A NON-LIBERAL MONSTER

I intend to share my views on the subject of social policy by governments (both past and present) and its overwhelming acceptance by political parties and other civil society groups. These stakeholders have only queried the modus operandi of the various policies ignoring the logic justifying the establishment of these policies. Fellow liberals, some of these policies include government’s National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) and its baby for revenue the Communications Service Tax (CST); FCUBE and the School Feeding Programme with their source of revenue the GetFund and the Capitation Grant; Free Maternal Health Care and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) with source of revenue as the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL). Ladies and gentlemen of the liberal family, the situation looks dangerous for lovers of freedom considering the fact that the Parliament house of Ghana, the official law making body in this country has representatives from the four major political parties in this country, i.e. the NPP, NDC, CPP, and PNC. The ruling NDC declared their support for most of these programmes and has shown goodwill towards the programmes from the way their foot soldiers (or cadres) are struggling for their share. The party only decried how the programmes were being carried out and so have set forth to run it their way but this should not be surprising as they claim to be social democrats. The other two minor parties cannot be faulted neither if I consider their strong socialist past, both are offshoots of Nkrumah and socialist in nature. So why did the political party which claims to be liberally democratic initiate a convoy of ‘Free Goodies wagon’? The 2008 December presidential and parliamentary elections saw uncontrolled allegations of misinterpreting the liberal belief to mean ‘property grabbing’, and perhaps the response of the NPP was to point towards these policies as in indication of their care for the poor. Parties promised an expansion and/or improvement in these programmes. Unfortunately, these four leading political parties and their presidential candidates all have it wrong on the way forward for solving pertinent social problems in this country.



Fellow liberals, it is my strongest conviction that the freedom of the individual (you, me, and all other citizens within the territory) is supreme to any other interest in this country. It is by no coincidence that the coat of arms boldly displays the phrase FREEDOM AND JUSTICE. Our dear motherland has always been touted as “Ghana: land of freedom.” My observation is that freedom of individuals in this country is under threat from our law makers and government through the establishment of these social policies.


This is even surprising when those who profess to share liberal democratic beliefs join in singing the bizarre chorus: “when I come to power, there would be free this, free that.” Why or what justifies these policies and who pays for these free goodies? Is it government; our donor friends (or donor enemies); or the hardworking tax payers in the formal sector?



The argument from those who have supported these programmes is that there are so many people who cannot pay for these services: basic education, healthcare, transportation, etc; and so some BIG DADDY somewhere must help them. But if today it is ok to tax workers to pay for the school fees of others who cannot pay; if it is ok to tax workers to pay unemployed persons; if it is ok to tax workers to pay the hospital bills of women who cannot afford; perhaps tomorrow, it would be ok to tax workers to buy milk for children who cannot afford; perhaps tomorrow it would be ok to tax workers to buy condoms for those who cannot afford; perhaps tomorrow it would be ok to tax workers to buy cotton shirts, Italian shoes, German beer and French wine for those who cannot afford.


Fellow liberals, it must be made clear to the BIG DADDY advocates that it is not the way to go, and that these policies punish creativity, hard work and entrepreneurship, and limit the freedom of individuals. The role of government is not to provide free goodies but to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Big Daddy must ensure that when individuals pursue their freedom, their interests, it rewards them. Development comes about when free individuals engage each other in a free market on a free basis. Free here means very little or no interference from government. The attempt to solve social problems through taxation is itself contradictory, for what would be the consequences if everyone could not afford one thing or the other, if every one was unemployed nor did no business? Where would Big Daddy generate the needed revenue to provide all the free goodies?






THE WAY FORWARD


Big Daddy should channel resources to the empowerment of individuals to pursue their interests. A large chunk of the working population operates within the informal sector and has very little to do with government. From the kenkey seller by the street to the Akpeteshie brewer in the village, they operate purely on market principles. The cost plus intended profit determines their selling price. If government makes it much smoother for fresh entrants into this sector, it minimises the unemployment situation and its resultant social vices, increases the purchasing power of individuals and empowers them to determine how to use incomes they have generated without thinking of severe punishment from Big Daddy through unnecessary taxes. The requirement of the registration of new businesses should be freed from unnecessary bureaucracy. The availability of grants and loans for SMEs should be strengthened with fool proof methods of recovering debts. The commercial courts and commercial laws should be strengthened so that individuals who freely engage in a free market would not suffer unnecessary risks through exploitation, bribery, and fraudulent activities. Individuals who engage each other must have the guarantee that there is a free and fair system to resort to in the case of industrial disputes. The security agencies should be strengthened so that they can protect those who choose to take risk in such free market. If they justifiably perceive the risk of armed robbery attacks, very few people would take business risk. The protection not of the market but of individuals must be paramount. Those who choose to participate in the free market must be guaranteed their security, knowing that the only available risks are market risks. The past interference by the Bank of Ghana in the Stock Market - Cal Bank saga was most unfortunate and must not be encouraged. This would be in line with government’s role of protecting life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.


Big Daddy cannot provide all the free goodies, and nothing justifies the provision of a few free goodies to the neglect of other free goodies. The wealthiest men in the country today are not beneficiaries of government free goodies but took huge risks and invested heavily which paid off well for some of them. Not everybody succeeds in the market but those who succeed do not enjoy the benefits alone, they reduce unemployment by at least two persons and their dependents. Is the result of their success to be punishment from Big Daddy through establishment of bogus policies which taxes hard work? Definitely, alternative ways of wealth creation should be developed by government officials who enjoy benefits to guarantee their freedom to think and propose better and realistic functions in line with the role of government everywhere. If they can only think of punishing hard work through proposing programmes which inhibit my freedom, your freedom, our freedom, they do not deserve our sympathy. Fellow liberals, as we champion the freedom cause in Ghana, let us say no to all Big Daddy advocates intending to attack our pocket.






Long Live Liberalism
Long Live Free States
Long Live Free Markets 
Long Live  Free People

BUYING A NEW PREZ JET: HYPOCRISY OR DECEIT?

Its flashy, it’s safer, and it’s befitting. It can accommodate a presidential entourage. And above all, it’s going to replace the Fokker 68, a.k.a. the flying coffin. A careful study of the features of the Falcon 900 would easily lead one to the conclusion that buying it may not be bad. It’s capable of military and civilian missions, transoceanic, three engines, glass cockpit, and so much more. I guess you would agree that this airplane is ok for a developing country like Ghana. Combined with our new Presidential Palace, it would complete the story of a country that has overcome its terrible political history and ready to take its rightful place in African and global affairs.

So why the media war between the two major political parties on this subject? Why are the voices of the other political parties if they still exist not heard on very important national issues like that of buying a new presidential jet? The answers to these may not be far if we take a critical look at past events. In 2007, the Ghana government led by Kufour initiated moves to acquire a new aircraft for the state under funding terms presumed to be most favourable. The responses from then Minority (the NDC) ranged from name calling to insults. Behaving like the desperate-for-power politician, the NDC applied its usual and most reliable tactic, populist sentiments to register their resistance to this initiative. Like a drunk who strips naked in a bar when drunk, they soon forget they stripped after becoming sober. Today, the government run by the NDC has forgotten the reasons it offered for rejecting the Kufour presidential jet proposal some barely three years on.

 

Listening to the doctor's response on the subject matter, one wonders if the NDC that sought political power in 2008 is the same party governing Ghana today. For a political party that hoped:

To reduce profligate expenditure and practice frugal spending;

To reduce the economic and social hardships faced by the poor;

To improve the lot of Ghanaians;

To improve safe water supply and sanitation;

To provide better education facilities for the younger generation; amongst others;

 

I wonder if buying a presidential jet within her first two years in office would help to achieve the above hopefuls. Yes, hopefuls because when we demand deliveries on the above, we are reminded that it’s a slow-but-sure trekking and that at the end of the four years we shall (though unlikely) commend her.

 

In simple language, then candidate Mills and his group included the buying of a new jet in their list of misplaced priorities and profligate expenditure by the NPP government. Even till date, the people in government remind Ghanaians of the bad state of the economy they inherited, and why it would take some more time for Ghanaians to smile again. These were some of their words during the campaign: "when children study under trees, healthcare is unaffordable, and Ghanaians are becoming poorer by the day, it is unwise to invest in the acquisition of a Presidential jet". Question: what has changed so significantly since 2007/08 to warrant the need to buy a presidential jet? If the reasons offered by the NDC in 2007/08 in relation to the subject matter were justified, why can't they be justified now? Can the same tags the NDC used for Kufour and Co. now be used for Atta and Co? Is it always the case that what is good for the goose must be good for the gander? Is the ruling party deeply reflecting on its past and present behaviour?

But why is the NPP crying foul now? Is it a question of who gets the 10%? Is it the case that they now understand the plight of the Ghanaian more? Or is it true that they are shocked by the quick u-turn of the Mills administration?

What about the CPP, PNC, and the rest? Do they have an opinion at all? How long would the Ghanaian be deceived? Is the Ghanaian politician a hypocrite or just a suite wearing liar?

 

Now, I know one thing for sure, the Fokker 68, a.k.a. the flying coffin is no longer air-worthy. It needs replacement - and this the two political parties agree on. But what I do not know is whether political dishonesty pays? NDC or NPP, it is a tool they employ in discussing national interests. Who benefits from such hypocrisy? Maybe in the past it has rewarded its faithful, but as I see now, your deceit would be exposed sooner than you expect. Your true character would become national knowledge and your defence may be: ‘is it the first time? Just as freedom demands and requires responsibility to achieve its essence, so does political power require and demand accountability. For a growing democracy like Ghana's democracy, citizens are so patient that they exercise their most potent demand for accountability through the ballot box. It seems their thumbs are more powerful than their voices and it is the only albatross on the politician. And we do accept that politicians are like diapers, they do require frequent changing to prevent bad odour and infections.

IN MEMORY OF GRANDMA

Death is a distant rumor to the young.

Andrew A. Rooney

Granny Rebecca Oboshie Torgbor I was for me the only grandma I knew. She is the pillar of my Ga roots and perhaps why I speak the Ga language much better than my home language Anlo. A mother tongue is really a mother tongue. And in case you wonder about my indepth knowledge of Ga culture and customs, La traditions and history, I did not study them from books, but orally educated by my last grandma. Yes I share equal lineages of Anlo and Ga.

Mostly referred to as Aunty Oboshie by all, by age seven, I found it a daunting task to call granny by this name and thus chose to call her Antio or Tio. Due to the love and affection she had for all her grand children, for which I am the eldest grandson, this new name was reserved for only the grand children. But as fate would have it, grandma affection for her grandchildren was observed by all, and so a decade later, the name Antio had taken over her identity.

Antio, was not just the granny spoils grandchildren, but since she was made a grandmother, she had built her life around her grandchildren. She was never hesitant in showing the joy she derived from her grandchildren. I personally enjoyed a special relationship with grandma and this was summed up in eating three out of five balls of Kenkey she had personally prepared at age 80, a day before her final departure.

Make no mistake, for not only was granny a good cook (she introduced fu:fu: with okro stew back in the days to La Klanna which I witnessed, and also reputed to have cooked for sale one of the very best Kenkey ever to be sold in La), but granny's knowledge of herbs was unmatched. Her most potent herbal preparation was the Anti-Malaria, which works faster than 4 4 2. She was also good in getting herbs for skin problems especially boils and rashes. Yes, Antio was my first aid though sometimes the herbs were too bitter if you had to drink.

Granny, about two decades ago, you joined the La Baptist Church after your health could not take you far. In going, show took along two children and two grandchildren, an indication of your love for the word of God. Though I may not be a good singer, the words of your favourite Baptist Hymn: TELL IT TO JESUS, Baptist Hymn 347 would forever linger in my heart.

Antio, you were an example of a real woman, very hard working and yet humble. However, your humility could not be taken for granted for you were never afraid to speak the truth and defend the course of justice. You could easily tell people in their faces what your thoughts were daring the consequences. Antio, as the above quote tells me, I cannot fathom your departure, for my mind is still young, and i would still need your herbs.

But it was me, who sat in the Doctor's room that Sunday dawn when he asked if i knew what had happened. Of course I knew, some 20 minutes ago, you had spoken, just sick, and I had brought you for medical attention. So I knew, you were sick and needed attention. But alas he said something different: "She's gone, sorry". What? I rushed you to the Police hospital for a second opinion but it was the same. And then I took you to the morgue. Granny, even at death, I was by your side. Your wish for a peaceful and quiet death came true. You were really called by your Maker for eternal service. As you embark on this Celestial call, its a journey of peace and quiet. Do not forget your most beloved: your children and grandchildren. Let the mercies of your life be prtective of us.

Surely, we shall forever miss you. Fare thee well.

ANTIO! NA D3 NYUIE!

ANTIO! REST IN PEACE!!

ANTIO! YAA WO OJOGBANN!!!

ANTIO! YAA WO Y3 HEJOL3 MLI!!!!

JAILING OUR THOUGHTS: A RETURN TO THE CULTURE OF SILENCE?

"A free press can be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom a press will never be anything but bad". ~ Albert Camus

My son, i want you to change the subject matter of your blog and write on less politically sensitive issues. You know what happened to your folks businesses. These people are very dangerous. These were the welcoming words from my mum late thursday night when I returned from watching a public screening of a documentary - Mapi Liberia - by my friend who was an exchange student at Legon. I had been so busy trying to shuttle from Koforidua and Accra late Thursday afternoon to watch the documentary that i had missed a lot on the airwaves. So my mum's admonition was a bit suprising until i had received a full and detailed account. Then i knew where she was coming from.

Ladies and gentlemen, the simple issue is that criminal charges had been preferred against a radio panelist on Top Radio, a private radio station in the capital, for apparently declaring his knowledge of the man behind the fire which garted the residence of a former president, J J Rawlings. The host of the show had apparently prevailed upon the panelist to provide evidence or withdraw, as has been the practice on all radion stations which discuss politics and the panelist had responded by withdrawing. Yet, the state was not satisfied and chose to persecute this gentleman under a law which was last used in 1975. (Ref: Minority press confab 19/02/10). However, the bad news was still to come: the Circuit Court judge had remanded him in prison custody for two weeks. WHAT? Yes, the gentleman had been remanded in prison custody basically for failing to provide evidence for what he had alleged and withdrawn on air.

The Analysis

For some of us, it is not so suprising that this could happen under the regime. Afterall, its the NDC in power and the gentleman had accused none other but the god of the NDC. His Holiness, His righteousness. Maybe, the genlteman should have been aware that if you touch Junior Jesus, you touch fire and it will burn you. I do not intend to consider the actions and/or inactions of the judge but rather the behaviour of the Attorney General, who is in charge of all criminal prosecutions. One question which kept erupting in my mind was: is it the same NDC?

Is it the same NDC whose serial caller, Dr Asem Fofra asked Prez Kufour to curse if he he had not dipped his hands into state coffers at a people's assembly in which Prez Kufour was present? Is it the same NDC whose journalist published that Prez. Kufour had stolen state money to build a swimming pool in his house, install a jacuzzi in his bathroom, and other luzuries in his home, forcing the gentle giant to open his entire house to TV and Radio? Atleast i saw his sitting room that day. Is it the same NDC that at the peak of its loose talk, had made GBC workers to abandon their offices and the whole nation to sleep at dawn through Radio Gold during the 2008 elections? Is it the same NDC that made a lot of irresponsible allegations through people like Tony Aidoo, Fiifi Kwetey, Ametor Kwame, Okudzeto Ablakwa, and General Mosquito prior to the 2008 elections? And so for the statements by Mr Rawlings, you are all aware: thieves, greedy bastards, Atta Mortuary man, and little twitches, are but a few of his adjectives for describing political office holders including his own. Perhaps, the NDC should remind itself that what is good for the goose must equally be good for the gander. (Akan: Abaa ye di bo tachie no, enoaa na ye di bo baah)!

Today, the NDC is sending Ghanaians to the School of Responsible Journalism. Since when did they graduate from that same school? Or is the NDC's understanding and appreciation of the law influenced by where they sit in relation to political power? Not too long ago, if this same law had been applied, some ministers today would have been languishing in jail or be ex-convicts. Apparently, after the repel of the criminal libel law by the NPP, which was passed ny the NDC, the only opportunity to attack media freedom was found embelished in a law which until yesterday had last been used in 1975. As a liberal, I would unhesitantly promote responsible journalism, but to do that through intimidation and fear would be resisted to the last breath. Speech is a child of thought and any attempt aimed at speech control is an attempt to limit thought. Without thought, I dare say humans are no different from goats and chickens.

A free media has an indigenous way of checking the bad nuts within. Today, many responsible people do not listen to some radio stations due to the conduct of these stations during the 2008 general elections. Similarly some panelists would never be invited or honour invitations from particular media houses. If for nothing at all, ex president Kufuor bequeathed to mother Ghana a free press. A free press must be noted is the representation of the tolerance of the government to opposing views, and a measure of the rights enjoyed by the populace as guaranteed by the constitution. It is no no coincidence that the only words embossed on the official state symbol, the coat of arms is: Freedom and Justice. What makes Ghana and Ghanaians different from other nationals of sub-saharan Africa is our freedom, guarded and protected by a just judicial service. To behave or misbehave in a way that is inimical to the freedom of the press is most unfortunate.

I must in this regard congratulate the Minoroty caucus of parliament for taking a strong exception to this trend. It not only started today, especially with minor attacks on Oman Fm during the Bioling point, a politically skewed programme. The chills which went through most people on this news outbreak was the reminder of the DARK DAYS, the CULTURE OF SILENCE, which required brave men like the late Prof. Adu Boahen, Nana Akufo Addo to stand up. Today, NPP mp's have lived up to this bravery exhibited by their forbears. Hon Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, thank you for this fight. We need our freedom, however irresponible it is.

To end this piece, I wish to leave you with the notes of the greatest english philosopher and liberal thinker, whose love for personal freedom led to the very violent reactions both for and against. And yet, his writings changed the course of history to make America the greatest country in the world today. We should warn those who want to restrict our thoughts and speech that an attempt to murder democracy in our dear nation through such tactics must note:  We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still. ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859

BABY ANSABA AND THE MONTH OF LOVE

The month of February is widely accepted as the month of love and so individuals go all out to show some love to those around them. From chocolates to flowers, a variety of expenses are made to express people's appreciation and recognition of those around them. I know some of you have placed very fine orders to be delivered to special people with the 'I Love You' tag hidden somewhere. But in all these various expression of love, our motivation may be different. Whereas for some, it is pure lust, others really want to send a clear message to some people that they truly desire them by their side. But who are you to judge whose motivation is morally superior unless the person gives you the reasons to do so? In this light, it is not so surprising if a journalist like Ebenezer Ato Sam a.k.a. Baby Ansaba opts to show love to Atta Mills and the NDC and requests for a return favour and tells the public what his motivations are.

 

In this regard, the reactions to his media outbursts to me are not unexpected. Depending on the analytical lenses you are wearing, you could either declare his actions as a genuine sinner repentant of his sins or another milestone in the politics and journalism marriage were money is the offspring. But for me, I see no repentance in this 'pseudo-confession' but an attempt to get a share of what the 'media small boys' are getting. Who does not know that there is a Media monitoring Team at the Information Ministry with personnel who are not trained journalists nor civil servants but a select of former student leaders especially from the Vandal City who are well catered for by the Ministry. Recently, you may have heard some of them on air attempting to misinform on government activities. Any smart journalist would admit that the government information machinery is leaking and needs well trained and experienced journalist who would find the government goodies quite palatable. And the evidence is clear. The Ametors who chose to go on strike if the NDC did not pay them something for the fuel they use in their media advocacy now drive good cars. So the decision by Uncle Ebenezer Ato Sam to renounce his past evil deeds and proclaim to be a born again must be seen in this light. Otherwise, why would he remind us of the cars and houses some of his colleagues acquired? Of what importance does this statement "In his 180 travels abroad, Prez Kufour never considered me worthy of even one of those travels" bring? Ato Sam sounded like his lobbies for a presidential travel from 2001 - 2008 yielded no result and left him frustrated.

 

Eh!! Does your profession not pay you well enough? Or do you also want to "chop" Ghana money small? Is the 'opposition poverty' too harsh for you to bear? Baby Ansaba, what you must know is that stomach politics is cleverly done. No wonder you did not earn the goodies you so wished for so much under Prez. Kufuor. Today you have subjected yourself to public ridicule as some of us would not bet on your future integrity. And for you and the GJA, you should have reminded yourself of the ethics of your profession before your confessions. Next time, seek for clever advice from the Baako's and Pratts who can mix their profession with politics without incurring the wrath and rage of the public as you have done. I do not fault any body for declaring his political affiliation. I strongly believe journalists should openly declare their political beliefs and inclinations and to vigorously promote these beliefs. In this light, we can choose to read specific people as we would easily recognise where they are coming from and weed out pseudo reformists. You must promote what you believe in.

Journalists are not saints so you Baby Ansaba cannot claim to be one!!!

THE NDC CABINET RESHUFFLE - A PARLIAMENTARY COUP?

This week saw a variety of happenings on the political landscape but one which caught the attention of most observers was the impact, interpretation and seeming precedent of the cabinet reshuffle. Though its not the first time there has been a cabinet reshuffle, the characters that seem to have been caught in this particular web was most astonishing. Of course the talk of a reshuffle has been peddled in the media for a couple of months now such that a fortnight ago, the President was asked during a media interaction if there was an impending reshuffle. He unequivocally answered NO only to have returned from his party's congress for this reshuffle. After a year and nineteen days in office, H.E. chose to offer what had been requested by the public six months ago but with a twist the public cannot fathom. Dear reader, it is not my wish to bore you with long talk but rather I crave for your indulgence in considering the impact of the Proffessor's first cabinet reshuffle. It is a fact that in sub-saharan Africa, there is a positive correlation between political office and economic/wealth empowerment and acquisition unless you know of a political offfice holder who is still "poor". In Ghana, political appointees in the Executive seem to confirm this assertion much better than their Legislative and Judicial counterparts.

Well, the reshuffle did not only affect members of the Executive but significantly altered the leadership of parliament. Do not ask how because in my country, the phrase 'separation of powers' in political discourse is seemingly meaningless to our democratic practice. We seem to practice the Hybrid type of democracy which calls not for a 'separation but a combination of powers'. Hence, the three arms of government enjoy a relationship which makes the President and his Executive a father-figure in this three tier relation if He's able to secure a majority in Parliament. Then there is the more economically lucrative appointments of Ministers of State which sees H.E. choosing majority of this group from amongst the M.P.s. So to qualify for this money making office, you must catch the attention of the President. Whereas some choose the sychophantic tune - Atta ooohhh Atta, others like Agbo, Bagbin play the Hardcore label. Both tunes seem to be yielding some results as this reshuffle may suggest.

Hon. Alban Sumana K. Bagbin has been in parliament since 1993 and led the NDC in parliament for 8 years during Kufuors reign. Hon. Enoch Teye Mensah has equally been in parliament for that long. The same can be said of Hon. Akologu, John Tia, the experienced journalist who represents the people of Tallensi in parliament. You must recollect how as Minority leader, Bagbin consistenly called for a clear separation of powers between the executive and legislature. Also the law professor is no stranger to principles of good governance and the need for the strengthening of our democracy by actions which do not undermine our state institutions. I recollect how the NDC greatly interpreted the promotion of some Judges to the Supreme court during the Tsatsu trial as an abuse of authority by then President Kufour. So why would Prez. Mills with all the knowledge available to him and his NDC plot this coup against three ranking members of the leadership of parliament. For some NDC MPs, it is not the removal of their leadership but the absence of consultation in taking such a decision. I am of the opinion that if the President wants to bequeath a better legacy to Mother Ghana, it is not the number of corrupt officials he can jail but rather leaving our democratic institutions like parliament much stronger than he met them.

Good governance calls for the internalisation of time tested democratic principles like the independece and separation of powers. I would rather expect that since H.E. has expressed his desire for the review of the constitution to make it possible for some of these principles to bring meaning to our democracy, he would show the goodwill towards this openly expressed intention by not engaging in this parliamentary coup d'etat. But why would these three fine gentlemen also prefer the executive job to parliamentary work? Hon.s, is it the case that you genuinely want to make way for a new crop of the NDC leadership in parliament? Why was there a failure to consult with your parliamentary caucus? Have you been desirous of an executive office due to its economic benefits? Now, you would not take a car loan but rather be chauffer driven in a new 4W car bought by the state. Hon.s, you should have continued with your fight for Ghana's parliament. Now, I don't know if your fights during the last eight years under Prez.  Kufour was  genuine. Maybe, either we need to make ministerial offices less economically lucrative or treat office holders in parliament in a like manner as their counterparts in the Executive. Then those genuinely desirous of improving the institution of parliament would be insulated in a way from government political machinations as these demotions. Now even our NDC MPs would be watching their backs just to avoid stepping on the wrong toes of Big Daddy. If Bagbin was demoted, then you better watch your back.

The cry by a vice chair of your party and some voiceferous MPs on these new appointments points to nothing but a coup d'etat by the executive on the parliamentary caucus of the NDC, probably an after effect of the MORTAURY MAN label. Uncle Atta, would you please bring your knowledge and experience on governance to bear on our teenage democracy. If Mother Ghana would take the lead in good governance in sub-saharan Africa as we fervently desire, we need the few academics who get the opportunity for political office not to betray their books, degrees, titles, and country. We may shut our voices if such acts if come from college students who get into such offices through the AK 47s and so cannot understand why for instance judges would rule in a way they do not understand. But for real patriots, we find no apology for such onslaught on our parliament. 

Consultation is an intergral part of democracy.  No public office holder is indispensable but when it affects the very core of our democracy, broad consultation must be held across the political front. Our politicians must learn this in governing us and Ghana would win. 

GBEVLO LARTEY AND SIM CARD REGISTRATION

Sometime last year, Col. Gbevlo Lartey (Rtd), a former commander of the erstwhile 64 Battalion – a.k.a Commandos, a special unit of the Ghana Armed Forces loyal to the PNDC and Chairman Rawlings, who now is the National Security Coordinator of the Atta-Mills government out of the blue instructed telecom service providers to register all SIM cards (CHIP). This instruction did not engage the minds of the social commentators privileged to be on radio and TV until the earthquake hoax which saw me waking up at 3:30GMT that fateful night. It was believed this hoax had been facilitated by mobile phone calls and text messages. Then the newly elected propaganda secretary of the Umbrella decided to tell Ghanaians that the hoax was facilitated by their political detractors – obviously he qualified for this propaganda job. That same week, a jail breaker calls the Upper West Regional Police Commander on phone to threaten his life. Then Gbevlo Lartey decided to remind Ghanaians of his earlier instruction and this time round to give a deadline to the mobile phone operators. It was this instruction that set forth the debate of which I humbly join not based on any technical or expert knowledge but rather from the viewpoint of a user of a telephony service and a layman.

 

Mr National Security, I wish to remind you in case you have forgotten that very few people trust you and your national security. The political history of this country supports this. Your office had in the past and now been used for political persecution. In 2001, national security operatives continuously mounted operations against former government officials of the NDC. Upon assuming office, your office sacked employees believed to have been employed between 2001 and 2008. Well I never heard you debunk this story. Then your persecution and harassment of NPP government officials including the flagbearer of NPP in the 2008 elections who missed being President by less than two thousand votes was set forth. Till today, his car is still in your possession. The fact of the matter is that some of us Ghanaians do not want anything to do with national security no matter which party is in power. So once you decide to ask us to register our sim cards, some of us who are already registered are considering quitting mobile phones. Eh! National security would be monitoring their political opponents.

 

Secondly, Mr Gbevlo Lartey, I wonder if the registration of cars has stopped criminals from using cars in their clandestine activities. Is it not the case that a call log can be established from a phone if an appropriate court order is sought? For instance, MTN upon a court order can produce all call made from a particular sim card. An appropriate investigative body which is well equipped would be able to establish the identity of who used the sim in question whether or not that sim is registered. Moreover, assuming my sim is stolen at 22:30GMT and is used for criminal activity @ 23:00GMT that same night. How am I exonerated from criminal liability since I am the registered and bonafide owner of this sim card? Can national security assure me, a law abiding citizen who has registered my sim card of protection?

 

The fact of the matter is that to fight crime involving mobile phones require nothing near to sim card registration. What national security is proposing is the easy way out. To call MTN and ask them who owns 054xxxxxxx? An able bodied security apparatus must think outside the box. For now, I can conjecture a thousand and one ways to beat your proposed system if the objective is to reduce crime facilitated by mobile phones. I also wonder why national security would bypass the National Communications Authority (NCA), the organisation that regulates operations of the telecommunications service providers in Ghana. I also wonder if our emails have been registered by national security. Or are you monitoring the emails we send and receive everyday? Mr National Security, if the objective of registering sim cards is to know who owns which sim card, then I wonder why national security would be interested in knowing who owns which sim card unless there is political gain to be made by the ruling party as the history of the national security apparatus has shown. It is an institution which chases cars of former ministers of state and gives it to party foot soldiers has happened to Nana Akomea’s car early 2009.

If National Security is poking its nose into our sim cards under the huge banner of national security concerns, more questions than answers are raised. Very soon, the choice of our clothes, the beer we drink, and the night clubs we prefer to party would all be national security concerns. For in the clubs we meet people and discuss anything of interest. It is a perfect excuse to infringe on the freedom of citizens and the first step at nationalising every citizen. Our freedom is inalienable. The coat of arms, the national emblem of the state says Freedom and justice. Don’t hide under anything to limit our freedom. National security, please get off our backs!!!!