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!!!!