Tribute To Alhaji Kwabena

Shortly after the NPP won the disputed, 2004, Presidential elections, the price of petroleum products were increased by astronomical proportions. The then leaders of the various opposition parties recognized the need to oppose the price increases but did not have enough faith in their capacity to offer the relevant leadership required at the time. Rightfully so, not only because they did not mean the campaign messages they preached during the general elections, but also because a significant number of them had been compromised by the NPP government. The party leaders were not alone in their inertia! Indeed no resistance was forthcoming from organized bodies like the TUC, NUGS, GBA, Christian Council and The Catholic Bishops Conference. It was simply a period of ‘no talk back’ rule.

The Committee for Joint Action, CJA, was born to fill the vacuum. This was the platform where I first met Alhaji Kwabena. The mandate of the CJA was primarily to fight against the astronomical increases in the price of petroleum products. We also sought to fight against general hardships and corruption.

The membership of the CJA at the time was interesting: There are some members who I’m sure will swear by Apollo or Aesculapius to deny ever being associated with the CJA let alone being members. Alhaji Kwabena certainly did not fall into this category of people I’m referring to. He gave his all!

Alhaji Kwabena really gave his all in a manner which earned him the accolade the ‘ONLY MAN AMONGST US’.

His last assignment was the January 12, 2008 massive ‘BIKURITI’ demonstration in Tamale. He was one of the CJA members in the STC bus which was attacked by armed robbers whiles on wheels to Tamale to complement the efforts of the local organizers.

Alhaji, your magical white handkerchief story is still fresh in my mind. I still recall it knotted at the four corners of your head as you demonstrated its use under the mango tree at the Catholic Youth Center, Tamale. Of course the subconscious connection of Tamale with the Ghana Air Force fighter planes monitoring us from few meters above cannot be glossed over. (Like the biblical Prophet Elijah, who did you leave your powerful handkerchief with?).

I admired four attributes of our deceased brother:

• Humility; though he was relatively older, age did not hinder him from service.

• Honesty; he is one of the few people in political organizations who after executing a task, returns surplus money no matter how meager it was.

• Hardworking; he was simply the epitome of hard work and determination.

• His fourth attribute in my view is the prima donna; though not richly blessed with formal education, his educational status was never a barrier. He had ‘home sense’. His appreciation of events, courage and response to difficulties was admirable. No wonder he was one of the four members of the CJA who successfully negotiated the modalities for the ‘Yewuo demo’ in Accra at the Regional Police HQrs.

The CJA has lost a member with tenacity of purpose. The NDC has even lost a great man; not just his vote but his organizational prowess, above all his family has lost a breadwinner. It is our duty to take care of his child.

If ‘asaman do’ is real as the book ‘Obeede’ puts it, convey my regards to Mr Danny Ofori Atta another illustrious member of the CJA.

Kudos Alhaji!

Rest in Perfect Peace.

Dr Edward K. Omane Boamah (Member CJA)