Wonders they say never cease - the case of Rawlings

by
Joseph S. Adomakoh, Jr.

It is quite ironic to hear former president Jeremiah John Rawlings (JJR) singing prosperity tunes and praises for Ghanaian entrepreneurs, given his antagonistic nature towards private business ownership in Ghana. This happened during the launching of the MV Adobia, a ship owned by a Ghanaian entrepreneur, Stanley Ahorlu of the African Independent Coastal Services at Tema on March 4th 2013.

The irony herein, lies in the fact that historically, JJR has crusaded against Ghana’s economic development and stability by attacking private business enterprises at whim and, in so doing, became the bane, destroyer and, terrorist against Ghanaian businessmen literally, by bombing/bulldozing their businesses, putting them in jails, seizing their properties, chasing them out of the country and sometimes, making them disappear into oblivion.

To-date, record shows that several cold cases involving missing businessmen are still unsolved. The only crime they committed if any, were to set up businesses which, obviously, were considered anathema at the time - during the reign of terror in Ghana of which - Mr. Rawlings was at the helm.

It is little wonder then, to hear JJR heaping praises on a fellow Ghanaian who against all odds, has been able to acquire a ship from proceeds of bank loans to operate a Ghanaian owned shipping business. Oh, what a transformation for Mr. Rawlings to morph from a villain to a saint to spare and praise a nemeses (businessman) who, once upon a time, would have been killed for borrowing funds from a bank to expand his business and in the process, generate jobs and revenue for Ghana by way of taxes.

Or, perhaps, is it because the owner of the MV Adobia - Mr. Stanley Ahorlu, being a fellow tribal kin of the ex president (Ewe) - is what triggered Mr. Rawlings’ epiphany to suddenly realize that “there are several Ghanaians with talents that could be translated into growing giant firms in Ghana…"? For, I am persuaded that had the MV Adobia been purchased by an:

Adomakoh,
Appiah Menka,
Kuffuor,
Owusu Prempeh,
Kyeremanteng;
Akyeman Prempeh
Osei Bonsu,
Osei Tutu,
Ammaneapong,
Safo Kantaka,
Kwaku Duah,
Adusei Poku;

And/or any other Ashanti sounding name, Mr. Rawlings predictably would have sang a different tune attacking the investor as a thief, corrupt and greedy bastard, among other derogatory epithets; not to mention, blindfolding and killing him and, justifying same in the name of love of country. Remember, Only Rawlings loves Ghana. (ORLG).

By Joseph S. Adomakoh, Jr. (Aka Akwasi Attah Adomakoh)
New York, NY
March 6, 2013

Read Rawlings’ Praises for Mr. Ahorlu.

Ghanaians Need The Right Leadership To Deliver–Rawlings Insists

“ Former President Rawlings says there are several Ghanaians with talents that could be
translated into growing giant firms but that can only happen with the right leadership.

Speaking at the launch of MV Adobia, a ship owned by a Ghanaian entrepreneur, Stanley Ahorlu of the African Independent Coastal Services, Mr. Rawlings advised Ghanaian entrepreneurs to have the can do spirit in order to excel.
“I have always known it and that is why I have always said that Ghanaians are beautiful people, just give them the right leadership and they will perform miracles.
“I would like to take this opportunity to advise the seamen, the personnel, the engineers, the captain and all those who will be operating on this vessel to maintain a high maintenance culture to make sure that this vessel becomes profitable
For his part, businessman Stanley Ahorlu said local firms can deliver like multinational firms.”
Source: radioxyzonline 03/04/2013