Too much talk will not stop corruption - Goozie says

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PRINCE KWASI ADADE 10 years ago

AUTHOR: EBO QUANSAH---------------Dear reader, forgive me for diverting from the topic I promised yesterday. I have been compelled by Jerry Rawlings’ outburst in Nigeria about corruption, as if he himself is a saint. I am c ...
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AUTHOR: EBO QUANSAH---------------Dear reader, forgive me for diverting from the topic I promised yesterday. I have been compelled by Jerry Rawlings’ outburst in Nigeria about corruption, as if he himself is a saint. I am compelled to do this expose on the former junta head for those who do not know his role in promoting corruption as a national concept. Read on!
In June 1979, eight top military officers, including three former heads of state, were lined up and executed at the Teshie Military Firing range in two batches. Gen. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Gen. Frederick William Kwasi Akuffo, Gen. Robert Kotei, Lt-Gen. Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa, Rear Admiral Joy Amedume, Air Vice-Marshall George Yaw Boakye, Emmanuel K. Utuka and Colonel Roger Felli were accused of corrupting the body politic.
In an interview with New Nation, a monthly magazine circulating in Nigeria and now defunct, the Chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, which supervised over the most famous case of extra-judicial killings in the history of the political evolution of Ghana, justified the action of his military junta as a necessary action to rid the body politic of corruption.
“They were jumbo-sized armed robbers whose killings left the world smelling nicer,” Flt-Lt. Rawlings was quoted by the magazine as saying in explanation.
Jerry Rawlings said the officers had to be killed, “because Ghana was faced with their type of thievery breed of criminals who were worse than Nigeria’s armed robbers” in the 1970s.
“Now, I’ll tell you what we have here. We have a breed that is, perhaps, worse than your armed robbers,” he told reporters of the New Nation in an exclusive interview. “They are the pen robbers. These species of vermin have for long perpetrated corruption with impunity.
“They have not only bled the nation white, but as a result of their thievery, Ghana has suffered hunger, loss of national spirit, loss of pride and respect in the military uniform. So, as you can see, while Nigerians have perceived their main social problems to be the proliferation of six Naira armed robbers, we, in Ghana, think that our problem is that of people who take widow’s mite from a bankrupt nation.”
In the words of the ex-junta head: “While you (Nigeria) content yourself at the Bar Beach by watching the executions of mal-adjusted labourers, mechanics or clerks, we in Ghana, have killed the jumbo armed robbers, call them generals or brigadiers – whose going to leave the world smelling sweeter.”
One interesting thing about this claim is that Jerry Rawlings and his righteous AFRC members could not account for monies lodged in AFRC Account 48, which was specially created to lodge huge monies paid by businessmen and other persons and institutions found guilty by a so-called people court to have corrupted the system. Monies from seized goods auctioned to the public at so-called control prices were also lodged in the account.
When President Hilla Limann took power after the AFRC had left the scene on September 24, 1979, the new Head of State complained that there was nothing in the coffers, insinuating that the famous Account 48 could not be traced.
When Flt-Lt. Rawlings, who had refused to accept the new government’s offer to go on course abroad, was questioned on the disappearance of the huge lodgings in the account, he replied that he was not an accountant. Incidentally, the fate of PNDC Account 48, established by the second junta led by the same person, has not been accounted for as you read this piece.
One of the most interesting developments in Ghana’s political evolution was the decision to abolish the General Certificate of Examinations -Ordinary and Advanced levels- by the Provisional National Defence Council. The main reason given was that the old educational system had favoured only the children of the elite class.
At a time ordinary folks of the land were enrolling their children in what became known as the Junior and Senior Secondary schools, whose certificates -BECE and SCCE- were not recognised beyond the four corners of the country, Jerry Rawlings enrolled his children at the expensive Ghana International School in Accra to read subjects that qualified them to sit for the GCE Ordinary and the Advanced levels his PNDC administration had prohibited the mass of Ghanaian children from.
I do not believe corruption is only putting state money in one’s pocket. Exploiting state resources for one’s advantage could even be a worse form of corruption. That is why I have an axe to grind with Jerry Rawlings for enrolling all his children abroad to study with the GCE Ordinary and Advanced levels, acquired outside the formal sector in the country.
What I call Jerry’s Stupid Schools has debased education up to the tertiary level, where lottery numbers, other than real academic work, determines qualification at the first degree level.
To add insult to injury, when asked to tell Ghanaians how he was funding the education of all the three children -Ezanator, YaaAsantewaa and Kimathi- in expensive universities in Britain and Ireland, Jerry Rawlings looked at Ghanaians in the face and answered that unknown benefactors were picking up the bills for their fees.
The Almighty is a kind Lord. It emerged that companies the state of Ghana was dealing with and which were milking Ghana dry, were picking up the bills of Jerry Rawlings’ children. And such a person has the audacity to complain about leaders being corrupt.
I dare state that corruption was elevated into an art under Jerry Rawlings. The circumstances under which he transformed himself from a military dictator into a civil constitutional President smells of corruption all the way to the Castle.
After eleven and a half years of the ‘Gospel According to Jerry Rawlings,’ a period he himself identified as the ‘culture of silence’, Jerry Rawlings and those who claim to believe in him used the resources of state to convert his military oligarchy and the entire governance system into a political party. With the Electoral Commission and the entire process under his thumb, Jerry Rawlings exchanged his military garb for a description as Constitutional President of the Republic of Ghana. God Almighty should remain where he is.
The eight year administration he led, as Constitutional President of this Republic, eulogised corruption as a state-sponsored event. State asserts were transferred to cronies under the guise of divestiture. As you read this piece, Nsawam Cannery, one of the flagship projects of the now defunct Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation, belongs to Caridem, a company floated by Mrs. Rawlings’ 31st December Women’s Movement, in a purchasing agreement that parceled the company to Caridem for a pittance.
Under the Government of the National Democratic Congress Mark One, corruption festered on a large scale. It would take volumes to chronicle corruption under the NDC. But four prominent issues stand out. Getting to the end of the first term of office, newspapers that had been freed from the bondage of the culture of silence began chronicling evidence of corrupt deals by leading members of the regime.
In 1996, the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice investigated one matter and established massive corrupt deals against Ibrahim Adam, then Minister of Agriculture, Colonel E.M. Osei Owusu, a former Minister of the Interior, P.V. Obeng, a Presidential Staffer, and Dr. Adjei Marfo, a Chief Executive Officer of a state-run company.
Instead of prosecuting them, the Government of Saint Rawlings rather issued a While Paper exonerating the corrupt elements, and rather indicted the media for highlighting the issue.
In Britain, Mabey and Johnson was prosecuted not too long ago for corruptly influencing Ghanaian politicians between 1994 and 1999 to gain bridge contracts, The news in these contracts is that barely one year after completing two bridges in Ghana, including one over River Oti, the Ghana Government had to contract experts from Britain to repair them as they threatened to cave in.
In 2002, the former Managing Director of Ghana Rubber Estates Limited, Mr. Etienne Arthur Marie Popeler, told an Accra Fast Track High Court that he gave millions of dollars to Mr. Dan Abodakpi, then Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms. Shirley Ayittey, then Treasurer of the 31st December Women’s Movement, in bribes before his French company, SIPH, could secure GREL.
The case of Ms. Cotton, an unemployed American, secured $20 million of scarce state cash from compromised state officials, ostensibly to grow rice for Ghanaians at Aveyime in the Battor area of the Volta Region. Even when Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States had sent a warning letter about the background of Ms. Cotton, and intimating that she was incapable of undertaking the task, state officials paid the money. As it turned out, the main motivating factor was the cut they all stood to make.
If corruption is endemic in the body politic after the so-called June 4, uprising, the genesis could be traced to Jerry Rawlings who executed eight Ghanaians officials on unproven trivial charges, and out-doored full- blown corruption as a state policy.
In other exposé next week, I intend to draw the link between the free for all looting that assails the body politic in the Mills-Mahama regime, and the adventure of Jerry John Rawlings as Head of State of this Republic. I shall return!
Asobayere Mumuni 10 years ago

We ARE WAITING

We ARE WAITING
wiseman 10 years ago

supposed to be comments on the article above. this is a senseless way of doing things. why not write your stuff into a separate article and stop wating our time!!!!!!

supposed to be comments on the article above. this is a senseless way of doing things. why not write your stuff into a separate article and stop wating our time!!!!!!
Sethoo 10 years ago

Long time not heard of you where have you been?Have you finished selling those cassava chips?All these old thieves are around,well since their kiddy thieves are in power they have to pop out.

Long time not heard of you where have you been?Have you finished selling those cassava chips?All these old thieves are around,well since their kiddy thieves are in power they have to pop out.
Shabi 10 years ago

Yes I was wondering what this common thief is up to with this outburst. That he has the nerve to talk about or against corruption, is mind-boggling

Yes I was wondering what this common thief is up to with this outburst. That he has the nerve to talk about or against corruption, is mind-boggling
Atinga Kobla Atongo 10 years ago

SETHOO!
YOU ARE SO RIGHT, A THIEF AND A CROOK. SO RICH NOW AND ENJOYING HIS LOOT WITH LUCRATIVE CONTRACTS, HE IS WELL CONNECTED AND ENJOYING HIS STOLEN (LOOT) MONEY IN DEEP SHAME, WITH VERY DOGGY FRIENDS IN HIGHER PLACES.
H ...
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SETHOO!
YOU ARE SO RIGHT, A THIEF AND A CROOK. SO RICH NOW AND ENJOYING HIS LOOT WITH LUCRATIVE CONTRACTS, HE IS WELL CONNECTED AND ENJOYING HIS STOLEN (LOOT) MONEY IN DEEP SHAME, WITH VERY DOGGY FRIENDS IN HIGHER PLACES.
HE IS NOT LOOSING A CEDI.
IT'S LAUGHABLE TO HEAR HIM TALK LIKE THIS, GOD IS WATCHING US ALL.
HIS DAY WILL COME!
SEE 10 years ago

DR MATHEW OPOKU RECOMMENDS THAT WE MAINTAIN PANDORA BOXES FOR ALL CRIMES AND CORRUPT ACTS AS ONE OF THE MEASURES TO CURBING THE MENANCE. HE CLAIMS TO KNOW TOO MUSH OF CERTAIN CORRUPT DEALS JJ RAWLING AND HIS GOVT PERPETRATED ...
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DR MATHEW OPOKU RECOMMENDS THAT WE MAINTAIN PANDORA BOXES FOR ALL CRIMES AND CORRUPT ACTS AS ONE OF THE MEASURES TO CURBING THE MENANCE. HE CLAIMS TO KNOW TOO MUSH OF CERTAIN CORRUPT DEALS JJ RAWLING AND HIS GOVT PERPETRATED BUT WOULD MAINTAIN THE SECRETS PROVIDED MR RAWLINGS WOULD DESIST FROM BLAMING THE KUFOUR ADMINISTRATION.I CHALLENGE THE GOVT OF JDM TO INVITE THIS MANHYIA GENTLEMAN TO OPEN UP THE PANDORA BOX AND SUBSTANTIATE HIS VIEWS...
YEAN ARA ASSINNI 10 years ago

I AM TOLD MATHEW POKUS WIFE IS CALLED DORA. IF HE INTENDS TO OPEN HER ASS FOR ALL TO SEE I BEG THAT WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. BUT RAWLINGS SHOULD BE EXPOSED WITHOUT ANY COVER UP. THE ACT OF MAINTAINING AND PROTECTING THESE PANDOR ...
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I AM TOLD MATHEW POKUS WIFE IS CALLED DORA. IF HE INTENDS TO OPEN HER ASS FOR ALL TO SEE I BEG THAT WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. BUT RAWLINGS SHOULD BE EXPOSED WITHOUT ANY COVER UP. THE ACT OF MAINTAINING AND PROTECTING THESE PANDORA BOXES IS THE ROOT OF CORRUPTION......MR MATHEW , PLEASE OPEN THE RAWLINGS' PANDORA BOX AND LETS SEE WHETHER YOUR WARDROBE IS WITHOUT COBWEBS
The African Patriot 10 years ago

The problems facing these institution are lack of support from the citizenry due to corruption and support by these institutions to ordinary citizens, whose right have been taking by elites.
As a result, no citizen will back ...
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The problems facing these institution are lack of support from the citizenry due to corruption and support by these institutions to ordinary citizens, whose right have been taking by elites.
As a result, no citizen will back the institutions through country wide demonstrations. A part from that the institutions repeal each ones decisions in favour of the government. They are not working independently. See GYEEDA first and second report beside the many court case that was reversed.

Sorry, but where is the gateway?
ATOTOBOTOM MAHAMA 10 years ago

J,JDM ARE CRIMINALS AND EVILS DWARFS CORRUPTS,PERIOD

J,JDM ARE CRIMINALS AND EVILS DWARFS CORRUPTS,PERIOD
Loulou 10 years ago

This lazy family and theives too? Please go preach elsewhere.

This lazy family and theives too? Please go preach elsewhere.
Joe Turkey 10 years ago

Everybody knows the problem; no one succeeds with the solution. Another attention seeker of the NDC looting brigade.

Everybody knows the problem; no one succeeds with the solution. Another attention seeker of the NDC looting brigade.
Pan-African National Congress 10 years ago

Ghana deserves better !

Ghana deserves better !
Igp 10 years ago

Goozie Ghana does not need another 1/2-cast to come and fool us for the second time. Don't you have eyes and ears as a returnee NDCist to know the level of corruption in the government under Mahama? How did the talking horse ...
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Goozie Ghana does not need another 1/2-cast to come and fool us for the second time. Don't you have eyes and ears as a returnee NDCist to know the level of corruption in the government under Mahama? How did the talking horse of NDC and former student leader, Iddirisu mahama come by the $300 assets or cash in a spate of five years after entering political office? Eight Generals died on June 4th because some of them were perceived to have used their command and office to secure just Gc10,000 bank loans then. What are you guys talking about? There is nothing wrong in being rich, but looting national coffers and under-cutting deals with foreign interest to milk Ghana is unacceptable. One day NDC will face the music their precursors - AFRC?PNDC sung for Ghanaians.
Lolulou 10 years ago

Please get your facts right - how is he a half caste? He doesnt look like one - he is quarter lebanese and three quarters ghnanaian!

Please get your facts right - how is he a half caste? He doesnt look like one - he is quarter lebanese and three quarters ghnanaian!
DR. KWABENA ASANTE 10 years ago

Wow! I never knew that this guy is still alive.

Wow! I never knew that this guy is still alive.
GIRLZ 10 years ago

like in europe n usa we need poxerful police and judiciary to stem the tide of corruption. in those countries the police is not afraid of the status of a person nand the law is neither respecter of persons.

like in europe n usa we need poxerful police and judiciary to stem the tide of corruption. in those countries the police is not afraid of the status of a person nand the law is neither respecter of persons.
kb 10 years ago

President Mahama take a look at Turkey recent action action against corruption.Mr President start the house cleaning now.Judgement shall begun in house of God,Mr Prsident take a step first against corruption in Ghanaian cultu ...
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President Mahama take a look at Turkey recent action action against corruption.Mr President start the house cleaning now.Judgement shall begun in house of God,Mr Prsident take a step first against corruption in Ghanaian culture system.They way corruption has eaten our life I always scare for Ghana, because Boko Haramer ,alquaida ect can fall to a wrong hands to enter the country to harm us through corrupt Ghanaian government official.
fredsaid 10 years ago

SO IS THE BLOOD OF THE INNOCENT KILLED BY JJ RAWLINGS AND HIS OUTFIT CRYING FOR JUSTICE.
The Bible stated that Cain killed his innocent brother Abel and the blood of Abel cried for justice. The same book says those who live ...
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SO IS THE BLOOD OF THE INNOCENT KILLED BY JJ RAWLINGS AND HIS OUTFIT CRYING FOR JUSTICE.
The Bible stated that Cain killed his innocent brother Abel and the blood of Abel cried for justice. The same book says those who live by the sword will die by the sword.

Two points here; the blood mentioned could refer to the physical blood or the spiritual blood or both. In all cases JJ Rawlings a few days ago confessed that some innocent and good people were killed because the sacrifice was necessary.

He juxtaposed himself to be some kind of a fetish priest who demanded not the blood of animals to be sacrificed but the blood of innocent people to appease his own little gods in this barbaric way.

The international court of justice please take note of this confession so he can be tried for crimes against humanity.

JJ Rawlings, lastly is being tormented by both the physical and spiritual blood of let the blood flow victims through their cries and it is not surprising that today he rants and raves behaving badly as an ex head of state who cannot live in a dignified manner like all others around the world; Clinton, Bush, and even Kuffour, who is quietly being used by the UN to enhance the quality of life.

Asiedu Nketia labelled him as a barking dog. I think he is rather a mad, barking dog whose dog chain has been let loose in his mind; instead of encouraging and motivating young students to aim high to achieve their professional dreams and goals, he rather brainwashes them with poison, division, tribalism and disunity through his rants; teaching them how to insult ex presidents.

The blood of the following will continue to cry to the heavens until justice is done to him as he shows no remorse or repentance for those who died innocently. Eventually, he will end up like ghaddafi or saddam hussein or samuel do either with a bullet to his head or a sword through his arse; what a disgrace!

HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

In addition to the 3 judges (who were not proven to have committed any crimes in a court of law) the following also were, innocently killed and today the innocent (from all tribes) blood ; still speaks and cries for justice:

Greater Accra Region

Major Sam Acquah, Madam Larmioko Adjebu, Azure Frafra, Akwei Allotey, Bokari Moshe, Alberta Rockson, Kwame Danso, Emmanuel Ashitey, Joseph Oduro, Samuel Kotey, Nash, Mnuanuan Alhassan, Gadzi Jamesi, Alex Aggrey, Joseph Kwaakye, Abukari Mukaila, E K Frimpong, Emmanuel Abbey, Rose Tetteh, Demawuna Grushie, Julius Odartey, Bonney Lartey, Okoe Allotey,
Mohamed Alhassan, Frank Yaro

Ashanti Region

Kwaku Kramo, Kwabena Nti, John Chinkwa, Akosua Addae, Kwame Kum, Gabriel Tseyi, Abdulai Moshie Abdu, Ibrahim, Osumanu Sissala, Kofi Gyaaman, Kwadwo Boateng, Benjamin Whyte, Dagarti Seidu, Raphael Avorga, Azzure Kussasi, Johnson Oware, Amma Agyeiwah, Alhamadi Maiga, Kwabena Dapaah, Osei Kwame, Kwaku Opoku, Kwame Opoku, Agnes Korkor, Kpele Bimoaba, Kwadwo Nsafoa, Abena Afra, Mohammadu Halifu, Kwame mekye, Amma Asantewaah, David Darko, Agyaba, Oanduku Mantse,Akua Takyiwaa, Moro Moshie, Mama Kanjarga, Cpl Joana Essien, Ali Grushie, Odiyifu Samuel Asare. Abu Kramo, GNTC 75 yr old Watchman at Kronum, Abena Kyerewa,

Eastern Region

Mrs Mary Solomon (wife of proprietor, Solomon Commercial College) under Yaw Akrasi Sarpong’s watch (then Eastern Regional Secretary and now Drug Enforcement Agency Boss) with no legal justification, Kwame Tetteh, S.K. Ampadu, Amma Ansah, Akosua Wiafe, Afuah Boahemaa, Osei Kofi, Mary Arkumaki, Adwoa Kyeraa, Vida Abla Amenuvor, Kudzonu Torgbe, James Olugan, Kwettey Narki, Cpl S K Sarpong, Kwasi Mensah, Kwabena Doh, Salifu Zabrama, Supt Owusu Siaw, Kwadwo Ampofo, Yaw Mosi, Adzo Adabla, Ossumanu, Bussanga, BB Bismark and family member (Aburi)

Tema

Joseph Boateng, Anthony Dagarti, Jacob Ashmond Mensah, Justice Quainoo Paul, Aklugu Tugo, Abu Piss, Emmanuel Kwesi Nukpor

Brong Ahafo Region

Oboti Konkonba, Abubakari Yakubu, Keana Tere, Kwabena Yendor, Saidu Gonja, D.K Deku, Adamu Moshie, Kwabena Oppong, Abu Bayou, Kwasi Ankoma, Kofi Amponsah, Abena Boaduwoah

Volta Region

Akakpovi Ahiaka (of Atidzeve), Samson Kwao (of Anloga), Ht anson Ankrah, Avorga Ahiagba, L/Cpl Owusu Peprah,
Agbodzihu Kudzordzi, Kwesi Boateng, Mawulawoe Forfoe, Hugeh, Dwame Amevor Kpedo, Agbotsi Duxo, Sherri Kwame Feleme,Grace Bagadu, Apedo Damalie, Labadi Kabre, Justin Kwame Egbadzor, selina Dankah, Winfred Degli, Kwame Dortogbi, Korkuvi Agbenyegah, Kwa rshie Azi , Atsu Gator, Nene Kinikini I, Kohi Sowrlo, Afatsao Gomado, Estey Amegayibor, Amos Kwasi Fiaybenya,

Western Region

Commander Barnor, Commander Adjavon, Petty Officer Hughes (shot by navy personnel), Joseph Yinta, Anthony Beyeeman, Kwesi Essuon, Awusu Walla, Sgd Joseph Aikins, Kwesi Sam, Atta Panyin,
Kwadwo Boamah, Kwesi Badu, Adwoa Nduah, Adjoba Woke, Kwame Dankwa, Kwame Poku, Kofi Nketia, No. 177168 A/ABJW, Ghanny Kow Ackon, Afua Harkowah, Barnaba Kwadwo, Kyaya, Armah Kojo, Kwasi Atta, Ama Attah, Grumah, Kwame Boateng, A djoa Sasa, Kwesi Ahwer

Central Region

Kojo Mensah, Edua Edua, Kofi Ankoma, Osumanu Sokoto, Kwame Addo, Kofi Badu, Kwasi Oguaman, Adwoa Ebuakwa, Michael Asante, Nana Korankye Sarfour II, Kwaka Aduoni, Kwasi Manu, Kwame Ketewa, Esi Essong, Kennedy Amissah, Kobinah Ntamaah

Northern Region

Misay Fulani, Hajia Bibata Kponlana, Seidu Allando, Jatawari Fulani, Challa Kokomba, Adama Mahama, Bawa Njasolo, Tia Nsaigri, Zakari Ibrahim, Baba Gazelle,

Upper Region

Yakubu Dogbeli, Azawe Achana, Aluguchaab ,Akansianab, Matiki Abugri, Jalawari Fulani, Kumajo Tonye, Emmanuel Kweku Ali, Alebadigi Adindamu, Bawa Aflblikame, Inni Dagoro, John Sasane, Amedagoro Aderi.

MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PEACE

Too much talk will not stop corruption - Goozie says

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