It would have been insane and unthinkable for any Ghanaian to believe that Mahama will say anything different from what he told the BBC interviewer. Hell will freeze all over before President Mahama admit that he takes bribes. Even under torture, there is no way he was ever going to wash his dirty linen in front of BBC audience by admitting that he takes bribe. If he had admitted that he is corrupt, it would have been one of the greatest news in history. I think the November election would have been a no contest for Nana Akufo Addo, and come January 2017 he would have to plead nolo contendere in a court of law. It is only a person who has lost the zest for life who will submit to such ignominy.

Honestly, if President Mahama had admitted to receiving bribe I would have been scared. It will be a case of having a madman ruling the country, and that would have been a greater danger. So I am rather happy that he did not say that he takes bribe. People don’t admit to their crimes just like that; you have to force it out of them. And in most cases you have to conclude with the available evidence that a crime has been committed. Let’s just cast out minds to Lewinskygate when President Clinton forced the world to redefine what is sex. Even that, he did not admit to a harmless encounter with an intern within the sacred walls of the White House. President Clinton did not admit to perjury when his hands were caught right in the cookie jar.

Most of the people who admit to their criminality no longer enjoy their life of crime; it becomes a source of pain for them mentally. Therefore, admitting to their crimes is therapeutic; perhaps, a form of salvation.

They say birds of the same feather flock together, and better still, show me your friend and I will show you your character. President Mahama had demonstrated it clearly in the bus rebranding scandal the circles he moves and have his being. This is a perfect case where the President could have seized the opportunity to be the prosecutor, judge and executioner if he wants the world to believe that he is serious in fighting corruption. Action speaks louder than words. It would have been a vindication of the incorruptibility his lieutenants always tout about. Instead, what did he tell this woman, and I am being charitable here. He told her that, ‘this one stinks too much, and if you don’t leave the miasma will ooze and tarnish my already battered image in the eyes of Ghanaians. Don’t sweat too much over this; Ghanaians have got a very short memory, and they are very forgiving. Keep a low profile until we win in again in November, and amnesia, our favourite weapon, would have done its work.’

The above is the script of an amateur Hollywood script writer, however, I don’t think I will be too far from right. President Mahama had all the opportunity in the world to throw this woman to the wolves to prove that he is against corruption, but because he has both hands in the cookie jar himself he could not marshal courage to do it. The reason is simple. Throwing her to the wolves means prosecution. And, of course, any good prosecutor could get Mrs Attivor to implicate lots of people, which might not be good for the President.

So, Mr Peter Okwoche, we know that the President is corrupt. We do not need his admission in the glare of worldwide audience; that will be superfluous.

Philip Kobina Baidoo Jnr
London
baidoo_philip@yahoo.co.uk