…are these politicians taking us for a ride?

I have noted with great dismay the subtle typology that exists between our politicians from the major political divides. They preach one message to come into power and do a completely different thing all together. The mistakes they criticise their opponents for are the same mistakes they commit and even worse.

Take a quick look at the June 4 philosophy. The reason was apparently was to rid the nation of corrupt leaders and institutional heads. A lot of people were killed in the process including some innocent hard working Ghanaian business men and women. People had their hard earned reputation and asset damaged and frozen. It was a crime to own some amount of money in your bank account, heads had to roll because the regime had the 50 cedi note in circulation but what happened from then? During the Rawlings era we saw corruption at a level which was unprecedented. 10,000 cedi note was issued. Some of the guys who jumped on the bandwagon of ‘let the blood flow’ whilst they were still students now became government functionaries straight after university. They had nothing before joining the government of the day, but left office as millionaires and billionaires if not more. Take Totobi Quakyi for instance. Where is the probity and accountability that was the underlining reason for June 4? To be honest with you sometimes you can’t help but to sympathise with those whose families were torched and harassed for owning businesses.

The then opposition NPP complained about a lot of these atrocities and what was seen as the effort to kill capitalism in Ghana amidst the remarkable ‘Ku mi Preko’ demonstrations which went down very well with the populace. In 2001 when the NPP took over the reins of government a lot of Ghanaians including political neutrals gave them their blessings and expected them to break from the past, however once again to my dismay the level of corruption and abuse of power continued unabated. One will ask what happened to the strong promise by ex-President Kufour to say good bye to corruption as he ushered Ghana into a golden age of business and declared a zero tolerance for corruption. Where was the resolve to fight corruption when monies were been wasted at the Ghana @ 50 Secretariat, where was that promise when about 20 candidates queued to contest for the Presidential candidate slot of the NPP and spent so much monies in a presidential primaries than ever before in the history of Ghana. I tell you what some of these politicians will have a question to answer some day…asem be ba debi (please pardon my twi)

In the recent elections, the issue of petroleum products prices (PPP) became a core issue at the centre of Ghana decides 08. The then opposition leader promised to reduce fuel prices drastically only to increase it twice in six months. Hmmm ! Why can’t our politicians be honest with us for once. Sometimes they know very well that what they are saying can’t be achieved to some degree but to score cheap political points and play on the emotions of the people they will hype it to their political advantage but how long can you sustain such cunning attitudes. You will certainly be exposed. As a political neutral, ( you can really trust me on this isn’t it ?) I sometimes pity people who at the peril of their lives will do anything to help bring a politician or political party to party. Their headaches and headaches are unreasonably worthless.

Look at the case of Muntaka Mubarak barely four moths in office and the level of ‘allegations’ against him is simply unpardonable. Is this not reminiscent of what happened in the very early months of the Kufour administration? In any case kudos to President Mills for asking him to proceed on leave as the investigations are a carried out. It is great to see a balanced approached in the fight against corruption. I strongly support the trying of any minister or ex-ministers who abuse the power and squander state funds.

I have seen ‘some’ of these politicians too well and ‘some’ of them are not worth sticking a finger up for. I think the value you get from them is they same whether NPP, CPP or NDC. They shift the goal post to favour them as and when necessary. My only hope is to see this vicious cycle of deceit, lies, corruption and taking the masses for granted broken once and for all for a better Ghana. Let us open our eyes and use good reason and balanced judgement to appoint our leaders and also to demand accountability for their stewardship.

Thank you.

Kweku Objective.

(This writer is always asking intuitive questions that will aid national development. My objective is to see a ‘corruption free’ Ghana where people are given equal opportunities to excel irrespective of their tribe, colour, creed, religion, gender or age. Join Kweku Objective on this crusade) God Bless you! Contacts: Email: dr.objective@yahoo.co.uk Facebook: Kweku Objective