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Opinions of Sunday, 4 July 2010

Columnist: Sarpong, Justice

President, To Hell With The 100 Dead, ,Soccer Rules.

I don't think any Ghanaian is more soccer fanatic than me but I am really ashamed of my government and the people of Ghana for the way we've banished to the back pages the tragedy that had supposedly claimed more than hundred lives of our citizens. Tragedy struck on sunday June 27th at Dunkwa-On Offin galamsey mines where it was reported, as low as 18 people and as high as 118 are feared dead. At the time of this article, six days after this tragedy, 13 bodies have been recovered by the locals without any government official rushing over to Dunkwa to ascertain and assist the locals to recover the dead bodies buried in mud and water.

This tragedy was first reported by BBC and not the Ghanaian press which had abdicated its responsibility due to the world cup soccer to bring this tragedy to the world and attract international assistance in recovering the bodies from the mines, which the locals are finding it hard to do due to lack of heavy equipment needed to remove the dead bodies. Almost a week after this tragedy, the government is yet send the NADMO to this area to assist them.

In the midst of this tragedy which is not even attracting the attention of the government and the people of Ghana, your President hosted and feasted old pensioners on July Ist and then flew to Cape Verde to attend moribund OU conference. Is this President and his administration aware of what is going on in Ghana? How can the father of the nation feast on jollof rice and chicken when more than hundred people are trapped and feared dead at a Dunkwa galamsey mines? While the people of Dunkwa were crying and trying to retrieve the dead from muddy waters deep in the galamsey mines, your President and his administration were merry making eating rice and chicken and take away.

It is this same government that accused President Kuffour of not showing empathy when parts of Northern Ghana was flooded during his administration because President Kuffour did not go to the area himself despite many government officials sent there to assist the flood victims.The floods in Northern Ghana claimed less than ten lives but NDC shamelessly used it for political expediency to garner votes. It has been six days since this tragedy and no member of this administration has been to the area to offer assistance or consolation.

It was this same administration that promised the galamsey miners that, the NPP administration was not doing enough to protect their interest and if voted to power, it will ensure that, they are treated better with security and safety measures and will provide the assistance needed for smooth running of their industry. Now when these poor souls need the government to help them in their time of need, our "I CARE FOR YOU POOR PEOPLE" so called NDC social democratic government is in South Afica cavorting with young ladies while the nation cries for help for the people of Dunkwa.

Atta Mills and the whole administration rushed to the Rawlings burning residence in their 'pijamas and togas' within minutes of hearing the news of his burnt house tripping over each other to console the Rawlingses for losing a building but this "I CARE FOR YOU POOR PEOPLE" so called NDC social democratic government is nowhere to be found around the tragedy site at Dunkwa. Is Rawlings burnt house more tragic than hundred lives, Mr President Mills? You rushed to assist Rawlings who didn't need any assistance because he is rich and can cater for his needs but when duty calls for you to assist the "little people" of Dunkwa, you are missing in action. WHAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP ARE YOU PROVIDING TO GHANAIANS? Where is beaver teeth Okudzeto Ablakwa who has never met any repulsive camera in his life?

Atta Mills have been travelling in and out to South Africa to watch soccer matches and has not even said a word about this tragedy to the Ghanaian press. Hundred people losing their lives in any part of the world in a mining incident would have been a leading story around the globe but this is not even news in Ghana because we have idiots and fools ruling our country.

Why is the government not showing any sympathy to the people of Dunkwa? I hate to bring Party politics into this tragedy but I can't help it.Is it because the people of Dunkwa vote overwhelmingly NPP? Would the government show the same lack of interest in this tragedy if it had occured in Volta Region or any of the three Northern regions? President Mills, the people of Dunkwa are also citizens of Ghana.

In a lesser extent, NPP too is not blameless. The member of Parliament of this area is an NPP and he has not been heard from either. The Akuffo Addo, Alan Kyeremateng and other NPP aspiring Presidential candidates have not suspended their campaigns for even a day to address and assist the people of Dunkwa in their time of need. WHERE IS THE SYMPATHY?

Ghanaian Politicians seek glory, fame and fortune for themselves and their families and care less about the "Joe six pack" laborer on the street. This tragedy is a lesson for those "FOOL(foot) soldiers of the various political parties protecting these Politicians who care less about them.

MILLS ADMINISTRATION OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF FOR NOT SHOWING ANY EMPATHY TO THE PEOPLE OF DUNKWA AND TO A LESSER EXTENT, GHANA AS A WHOLE.

Justice Sarpong

Houston, Texas.