The truth, the whole truth but the truth

A Chinese proverb that I came across says: “There are three truths. There’s my truth, your truth and then the truth.” It is interesting to note how much has been said about “truth” in all corners of the world. By politicians, military figures, monarchs, religious leaders, academics, student leaders, comedians, you name it.

Ghana is no exception to the “truth” conundrum. Indeed, in Ghana, we seem to have taken it a step further. Most controversies seem to necessitate the setting up of commissions of enquiry, ostensibly to unravel the “truth”. Or more likely, to muddy the truth. Is it any wonder therefore that at the end of the sitting of such commissions, we are no nearer the truth than we were at the beginning.

What is, or is not “truth” is often defined by what the government wants the people to hear. If the outcome of an enquiry is likely to be unfavourable to the government, a commission of enquiry will either not be set up in the first place or, if one is set up, its findings are not likely to be made public, citing the ubiquitous national security concerns. Sometimes too, it appears the only reason for setting up a committee/commission of enquiry is for damage-control purposes. Here, attempts are made to rope in the opposition so that the government can proudly say that there is enough blame to go around. This way, the government reckons that criticisms of the government’s ineptitude will not be as harsh as would otherwise have been the case.

A joke I heard recently illustrates the “truth” in contemporary Ghana.

This is supposed to be a conversation between President Mahama and his Finance Minister, Mr. Seth Tekper.

President Mahama: 'Listen, what's going on with the economy?'

Mr. Tekper: "'Er, Mr. President, just like I explained at the press conference ...'

President Mahama: "'No, no, not that explanation. The Propaganda team (known to the masses as Communications Team) and I understand that explanation too well. Just tell me the truth about what’s going on'"

What has assumed center-stage on the Ghanaian airwaves in recent times is what has come to be known as “the GNPC Drill Ship Sale” saga. A Sole Commissioner of Judgement Debt – an office that was set up by President Mahama in 2012 – is supposedly looking into it to unravel the “truth”. How very convenient for the NDC government. A number of individuals have testified at the sittings of this Sole Commissioner. Among them have been Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah and Mr. K.T. Hammond (both former Energy Minister and Deputy Energy Minister respectively under President Kufuor). Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, a former Managing Director of GNPC under President Rawlings has also testified at the Commission’s sittings.

We have heard of the “truth” according to Mr. Kan-Dapaah and Mr. K.T. Hammond. So also have we heard of the “truth” according to Mr. Tsikata. As can be expected, both “truths” are fundamentally not in agreement with each other. In due course, there will be the “truth” of the Sole Commissioner, a “truth” that I am sure will not be displeasing to the government. Why else was the Sole Commissioner set up?

The Black Stars of Ghana recently played against the Pharaohs of Egypt in a FIFA qualifying match for Brazil 2014. The match took place in Egypt. As can be expected, a number of NDC supporters, under the guise of a non-partisan, national Black Star support group, found themselves in Egypt. A number of these so-called supporters were wearing T-Shirts emblazoned with the picture of President Mahama at the Soccer Stadium. The NDC government, through its communicators, have told Ghanaians that this distasteful and polarizing display of partisanship at an otherwise national event happened on the blind-side of the NDC government and party. Another “truth” told to the long-suffering Ghanaian public.

With all these “truths”, is it any wonder that rich as we are in oil, minerals, and land, the majority of our people are still poor? Or are we? What is the truth?

Gilbert Adu Gyimah

Gilly.gyimah@gmail.com

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada