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Opinions of Sunday, 21 December 2008

Columnist: Boateng, Kwaku

Who Are These ‘Machomen’?

The country was greeted with excitement and jubilation of extraordinary proportions on the Election Day. WHY? Because the elections went successfully well, with no spectacular or conspicuous disruptions and incidents. It was all good for Ghana. Exceptional credit should go to the MEDIA. Albeit all the media stations claimed to be election centers, JOY FM displayed professionalism and justified its position as the Election Headquarters.

I monitored the elections just as the whole world did. The frustration people in the Diaspora faced was the instability of www.myjoyonline.com site. I hope something is done before 28th December.

What appeared as a source of worry to all however, was the continuous mention of ‘MACHOMEN’ by both Joy Fm and Radio Gold reporters on the field covering the elections. In some cases description and car numbers were mentioned as cars being used by these MACHOMEN. For example, I remember one of the reporters mention 5 car numbers and went further to describe the cars as vans in STANBIC BANK colours, inscription and logo. In fact, a Radio Gold reporter even interviewed one of these MACHOMEN who said clearly that they were recruited from KATAMANTO in Accra.

Later that day, MATILDA ASANTE of Joy Fm did excellently well by asking the EC’s Director of Operations about these MACHOMEN because they also wore ID badges similar to those of the EC’s polling and Electoral staff on duty that day. The EC’s Director of Operations responded emphatically that the EC secretariat had no idea of any such group.

The question then is WHO ARE THESE ‘MACHOMEN’?

This issue warrants in-depth investigations because if Ghanaians will remember, it was these same MACHOMEN who cause disturbances at some polling stations towards the later part of that particular election.

In my opinion, 28th December is rather the main election. It is better to take a proactive approach now about the issue of ‘MACHOMEN’ than wait for a reactive action on and after the Election Day.

KOJO OPPONG NKRUMAH, MATILDA ASANTE, ISRAEL LARYEA, JAMES ADJENIM BOATENG and all other presenters in the country are empowered to as usual ask their brilliant questions on our behalf.

WE ALL LOVE OUR COUNTRY

Credit: Kwaku Boateng Jeam93@yahoo.co.uk