Opinions of Friday, 30 November 2012

Columnist: Sahara, Kojo Ampah

Why John Mahama Is Insulting Ghanaians

The demeanor and posture of John Mahama since he “accidentally” became the President of our dear nation Ghana has not only been disturbing but that of insulting and a mockery to the citizenry to say the least. It all started at a makeshift congress last August in Kumasi where the National Democratic Congress (NDC) out of desperation after the untimely death of President John Atta Mills declared him as the new flagbearer.

At the said congress, I was personally so traumatized as I watched on television our “care taker” President shouted “NDC” and demanded that the audience respond “E dey be Keke” at the end of his speech. This was a time that the nation was still mourning the departed President and majority of the populace I believed expected John Mahama to be a little more sober and respectful as Gonja and most Ghanaian ethnic traditions and customs demands but he chose to rather make fun of the masses who are suffering from lack of equal opportunities, security, poverty, mass and politically powered corruption, quality and affordable healthcare and even food supply in gargantuan proportions under this failed NDC administration which has seen more chaos and lawlessness from its own people than any other in our Political history by openly admitting how the few has enjoyed the booty under this NDC government and ridiculously and unconscionably turned that joke “ E dey be Keke “ into an electioneering campaign slogan for the NDC.

E DEY BE KEKE

The simplest meaning for E DEY BE KEKE in English language is “A state of Merry, Joy or near perfect happiness” and as much as I admit that Mahama and his cronies are in that state as they continue to loot and share the goodies in our fragile economy, it is demeaning and very denigrating to opulently suggest to the hardworking Ghanaian struggling to put food on the table for family that “E DEY BE KEKE”. Mahama and his cronies are so out of touch that they perhaps actually believe that the Ghanaian electorates are in that perfect socio economic state or they are seeking to insult our integrity with such a shameful joke they call a slogan.

THE RECORDS

This NDC government is the same government that awarded a dubious judgment debt worth millions of dollars to its financier Businessman Alfred Woyome. We also had the arrogant all powerful Asiedu Nketia, the NDC General Secretary admit that he sold cement blocks at a ridiculously inflated price to the state for the Bui Dam project under the stupid guise that he makes the best cement blocks on earth. This NDC government is the one that caused the state the trouble and loss as he neglected the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association ( GREDA) and trusted unqualified foreigners with a huge state contract resulting in the “ STX Saga”. We are also witnesses to how the President’s brother (Ibrahim Mahama) has bankrupted the Merchant Bank and continue to live the “E DEY BE KEKE way” even acquiring a private jet. This same government has borrowed more money than all previous Ghanaian governments put together from Nkrumah to Kuffuor and funneled it to the pockets of the few to afford the “E DEY BE KEKE lifestyle”. As if a biblical happening, Mahama and his cronies as they enjoy their booty and make merry have now decided to attack our men of God. The Presbyterian Church was the first victim and as I write this piece, they are fighting the renowned man of God Reverend Dr. Mensah Otabil, one wonder which of our Pastors or Imams they will pick on next.

WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW

Ghanaians are very hardworking, peace loving, charitable and hospitable but frown on excessive grandeur, insulting behavior and language. Ghanaians know very well that, this economy and state is far from being heaven like. Ghanaians understand that the stakes are high and leadership matters. Ghanaians can tell and appreciate the difference between where a few people are enjoying from when there is true equality for opportunities- the Akan proverb “ A state where few are enjoying cannot be described or called a happy state” sums that up. Instead of presenting a cogent and a coherent plan to Ghanaians as to how he will run our dear nation in the unlikely event that he wins the upcoming elections, Mahama has only been able to attack the clear and decisive action plans which Nana Addo , the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has espoused so far to the Ghanaian electorate. He has also been busy shamelessly bribing the electorate with all sorts of freebies including machetes to farmers and outboard motors to fisher folks.

WHAT WE SHOULD DO

Nana Addo has a clear vision, even those who disagree with him knows where he stands, Free and quality Senior High School, Jobs, quality and affordable healthcare and massive industrialization. Leadership matters, leaders make difference and are able to inspire people to achieve. At this stage in our nation’s development, good leadership can propel us to where Malaysia and Singapore are today. Ghanaians can and should vote this NDC government out on December 7, 2012 for weakening the economy, looting and sharing goodies amongst the top few and yet shamelessly rubbing it in our face that “E DEY BE KEKE.

Author: Kojo Ampah Sahara

Email: kojoampah@gmail.com