Thieves Render Journalists Incommunicado

Ghanaians, no doubt have demonstrated their love for football by coming out in numbers.

They have also shown that they are talented in different things. But one area that beats the imagination of all is how you would lose your money without knowing when or how.

One of the Group Sports Editors from Nigeria, Peter, has suddenly become dumb because of the expertise of the thieves who performed their American wonder on him. The guy had gone out with so much enthusiasm to get accreditation so as to be powered to do the running around to get stories when they struck.

When I saw Peter, he was looking like when Biblical Peter heard the last cock crow and realised that he has betrayed his master. His $2,000 neatly tucked into his Jeans pocket had disappeared. The magicians were merciful enough to leave $10 behind.

Peter now walks around and talks to himself. While Peter's dilemna made every Nigerian cross-check his money (even those who swore they had no money), another casualty emerged. This time, an Egyptian.

His own predicament dwarfed Peters and made it look like a child's play. The Egyptian journalist who had covered many international events lost $15,000.

Phew! I looked at the massive man who preferred to sit on the floor to cool off and didn't know what to say.

I asked myself if a company in Nigeria could give a journalist that amount to cover Nations Cup? I dashed into the toilet to make assurance doubly sure that they had not visited me with their witchery. God knows His people. It was intact.

Now, nobody was ready to let people know how much a Nigerian journalist lost. Many would easily blame the Egyptian for coming here with what Eze Anaba our Saturday Editor would call 'massive amount'. But the cost of things here have gone high.

Everybody wants to make quick money. The Egyptian victim was still on the ground when I moved away from that danger zone. But the last time I ran into Peter, he was still muttering words to himself. He is still in shock and annoyingly, nobody has come to his aid.

Noah's Ark finally lands in Ghana Nigerian officials really know how to get cheap publicity and remain in the good books of journalists. We learnt that a big boss in the National Sports Commission arranged for a bus to convey many journalists to Accra for them to be part of those who covered the Nations Cup.

Many jumped into the bus even without travelling documents and money. The bus which one of the journalists described as Noah's Ark set out on the road and left the occupants stranded for two days. Some stayed without food and bathing. Mechanics were called and after knocking some nuts, they landed in Accra. That was the beginning of their trouble.

Accreditation took another toll on them. But they were undaunted. They hit Takoradi (four hours journey) and landed in the early hours. More trouble. No accommodation. They stayed with workers of the night while those who had money looked for hotels to rest.

I met one of the beneficiaries whose leg had swollen to an alarming proportion, almost to the size of one who is suffering from elephantiasis. "Ah, the journey was something else," he said, moving like one with maggots on his heels.

Uganda giant slumps!

Some people abuse alcohol and alcohol abuses them. This is a perfect example of what happened to a hitherto gentleman from Uganda who was felled and ridiculed by alcohol at the MTN dinner organised at the La Palm Beach Hotel, Accra.

The glittering night which was adorned with beautiful yellow colours and a yellow carpet (not red), was better imagined than real. Women came out with different designs, some embarrassing and some more revealing. Wines, beer, spirits, malt, juice, soft drink etc. And the beautiful girls and boys who may have studied replenishing Cups, were fantastic. As a member of the Vanguard bar, I've learnt a lot from Jide to cling on to one cup while others swallow their glasses and get replenished at their own peril.

You cannot be close to Hector and fall of victim to alcohol. Never! (Trouble no good). Our Ugandan giant started sampling all the drinks and never said no to the attendants. He gulped, laughed and gulped again. In drink, we mistake words for truth.

His movement became awkward.

A little to the left and a little to the right. Before you could say Oloye, he lay prostrate on the green grass of the beautiful hotel. He said something in Arabic which I later heard was that the people had given him a water bed. He rolled over. His people could not lift him. He was the size of Sylva Eleanya double.

Cedi floors almighty Dollar

There was a time that I came to Ghana with N1000 and became an instant Millionaire( Not the Millionaires that are made on TV). So much money was given to me in exchange that my pockets were all stuffed with the money.

The cedi has been baptized, I mean the type of baptism that our Central Bank Governor, Chukwuma Soludo wanted to baptize the Naira. Cedi exchanges for 85 c to $100. It has turned their economy around. It has brought dignity to the old Gold Coast.

All the shoe shiners in Nigeria have all gone back to be part of the rebuilding process. Ghanaians are waxing stronger and proud of their country. Their leaders have shown service to humanity by providing all the necessary amenities. Water flows in their taps, electricity is 24 hours, roads are good, street lights adorn even closes.

Imagine where people still left Sekondi after the Eagles match at night to make four hours back to Accra. Their Police are polite and don't demand for anything from drivers(Tro-tro, equivalent of our Molue) and the Driver dread being booked by the Police. Road signs are observed and the people are disciplined. Night life is a way of life in Ghana just as it is in Europe. People hardly transact business during the day.

Things are done at night. All these things and many more have been achieved by God-fearing leaders in Ghana. And yet they have no petrol . And now that they have discovered petrol, Ghana would soon be one of the giant countries in the World. And yet, we have leaders in our place. Most of them are here in Ghana to watch the Africa Cup of Nations.

They delight in the good things people with nothing did for their people. They have no conscience to prick them or ask them to turn a new leaf. I will not surprised if they turn around to be buying houses and establishing industries in Ghana as part of investing in their stolen money. It is a shame, indeed!

Caught in the Ladies

It was not intentional to use the Ladies at the Magnificient Accra Stadium. George Aluo of Champion and yours truly were pressed and could not see any toilet meant for Gents. George asked if Ghanaian men don't urinate.

I was so pressed that I grinned at him to leave me alone. I suggested that we use the Ladies, but George was afraid we could be arrested and fined.

I convinced him. We were almost out without the owners coming in when two beautiful girls came in and pulled their tight trousers down. I collided with one and she could not draw the jeans up because of the tightness.

The other girl dashed out and called the Police. Why did you use the Ladies?", he asked politely. George was still shaking when I said jokingly but as a matter of fact that we did not use the Ladies. This is not the place to use ladies.

We only used their toilet. And besides, what we have is meant for Ladies. The Police and the Ladies could not help but laughed. We became friendly and moved to the next level. Don't ask me.