WHEN THE GODS CLASH - Priorities Are Defined

Since the #DumsorMustStop (Energy Crisis) campaign was born, there have been what seems to be attempts to crash it even before it grows into a full bodied being. What started as an online venting of frustrations over a 2 year light outs and the perceived ‘promise and fail’ by the government at solving it, has turned into something else. The movement, which is mostly backed by Ghanaian celebrities-foremost voice being actress Yvonne Nelson and rapper Sarkodie- seems to have irked some sympathizers of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

Actress Yvonne Nelson leading the Dumsor Vigil

Since announcing a demonstration- A Vigil- to register their frustrations, some of the vocal celebrities have been lashed at by mostly political apparatchiks of government -from shamelessly calling some leading female voices as ‘prostitutes’; others threatening to burn the movies and CDs of these actresses and rappers to accusing these celebrities of doing the dirty job of the opposition party. 

Other opponents had gone on to ask people to vote against the NDC if they feel peeved.

Makers of such irresponsible and sexist comments have come out to apologize. Whether the apology is one rendered with genuine honesty or an expected gesture to be done after a faux pas is one no one could say. 

Rapper Sarkodie leading voice against Dumsor

The latest ‘obstacle’ to hit ‘Dumsor Vigil’ was the ‘restraining order’ the Ga Traditional Council tried placing on the organizers of the vigil. This comes at the heels of the University of Ghana issuing a presser, stating the University has not been notified by the organizers to use the campus as a convergence point. Again, Total Ghana (Oil Company) came out with a release to say their premises at Legon should not be used by the organizers as a rallying point.

According to the Ga Traditional Council, the vigil will go contrary to the ban on drumming and noise making that precedes the Homowo celebrations (the gods of the land must not be disturbed). This news sparked a debate as to the reasonability of reasons put forward by the Ga Traditional Council. A section read political meanings into the whole affair-that the chiefs are being used by the politicians to thwart the efforts of the organizers. Others argued, the vigil would be an affront to traditions of Ga-land.

Before the day could end, the La Traditional Council had come out to offer support to the organizers of the vigil, stating that the routes that the organizers are thinking of using is under the jurisdiction of the La Traditional Council and not the Ga Traditional Council. And since the La Traditional Council is not yet observing the Homowo rights, they are free to disturb their gods with noise. Interestingly, the Chief Priest of La, Nii Yemo Obroni IV has made his intentions of joining the vigil known.

This confusion raises the question of whether the Ga Traditional Council know the boundaries of lands or areas under their jurisdiction?

This is clearly a war of the gods. A war between gods who want to enjoy 24 hour uninterrupted electricity supply against gods who want to enjoy peace and quiet in the ambiance of darkness.

Now that the green light has been given by the La chiefs and the police have expressed their preparedness to offer the organizers and supporters of the vigil, it seems all is set for the #DumsorMustStop vigil to take off on May 16, 2015.

One thing is clear in all of this: The youth are mostly tagged as apathetic bunch who do not participate vigorously in shaping the political landscape of Ghana. Yet, when these same youths decide to register their displeasure at current political or economic happenings within the country, they are referred to in despicable terms.

The impact of the dumsor is frightening and the earlier solutions are found quickly, the better it would be for all Ghanaians.