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.

A LETTER TO DR. NKRUMAH

On this day, 49 years ago, Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown by military officers to usher Ghana into a period of many coups. Some argue, including this writer, Hamza Moshood that, this coup changed the history of Ghana and her destiny.

Hamza pens a letter to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, updating him on what is left of Ghana as at now.

Dear Osagyefo,

A year away from today will mark half a century since that imperialist orchestrated event, perpetrated by dreadful stooges, took place. You left Ghana for Hanoi on the 21st of February 1966, never to return again. They struck while you were away on a peace mission. On a peace mission! Imagine that!

Exactly 49 years ago today, the train that was on its way to the total liberation and full development of Ghana (and Africa, at large) was derailed. I mention Africa because you have always been of a very strong conviction that the hope, aspirations and destinies of all the people of Africa are innately intertwined (...The Independence of Ghana is meaningless until it is linked up with the total liberation of the African Continent): and for that some criticized and accused you of a whole lot. 

A dejected Dr. Nkrumah

They say you were too preoccupied with the continent that you lost sight of the developmental works that had to be undertaken in Ghana. I retort. I ask them to show me what all subsequent governments-who have been ‘so concerned’ with Ghana's development- have done in comparison to what you achieved in 8 years, and find them wanting.

Speaking of your achievements: institutions, industries and all, it will devastate you to know what is left of them today. Some have been ignored to rot, some mismanaged and pillaged into non existence, while we still benefit, till today, from the remaining few.

The NLC Members who overthrew Nkrumah on 24th Feb, 1966

The Akosombo Dam is one of such infrastructures that are still beneficial to us today; over 50 years later. But the problem, Osagyefo, is that Ghana's current population is almost 5 times what the population was at the time of the dam's construction. Yet, our leaders seem to not realise that the nation has outstripped the capacity of the dam, and as a result, Ghana is experiencing an energy crisis. We call it ‘Dumsor’.

They are so unlike you, these leaders: Visionless. It's really heart wrenching, Osagyefo, to witness how disconnected from the masses these people become soon after we transfer power from our thumbs into their hands. What it means to serve seems to be so lost on them. I remember Mr. K.B. Asante telling us at an event, about how you eventually made the weekends a part of your working days: You and all your ministers. In true leadership style, he says, you set the precedent. Now if that isn't dedication, selfless servitude, then I wonder what that could be called.

Today, our president does nothing but insult our intelligence. Ministers of State mock and disrespect us, blatantly and constantly, all the while, looting our taxpayers money, and participating in the rape of our resources.

Things are bad now, Osagyefo. Very bad. So bad that some of our own people, Ghanaians, Africans, have expressed their desire for...wait for it...a return to colonial rule. Despicable! Preposterous! But it only goes to show how shambolic things are. It's as shameful as it is saddening how these puppets perpetuate the silly and ridiculous assertion that we are incapable of governing ourselves.

Talking about some our people indicating their want for a colonial government (which I find rather ignorant) reminds me of the bit of our people who blame our current state of affairs on you for having made the colonialists leave "way too early." What a laugh!

What haven't they done to taint your image! Now you have some brainwashed misinformed 

ones thinking you're the "worst leader Ghana has ever had." Ah, the sacrilege!

Just a few weeks ago, they reared their heads again: descendants of the traitors, making unfounded claims, publishing letters and all, trying to win sympathy; trying to play victim(s); trying to distort history. But they forget, it seems that there can be only one absolute truth. They call(ed) you "heartless", a "dictator." I laugh and say "it's only a fool who will make a dog bite them, when they have a stick in hand." Besides, it's not like they wouldn't do much more than what you did if they had numerous attempts made on their lives.

Kids playing around a fallen statue of Kwame Nkrumah

All of this sounds so grim and disheartening. Exactly so. But don't you worry, Osagyefo. There are some of us who have sought the absolute truth and found it. Thank you for writing. How immensely it's helped. And thank goodness the enemies weren't able to burn all your books and writings. I can only imagine how many facts and how much knowledge would be buried from us. 

Once again, thank you for writing. We will try, till the death of us, to represent what you stood for, and keep the struggle going.

The struggle for the realisation of your dream: A United Africa, totally liberated, rid of anti-people, profit centered capitalism. An Africa devoid of any form of imperialism and colonialism. 

Your sacrifices shall not be in vain.

Rest well, Osagyefo, and do send us some strength, dignified ancestor.

RE: BLAME THE OPPOSITION

It was during my study of Historiography (one of the most difficult courses I’ve ever taken) that I got exposed to some of the tools politicians employ to advance and exonerate themselves of any blame, any blemish in their efforts to remain ‘holy’ and ‘white as snow’.

One of these tools is Blaming the Opposition party for all things going wrong. And since the Greeks modified and codified the practice of modern politics, this tool has remained a ‘sacred’ arsenal for justification of political (in) actions.

Last week, my friend Ekow Ata-Aidoo (@ekowmaisse) chose to share on his blog an article with the above heading (read full text here http://wp.me/p54CZc-V   ). 

The man was frustrated by the excessive finger pointing by the government and her appendages at the former government’s (NPP) mismanagement of the economy especially the energy sector as the reason for the seemingly unending energy crisis blighting the prosperity the prosperity of Ghana.

courtesy Infoboxx 

My article is to bring to his attention that blaming your political opponents is an art in realpolitik. It is a tool to score political points. It is a tool used to bamboozle the many who are ignorant, unthinking and blinded by political affiliation to go to town with the mantra of their government. 

Every party which comes to power will draw on this card to advance, justify its incompetence. This strategy is aptly captured by George Orwell in his famous novel Animal Farm, where Napoleon kept blaming Snowball for the destruction of the windmill.

The current energy crisis-dumsor- is having grave effect on every aspect of national life. I’m sure the economic figures from the Ghana Statistical Service, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and other agencies tracking the economic performance of Ghana will have a lot to say on the correlation between dumsor and economic growth of Ghana.

Though the government tells us initiatives are in place to ameliorate this suffocating and annoying situation, it is interesting to note the perspectives of some energy experts that an increase in generation capacity and generating the power are mutually exclusive.

Ekow, my good friend, stop stressing. Don’t let your blood boil. Just relax. The blame game won’t fly out of the window within your lifetime.  In African or Ghanaian politics, owning up to mediocrity or failure is not in our DNA. Owning up is a political suicide. No right thinking party will ever want to do that. Why should the balance sheet of a party have more negatives than positives? Apuut)!!!

Heaping blame on the opposition by the ruling party for a ruling government’s incompetence is designed for politicians to use and in Africa or Ghana; it could save a party from losing all credibility in the eyes of voters. It wins sympathy, makes your opponents appear untrusting, uncaring and incompetent in the eyes of the nation and the world.

It is a tool worth having and carrying (no matter the weight) everyday, everywhere. It is the greatest and most valuable piece of art in the politicians’ briefcase.

Long live the concept and practice of political blame game. May it never, never, never die!!

PS. Did I read that our president, the communication expert really pointing to the number of mobile phone users as one of the reason for this energy crisis? I don’t want to believe. I think he was misquoted. The president, who was the deputy Communication Minister and under whose watch the nation’s communication journey came to maturity saying this? Hey, the gods must be crazy!