Who cares about sacrificing for Ghana?
January 20, 2009
I just finished watching the inauguration of Barack Obama, America’s 44th President, (the tall black guy with big ears and a funny name, who surprised the world by winning the American Presidency.)….and I was as always most impressed by America’s excellence and leadership and their ability to rise to every occasion.
I was however more touched by the words of Obama in his inaugural address. The orator he is, Barack nailed it home with rapt delivery of poignant words that resonated with everyone who mattered - Americans, the world, enemies, the millions who were looking for inspiration and of course George Bush.
But unlike many of his previous campaign speeches that were lined with pun and wit, his words on Tuesday were sometimes harsh, others touching. He was by many standards emotional and mostly apt in weaving stories and evoking memories that remind all American’s of their history and what it is that has made America the great nation it is – Values.
In the speech written by Jon Favreau, (His 27yr old speech writer – an example that the young can perform when guided and inspired.) he talked about honesty and sacrifice……..
” Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
According to his speechwriter, his boss pointed out a theme – responsibility and asked him to underpin it with the values of hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism. And throughout his speech the new American President reminded his fellow citizens that it is in the pursuance of these values that America can achieve the power and excellence it desires.
Mr. Obama’s speech over and over again echoed the need for sacrifice for one’s country and to be patriotic in all ones’ dealings. It reminded me of the words of John F Kennedy’s inaugural address in which he called on Americans to “think not of what your country can do for you but of what you can do for your country.” It opened sort of opened up in a new way, the idea that great ideas and vision, were not enough in building a great country; sacrifice counts as much if not more.
As I watch America re-launch itself and remind its citizens of the need to hold dear time tested truths like sacrifice as a key to attaining the greatness it seeks, I cannot help but wonder what happened to sacrifice in Ghana? Who is caring to sacrifice for Ghana?
In recent days the country is engrossed in a huge debate over End of service benefits for its former public officials….(ex presidents to ex DCEs).. ……while end of service benefits for civil and public servants have been cancelled. Why? Well it may lay an undue burden on the country’s coffers. For me its not a debate over whether or not we should show appreciation to ex public officials. I agree we should. But for a country that claims to be broke so much that NYEP workers and teachers and Policemen have to wait for salary increases, and a country that is still struggling to establish a school feeding and health insurance program, I am alarmed at the sheer impudence and utter negligence with which our Political elite raid our national coffers and make all sorts of excuses for it.
Everyday when I am done with my radio show, there are scores of young men who come up to my office looking for some sort of financial help, some scholarship, some money to start a business, some advice on what to do with their future and for many just some money to live on. There are many more whose lives would be a whole lot better if they would have an opportunity to further their education, or someplace to lay their heads. And yet for the elite in our society who have perhaps had the opportunity of travelling around the country and seeing at first hands the needs of the people, the best they could come up with is an almost 10 million dollar package for “taking care of the people we hired as public servants”
Among the many excuses and justifications proffered to these obnoxious packages are that:
- We need to resource ex-presidents well enough so that they are not tempted to hold on to power.
- We need to give them 6 cars because they may get foreign heads of state visiting.
- We need to give them two houses because we don’t want them living destitute.
All of these ideals proffered by consultants, and spin doctors who want us to believe there is some justification for this vulgar expenditure on political office holders…..what’s more interesting, they decide for themselves what to take away…..and pay well the consultants who help them decide. None of them remembers the suffering of the people based on which they campaigned to power.
No one remembers that one of the pivots of public service is sacrifice. None of them seems to be interested in balancing out their desires to be taken care of by the poor, with a desire to sacrifice something for their country. Our Political elite seem so interested in taking away from us,(and defending why they should get what they give themselves) while today, sacrifice seems missing in public service.
But how can we build that Ghana we are looking for if our leaders are not willing and ready to lead us in sacrifice? How can we build the better Ghana or move the country forward if our leaders feel as if they have a right to be there are enjoy the luxuries of our taxes? How can we provide a greater land than what we have inherited if day in and day out, the value of sacrifice which is underpinned by hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism.
In my humble opinion, our leaders should show some sensitivity to our needs as a people. Our leaders should work our tasks with some more seriousness and (in the words of Dr Nduom) approach our challenges with a sense of urgency. Our leaders should care more about the things that matter to us and cut back on how much they see to their own needs. Our leaders must show us sacrifice and leadership that inspires. They must stop the chop-chop and work for the people who put them there.
Our leaders should care some more…..care enough to sacrifice for the country.
Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah
Jan 20th 2009
5:13pm
Accra
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37 Responses to “Who cares about sacrificing for Ghana?”
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kojo i am lost for the simplest of words to say something,sometimes when i read and hear about things our politicians do and say my heart sinks in me.i watche the prz Obama`s speach and you know what? when i compare that to what happened to my country and is still happening…. i wish i was an American,but no!! i am a Ghanaian and a proud one.
i seriously can`t believe people in their right frame of mind can and will sit down and draft or come out with suggestions like that it makes me sick.but then i am encourage by the fact that the almighty “thumb” is ever present to cause a change in this corrupt people. i call on all Ghanaians to stand up to what is wrong and uphold what is right.God bless our country and God bless you
Nice piece Kojo.
This whole saga clearly exposes ALL politicians as being selfish and greedy for one reason only - BOTH SIDES KNEW WHAT WAS IN THE REPORT.
From the initial comments of Hon Tiah, which changed the next day, it is obvious he had discussed this with many MPs in the then minority party. However, and probably, under pressure, he has been pushed to say something else to keep the ‘goodwill’ the NDC seems to be enjoying now.
The NPP are fully aware of the contents right from the Ex Prez Kufour to all the parliamentarians. For them to have managed to come up with all these for one EX-PRESIDENT is absurd. Come to think of it, we shall have many more ex-presidents in the years to come. Some may be fortunate/unfortunate to serve one term only. So by simple logic, we have a lot on our hands to give to our future ex-presidents.
Beyond all these, I think the real reason this report was rushed through parliament is not so much because of the ex-presidents. Parliament did this in a haste to satisfy their departing colleagues who had lost their seats. Unfortunately, ex-presidents seem to be bearing the full brunt of this unfortunate action by the supposed ‘honourables’.
I think Parliament in particular should bow their head down in shame for the shoddy work done and also for their inability to check the executive as expected. Had they not been in a hurry to pass this so as to ’send-off’ their colleagues handsomely, we would not have been bedeviled with this current saga.
In any case, what this has helped to achieve also is a shift from the ‘country broke, country no broke’ mantra that had pervaded the airwaves over the past week. A welcome break indeed.
I wonder what the next issue will be. I cant wait to hear.
There is something fundamentally wrong with politics in Africa and Ghana for that matter. This attitude of winner takes all, be with them to enjoy some, etc must stop. It is the reason why in Ghana, we do politicking all year round until the next elections are due. Otherwise, we should have started feeling some of the Obama spirit pervade our country by now. Its been two weeks since a new president was elected - I don’t think he even knows which direction he wants to take this country.
Obama’s speech was very powerful, emotional and a true rallying call to the masses to put all aside and join hands to move their nation into the leadership role they want to be in.
WHAT ABOUT GHANA?
Brilliant, brilliant post. This is my first time reading you, and it is even better than listening to you (and listening to you is great by itself). However, I suggest you be a little ‘tighter’ on punctuation. Brilliant anyways. I’ll be coming back here.
KOJO, I WISH I WAS AN AMERICAN. YESTERDAY, PEOPLE RUSHED TO WATCH TELEVISION DURING THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF PREZ OBAMA. BELIEVE IT OR NOT IF U CONDUCT A RESEARCH, U WOULD CONFIRM THAT, GHANAIANS WATCHED THIS CEREMONY MORE THAN THAT OF OUR OWN NEW PREZ MILLS.
THE ANSWER IS QUITE SIMPLE…: WE HAVE LOST HOPE IN OUR POLITICIANS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOTHING NEW TO OFFER.
Kojo,
What do you and your panelists think will be a good package for our ex-leaders (from President to DCE).
You and your discussants create the impression that all these people deserve nothing. Of course the 18 months for one year service is too much but let us agree on what looks good and suggest to the members of our new parliament.
Also, we need to refrain from bashing any particular ex-official as if that particular person scribbled some figures himself and approved them himself. This is a national failing, a slip by parliament and we need to ask them to review the figures.
I suggest one house, three cars, 3 weeks travel per year, 6 months salary for every year served, plus their current salaries for life etc for the President. Then all the others can be scaled down based on the proportions slashed from the top.
What do you think? Let us suggest something or else the parliamentarians may come out with something worse - either too ridiculously low or nothing.
Good thought and well written second speech like that our country Ghana needs to hear,like that which should be common to us,like that which our leaders been political,religious,traditional etc should display each and everyday,like that which the youth should take pride in. All these has eruded us because somebody somewhere has sat on these values that we know of and which we had dreamt of. I believe in Ghana and i know that we the youth would take up the challenges we see around us and turn them into sucess by living by the values which we already know and believe in.
Thank you Kojo.
hi Kojo,
I must say this week has been the most exciting week in 2009 so far. Why? Looking at things happening around the world, I decided to draft notes about issues grieving my heart so bad and for so long. It is such a pity how deception, lies, selfishness to have your way… all that the world call “SMART MOVES” is engulfing our societies today.
I started writing on Saturday and come Monday on your program Uncle Elbow White lined it up so right on air. I was so touched and excited; I just said someone has finally voiced it out at the rightful place I wanted this to be said. This is because, such messages are mostly heard at church and to the majority it turns to be a normal preaching and so, they ignore it. “THE SMART WAYS OF THE WORLD’S SMARTEST IS SIMPLY FOOLISH” because at the end of the day it cost the majority including those who danced to their tune.
As the saying goes no man is an island. Whatever we do one must be able to question himself if his actions are ethically acceptable and if it’s beneficial to his fellow men and even his generation to come.
This where I was so blessed with Obama’s speech. One must be RESPONSIBLE, ACCOUNTABLE, STAND for the TRUTH, ACT in truth NO MATTER WHAT. The truth shall set all of us free. The AUTHENTICITY of our attitude will help us to act rightly in everything we do, in everything we say where ever we may find ourselves. Foolish, selfish, all kinds of unacceptable thoughts ma y come but if we train our hearts to tune our minds to what is right we will act rightly as well. ONE SHOULD NOT BE PREOCUPIED WITH THE ZEAL OF ATTAINING WHAT MONEY CAN BUY (vanity) RATHER WHAT IS PRICELESS( all that is pure, all that is true, all that is worthy…)
One should rather sacrifice for what will make our nation and the world a better place to live in. GOOD NAME IS BETTER THAN RICHES.
We should remember that if we don’t take care of what we have, value, and make it better it will cost us and even those yet to come.
Kojo pls. advice my fellow Ghanaians to discipline their thoughts, each one of us is responsible for the nation by our actions and thought. Children must be taught to be patriot so they grow with it; it will simply sink in them when the Elders live as such, living that exemplary life.
Please play Uncle Ebow’s “food for thought on Monday as well as the part of Obama’s speech which talks about responsibility and moral values because they confirm my thoughts, I just couldn’t agree more.
Thank you.
Kojo
how do you do? in fact this week has been great by the grace.
Kojo, i want to comment on how this politicians sometimes make so much noise on air.
we believe and also know that we are the government and believed in realities this people am talking about have a lot to say without implementations our economy needs change in fact Kojo real things are what we need.
Hi Kojo,
This is my first time of visiting your blog and I must say your write - up on the now controversial end of service benefit for our former political leaders is a master piece. Come to think of it, people who we employed decided to give themselves an end of service benefit behind close doors and they will come back to us to tell us to tighten our belt.
Kojo, for our MPs, this clearly shows that they are always interested in their own benefit and not looking at the benefit or the interest of the ordinary man on the street.
I think it is time for we the youth to tell this stomach politicians to stop destroying our future. We need to hold them accountable and weed out the bad ones from the political system.
If you ask my opinion on the end of service benefit, I will humbly suggest that they should also tighten their belt for us to use that money to support the economy.
Thank you and keep up the good work.
Hi Kojo,
Let no one think for one moment that both sides of the house did not know what was contained in the document. I however would like to ask one question. Would we have heard about these things if it were the NPP who had won the the Run-Off?
Please Kojo, let our leaders know we put them there and tax is charged on the meagre salary I earn to pay them. They cannot exit their positions with such grandoise largesse.
Great piece Kojo. A little correction though: Obama’s Inaugural Address was primarily written by Jon Favreau implying that the address Obama eventually deliverd on January 20 was not totally written by the young speech genius, Jon.
The best description for this ex-gratia is executive cum legislative robbery. I have always told my friends and close family members that most politicians do not care a hoot about what happens to the ordinary man. All they think of is to enrich themselves.
Kids studying under trees, nauseating and stinking water coming out of taps in Teshie Nungua and other areas and the many social isssues that Ghana is bedevilled with can go drain the Gulf of Guinea for all a politician cares.
One question that I continue to ask myself is what at all does President John Agyekum Kofi Kufuor want to do with all these earthly treasures? Has he no conscience?..Untaxable salary for eight years, per diem of $4000, unaccountable imprest for eight years, awarding himself expensive medallions…etc and he still wants more? My God!
How much wealth does President Kufuor want to get before saying enough is enough? Or should we say that Victor Smith’s Kuwaiti allegation is something to go by and hence President Kufuor badly needs money to clear his Kuwaiti debt?
Does it mean that the estwhile NPP government lied to us when they said the country was broke and therefore they were going to take advantage of the Highly Indebted Poor Country initiative of the World Bank?
Does it mean that before leaving office every president of Ghana must set up a committee to look into benefits due him or her after leaving office?
There are just too many questions around this hogwash of a reward or benefit or whatever it is called!
Our leaders must be honorably retired but we must cut our coat according to our size.
To President Mills, I say all eyes on you. Please act decisively without hesitation on this matter. I trust you and I believe that you will use all the powers vested in you by the constitution to avert this heartless and shameless act of thievery against the ordinary Ghanaian, if the National Democratic Congress is truely a disciple of Social Democracy.
I am a proud african.africa as a whole may not have made any significant contribution to technology or world trade or what have you; but individual africans (or people of african origin) have and continue to attain great heights to the wander and admiration of many.
On a few occasions however, i have felt mortified as an african by some of the happenings in our land and some of the impressions we creat by our actions.That anyone, any committee or subcommittee, parliament or any group of persons should suggest that our leaders deserves all that we want to give them. Oh Africa! or should i say Black Africa! Are we still sleeping?How long will we remain oblivious of the more than sixty percent of our people that live below the poverty line; Have we forgotten that part of our budget is funded by other people; don’t we realise how high our infant mortality rate is or our number two status in guinea worm infestation? Reason is gone.
I thank the media for bringing this revelation to light. That former presidents and parliamentarians got a similar package or not is irrelevant. Even if it did happen in the past it is still wrong and should have been condemned. Let us adopt best practices (so-called) that are progressive and not those that amount to lavishness.
Any president or politician comes to power through a long journey of campaining in which he spends a great deal of his personal funds( apart from party funds).The run for presidency itself is an indication of one’s preparedness to serve his or her nation. Why then should we carry the whole nation and give it back to that same individual(s).
I think our former presidents have done well (at least for handing power peacefully) and so have our parliamentarians and other members of the executive. But out fathers and mothers should be told in the face that the emolument package for them is just too much.Everybody is suffering and they know it; they tell us of how dolorous they become when they visit some parts of the country and indeed, some accra outskirts.They are all aware of how the nation is grappling with our economic affairs. Why then accede to a proposal that seeks to furthur push us into the mud.
I hope this proposal will be revised and tailored to suit out ailing economy.
God bless Ghana.
KOJO, I ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOU AND YOU REALLY MAKE MY DAY SPECIAL. GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU. HOPE JOY FM WILL GIVE YOU TWO TIMES KUFFOURS EX- GRACIOUS PACKAGE. GOD BLESS GHANA.
well said,but i hope ghanaians wnt jus talk and after a while forget about it,the package is too outerageouse if you ask me.yes,our ex-presidents should be wel taken care of but not on the expense of tax payers,i have worked with the revenue institution befor and i know how some people suffer to pay taxes,even wen u register a company today which has not started yielding profit,you still have to pay some amount of tax ,and after all these suffering this is the best your gov’t can use it for,not forgeting our bad roads and other neccessary amenities….am sure two of these six cars can tar one road in my area….all in all it should be reviewed and wish ghanaian politicians will learn to leave within their means and stop these selfish self gratifications.
“…What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility…” these were some of the words in the inaugural speech delivered by the 44th president of the USA, guess we all know who that is. The question I want to ask is, do our leaders on this side of the globe think like that? I keep hearing on some radio stations how our parliamentarians keep blaming each other for, the extravagant and incredibly outrageous emoluments which the’ve passed for their own enjoyment. Mr Obama also said “…hard work and honesty,loyalty and patriotism…”were the founding values which have seen America to the heights it has attained now, I however wonder if the leaders in this country have these values flowing throught their veins. Here we are saying we are HIPC and yet we lavish on ourselves such extravagance which even the great USA wouldn’t do.
Yes I do admit that we should treat our ex-presidents with royalty, but I don’t think that it is right for us to dote on them at the expense of the common man, if we do than what is the use of the seat of president. they became president because they wanted to better the lives of the ordinary man, but not to take the wealth generated through the sweat of the ordinary man to enrich themselves when they leave office. What I find even most appalling and disgusting is the way and manner in which our parliamentarians are trying to avoid blame, we all know that parliament is made up of both majority and minority and no law is passed without the two sides agreeing, so what is this excuse of “I WASN’T THERE and I DIDN’T READ THE FULL REPORT” that they keep throwing in our eyes. I think it is time our leaders in all spheres, especially our politicians began being honest with their followers.
In the words of President Obama when he was interviewed on his preparation of his inaugural speech, he said “a former president advised me to be honest with the people and tell them the truth. He said I should always explain things to them and let them know the realities on the ground, it is when I do this that I can get the people to put in their best.” and this he did when he said, our challenges may be new and the instruments with which we meet them may be new. We may not meet them in a day or in short span of time, but know this America that they will be met. I believe that if our politicians and leaders in all circles heed to the advise given by this former president, whoever he is, Ghanaians and Ghana would become what Nkrumah hoped for, the beacon of Africa.
God bless Ghana.
There is one ingredient that we all need from the Castle to the house in the village. From the school to the marketplace, from the hospital to the baracks. That one ingredient that will bind us as individuals, groups, political parties, organizations, business communities, the nation at large is Dedication. If we are patient with one another, show some care one for one another. If we give our time to helping each other, protecting the weak, and providing knowledge to that young child we can forge ahead as a nation.
its good that you make reference of the Obama speech and not that of Mills… i see myself as a politician and i ask myself daily that what is the problem in Ghana. i come to the realisation that we don’t have values that we can make mention of. when i was in the primary school, i recall saying the national pledge and anthem without really understanding the words i metted out.
i simply say that we are not patriotic enough to see Ghana as the way americans see America. for example how many will be willing to spend money that they have in abundance to help a poor soul in dying need without expecting anything in return?. its an attitudinal problem that has been with us since independence and it will be hypocritical to pretend as if this problem is not there.
Ghanaians are self centred in general and would not like to think of others.
i personally do not blame any politician for stealing money because the demands that we the electorates put on them are sometimes ridiculous but because of the chance to attain power. they would go at all lengths to satisfy the people.
politicians would change only if the people that put them there would not judge them on the fat bank account they have or the number of cars and houses they have.
change we can and change must start from the streets
Great piece kojo, u hit the nail just on the head. The apologists who claim its just befitting are just insensitive and callous to say the least.
hi!KOJO.
i have a dream.
i have a dream that one day, all ghanaians, especially our political leaders will lay down their life four our mother GHANA.that a day will come when all ghanaians will understand to fight and die to uphold the only heritage won for us.that the mind of all ghanaians will be opened to appreciate the need to sacrifice for the only country we have.but kojo keep on talking, dont stop saying it.you hahe a reward in HEAVEN.
kojo we have a culture in this country where if nothing affects us directly we we are not perturbed.
kojo the politicians we have are what we wish on ourselves and i we deserve every bit of it. the reason why i’m saying this is that these politicians without scruples do not get into office by putting us under duress but we vote for them. we sell our vote to themand we expext them to sacrifice when they get into office. they must first breakeven then amass wealth yhen they can turn to look at us to see whether there is anything the can do for us.
we dont dont contribute to their campaign thereby holding sway over them for them to champion our course but we take from them so they dont owe us anything at all.
kojo you are what your mind is and as a psychology and a philosophy graduate i have come to appreciate such statement.
kojo we should stop the blame game and ask ourselves what we do in our community to help build it. all we we do is think of what our community can give us and UNTIL WE START BEING ALTRUISTIC AND UTILITARIANS believe me nothing will change.
in your neighbourhood you can contribute to buy street light and not wait for the government who will never come. armed robbers will take advantage of the dark and operate and since you are not the victim you dont care. but if happens to you then you want people to contribute to buy the lights.
when this time comes some of the residents would say they dont go out at night forgeting that these robbers come at night usually.
we shouldnt forget that our little contribution to our society in whatever way without first looking at what we going to get will go along way to the greatest country in the world .
back to the politicians they should know that whatever state money they take which causes any person or child to cry,suffer, or die they shall answer and pay for it either in this or the next.
we should learn to sacrifice as Ghanaians and hold people in whatever authority accountable and not hold brief for them( fama nyame attitude)
Kojo, your write up is a wonderful piece of work. I only hope that all the politicians in our country even find time to check the feelings of the public in respect of the decisions they supposedly take on our behalf. You see, the saying that the people get the government they deserve is now very real to me. No wonder when it comes to education, all our government behave and find all the excuse for us to understand why we should continue to accept illiteracy as norm other than the exception. Since in this way they can continue to do all manner of things to keep us out there just to talk and perpetuate the blame game after which all of it comes to natural death and we all in no time get to forget about it anyway. All I can say is for the almighty God to have mercy on us. Thank you Kojo for the work you do for Ghana. My hope is for all media to at all times hold government (any) accountable to the people. Then we may possibly get there. Thank you again.
This is a great piece Kojo. Keep up the great work you are doing at Joy FM.
its sad when u look at the values that underpin democracy and the mockery our leaders hve made of it. when truth, integrity, honesty and all the other virtues stand, Ghana will be the better for it. I wonder at the legacy our politicians hope to leave for us.corruption,plundering of state resources etc. is this what they are leaving for posterity? Obama has set a shining example. when will we as a people and our leaders per se impact people and leave a lasting legacy. we seriously need help.
Hi kojo,
I think, is about time we pay vivid attention to the national pledge and take the words it contain very serious, or else, leaders will come and go without having the interest of the country at heart. Mandela has demonstrated true sacrifice to his country, Obama has also given us the tips, now can we do it with true attachment, committment,curiosity,restlessness and affection.
Kojo it seems one year after the other we waste our money,energy and time to sit and write the Nov-Dec exams.It sems that after writing the exams the authorities in charge do not see the need to release them in order to allow those of our who participated a tough time.
Engineerr Wood has really made my day, wow we needs to use his knowledge
hi kojo, its been sometime since i read this column but i must confess i really did miss reading the articles and comments posted here. you couldnt have nailed it any better.
our leaders should simply bow their heads in shame as they preach one thing and practice another. i’m a health worker who decided to stay in Ghana (and frankly i sometimes wonder why i did ! ! ! ) and work. 2yrs after school,i cannot even boast of sending money to my parents-despite the fact that i work under unimaginable conditions, at times for 28hrs on trot whilst earning peanuts ! ! ! not even once,have i been commended for the job i do or appreciated. my immediate bosses do almost no work, travel around freely in govt cars attending seminars upon seminars, and earn enough to care for their great grandchildren. so when i look at them i get the impression they are telling me point blank- EACH ONE FOR HIMSELF…………….
my simple advice to my fellow young professionals is that- please take what ever opportunity knocks on your door to better yourself (whether in Ghana or abroad). at least that way you would be content and your parents would also be proud of you. this idea of sacrifice is highly over rated- personally i’d start sacrificing when my leaders show me how to ! ! !
keep up the good work man
everybody is a cheat, just the americans are wiser cheats than africans…thats my humble opinion.
by everybody i mean just that, not just politicians, its just that they find themselves in a position where cheating is made public.
i couldn’t agree with you more! isn’t it sad that the passion i have to serve this country, i got not from any Ghanaian president, but indeed from pres Obama’s acceptance and inaugural speech? how does one impose on another what to offer them in appreciation of what one did for them? and about this ex -gratia drama, what happened to car rentals? if indeed the only reason for giving the president 6 cars is to help him accommodate his visitors, wouldn’t it make more sense to rent a car when the need arises? this kind of cheap politics is sickening. however, there are people, young upcoming people like myself who have vowed that we will do whatever it takes to make Ghana and indeed Africa a better place to live for us and generations unborn.
That was a good note written, But i will be glad if this is taken up and be discuss on the airwaves.
I enjoyed your guess on April 2nd at 8:00 A.M who spoke about the stimilus. What he spoke about and how he suggested to turn things around is correct. It seems as thought too many are waiting for aid from the west while you can be making your own avenues toward self generated aid thru self dependency.
Kojo,
I may have been reading this piece a bit too late (reference to when it was published), but I can bet my last pesewa that the sentiments raised therein are as relevant as they were when you first conceived the idea of writing. sometimes i break down and cry. i think the situation is more pathetic that actually meets the eyes. the victims of political insensitivity and profligate abuse of state resources are far too many to be ignored for long. the reality would surely dawn on us one day and my sincere prayer is that, it shouldn’t be too late for us to make amends when we do get there. I was a teacher in a community high school near kumasi before i left Ghana. my best memories of the staff is that of intolerance when it comes to sharing money we tagged “motivation allowance”, paid by parents. we did everything to get every coin that we felt was due us. what we failed to well though, the purpose of our calling as teachers, was that we never fought as hard to give of our best to the kids. I was always the odd one out because i was defending the rights of the kids we taught. can someone just make a little sacrifice where they are? Ghana may be better off.
I just listen to your thursday morning show and found it very alarming about the korle bu NHIS problem. I have worked in the insurance industry for the past 12 years. My problem here is I found the doctor’s very falsely informed about the role of health insurance. The whole problem here is the hospital administrator’s Job. What I think the NHIS can do is have representatives in this hospital to monitor how the hospitals are using the money and inform the NHIS and the NHIS will make sure the Admin is using the fund right. If the Doctors have problem this is internal issue and should be discussed internally with the admin on how to do thier business. And also about the guy who refuse his son into the sonic chamber, he is damn wrong. This sonic chamber is being used here in the state and is the easiers way to detect early stage of autism.
I have been listening to the debate on cars, houses and airfares, but nothing beats the revelation of what the speaker took home-item by item.
I guess we are all so engrossed in the politics that we are losing sight of what the public servants - from Directors to the President of the land are doing to the state machinery.
We need to ask for the complete entitlements of all such officers. And may I ask where do these guys buy their stuff? A DVD home theatre for Ghc 4,600.00? Christ what is happening here. Makes me feel STUPID for paying my taxes all these years.
Ghana,politician should no how to make friends and stop to killing the image of ghana. I say this because Dr.Nkurmach to JJ Rallwing .Tamale.
There is one ingredient that we all need from the Castle to the house in the village. From the school to the marketplace, from the hospital to the baracks. That one ingredient that will bind us as individuals, groups, political parties, organizations, business communities, the nation at large is Dedication. If we are patient with one another, show some care one for one another. If we give our time to helping each other, protecting the weak, and providing knowledge to that young child we can forge ahead as a nation.
I like this piece except for saying that Obama had a funny name. You could have made your point without that . How would you feel if somebody said the same about you? Is it any wonder that Ghanaians find it difficult pronouncing Ghanaian names? My own name has been ‘crucified’ many more times by Ghanaians than by non-Ghanaians.
I will give back to Ghana as much as she gives me. But it is disheartening when politicians are only in office to enrich themselves; take the best part of the cake (after all they know where it is baked and where it is being shared) and leave the burnt offering and dregs for the plebians. It hurts when buildings, street lights, roads and regular social service structures are spruced up for the sake of visitors when we have been paying the taxes. It makes my temperature go more than a few degrees higher when we do not preserve and conserve our heritage. Where and what are our priorities? And why should these priorities be in a political manifesto? What is our national manifesto, if there is any such creature? Sometimes, I wonder if the political leadership of this country has an agenda to focus on. It is a pain when day after day the airwaves are filled with political discussions. Is politics all that we have to talk about? Ghanaian hospitality is a just a window dressing. I should feel welcome and comfortable in my own country. After all, we pay the taxes. The government should show us some hospitality and you will be amazed how many people will not just sacrifice for Ghana; they will die for this country.