“What could be more correct for any people than to see with their own eyes” (Molefi Kete Asante).
A WORD OF CAUTION
Akufo-Addo did say during his swearing-in ceremony that under his leadership Ghana will no longer tolerate or accept what he calls “third world standards,” possibly an empty phrase typical of the grandstanding rhetoric of most if not all “third world” leaders with the by-heart-talk streak.
We shall, however, give him the benefit of the doubt as to whether his bold statement of purpose and of conviction will stand the test of time. Time, we shall also add, is a repository of infinite wisdom.
Yet we cannot gloss over the fact that his official capacity as a Member of Parliament (MP) as well as his Kufuor-era cabinet mandates, responsibilities and legacy have been anything but spectacular “first world standards,” ideally nothing to write home about—as a matter of fact.
His three major political careers and campaigns for the presidency have all been “third world standards” by any measure just as his cabinet or political appointments have been thus far.
How sad that Akufo-Addo has reportedly started reading plagiarized speeches to the world already, a false start, a bad precedent, for his presidency, part of what he has aptly referred to as “third world standards,” regrettably also a throwback to the shameful Independence Brochure Saga under ex-President Mahama. We recall Akufo-Addo’s friend, President Buhari’s aide plagiarizing one of Obama’s speeches. Granted all that, this is how disbursement of illegal judgment debts begins.
A swearing-in speech based on plagiarized excerpts from some of Bill Clinton’s and George Bush’s speeches. Prof. Amoako Baah’s “babies with sharp brains” are already metamorphosing into “babies with sharp teeth.” The stealing and political lies have begun already. Now his presidency has become a laughingstock of the world. How we had wished Owusu Bemaph’s angels had seen this disgraceful act coming! Anyway, we are anxiously waiting to see how this new administration will transform Ghanaian education where plagiarism and cheating are common practices.
Nevertheless, we are grudgingly optimistic that Akufo-Addo and Eugene Arhin, Director of Communication at the Presidency, may turn over a leaf—nonetheless, although we shall never—for as long as we live—consider him and his Director of Communication sacred cows under our critical radar.
OWUSU BEMPAH IN THE POLITICAL GAME OF MAGICAL MALPRACTICE
“In heaven, an angel is nobody in particular” (George Bernard Shaw).
It is strange that it is Owusu Bempah, and certainly not the angels who reportedly voted en masse for Akufo-Addo and the NPP, who finally earned a special mention in Akufo-Addo’s victory speech.
It may therefore appear to us that, according to Owusu Bempah, these extraordinary civic angels who translated their elective franchise into pyrrhic victory for Akufo-Addo were of no consequence to him or, better yet, that he found it weird to acknowledge their contributions to his electoral success.
Akufo-Addo was wise to completely ignore that outlandish aspect of Owusu Bempah’s tabloid spirituality.
The fact is that Owusu Bempah is merely a dignified cesspool of spiritual and moral bankruptcy.
Let his celebrity angels say “amen.”
The man simply wants to share in the vulgar taste of political power, another underhanded means for him to acquire immense secular power which he will use to reinforce his presumed spiritual and prophetic clout, to enhance his public prestige among others.
Through it all, he has managed to or succeeded in gaining unmeritorious status amongst the most powerful fiefdom of the Ghanaian clergy. Owusu Bempah is an interesting fantasy novel, like J. K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series.
Thus people who make mortal enemies, angels, ghosts, doppelgangers, and spiritual mannequins out of cardboard cannot either be in closest proximity to or in control of the reins of power.
We are hereby referring to spiritual conman Owusu Bempah who, together with Akufo-Addo and others in the NPP, chanted and chanted the sloganeering mantra “the battle is the Lord’s.”
But why must this “battle” favor Akufo-Addo and not Paa Kwesi Nduom or President Mahama, say?
We hope this “battle” is not a front for political criminality.
WAKE UP AND LIVE
Is that not what Akufo-Addo, Bawumia and the NPP promised, that strategic and tactical policy governance is surely here?
Clearly, then, time for the exercise of rational pragmatism and implemental focus on campaign promises is finally here.
It bears repeating for emphasis that the great, momentous hour for strategic and tactical seriousness in matters of patriotic governance is here, too.
That great, momentous hour to create, to pilot, to model, to replicate the biblical “Garden of Eden” and “heaven” on earth, a land flowing with “manna, milk and honey,” is here.
That great, momentous hour of positive, lasting transformation has finally arrived.
Implementing this longed-for microcosm of nirvana on earth is long overdue.
After all what is wrong with the poor and the underprivileged experiencing, firsthand, this unimaginable orgasmic nirvana right here on earth before the transcendental or spiritual activation of the “actual,” original, or undiluted one?
CONCLUDING REMARKS
This is not the time for the Flagstaff House or the Golden Jubilee House to invest or engage in childish, frivolous, and comedic infatuations with the ambassadors of spiritual criminals and frauds, and with schizophrenic conmen.
For anthropogenic excuses exclusively based on partisan and political expediencies at the expense of economic development, community, and social-political stability make for morally and ethically bankrupt leaders or, better yet, for de-centered men and women with no pragmatic authority borne out of a sound conscience.
Let us therefore avoid the static of mental and institutional laziness, an idea antithetical to change.
Certainly those angels who voted for Akufo-Addo also wanted change, change they did not have in the “heaven” where Owusu Bemaph’s God reigned supreme.
If so, then they must guide Akufo-Addo to make this dream or vision of heaven-on-earth a reality:
“Don’t bury our thoughts; put your visions to reality,” sang Bob Marley.
We expect no less!
Thus Owusu Bempah, his God and angels who sing his praises must finish what they began, which is to move Ghana from “third world standards” to “first world standards.”
In fact, Akufo-Addo’s swearing-in speech sets the tone for this radical transition. As a matter of fact, we have been arguing along a similar trajectory ever since he won the elections.
Now he has the Flagstaff House or the Golden Jubilee House all to himself. There are just too many homeless Ghanaians who cannot afford the luxury of the Flagstaff House or the Golden Jubilee House.
This man is such a damn lucky fella!
We shall return with Part 4, the concluding segment.
Ghanaweb. “Akufo-Addo’s Inaugural Speech A Plagiarism Of Former US Presidents’?” January 7, 2017.