Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists<\/title><link \/><title>The Grand Denouement, The Konadu Factor In The NDC<\/title><link \/><title>Why Make A Martyr Of A Murderer?<\/title><link \/><title>3 Years Of Kufuor\u2019s Gift To Ghanaian Women<\/title><link \/><title>Sign Of A Victory!<\/title><link \/><title>AU Presidents, Why Sit Silent?<\/title><link \/><title>NPP Has Done It Again, But\u2026<\/title><link \/><title>Mrs Rawlings Has Done No Wrong<\/title><link \/><title>The Moment Of Truth: An Encounter With The Ashanti Regional Police Buffalo Unit<\/title><link \/><title>Teachers\u2019 Damaged \u2018Single-Salary-Spine\u2019<\/title><link \/><title>Our Money is going into Mansions and Cheeks<\/title><link \/><\/head><\/p>\nhttp:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com GHANA’S LATEST AND LEADING NEWS NEWSPAPER, PROVIDING DAILY NEWS COVERAGE OF GHANA Wed, 11 May 2011 13:33:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http:\/\/wordpress.org\/?v=3.1.2 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11956 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11956#comments Wed, 11 May 2011 13:24:02 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11956 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10854\" title=\"nana_kunadu_6\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"286\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nNana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings<\/p>\nWe all saw it coming. The indications had been there all along, but our friends in the NDC, true to form, acted the proverbial ostrich. Instead of looking inward to know what was festering in their party, they preferred to direct their ammunition to our noble NPP. When JJ started hurling insults at them, they said he was exercising his democratic rights, although they would have been delighted if he went through the appropriate party channels.<\/p>\nWhen he\u00a0told the whole world that there was massive corruption going on in the administration, they said he was exercising his legitimate\u00a0right of freedom of speech, even though they would have been happy if he showed them the evidence; when he labelled a whole lot of our current leaders as a bunch of greedy bastards, he was credited with exercising his democratic right as a citizen of the country. And when Spio-Garbrah said the team that had been charged to execute the\u00a0so-called Better Ghana stuff was of a mediocre\u00a0caliber,\u00a0hell was made to descend heavily\u00a0on him, with the Castle buffalo leading the heavy charge.<\/p>\nNow the die has been cast and JJ has threatened to blow the entire\u00a0lid, on June 4, 2011. A whole country is anxiously waiting to have a clear insight into the operations of the mafia-like monster called the NDC, which is pretending to manage the affairs of our beloved country. In between, the contours of the two campaigns appear to have been clearly drawn. It is going to be tough and\u00a0grueling but very entertaining, nobody should doubt it.<\/p>\nAs indicated, JJ has promised to do justice to what he sees as the sickening malfeasance that pervades the politics of the current predatory elite. We are all holding our breath until that doomsday. The veritable sycophants and big time ass\u00a0lickers calling themselves friends of the President have started sharpening their acerbic tongues to outdo one another and the political game of insults is getting to a crescendo.<\/p>\nSome who were hardly heard of during the hey days of Jerry\u2019s stranglehold on our Republic, in the name of some phenomenon they called a revolution at the time, are now claiming a piece of the revolutionary action either for their own selves or their spouses. Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu\u2019s statement was a perfect lesson in political history and we should all scramble for copies of her statement.<\/p>\nThe passion and vigour with which she assumed the leadership of the crowd to teach the Rawlings family a lesson in history, by frontally and ferociously attacking them, was very significant and shocking; it was vulgar by any measure and \u00a0if I were Mills, I would watch her closely. She lacks loyalty; she lacks principles, to put it gently. Can she and indeed has she so rapidly forgotten that John Mahama can never reconcile with the Rawlingses because they did everything they could to impose her on Mills as the latter\u2019s running mate at the expense of John Mahama?<\/p>\nTheir reward is the open condemnation by Mrs. Iddrisu of the simple decision of Mrs. Rawlings to exercise her inalienable right to be a candidate to lead the NDC to \u201cvictory in 2012\u2033. Her performance was particularly abhorrent because as a Minister responsible for education, she must be seen as someone of integrity and principles. She failed miserably and all who love her should bow down their heads in shame. She is a\u00a0disaster.<\/p>\nThe pastor president, in his usual characteristic hypocrisy, has promised a clean campaign. But who believes him, given his very unenviable record?<\/p>\nThis is a man who goes to chapels and mosques to preach a message of civility in our political discourse exactly at the hour when one or two of his underlings is shouting himself\/herself hoarse, saying all manner of nonsense against the potential president of the Republic of Ghana; it is the same man who goes to the Tema Port to bemoan that CEPS officials \u00a0are all \u00a0building mansions (inferring\u00a0that all those chaps are corrupt), when his junior Ministers are reported to be building castles in two short years after being appointed as junior Ministers. That surely is a record that nobody can hope to break in the foreseeable future.<\/p>\nBut this is the Ghana of Mills and his praise singers. Their administration reminds me of a Malawian friend who would always shout at the top of his voice: \u201cMy friend we are in trouble!\u201d any time he observed something unusual. Knowing the high cost building materials in this country at this material moment, anyone who can build any of those mansions in a record period of two years must be a wonderful person indeed. We are in trouble! to quote my Malawian friend.<\/p>\nAs the popular clich\u00e9 goes in this country, God is indeed a Ghanaian. Just as\u00a0some of us were getting ready to cope with the incompetence, the fatuous arrogance and the ugly display of wealth in the mist of the stinking poverty, JJ Rawlings pops up again like a champagne cork. \u00a0He has promised to spill the beans, and we hope he will.<\/p>\nWe are particularly going to be attentive when JJ makes his widely anticipated speech on June 4. If he accuses some ministers and other Government officials as having stolen our resources to construct Hollywood type edifices in East Legon, Dzorwulu, Aburi, Roman Ridge,\u00a0Techimantia,\u00a0Oyirifa and the like, what will the pastor president \u00a0say and do?<\/strong><\/p>\nIf JJ comes out to tell the whole world that the STX Korea deal was vitiated with kickbacks and sleaze, what will the pastor president say and do? If JJ comes out boldly to tell the whole Republic that already our oil money is being stashed in the vaults of foreign banks, what will our papal\u00a0president say and do? \u00a0Let us not forget that the NDC was the first to set the ground rules. When the former Chairman of the NPP said that the Castle had been turned into a place of money sharing, they took it for the truth and constantly depicted President Kufour, our beloved president, as the most corrupt leader the whole universe had ever produced. The hypocrisy of the NDC (Mills\u2019 chapter) is incessantly on display.<\/p>\nWhen Kufour repeated exactly what JJ has been saying for well over two years, respecting the rampant corruption that is running\u00a0through the administration of our country, the Ablakwa Okudzetos and the Quashigahs and the buffaloes in the Castle jumped on him like wounded tigers. We shall see what will happen if their icon of years past repeats those same accusations on June 4, and knowing\u00a0how high the stakes are in the politics of the NDC, we can all trust that the \u2018Junior Jesus\u2019 will not mince words this time.<\/p>\nIn the period leading to their congress at Sunyani, are the \u00a0John Jinapors of this Republic going to label Mrs. Rawlings as a prostitute for daring to exercise her right of a citizen of this country who qualifies to be president, by daring to challenge a sitting president that she deeply considers as incompetent and maladroit? Is Gbevlo Lartey going to unleash his commandos on JJ and his wife and their teeming supporters whenever they decide to exercise their\u00a0constitutional right of assembly for purposes of disseminating their word? We shall be watching.<\/p>\nHow is the Mills crowd going to play the so-called tribal card? Are they going to tell the people of the Volta Region again that the Akans are out to throw them into the Volta River or the Keta lagoon? Let them say that and JJ will surely re-post swiftly and vigorously because that will be another layer of the politics of opportunism that the Mills faction of the NDC has practised since the coming into being of the Constitution of the Fourth Republic.<\/p>\nThey shamelessly played the tribal card in all the previous elections and played it especially in the Central Region in 2007\/2008. During the day, Mills preaches national unity but at night, he preaches the most blatant kind of divisive politics and hatred. He will be haunted for the rest of his life for his outright politics of hypocrisy. The hour of\u00a0visitation\u00a0is nigh. We are watching.<\/p>\nAs a post script: Has it ever occurred to our learned professor of law that the Rawlings family literally created all those who are singing his\u00a0praises\u00a0now and demonising the Rawlingses? In Akan, we say that if you do not know death, look at sleep, to wit, death is like a slumber. The president should approach Rawlings for the definition of traitors. Many exist in his entourage. Yes!<\/p>\nKwasi Yeboah writes from the Airport Residential area,<\/p>\nAccra<\/p>\n By Kwasi Yeboah<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11956 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11952 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11952#comments Wed, 11 May 2011 13:13:36 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11952 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/osama_din_laden.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11953\" title=\"osama_din_laden\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/osama_din_laden.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"243\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nOsama Bin Laden<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u201c<\/p>\n<\/em>Ladies and gentlemen, we got him\u201d \u2013 Paul Bremer, the US Commander in Iraq, announcing the capture of Saddam Hussein to the press.<\/p>\nOn September 11th<\/sup> 2001, things that seemed important at 47 minutes and 21 seconds past 8 o\u2019clock (local time), were insignificant a fraction of a second later.\u00a0 On that fateful day, apocalypse reached us in real time.\u00a0It suddenly dawned on us how fragile freedom was when it was attacked by insane religious fanatics.<\/p>\nIt took Al Qaeda one hour, forty-two minutes to destroy the World Trade Centre, which took six years, eight months to construct from 1966 to 1973.\u00a0 The two Boeing 767 travelling at 950 kph that hit the two towers left behind nothing but death, pain and anguish.\u00a0 The world\u2019s 5th<\/sup> and 6th<\/sup> tallest buildings which were crushed into 1.6 million tons of smoking concrete and steel became the tomb for nearly 3000 souls, including some unfortunate Ghanaians.\u00a0This barbarian terrorism was the brain child of Osama bin Laden.<\/p>\nWhen the hunt for Osama bin Laden started in the aftermath of the September 11 attack of the Twin Towers, I pleaded with the Coalition Forces not to make a martyr of him.\u00a0That was when the then president of the US, George Walter Bush, released the pitcher in him, banged the table with his bare knuckles and swore that he will get Osama bin laden \u2018Dead or Alive\u2019.<\/p>\nIn that write-up which was published nine years \u00a0ago, I wrote that instead of killing Osama bin Laden, the Coalition Forces should arrest him and cage him in one of the zoological gardens in the US so that tourists could go there and watch him after paying a fee. I was of the view that monies to be accrued from such a venture could be used to rebuild the Twin Towers and also compensate the family members of the victims, who suffered an irreparable loss.<\/p>\nI believed people from all walks of life from across the length and breadth of the world would love to visit that particular zoo to have a glimpse of the man who committed that barbarous atrocity.\u00a0Now that the man has been killed by the US forces; my dream of visiting the proposed zoological garden to see the face of Osama for the first time has hit the rocks.<\/p>\nWhy did they choose to kill such a beast and priceless criminal? \u00a0A few decades ago, when Salman Rushdie wrote the Satanic Verses and made a mild mockery of some of the verses in the Holy Koran, the late Ayatollah Khomeini and his Islamic clergies were quick to call a Fatwa against the man.<\/p>\nThe late Ayatollah told believers in Qom, where he lived till he died, that killing Salman Rushdie was a call from God which should be obeyed and that anyone who was \u201clucky\u201d to perform that \u201csacred\u201d duty would go to heaven.\u00a0 Even though that Fatwa has since been lifted, the guy still lives in fear because some hot heads are out there still hunting him down.<\/p>\nVery unfortunately, when Osama bin Laden made a barbaric mockery of the Holy Koran by killing more than 4000 poor souls in America, the Islamic clergies largely remained silent.\u00a0That apocalypse which will forever remain deeply and indelibly etched in our minds was played down by the same clergies who supported the Ayatollah.<\/p>\nAnother sad aspect of the situation was that when George Walter Bush declared war on terrorism, these same Muslim clergies made the world to understand that it was a war against Islam.\u00a0They failed to appreciate the fact that it was rather the terrorists who had declared war on the civilized world.<\/p>\nEven though Osama has been finally killed, that image of\u00a0a man who jumped from the thirtieth floor of the Twin Towers, in his attempt to escape the carnage, is still stored in our collective memories. We the people of this universe will never forget the day Osama released his hounds to visit mayhem on the peace-loving people in America.\u00a0We should be on our guard because all over the world, these sick brains are still on the prowl.<\/p>\nThey are eager to blow themselves up in order to be made martyrs.\u00a0I simply wonder why such individual death-traps keep coming and sprouting like poisonous mushrooms. The truth is that at the moment of death, a martyr will feel no more pain if he was being pinched.<\/p>\nThose of us who do not understand these scatterbrains giggle nervously at the reward bin Laden said a martyr will receive in paradise \u2013marriage to 72 virgins, divine intercession on behalf of 70 relatives and everlasting life.\u00a0These and many more are the psychological forces that fuel terrorism.\u00a0 To these terrorists, faith is a rock amid shifting sand.<\/p>\nAll over the world, martyrs win by losing. That is why I did not want Osama to be killed.\u00a0Practically, all terrorist activities have one characteristic in common that is hard to overlook:\u00a0 the protagonist\u2019s self-destructive tendencies. Those of us who prefer to carry on living find it difficult to understand all these madness.<\/p>\nAlthough the overwhelming majority of people have no desire to run amok, they have no chance of survival when faced with somebody infatuated with suicide.\u00a0Since there are probably thousands of such living time-bombs walking around, this particular form of violence will undoubtedly continue to accompany us on our journey into the 21st<\/sup> century.<\/p>\nThus, one of the most ancient rituals of our species, human sacrifice, has also succumbed to globalization.\u00a0Because people initially welcome the imposed piety, but then gradually realize it doesn\u2019t equip them to meet the challenges of getting through life, life becomes a morbid burden.<\/p>\nThat is why the suicide bombers, some of them usually young men, can\u2019t wait for natural death and decide instead to take a short cut to heaven- that is if even they will be qualified to join the Angels in heaven, anyway.\u00a0Terrorism is a pathological copy of the organism it attacks; a retrovirus from the latter\u2019s cells.<\/p>\nOne man who should be denied martyrdom is Mullah Mohammed\u00a0Omar, the Taliban\u2019s one-eyed Commander of the Faithful. His improbable rise to power began in 1994, after he emerged from anonymity, armed with the militancy of his faith and a twisted sense of divine mission.<\/p>\nHe deceived his followers that he had a dream in which the Prophet Mohammed revealed to him that he, Omar, should lead Afghanistan out of lawlessness and immorality.\u00a0He ended up creating lawlessness and total chaos in his country.\u00a0The hope is that the tribal war lords who are harbouring him could betray him one day.\u00a0Early in the Afghanistan war, his convoy was targeted by US planes\u00a0but they did not get clearance in time to take him out.<\/p>\nToday the dreamer is hiding in caves, his messianic dream buried in the war rubbles in Afghanistan. America should know by now that they are fighting against antediluvian enemies who live and hide in caves.\u00a0Since it will take long to turn over every rock in this mountainous country, it will take time before this one-eyed criminal is located in his lair.<\/p>\nWhen he is located, American forces must do their utmost best not to harm him in anyway.\u00a0We need to debrief him in order to know their modus operandi.\u00a0He should be made to suffer a painful death after such debriefing.<\/p>\nAnother leading terrorist who should be hunted down quickly now that his boss is gone is the right-hand man of Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri.\u00a0This man holds the keys to all the Al-Qaeda cells in Indonesia.\u00a0In fact, he and Omar al-Farug, a confessed terrorist, masterminded the 2000 Christmas bombings in Indonesia and the USS Cole in Yemen.<\/p>\nIf he is captured alive, he will surely sing like a parrot because he knows a lot about the operations of the Al-Qaeda.\u00a0He was holed up in the Tora Bora Mountains with Osama during the Afghanistan war.\u00a0 Like Osama bin Laden, he may be living inside Pakistan and enjoying the protection of some corrupt Pakistani government officials.<\/p>\nHe is rich and can afford to pay for protection.\u00a0Al-Zawahiri is popular among the tribal warlords who operate in the semi-tribal areas in Waziristan, and it is alleged he shuttles from Pakistan to the Tora Bora Mountains, where he has his lair.<\/p>\nThe death of Osama bin Laden should not make the US complacent as far as the fight against terrorism is concerned.\u00a0 His supporters may try to retaliate and this is the time Obama should beef up security in America and indeed all American embassies across the world.\u00a0May the soul of Osama bin Laden lie in pieces under the sea where he is buried!!\u00a0Somebody should\u00a0help me say Amen!!!<\/p>\nEric Bawah<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11952 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11813 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11813#comments Tue, 10 May 2011 12:16:28 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11813 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/john_kufuor.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11814\" title=\"john_kufuor\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/john_kufuor.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"299\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nEx-President John Kufuor<\/p>\nToday, 10th May, 2011 marks exactly three years and two days since President John Agyekum Kufuor, while on a trip to the United Kingdom, secured a grant of \u00a342.5million from the British Government to kick-start the free national anti-natal care for every expectant mother in all our state health facilities.<\/p>\nAgain, last Sunday, 8th May 2011 was \u2018Mothers Day\u2019 just as it was on 11th<\/sup> May, 2008 when the announcement to institute the programme was actually made. This therefore became the most single innovative way of acknowledging the mothers of Ghana by any leader we have ever had, since the days of Adam.<\/p>\nNow, when the NDC wanted political power in 2008, they intentionally criminalized everything that Kufuor government was doing at the time. They accused the NPP of turning Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital into a slum where women went to deliver and, for lack of money to pay bills, were compelled to smuggle their babies out of the facility.<\/p>\nAt the time, some experts came out to advice the Government to take a look at our population growth so that it did not out-pace our economic advancement. And as usual, Kwesi Pratt rubbished that advice by the experts, with an explanation that the State had absolutely no right to interfere with how many children an individual could have. He said it is rather the responsibility of the State to put measures in place to cater for people who go about engaging in sex as a recreation, and churning out babies on \u2018conveyer belts\u2019.<\/p>\nWhat the likes of Kwesi Pratt forget to appreciate is that proper management of a nation\u2019s population growth is inextricably linked to improved standard of living and general well-being of its people. For example, Norway, in 1957, had a population of five million people which was the same as Ghana\u2019s population at the time of independence. Now, after 53 years, the population of Norway is still five million while that of Ghana has sky-rocketed to nearly 25 million!!!<\/p>\nSo, let\u2019s say, if both Ghana and Norway were developing at the same rate, economically, citizens of Norway will certainly be enjoying much better standard of living than Ghanaians. And by the kind courtesy of leadership greed, selfishness and visionlessness, Ghanaians have rather retrogressed economically whilst our population is growing out-of-control.<\/p>\nToday, the lying and property looting social-democrats are in power and instead of delivering on their delusional campaign promises to enable Ghanaians to enjoy the \u2018heavenly\u2019 living standards promised us, they have rather chosen to travel abroad to deliver their \u2018social-democratic babies\u2019 while ordinary women of Ghana are perishing in their thousands, through child-birth under the current \u2018better Ghana agenda\u2019.<\/p>\nDon\u2019t these current NDC government appointees know that they are seen as fools by the foreigners, when they abandon their core duty of coming up with solutions to the problems of those who have queued in the sun to vote for them, to perish like house-flies while they (appointees), are falling over one another for space on aircraft to go and deliver babies abroad?<\/p>\nNow, during the 8-year rule of the NPP, President Kufuor undertook a number of foreign trips with the sole purpose of selling Ghana, and also to woo investors. The results of these trips are very much visible for all to see if we are to put away our dogmatic political lenses and give credit where credit is due. These good works were going to be continued by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo but Ghanaians decided otherwise.<\/p>\nOne of these trips was the \u2018Business Call to Action\u2019 confab in London, in May 2008. At a meeting held with the British prime minister during the confab, President Kufuor announced the British government\u2019s \u00a342.5m support to augment our efforts of implementing the fee-free pregnancy care for all women in all state health institutions. And since reducing maternal mortality is one of the millennium development goals, that donation by the British government was, certainly, welcome news.<\/p>\nThe health and general well-being of women are pivotal in the socio-economic advancement of every nation. Hence, the saying by Dr. Kwegyir-Aggrey that: \u201cIf you educate a man, you educate an individual but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation\u201d.<\/p>\nThis particular product of president Kufuor\u2019s travel was announced on Wednesday, 7th<\/sup> May 2008. Incidentally, the proceeding Sunday, 11th May 2008, happened to be Mother\u2019s Day. Therefore, President Kufuor certainly could not have given mothers of our dear nation a more befitting present.<\/p>\nThis novelty in our nation\u2019s maternal health delivery, swiftly crucified the obnoxious \u2018cash and carry\u2019 system that sent many of our nation\u2019s expectant mothers, prematurely, into the other world.<\/p>\nHowever, some developments following the successful kick-off of the fee-free pregnancy care programme on 1st<\/sup> July 2008, has got me thinking and I would urge the NDC administration to take steps to address the situation.<\/p>\nAveragely, one thousand babies were being delivered, monthly, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, which works out to 250 deliveries per week (Citi FM breakfast news, 11\/7\/8).\u00a0 In that same Citi FM report, a young expectant woman whose view was sought on the fee-free natal care actually said that some of them have gotten \u201cpregnant without knowing the men responsible\u201d for their \u201cpregnancies, and therefore this intervention by the government\u201d was indeed \u201ca welcome relief\u201d.<\/p>\nThere have also been pictures of over-crowded maternity wards of our state health facilities on our television screens in recent times, which are largely due to the increased number of expectant mothers accessing the service.\u00a0 According to official statistics from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, there were 280 deliveries within the first week of the implementation of the programme on 1st<\/sup> July, 2008. That was in excess of 30 deliveries over the previous figure of 250 a week. And I believe current figures may be well over that of two and a half years ago.<\/p>\nThis situation of maternity departments of our state medical facilities coming under pressure, following the institution of the fee-free natal care, is being reported throughout the country, pointing to the fact that more women are accessing this facility. Most of these pregnancies which are putting pressure on our health facilities are being carried by girls who are children themselves!!!<\/p>\nThe state, therefore, must consider the establishment of Citizens Advisory Centers, manned by seasoned counselors and psychologist, where any citizen, particularly the teenagers, could go and seek professional counseling in various areas when they are in distress.<\/p>\nThese citizens\u2019 advisory centers must have a single, free nation-wide, and a three or four digit telephone helpline which can be reached easily, unlike the current numerous police and other essential service emergency mobile phone numbers which are often out of coverage area.<\/p>\nAgain, the state must consider establishing community libraries and youth centers where teenagers, during vacations, can either go and study or engage themselves in recreational activities in order to keep them from vices, particularly, early sexual relationships with its attendant pregnancies which tend to disrupt their academic progress.<\/p>\nAnd here, I would like to urge NGO\u2019s, financial institutions and philanthropists to assist in expanding, upgrading and equipping our nation\u2019s maternity outfits to enable them to cope with the current surge in patronage on the existing facilities.<\/p>\nParents must also learn to play their part in the shaping up of the character of their children, by way of having regular and open dialogue with them. And when this is done, these children will in turn, develop trust in them (the parents). Therefore, the situation where children turn to their peers for \u2018advice\u2019 due to rather un-approachable nature of their parents shall be a thing of the past since a harmonious home, naturally, breeds happy and well-mannered children.<\/p>\nManagers of the Health Insurance Authority must also, as a matter of urgency, adopt a habit of extreme parsimony which is number one on their Hippocratic-oath to Ghanaians and re-focus on core duties of their constitutionally mandated responsibilities. They must exercise a great sense of moderation with their affinity for wastage on multi-billion dollar rented accommodations and fuel-guzzling sports utility vehicles (SUV\u2019s).<\/p>\nFinally, I would urge all teenagers of our beloved country, Ghana, particularly the girls: please be focused in pursuit of your natural talents, believe in yourselves, love and preserve your bodies, understand that sex isn\u2019t a recreation but a pro-creation activity and always be mindful of the fact that impossibility is God-given but inability is man-made.<\/p>\nConsequently, with zeal, determination and positive attitude, you shall grow up to become good and successful citizens but not \u2018baby making machines\u2019 for irresponsible men and boys, so that Ghana will rise through your positive contributions.<\/p>\nE-mail: justnoff@yahoo.com<\/p>\nBy Justice Abeeku Newton-Offei<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11813 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11666 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11666#comments Mon, 09 May 2011 11:12:16 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11666 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\nThe way the clouds gathered prior to the rainfall, so would the sun shine afterwards. As such, just as we commented on the grey areas before the Kukrudu parliamentary primaries, so shall we extol the successes too, Kwaku Ananse stories from doomsday prophets notwithstanding.<\/p>\nIf you would recall, there were uncountable incidents which marred the 2007 parliamentary primaries. I needn\u2019t recount them here because I know they are still vivid in your memory.<\/p>\nIt is therefore refreshing that the party responded to the cry of its grassroots and expanded the Electoral College. Despite whisperings from its detractors, the Osono should be proud of its achievement because it has chalked another milestone in the political history of this nation and the world at large.<\/p>\nIf the saying, \u2018coming events cast their shadows\u2019 is to be believed, then one can say without any fear of contradiction that the peaceful and orderly nature of the exercise is a sign of victory for Kukrudians in the upcoming 2012 polls. Yes, there were a few hiccups. But no one can deny that it was a huge success. Apart from a few disturbances, the conduct of the exercise was generally peaceful, courteous and decorous. It is indeed a feather in the cap of the Kukrudu family.<\/p>\nAbusuapanin, it is my pleasure to inform you that all but one of my predictions came true. In the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency for instance, I predicted a resounding victory for Adjoa Safo Kantanka and it came to pass. Her victory was a reward for dedication, hard work and loyalty to the party. I recall clearly how she did not recoil into her shell when she lost to Hon. Mike Ocquaye, aka Papa Ajasco, in 2007; but rather supported him, morally and financially, to retain the seat. It was therefore understandable that the delegates have now reposed their trust in her.<\/p>\nThat however is not to say Mike Ocquaye Jnr, her main contender, isn\u2019t dedicated and loyal to the party. Not at all! I think his is a case of contesting for the wrong position at the wrong time. His defeat is clearly a manifestation of the fact that my compatriots abhor even a semblance of monarchical governance in the country\u2019s politics. Father goes, son comes? Tofiakwa!<\/p>\nIn the Adenta Constituency, where we witnessed a heated contest, Frances Asiam\u2019s victory over Yaw Buabeng Asamoah was a pleasant shock to many. She was my bet and I\u2019m very glad she won. I preferred the Iron Lady, as she is affectionately called, to Yaw because I believed and still believe that she is a better match for the Akatamansonians.<\/p>\nAnother notable result was Hon. Maxwell Kofi Juma\u2019s loss to Hon. Patricia Appiagyei in the Asokwa Constituency. I wasn\u2019t surprised at all because I knew Hon. Juma\u2019s foul mouth was going to be his nemesis. Without a doubt, his infamous \u2018bottom power\u2019 statement was the last straw that broke the camel\u2019s back. His loss supports the argument that bad breath breeds hatred and humiliation.<\/p>\nThe Ahafo Ano South Constituency is the only place I got it wrong. I tipped the man who propounded the mouse-pepper theory but he lost miserably. The theory tells us that Mother Mouse once took her children to her enemy\u2019s pepper farm and told them to eat as much pepper as they could.<\/p>\nAfter some time, the children told their mother that the pepper wasn\u2019t sweet so they should move to another farm. The mother admonished them to discard that thought and eat more of the pepper, because the main purpose of eating the pepper was not to enjoy but destroy. \u201cSo my children, eat and destroy the pepper farm because we are destroyers,\u201d she bellowed. Her children heeded her advice and destroyed the farm.<\/p>\nThe story teaches us to be wary of our opponents and enemies because they will go to the extreme to see our downfall. Maybe, just maybe, the proponent of the theory himself, Hon. Kwaku Balado Manu, lost because he failed to act when his opponent was destroying his \u2018pepper farm\u2019.<\/p>\nHon. Balado\u2019s loss was one of the few that hit me very hard. It hit me so hard that I still want to believe it was only a bad dream. But hey, wishes are not horses, are they? Anyway, he will be missed by the next House because his contributions are very phenomenal. Sad, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\nOne thing I\u2019ve learnt from the results of the Osono parliamentary primaries is that being very visible in the media circles doesn\u2019t necessarily mean popularity among the delegates.<\/p>\nIt is therefore imperative that prospective parliamentary aspirants would take a leaf from the book of those who lost and serve the party in their various constituencies as they should.<\/p>\nThey should know that talking on radio is good, but it does not guarantee popularity among the grassroots.<\/p>\nI expected to hear some muted protests in one or two constituencies, so I\u2019m not surprised it is happening. But those aggrieved should remember the consequences of in-fighting in the 2008 presidential polls and advice themselves accordingly.<\/p>\nIf I were one of them, the rot we are witnessing in governance today would be enough motivation for me to forgive my compatriots who have wronged me. I once again remind all Kukrudians that, \u2018The fly that fails to heed good counsel follows the corpse into the grave.\u2019<\/p>\nAbusuapanin, if Kukrudians heed this wise counsel and patch up their differences, I see no reason why they should not start singing R Kelly\u2019s hit tune \u2018Sign of a victory\u2019. I\u2019ve already started and all they have to do is unite and join me to sing in anticipation of the majestic coronation of our new president on January 7, 2013. Sing along if you believe in the prophecy: \u2018I can see the colours of the rainbow<\/p>\nI can feel the sun on my face<\/p>\nI see the light at the end of the tunnel<\/p>\nI can feel heaven in display<\/p>\nThat is the sign of a victory \u2026\u2026.\u2019<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11666 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11529 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11529#comments Sat, 07 May 2011 10:09:19 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11529 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/african_union_flag.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11530\" title=\"african_union_flag\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/african_union_flag.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"299\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nAfrican Union <\/p>\n-Shameless NATO destroys Africa\u2019s Libya<\/p>\n– Why not present ceasefire bid to UN?<\/p>\nFor President Muammar Ghaddafi\u2019s Libya to be subjected to incessant air bombings from NATO air planes over a two months\u2019 stretch is something that continues to baffle the minds of all right thinking people.<\/p>\nWhy, it must be asked, why this senseless war in Libya?\u00a0 Why should planes of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which consists of Americans and Europeans Soldiers) continue to rattle over Libyan skies, shooting cruise missiles and bombs to kill President Gaddafi\u2019s soldiers and to raze down some apartments of his house, instantly killing one of his sons and three grandchildren?\u00a0 Why?<\/p>\nAnd one cannot simply understand why all African Union members, led by their heads of state, continue to look on silently for this mayhem to be visited on their member state Libya, by white people of other continents!<\/p>\nDoesn\u2019t Libya belong to the African Union which presupposes a more compact relationship bordering on consanguinity or blood-kinship such that an affront against one African member state is against all African states which should warrant their immediate response?\u00a0 The days of the OAU (Organisation of African Unity) are over, a period when African States AGREED TO FRATERNISE quite lightly on periodic get-together basis, when talking and talking for closer relationship was the major leitmotif.<\/p>\nIt was an organizational period preparing African states to, in future, form a more cohesive union in which each state saw herself to be in family ties with the others, not remaining indifferent to the woes of one another, but reacting appropriately to offer immediate help or relief or peace to the other.\u00a0 This is how the present name, AFRICAN UNION must be seen to connote- a more compact sisterly affinity in which love for, and assistance to one another should be practicalised.<\/p>\nMEANING OF AFRICAN UNION<\/p>\nBut this is not what we see now with the so-called AFRICAN UNION.\u00a0 It appears most states consider the UNION to be mere UNITY which envisages a temporary relationship without any deep commitment for the welfare or safety of each other.\u00a0 If this is so, then it\u2019s most unfortunate.<\/p>\nIf indeed we have consigned ourselves to an AFRICA UNION construction which is very close to AFRICAN UNITED STATES, then African Presidents must wake up to uphold the ideals of the UNION and stop sleeping over the war being waged on Libya by NATO forces for no justifiable reasons.\u00a0 The basis of the war is childish.\u00a0 Some opposition elements in Libya say that they don\u2019t want Gaddafi and his government to continue to \u2018misrule\u2019 Libya, so they must resign and be off the governance scene.\u00a0 They demonstrate.<\/p>\nAnd that\u2019s permissible in a democratic state.\u00a0 But when the demonstration is: (a) being held every day to cause disturbance of the peace in the locality (b) waxing into violence when missiles (stones, cudgels, cutlasses etc) are hurled against the police who are using teargas to disperse the demonstrators, has the government no mandate or authority to defend itself or to put down the disturbing riots?\u00a0 Will the British, American, Italian or French government sit down unconcerned when some elements (ostensibly trained or organized to cause violence to overthrow that Administration) begin to act to endanger the peace in that country?<\/p>\nWon\u2019t it defend itself by clamping down on such violence?\u00a0 Then why is it that when President Gaddafi rose up to fight the criminal violence against his state, the Europeans and Americans considered it unheard-of, and immediately thought it as their bounden duty to go to Libya to protect the innocent civilians whom Gaddafi \u201cwas killing through air attacks\u201d?\u00a0 Are the whites political and military \u2018protectors\u2019 of revolting blacks?\u00a0 Who made them so?<\/p>\nFORMER USA, ITALIAN ATTACKS<\/p>\nDid the votes in the United Nations Security Council mandate the USA, Britain, Italy and France to quickly invade Libya to ostensibly protect the \u201cunarmed civilian revolters\u201d?\u00a0 When did it become justifiable for unapprehended and fighting revolters (openly seeking to overthrow a government) to be protected by the white men?\u00a0 Where is the cited case history morally justifying such protection?<\/p>\nThere is absolutely no justification for American, Italian and French forces to, in the name of NATO, send military aircraft to bomb buildings in Tripoli, Misurata, Benghazzi etc, and to indiscriminately kill Libyans, thus causing further bloodshed.\u00a0 Why did the votes not mandate African countries to intervene diplomatically, and if possible, militarily?<\/p>\nFact is that Libya has been a victim of these four nations- USA, Italy, Britain and France- for over two centuries, all because of their yearning to exploit her oil wealth, coal and gas.\u00a0 In 1804, the United States invaded Libya, with the view to fighting an ongoing piracy, just it is as being carried on presently at the coast of Somalia in Africa.\u00a0 This turned out to be a medium through which the wealth of Libya was to be exploited.<\/p>\nIn 1911, Italy invaded Libya on the pretentious reason of fighting Turkey which had earlier on declared war on the Sanussi Muslim sect formed in Libya and had considered it to be unIslamic.<\/p>\nThe Sanussi sect withstood Italy for 20 years until in 1931 when its leader al-Mukhtar was executed, and that enabled Italy to gain full control over Libya.\u00a0 However, Idris who was also a Sanussi Muslim emerged later, and having helped the British and the French in World War II, invited these two allies to Libya who divided that nation into British and French zones.<\/p>\nNevertheless, in 1949, the UN declared independence to Libya under Idris who later was sworn in as King.\u00a0 Contrary to expectations, Gaddafi, then a colonel in the army, overthrew King Idris on September 1, 1969 and revolutionized the nation, bringing rapid transformation and development in the country on socialist lines.\u00a0 Gaddafi\u2019s \u201cGreen Book\u201d he wrote which brought the \u201cpopular participation\u201d concept, quick revolution in agricultural and oil production, soon made Libya a nation with the highest per capita income of over $4000 per year in Africa, thus making her the wealthiest nation on the continent.<\/p>\nFOREIGN RELATIONS<\/p>\nWhilst at home, Gaddafi has been hailed as the most popular and best leader, who has made several workers rich and comfortable (this is confirmed by Ghanaians returnees from Libya), his relations with Arab countries and the Europeans and Americans have gone sour day by day.\u00a0 His interactions with Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Saudi Arabi have not gone well; especially his opposition to Saudi Arabia and the Emirates for not helping him to resist \u201cthe pressures and manouevres of transnational corporation\u201d of the USA and Europe which are making oil prices go higher and higher, has not been taken kindly.<\/p>\nTherefore, one can see why the Arabs initiated in the UN the idea of \u201cmilitary protection of Libyan civilians\u201d which has invited NATO to wage air war against Gaddafi.\u00a0 And one wonders whether Gaddafi will find it comfortable to remain in the Arab League again, whilst his military strength appears to have been betrayed and undercut by fellow Arabs.<\/p>\nOf course, the question of Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya etc indulging in \u2018absolute bilateralism\u2019<\/span> still remains an important issue to be mooted, a situation in which these aforementioned countries consider themselves as real Africans belonging to the AU and real Arabs belonging to the Arab League of the Middle East! Will Gaddafi want to be in the Arab Circle again, if the current war is over and he remains the President?<\/p>\nIn 1986, Gaddafi was subjected to US economic embargo (January) and on April 14 the same year, American war planes invaded Libya and bombed Tripoli, the capital city, and Benghazzi, killing hundreds of people for nothing, except that Gaddafi was to be killed.\u00a0 It is therefore not amazing that under the pretext of saving Libyan civilians, NATO war planes have bombed Gaddafi\u2019s premises, the second attempt killing his relations.\u00a0 African Presidents should quickly meet over this, and issue a strong resolution backing Gaddafi, and calling for cessation of the ongoing war.<\/p>\nThe resolution should be presented to the Security Council and the UN General Assembly.\u00a0 And diplomatic discussions should be held with Russia and China to use their \u201cveto powers\u201d to stop the war to enable African nations to bring peace to Libya.\u00a0 African Presidents, rise up to save your own pal, Gaddafi, and your sisterly nation, Libya!\u00a0 Rise up!<\/p>\nBy Apostle Kwamena Ahinful<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11529 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11484 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11484#comments Fri, 06 May 2011 15:28:19 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11484 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/npp_logo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10877\" title=\"npp_logo\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/npp_logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nNPP Flag<\/p>\nIt is a joy and pride to belong to a group or organization whose daily conduct internally and externally exudes public trust and confidence in all its ramifications. It is more gratifying when that organization happens to be a political party like the New Patriotic Party (NPP).<\/p>\nThere is therefore no wonder that even in opposition, the members and sympathizers of the NPP feel more respected and attract more respect and confidence publicly, than the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). Members of the NPP confidently wear their paraphernalia publicly than the ruling NDC. They speak about their membership of the party with their chests out, while members of the party in power shy away from identifying themselves with their own party.<\/p>\nIt is not for nothing that our elders name their off-springs after very prominent and respectable members of their families. In this case, prominent not as in wealth, but in life well lived in a manner that society cherishes and upholds. The NPP has shown to the world that when it talks about democracy, it means it in all its facets. In 1992, when the PNDC metamorphosed into the NDC with all the state apparatus at its disposal, the NPP accepted the Constitution drawn by the ruling government, with all its weaknesses, as the document for the fourth republic.<\/p>\nThe reason behind the acceptance of the document, the Indemnity Clause which was smuggled into it notwithstanding, was the fact that it was better for this nation to\u00a0 be governed by an imperfect constitution than to be ruled by a murderous dictator surrounded by spineless, unprincipled intellectuals whose crave for political power had been made possible by an equally unsuccessful military officer whose only way out to escape poverty was to abort a constitutional dispensation mid- way its tenure.<\/p>\nThe pseudo-socialists who had used subterfuge, plain murder, intimidation and blackmail to govern this country needed to be shown the exit from dictatorial rule, courtesy Allotey Jacobs, alias educated fisherman, to a more civilized and respectable form of governance.<\/p>\nIt was very clear that the processes before, during and after the December 1992 presidential elections were criminally tailored to meet the aspirations of the ruling PNDC, which had taken away the P to form the NDC.<\/p>\nAfter the elections, it became blatantly clear that the PNDC had rigged the elections in favour of the NDC. The leadership of the NPP, in spite of the tension in the country, put their intellectual prowess into play by recording all the kululuu which took place in that particular election. The leader of that exercise was no less a person than the current presidential candidate of the NPP. The outcome was a book titled the \u2018Stolen Verdict\u2019.<\/p>\nThis happened on a continent where election results have generated endless internecine wars. Yes, it also happened in a country where guinea fowls have created wars leading to the death of over 3000 citizens of this country.<\/p>\nThe world was amazed at the level of tolerance of the NPP and its belief that even if the elections had been stolen, it was better to stay in opposition and bid your time than to plunge the entire nation into chaos. So on and on, the NPP patiently waited on the good people of this country. While waiting, it also mended its ways.<\/p>\nIt took a critical look at its structures, identified the weaknesses in them and strengthened them where necessary. Its constitution went through amendments as and when it became necessary, refined its message and strategies until it won power in the year 2000. What the NPP did with the power entrusted to it by the good people of Ghana is very well known to not only Ghanaians, but the world at large.<\/p>\nWhen the party lost power in 2008, it did not relent, and as typical of it, gathered its intellectuals\u2013 ladies and gentlemen- to critically analyse the cause or causes of the defeat and find solutions to them.<\/p>\nThe outcome of that intellectual exercise was the theme \u2018Reflect, Rebuild and Recapture\u2019.\u00a0 The reflection certainly took into account what the party might have done wrong when in power as well as the shortfalls of the government. It also looked at its grassroots structures and how representative they were as far as internal democratic principles were concerned.<\/p>\nHaving identified some weaknesses in them, some of the structures were strengthened through the rebuilding process. This led to the introduction of the electoral area coordinators, in addition to the polling station executives at the grassroots levels. The number of constituency office holders also went up with the introduction of certain positions, which hitherto did not exist.<\/p>\nThe same went for the regional office positions as well as the national office positions. In all these, elections took place throughout the 230 constituencies and the 10 regions. Finally, the national elections were conducted at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to elect our national officers.<\/p>\nThe increased number of contestants in all these elections did not attract major bickering, which have the potential to break any political party apart.<\/p>\nWhen the major decision of the over 100,000 delegates to elect the flag-bearer of the party arrived, many were the cynics who believed that was going to be the end of the NPP, but once again, members of the party showed to the world that internal democracy had come to stay in the NPP and that it was paving the way for others the world over to learn from them.<\/p>\nBy 6pm of that faithful day, the winner of that election had emerged and all the aspirants, except one resident in Kumasi, had congratulated the winner and gathered around him at a public place to hear him speak.<\/p>\nThe world was once again astounded by that singular feat by a political party in opposition in Africa. They came from all walks of life to witness it in order to give testimony to the outside world.<\/p>\nTo crown it all, last Saturday, the 30th<\/sup> of April 2011, saw another feat of the NPP when almost another 100,000 delegates gracefully, decently, responsibly, with commitment and dedication to boot, travelled from their villages and hamlets, some of us from our cocoase villages to our district capitals, to show the broadened horizoned people that even in our cocoase nkurasi lives, and despite the Kumasi thing in us, we know how to choose our leaders in a very peaceful manner. Once again, a feat unsurpassed in the annals of democratic practices anywhere on the African continent.<\/p>\nWhy will I not be proud that I am a member of the NPP?\u00a0A party which does not trust its birth to any individual founder, but has collective ownership by its members, and has the propensity to behave according to its collective dictates rather than bending to the whims and caprices of a so-called deified founder.<\/p>\nPolitical history has taught all of us that any political party not built on political philosophies or ideologies, but on the beliefs of individuals who are made constitutional founders of such parties, die naturally with the death of the founder.<\/p>\nOh yes, when the founder dies, the struggle by interest groups and individuals laying claim as heir apparent, engenders the demise of such political parties. With NPP, tofiakwa, all of us have stakes in the party.<\/p>\nWhile we pat ourselves on the back, it is important also that we bring to the fore some of the weaknesses in the system, no matter how minimal. There seems to be a conflict in the party\u2019s constitution which tends to unfairly favour incumbent Members of Parliament who contest other aspirants during parliamentary primaries.<\/p>\nA sitting Member of Parliament, per our constitution, is an ex-officio member of the constituency executives without a voting right. However, when it comes to parliamentary primaries, which even involves bigger participants, the sitting MP is given a voting right to the detriment of the other aspirants.<\/p>\nIn the year 2008, some sitting MPs won by just a vote, which generated legal tussles in some cases. At Asanti Bekwai, this led to the independent candidate standing against the incumbent. It has happened again, in some constituencies this time around.<\/p>\nI think it is not fair to offer any aspirant a vote lead in any contest. It is either all the aspirants are given the opportunity to vote or none of them votes. This, if well considered, would further enhance our democratic credentials as it were.<\/p>\nAs for me, my mahogany bitters has been my companion since last Saturday. What about you?\u00a0 NPP all the way, let me \u2018cut\u2019 some aaaa and go to sleep while those who are launching and re-launching their campaigns against their traitors and enemies go ahead.<\/p>\nKwesibiney2009gh@yahoo.com<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11484 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11315 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11315#comments Thu, 05 May 2011 11:18:28 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11315 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_konadu_rawlings1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10855\" title=\"nana_konadu_rawlings1\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_konadu_rawlings1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"282\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nBATTLE READY! Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings<\/p>\nThe vituperation and curses being hurled at Mrs. Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings for daring to exercise her democratic right to challenge Professor Mills to be the flag-bearer of the NDC for the 2012 presidential election in Ghana is quite strange. It is as if the lady has committed such a huge crime and it is as if\u00a0 this is the first time in the history of the world that this is taking place.<\/p>\nAs has been said for the umpteenth time, there is no law in this country that disqualifies any Ghanaian of sound mind to present himself\/herself for any election, as long as he\/she meets all the requirements surrounding that election.<\/p>\nIn the United States of America, the late Senator Kennedy challenged the then sitting President, Jimmy Carter, during the primaries of the Democratic Party for the 1980 presidential election, albeit unsuccessfully.<\/p>\nThe filth that is suddenly being thrown at Mrs. Rawlings, who was until recently one of the leading lights and an unchallenged icon of the NDC, says more about that organisation than about the lady.<\/p>\nTrue to character, but to the amazement of independent observers, all the persons who were widely known to be her close friends are one by one abandoning her\u2026. ET Mensah, Shirley Ayittey, Fiifi Kwetey, Betty Mould, Segbefia, Asiedu Nketiah, etc. etc are showing the kind of unprincipled persons that they are. This is particularly interesting against the background of the fact that all of these people, without exception, owe their small positions thanks to the insistence of the Rawlings duo that they be hired by the Mills machine.<\/p>\nAnd now\u2026. Obaa Konadu has become the most hated person in Ghana. That is very disturbing, isn\u2019t it, if we want to have leaders who can muster some principles no matter the cost? <\/strong>By their deeds, these people have sent the most horrible signal to the young men and women of this country who need to be inspired by our current leaders. <\/strong> A number of lessons lend themselves to the whole of Ghana, though.<\/p>\n1. The episode should reveal to all and sundry that in the NDC, the only qualification that matters above anything else is the level of sycophancy that one can demonstrate to the man in power. In their vocabulary, the only thing that counts most is one\u2019s ability to master the art of opportunism. Loyalty\u00a0and principles count for absolutely nothing.<\/p>\n2.\u00a0 The NDC is not interested in quality because if quality was the yard stick for the presidency of this country, Professor Mills would most certainly be one of the most unqualified persons for the job. As we have all known, he has raised incompetence to new heights in this country. The President has simply not been trained to bear a responsibility as onerous as being the Head of State of a sophisticated country such as ours.<\/p>\nHe is obviously so confused and this is shown by everything that he does and says, ranging from the outlandish promises that he made during the campaign trail, to very vulgar contents of his campaign messages, especially in the Central Region, where he shamelessly sought to pitch one ethnic group against the other, to his reaction to the Anas video\u00a0at the Tema Port, to the verdict regarding the trial of the Ya Na murder suspects. One may even add to the list of maladroit actions and pronouncements what he said and did\u00a0about the Ivorian crisis and his strenuous attempt to fuse State and Church in a secular country such as ours.<\/p>\nAt any given opportunity, President Mills has reinforced the general feeling and impression about him being a very weak, inarticulate, and ill-prepared leader. Nana Konadu has said it aloud what every discerning Ghanaian knows and for this she needs to be commended instead of the wave of condemnation that is being heaped at her.<\/p>\n3. Contrary to the NDC protestations, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is doing this country the greatest service that any true citizen can do for Ghana. Her bold decision to rid us of the persistent embarrassment called Mills should\u00a0gladden the hearts of all patriotic Ghanaians, because if she succeeds to get rid of Mills from their list, and even fails to win the presidential election, she would have helped to spare the country the constant headache that we all suffer any time we see our pastor president or hear him pronounce himself on any national or international event.<\/p>\n4. By her decision, the lady is telling the men of the NDC, and indeed the whole of Ghana, that we still have some Yaa Asantewaas in modern day Ghana. No wonder one of her children was named after that legendary queen mother of Edweso. The men of the NDC are clearly only interested in the little moneys and little power that the president has made available to them.<\/p>\nThey must be ashamed. By that bold decision, Mrs. Rawlings can be sure that her name in the history of contemporary Ghana is fully guaranteed. She must resist any form of pressure to stand down because not only will that be a total betrayal of those who admire her courage, but she will miss a golden opportunity to have her name fully engraved in the history of this country.<\/p>\nAs a foot note, I am sure she has now understood what the concept of sycophancy means in the Ghanaian context.<\/p>\nIt is a very sad phenomenon that was started by the CPP blokes and which has assumed frightening proportions under the NDC regime\u00a0in this country. Only God knows when we can cure it, if ever we shall. Secondly, I am sure she knows that if the NDC congress distorts the rules to her disadvantage, she can always break away from that bogus party and stand as an Independent. She is on course to making history, this lady. I wish her well. Obaa Mo!<\/p>\nBy Kwasi Yeboah,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11315 3 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11171 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11171#comments Wed, 04 May 2011 11:05:17 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11171 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ghana_police.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11176\" title=\"ghana_police\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ghana_police.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"281\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nGhana Police Service logo<\/p>\nPerception is a very dangerous weapon that can derail the truth and facts about the realities of life.<\/p>\nThe Police institution as a whole carries a lot of baggage which prevent people from finding favor with them since it is consistently undermined by certain corrupt and dangerous elements whose alliance with the institution is to use it as a consulting body to siphon money from innocent people.<\/p>\nA case in point is the Police Buffalo Unit of the Ashanti Region Police Service whose quality of service dignifies honesty, humility, objectivity, reformation and fundamental fairness. As lethal as they are, they still have in them what it takes to be identified as men of honour<\/em>.<\/p>\nThe Buffalo Unit is part of the Ashanti Regional Police Force with special assignment to protect life and property. The leadership of this unit, DSP Rev Nana Adane-Ameyaw and his deputy, DSP James Owusu, demonstrate exemplary qualities of service to the citizenry and humanity in general.<\/p>\nThey are the special ones whose methodology of service injects sanity into the Police Service and creates room for certain concerned people like me to believe that the future can be good. Although the whole setup is not perfect, with little rough edges, it still has the potential to be the best in terms of job execution.<\/p>\nThe Commander of the Buffalo Unit and his deputy are not just good policemen but men of God. They are real ministers of the faith whose persona reflects what they preach. They use the fundamental principles of right and wrong as basis of their work ethics and truth is the key in their judgment, notwithstanding one\u2019s status.<\/p>\nIn the arena of the commander\u2019s domain, it pays to speak the truth, seek genuine remorse and you will find favor with them, depending on the magnitude of the offence. On the contrary, to attempt to perpetuate lies and display hardiness will attract the roughness and physical power of the unit.<\/p>\nAt the Buffalo Unit, truth and objectivity is the key. Whether, you are the victor or loser in a case, you will learn to respect and admire their judgment which lingers on rules of engagement \u2013 the law, ethics and fundamental fairness. In the end, it is nothing but the truth which most of us abhor since we are structured to using the law enforcement agency to intimidate and advance our own personal aggrandisement.<\/p>\nIn addition to its special mandate to protect life and property, they perform one special function which deserves one\u2019s recognition and admiration, reform people.<\/p>\nThey take time to explain the nature of the offence and it effects. Consequently, all participants in the case are schooled- the complainants, defendants and sympathizers. Their services define civility, yet they are rigid in their pursuit for the truth which is an indelible mark of excellence.<\/p>\nThe issue which took me to the Buffalo Unit was simple and yet complex in nature: My ward spent three days in cells before a bail could be granted and I was convinced by him that she (my ward) deserved to be there (although, it was a holiday, the need to reform her was the key here).<\/p>\nOne thing that beats my imagination is the composition of the leadership team of the Buffalo Unit. Whether by design or accident, both the Commanding Officer and his deputy are men of God.<\/p>\nI mean, Ministers of the faith who practice what they preach on the pulpit. At first, I sensed an element of contradiction with the roles of the Commanding Officer, first as a Police Officer and secondly as a Reverend of the Apostolic Church, vis-\u00e0-vis my perception about the normal policeman in today\u2019s Ghana. Little did I know that in God\u2019s own way, everything is possible.<\/p>\nThey use wisdom in the word, conflict resolution management process and the law to reform people who otherwise have landed in jail to be fed by the government which is phenomenal. Kudos to the leadership of the Police Service, Paul Tawiah Quaye, for his drive, ingenuity and creativity in establishing a functioning department which is respected by the community.<\/p>\nThe whole Buffalo Unit is not perfect, like all other institutions. Notwithstanding the fact that they have very shrewd and energetic leadership, they still have among them few sharks who behave like the normal policeman.<\/p>\nIt is just obvious from my observation that some of the junior staff need a real talk to compliment the efforts made so far in making the unit one of the most remarkable setups within the police institution in the Ashanti Region.<\/p>\nIt is therefore the responsibility of the Commanding Officer to continue to ensure that the character of the overall unit represent the true character of his leadership. I know that it is not going to be easy but with God on his side and prayers, he can succeed.<\/p>\nCurrently, the government has embarked on a decent pay structure for the Police Service that elevates them to a high level in our society.<\/p>\nWhat reason do some of our men in uniform have to perpetuate their evil crime of exploitation? Many people in the service use the institution as a consulting place to amass wealth. Whether it is a myth or reality, people believe that most cases do not travel the usual length because our men in uniform do collect monies from both the complainant and the defendant.<\/p>\nIn certain locations, the police structure refuses to be a service<\/em> institution; you have to pay money as a complainant to have your case attended to and the frustration thereon sometimes makes you feel like abandoning the case. However, I am glad that the Buffalo Unit exists to create a difference.<\/p>\nOur dear nation called Ghana is in crisis. Greed, vindictiveness and selfishness have assumed a new dimension in our socio-economic life.<\/p>\nThe attributes of goodness and sacrifice have no relevance any longer in our institution and it is all about \u2018each one for himself, God for us all\u2019. Naturally, it is always exciting to identify one good story worthy of praise and emulation to write about.<\/p>\nA case in point is the Buffalo Unit of the Ashanti Police Force whose exceptional leadership style creates hope that one day we shall have a transformed police institution ready to be of service<\/em> to our dear nation and its citizenry. God save our dear nation called Ghana.<\/p>\nEmail:VA Eric123946@yahoo.com<\/p>\nBy Eric Edusei<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11171 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11055 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11055#comments Tue, 03 May 2011 10:48:34 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11055 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\nI have keenly observed the sorrows of the Ghanaian teacher since this animal called Single Spine Salary Structure(SSSS) reared its \u2018mugu yaro\u2019 head on the shores of our beautiful country.<\/p>\nFor me, the most important groups of professionals in any society are teachers, farmers and doctors. With only these three groups, any nation that is seriously bent on making advancement in any sphere of human endeavour can easily do so.<\/p>\nUnfortunately, greedy, incompetent, liars, indecent and brainless pseudo-socialists have held the nation to ransom by always descending heavily on knowledgeable people who seek to make useful contributions towards our nation\u2019s advancement with their highly caustic mouths.Intellegent voices have therefore decided to keep silent while plain-faced vagabonds with destructive mentality akin only to that of Haiti\u2019s renegade criminal organization called \u2018The Tonton Makut\u2019 are having a field-day.<\/p>\nNow, before an individual can appreciate what he\/she has to do with his\/her life in future, it has to take the efforts of a teacher to teach and direct him\/her at the foundation stage. I remember my primary school days at \u2018Maame Esaaba\u2019 Memorial Primary at \u2018Memmpe Asem\u2019 near Sekondi, where some of our teachers were trekking for hours to school.Relatively,I am certainly not a wealthy person but I recently met one of the masters who taught me in secondary school and I was extremely sad.<\/p>\nI would not say he is a pauper but considering the fact that this person who probably had his university degree in the early 70\u2019s and has certainly imparted so much knowledge to millions of students who must be occupying various important positions in our society today, was still struggling to board a \u2018trotro\u2019 to his one-room rented accommodation somewhere in Kasoa was rather pathetic.<\/strong><\/p>\nHe is currently retired, and according to what he told me, his many years of clutching to sticks of chalk and duster did not bring him and his nuclear family any meaningful livelihood. Indeed, tragedies of both active and retired teachers actually abound but this is an example I can personally attest to.<\/p>\nIn the case of farmers, they provide for the survival of the human race by way of ensuring there is food on our table. This food is then consumed and our bodies\u2019 nutritional requirements are provided to enable us to accumulate the necessary energies to undertake our various daily activities. Doctors take care of our ailments and make sure we do not perish from preventable deaths.<\/p>\nBut rather sadly, the Mills administration seems to be embarking on a deliberate mission to relegate to the background enormous contributions of these above named professionals while their appointees are going about hounding for multi-million dollar properties.<\/p>\nOn the issue of teachers in particular, the Mills administration has treated them with contempt. I remember Madam Pretty Betty, affectionately called \u201cmadam how dare they\u201d, now the education minister, saying at a press conference that \u201cmistakes\u201d surrounding the teachers\u2019 SSSS implementation were as a result of undue \u201cpressure\u201d brought to bear on her ministry by the teachers. And if we were operating in a civilized enviroment, that very pronouncement should have instantly resulted in her instant dismissal.<\/p>\nAnd my reason is simple: a person who has been put in-charge of a ministry to steer its affairs in the right way, and at all times, so that sanity prevails to enable set targets to be met irrespective of any external pressures, rather unashamedly, proclaiming in front of television cameras that she made those mistakes so that teachers would go through that stress simply on a flimsy account that pressure was brought on her!!!<\/p>\nEffectively, she was simply telling the president who appointed her to head the education ministry, and by extension the whole Ghanaian populace, that if she was a medical doctor and you go to her with an advanced stage of appendicitis (inflamed appendix), she can still go ahead and rather remove your brain instead of your appendix if you are able to bring pressure to bear on her to do so. These are the kind of people currently managing the affairs of our dear nation. Any wonder why our nation\u2019s institutions are in complete disarray.<\/p>\nIn spite of their total incompetence, these government appointees have access to every good thing under the sun. The juvenile-delinquents amongst them, by the benevolence of political office, are today able to kidnap people\u2019s daughters and force them into marriage and take them on nuptial-flights to far-away \u2018Obama-land\u2019 while the suffering teacher\u2019s badly crushed \u2018single-salary-spine\u2019 has been left to rot.<\/p>\nAnd with the Coalition of Concerned Teachers in the Eastern Region rejecting the 15% salary increase for the month of March, 2011 describing it as \u201can insult to their dignity (Daily Guide, 20\/4\/11, pg.6), it is clearly evident that this current lesion afflicting the spine of Ghanaian teachers can never be surgically removed by these incompetent and greedy government appointees who are rather pre-occupied with their new-found love of \u2018property-grabbingship\u2019.Attempts to even voice their grievances are met with armored-vehicles and hails of bullet from the \u2018zombie\u2019 fraternity.<\/p>\nIn medical Radiology, some of the most common spinal problem patients normally report to our department with are spondylosis, kyphosis, lordiosis, scoliosis and all kinds of fractures as a result of road traffic accidents (RTA).<\/p>\nSpondylosis is an abnormal growth anywhere along the spinal column which tends to exert pressure on the nerves emanating from the spinal-cord. This condition normally results in pains in parts of the body being served by these pressured nerves. So for example; a patient will go to a doctor with pains in the arms and fingers but an X-ray of the neck will be requested. And this is because the nerves controlling the arms actually emerge from the spinal-cord at points in the cervical spine which is found in the neck.<\/p>\nKyphosis, lordiosis and scoliosis are all types of what we normally refer to in the Akan language as \u2018akyakya\u2019 or \u2018efu\u2019 (hunch).Kyphosis is when the curvature is at the back, lordiosis is when the curvature is at the front and scoliosis is when the curvature is at either the left or right side of the thorax. Road traffic accidents (RTA) can also cause various degrees of fractures to the spine.<\/p>\nThe \u2018single-salary-spine\u2019 of the Ghanaian teacher has suffered a debilitating blow by the Mills administration and because those who have been tasked to diagnose the extent of damage in order for a remedy to be found, have their attention rather focused on property-grabbing. As such, I would like to advise the teachers to take their destiny into their own hands by seeking solutions to their problems.<\/p>\nNow, orthopedic surgeons are medical doctors who have specialized in handling conditions affecting the skeletal system. I would therefore advise the gallant teachers of our nation whose enormous, vital and selfless contributions to our nation\u2019s development have been completely relegated to the background, to consider paying a visit to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to engage the services of an orthopedic surgeon.<\/p>\nI would therefore advise them to walk away from useless \u2018Kweku Ananse\u2019 promises of these incompetent and greedy government officials, and seek the intervention of an appropriate surgical specialist since such a move will bring about proper diagnoses of the extent of damage done to their \u2018SINGLE-SALARY-SPINES\u2019 by the Mills administration so that the appropriate remedy can be administered.<\/p>\nE-mail: justnoff@yahoo.com<\/p>\nBy Justice Abeeku Newton-Offei<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11055 2 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=10948 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=10948#comments Mon, 02 May 2011 09:11:39 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=10948 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ghana_cedi3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10949\" title=\"Ghana Cedi\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ghana_cedi3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nGhana Cedis<\/p>\nWell, my compatriots, let anyone, including citizen the dog born, swear that our money is not going into congress mansions and filling congresspeople\u2019s cheeks. Congresspeople are eating well, well, and building huge, huge mansions with our money. Otherwise where is all the money (na sika no wo he)?<\/p>\nThey cannot be said to have gone into the small, small projects being sod-cut or commissioned all over the place as if something big is happening. They always say classrooms and not schools; because small is many and big is few.<\/p>\nNever in the entire history of the motherland has so much money accrued to government chest. Gold price is at record high. Cocoa price is highest ever. I just saw CEPS has already exceeded its first quarter target. Utility prices are at their peak. Fuel prices are the highest ever. Toll and other levies have never been this high. On top of everything else, we are exporting oil.<\/p>\nSo why are we not seeing big development at a scale never seen before instead of the small, small projects? It is because the money is going into mansions and filling cheeks. A mosquito is now able to lay eggs of cement blocks to build two mansions in two years. Small and small standard seven boys and girls are building mansions.<\/p>\nThey put small money into doing small things in the rural areas to deceive rural dwellers to vote for them in 2012. I think those whose job as politicians to stop the deceit should start now because the deception could stick.<\/p>\nJust think, the money used to construct that beautiful road from Pantang through Peduase Presidential Lodgeto Mamfe by the Kufuor administration could probably have built one thousand rural schools. But Kufuor built both that road and one thousand and over schools.<\/p>\nThere was no oil money then, cocoa and gold prices were not that high, and tolls were a thousandth of their current level.<\/p>\nThe oil money has gone with the STX wind, with the crumbs towards congress mansions and cheek stuffing.<\/p>\nMy proposal for addressing the development issue is first to property audit. EOCO or CHRAJ, whoever cares, must publish an announcement in the newspapers and on radio asking anyone who suspects a mansion built by a congressperson within the last two years to provide details.<\/p>\nEOCO could even begin by asking for volunteers. We would see how many congresspeople will raise their hands to be counted as auditees.<\/p>\nIf none of this happens, we will be stuck with a big government that does little, little things and expects to be applauded for that. If we allow it to be stuck in the heads of our compatriots that a better Ghana means small, small community projects, then the motherland is doomed to be underdeveloped.<\/p>\nA central government builds the big roads, trunk roads, arterial roads; roads that link regional capitals and district capitals to regional capitals.<\/p>\nRevenue generated from such projects is then channeled into building the feeder roads. Even these are done strategically. Cocoa and foodstuffs must be carted. This ensures that food prices are kept down and that enough revenue is generated for the smaller projects.<\/p>\nNo nation has ever completely built enough schools. Even those with shrinking populations never stop building schools because of shifting population concentrations. So you can never finish building schools before constructing the big roads.<\/p>\nMy compatriots, if you heard them, now they say they are doing rural development. So everyone should be stuck in their village. No Nsawam bypass, no Nkawkaw bypass, no Aflao road. If it\u2019s going to cost more to transport goods and services from the ports and harbours which are all located in the southern part of the motherland, they congresspeople couldn\u2019t be bothered.<\/p>\nI thought rural development was community development. It is small development which should be propelled by the big development. No big development, no small development.<\/p>\nThe big money will continue to go to mansions, and cheeks and policy fairs. They promised to cut down workshops and seminars and conferences and fairs to save money. Just watch. There are now big, big policy fairs which can never put food on your table nor money into your pockets.<\/p>\nAll you who can read and will read this, please go and tell your compatriots and my compatriots in the rural areas that the liars and cheats are at it again. All the money which should come into their pockets are being used to build mansions or stuff cheeks.<\/p>\nWhen they come to commission a borehole or classroom, or KVIP or cut sod for whatever, they should ask them where all the gold and cocoa and oil money has gone that they are giving them those small, small district level projects. They should ask them where they are getting all the money for building mansions and filling their cheeks from.<\/p>\nBy Kwasi Ansu-Kyeremeh <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=10948 2\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"5\"><title>Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists<\/title><link \/><title>The Grand Denouement, The Konadu Factor In The NDC<\/title><link \/><title>Why Make A Martyr Of A Murderer?<\/title><link \/><title>3 Years Of Kufuor\u2019s Gift To Ghanaian Women<\/title><link \/><title>Sign Of A Victory!<\/title><link \/><title>AU Presidents, Why Sit Silent?<\/title><link \/><title>NPP Has Done It Again, But\u2026<\/title><link \/><title>Mrs Rawlings Has Done No Wrong<\/title><link \/><title>The Moment Of Truth: An Encounter With The Ashanti Regional Police Buffalo Unit<\/title><link \/><title>Teachers\u2019 Damaged \u2018Single-Salary-Spine\u2019<\/title><link \/><title>Our Money is going into Mansions and Cheeks<\/title><link \/>\nhttp:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com GHANA’S LATEST AND LEADING NEWS NEWSPAPER, PROVIDING DAILY NEWS COVERAGE OF GHANA Wed, 11 May 2011 13:33:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http:\/\/wordpress.org\/?v=3.1.2 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11956 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11956#comments Wed, 11 May 2011 13:24:02 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11956 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10854\" title=\"nana_kunadu_6\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"286\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nNana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings<\/p>\nWe all saw it coming. The indications had been there all along, but our friends in the NDC, true to form, acted the proverbial ostrich. Instead of looking inward to know what was festering in their party, they preferred to direct their ammunition to our noble NPP. When JJ started hurling insults at them, they said he was exercising his democratic rights, although they would have been delighted if he went through the appropriate party channels.<\/p>\nWhen he\u00a0told the whole world that there was massive corruption going on in the administration, they said he was exercising his legitimate\u00a0right of freedom of speech, even though they would have been happy if he showed them the evidence; when he labelled a whole lot of our current leaders as a bunch of greedy bastards, he was credited with exercising his democratic right as a citizen of the country. And when Spio-Garbrah said the team that had been charged to execute the\u00a0so-called Better Ghana stuff was of a mediocre\u00a0caliber,\u00a0hell was made to descend heavily\u00a0on him, with the Castle buffalo leading the heavy charge.<\/p>\nNow the die has been cast and JJ has threatened to blow the entire\u00a0lid, on June 4, 2011. A whole country is anxiously waiting to have a clear insight into the operations of the mafia-like monster called the NDC, which is pretending to manage the affairs of our beloved country. In between, the contours of the two campaigns appear to have been clearly drawn. It is going to be tough and\u00a0grueling but very entertaining, nobody should doubt it.<\/p>\nAs indicated, JJ has promised to do justice to what he sees as the sickening malfeasance that pervades the politics of the current predatory elite. We are all holding our breath until that doomsday. The veritable sycophants and big time ass\u00a0lickers calling themselves friends of the President have started sharpening their acerbic tongues to outdo one another and the political game of insults is getting to a crescendo.<\/p>\nSome who were hardly heard of during the hey days of Jerry\u2019s stranglehold on our Republic, in the name of some phenomenon they called a revolution at the time, are now claiming a piece of the revolutionary action either for their own selves or their spouses. Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu\u2019s statement was a perfect lesson in political history and we should all scramble for copies of her statement.<\/p>\nThe passion and vigour with which she assumed the leadership of the crowd to teach the Rawlings family a lesson in history, by frontally and ferociously attacking them, was very significant and shocking; it was vulgar by any measure and \u00a0if I were Mills, I would watch her closely. She lacks loyalty; she lacks principles, to put it gently. Can she and indeed has she so rapidly forgotten that John Mahama can never reconcile with the Rawlingses because they did everything they could to impose her on Mills as the latter\u2019s running mate at the expense of John Mahama?<\/p>\nTheir reward is the open condemnation by Mrs. Iddrisu of the simple decision of Mrs. Rawlings to exercise her inalienable right to be a candidate to lead the NDC to \u201cvictory in 2012\u2033. Her performance was particularly abhorrent because as a Minister responsible for education, she must be seen as someone of integrity and principles. She failed miserably and all who love her should bow down their heads in shame. She is a\u00a0disaster.<\/p>\nThe pastor president, in his usual characteristic hypocrisy, has promised a clean campaign. But who believes him, given his very unenviable record?<\/p>\nThis is a man who goes to chapels and mosques to preach a message of civility in our political discourse exactly at the hour when one or two of his underlings is shouting himself\/herself hoarse, saying all manner of nonsense against the potential president of the Republic of Ghana; it is the same man who goes to the Tema Port to bemoan that CEPS officials \u00a0are all \u00a0building mansions (inferring\u00a0that all those chaps are corrupt), when his junior Ministers are reported to be building castles in two short years after being appointed as junior Ministers. That surely is a record that nobody can hope to break in the foreseeable future.<\/p>\nBut this is the Ghana of Mills and his praise singers. Their administration reminds me of a Malawian friend who would always shout at the top of his voice: \u201cMy friend we are in trouble!\u201d any time he observed something unusual. Knowing the high cost building materials in this country at this material moment, anyone who can build any of those mansions in a record period of two years must be a wonderful person indeed. We are in trouble! to quote my Malawian friend.<\/p>\nAs the popular clich\u00e9 goes in this country, God is indeed a Ghanaian. Just as\u00a0some of us were getting ready to cope with the incompetence, the fatuous arrogance and the ugly display of wealth in the mist of the stinking poverty, JJ Rawlings pops up again like a champagne cork. \u00a0He has promised to spill the beans, and we hope he will.<\/p>\nWe are particularly going to be attentive when JJ makes his widely anticipated speech on June 4. If he accuses some ministers and other Government officials as having stolen our resources to construct Hollywood type edifices in East Legon, Dzorwulu, Aburi, Roman Ridge,\u00a0Techimantia,\u00a0Oyirifa and the like, what will the pastor president \u00a0say and do?<\/strong><\/p>\nIf JJ comes out to tell the whole world that the STX Korea deal was vitiated with kickbacks and sleaze, what will the pastor president say and do? If JJ comes out boldly to tell the whole Republic that already our oil money is being stashed in the vaults of foreign banks, what will our papal\u00a0president say and do? \u00a0Let us not forget that the NDC was the first to set the ground rules. When the former Chairman of the NPP said that the Castle had been turned into a place of money sharing, they took it for the truth and constantly depicted President Kufour, our beloved president, as the most corrupt leader the whole universe had ever produced. The hypocrisy of the NDC (Mills\u2019 chapter) is incessantly on display.<\/p>\nWhen Kufour repeated exactly what JJ has been saying for well over two years, respecting the rampant corruption that is running\u00a0through the administration of our country, the Ablakwa Okudzetos and the Quashigahs and the buffaloes in the Castle jumped on him like wounded tigers. We shall see what will happen if their icon of years past repeats those same accusations on June 4, and knowing\u00a0how high the stakes are in the politics of the NDC, we can all trust that the \u2018Junior Jesus\u2019 will not mince words this time.<\/p>\nIn the period leading to their congress at Sunyani, are the \u00a0John Jinapors of this Republic going to label Mrs. Rawlings as a prostitute for daring to exercise her right of a citizen of this country who qualifies to be president, by daring to challenge a sitting president that she deeply considers as incompetent and maladroit? Is Gbevlo Lartey going to unleash his commandos on JJ and his wife and their teeming supporters whenever they decide to exercise their\u00a0constitutional right of assembly for purposes of disseminating their word? We shall be watching.<\/p>\nHow is the Mills crowd going to play the so-called tribal card? Are they going to tell the people of the Volta Region again that the Akans are out to throw them into the Volta River or the Keta lagoon? Let them say that and JJ will surely re-post swiftly and vigorously because that will be another layer of the politics of opportunism that the Mills faction of the NDC has practised since the coming into being of the Constitution of the Fourth Republic.<\/p>\nThey shamelessly played the tribal card in all the previous elections and played it especially in the Central Region in 2007\/2008. During the day, Mills preaches national unity but at night, he preaches the most blatant kind of divisive politics and hatred. He will be haunted for the rest of his life for his outright politics of hypocrisy. The hour of\u00a0visitation\u00a0is nigh. We are watching.<\/p>\nAs a post script: Has it ever occurred to our learned professor of law that the Rawlings family literally created all those who are singing his\u00a0praises\u00a0now and demonising the Rawlingses? In Akan, we say that if you do not know death, look at sleep, to wit, death is like a slumber. The president should approach Rawlings for the definition of traitors. Many exist in his entourage. Yes!<\/p>\nKwasi Yeboah writes from the Airport Residential area,<\/p>\nAccra<\/p>\n By Kwasi Yeboah<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11956 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11952 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11952#comments Wed, 11 May 2011 13:13:36 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11952 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/osama_din_laden.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11953\" title=\"osama_din_laden\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/osama_din_laden.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"243\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nOsama Bin Laden<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u201c<\/p>\n<\/em>Ladies and gentlemen, we got him\u201d \u2013 Paul Bremer, the US Commander in Iraq, announcing the capture of Saddam Hussein to the press.<\/p>\nOn September 11th<\/sup> 2001, things that seemed important at 47 minutes and 21 seconds past 8 o\u2019clock (local time), were insignificant a fraction of a second later.\u00a0 On that fateful day, apocalypse reached us in real time.\u00a0It suddenly dawned on us how fragile freedom was when it was attacked by insane religious fanatics.<\/p>\nIt took Al Qaeda one hour, forty-two minutes to destroy the World Trade Centre, which took six years, eight months to construct from 1966 to 1973.\u00a0 The two Boeing 767 travelling at 950 kph that hit the two towers left behind nothing but death, pain and anguish.\u00a0 The world\u2019s 5th<\/sup> and 6th<\/sup> tallest buildings which were crushed into 1.6 million tons of smoking concrete and steel became the tomb for nearly 3000 souls, including some unfortunate Ghanaians.\u00a0This barbarian terrorism was the brain child of Osama bin Laden.<\/p>\nWhen the hunt for Osama bin Laden started in the aftermath of the September 11 attack of the Twin Towers, I pleaded with the Coalition Forces not to make a martyr of him.\u00a0That was when the then president of the US, George Walter Bush, released the pitcher in him, banged the table with his bare knuckles and swore that he will get Osama bin laden \u2018Dead or Alive\u2019.<\/p>\nIn that write-up which was published nine years \u00a0ago, I wrote that instead of killing Osama bin Laden, the Coalition Forces should arrest him and cage him in one of the zoological gardens in the US so that tourists could go there and watch him after paying a fee. I was of the view that monies to be accrued from such a venture could be used to rebuild the Twin Towers and also compensate the family members of the victims, who suffered an irreparable loss.<\/p>\nI believed people from all walks of life from across the length and breadth of the world would love to visit that particular zoo to have a glimpse of the man who committed that barbarous atrocity.\u00a0Now that the man has been killed by the US forces; my dream of visiting the proposed zoological garden to see the face of Osama for the first time has hit the rocks.<\/p>\nWhy did they choose to kill such a beast and priceless criminal? \u00a0A few decades ago, when Salman Rushdie wrote the Satanic Verses and made a mild mockery of some of the verses in the Holy Koran, the late Ayatollah Khomeini and his Islamic clergies were quick to call a Fatwa against the man.<\/p>\nThe late Ayatollah told believers in Qom, where he lived till he died, that killing Salman Rushdie was a call from God which should be obeyed and that anyone who was \u201clucky\u201d to perform that \u201csacred\u201d duty would go to heaven.\u00a0 Even though that Fatwa has since been lifted, the guy still lives in fear because some hot heads are out there still hunting him down.<\/p>\nVery unfortunately, when Osama bin Laden made a barbaric mockery of the Holy Koran by killing more than 4000 poor souls in America, the Islamic clergies largely remained silent.\u00a0That apocalypse which will forever remain deeply and indelibly etched in our minds was played down by the same clergies who supported the Ayatollah.<\/p>\nAnother sad aspect of the situation was that when George Walter Bush declared war on terrorism, these same Muslim clergies made the world to understand that it was a war against Islam.\u00a0They failed to appreciate the fact that it was rather the terrorists who had declared war on the civilized world.<\/p>\nEven though Osama has been finally killed, that image of\u00a0a man who jumped from the thirtieth floor of the Twin Towers, in his attempt to escape the carnage, is still stored in our collective memories. We the people of this universe will never forget the day Osama released his hounds to visit mayhem on the peace-loving people in America.\u00a0We should be on our guard because all over the world, these sick brains are still on the prowl.<\/p>\nThey are eager to blow themselves up in order to be made martyrs.\u00a0I simply wonder why such individual death-traps keep coming and sprouting like poisonous mushrooms. The truth is that at the moment of death, a martyr will feel no more pain if he was being pinched.<\/p>\nThose of us who do not understand these scatterbrains giggle nervously at the reward bin Laden said a martyr will receive in paradise \u2013marriage to 72 virgins, divine intercession on behalf of 70 relatives and everlasting life.\u00a0These and many more are the psychological forces that fuel terrorism.\u00a0 To these terrorists, faith is a rock amid shifting sand.<\/p>\nAll over the world, martyrs win by losing. That is why I did not want Osama to be killed.\u00a0Practically, all terrorist activities have one characteristic in common that is hard to overlook:\u00a0 the protagonist\u2019s self-destructive tendencies. Those of us who prefer to carry on living find it difficult to understand all these madness.<\/p>\nAlthough the overwhelming majority of people have no desire to run amok, they have no chance of survival when faced with somebody infatuated with suicide.\u00a0Since there are probably thousands of such living time-bombs walking around, this particular form of violence will undoubtedly continue to accompany us on our journey into the 21st<\/sup> century.<\/p>\nThus, one of the most ancient rituals of our species, human sacrifice, has also succumbed to globalization.\u00a0Because people initially welcome the imposed piety, but then gradually realize it doesn\u2019t equip them to meet the challenges of getting through life, life becomes a morbid burden.<\/p>\nThat is why the suicide bombers, some of them usually young men, can\u2019t wait for natural death and decide instead to take a short cut to heaven- that is if even they will be qualified to join the Angels in heaven, anyway.\u00a0Terrorism is a pathological copy of the organism it attacks; a retrovirus from the latter\u2019s cells.<\/p>\nOne man who should be denied martyrdom is Mullah Mohammed\u00a0Omar, the Taliban\u2019s one-eyed Commander of the Faithful. His improbable rise to power began in 1994, after he emerged from anonymity, armed with the militancy of his faith and a twisted sense of divine mission.<\/p>\nHe deceived his followers that he had a dream in which the Prophet Mohammed revealed to him that he, Omar, should lead Afghanistan out of lawlessness and immorality.\u00a0He ended up creating lawlessness and total chaos in his country.\u00a0The hope is that the tribal war lords who are harbouring him could betray him one day.\u00a0Early in the Afghanistan war, his convoy was targeted by US planes\u00a0but they did not get clearance in time to take him out.<\/p>\nToday the dreamer is hiding in caves, his messianic dream buried in the war rubbles in Afghanistan. America should know by now that they are fighting against antediluvian enemies who live and hide in caves.\u00a0Since it will take long to turn over every rock in this mountainous country, it will take time before this one-eyed criminal is located in his lair.<\/p>\nWhen he is located, American forces must do their utmost best not to harm him in anyway.\u00a0We need to debrief him in order to know their modus operandi.\u00a0He should be made to suffer a painful death after such debriefing.<\/p>\nAnother leading terrorist who should be hunted down quickly now that his boss is gone is the right-hand man of Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri.\u00a0This man holds the keys to all the Al-Qaeda cells in Indonesia.\u00a0In fact, he and Omar al-Farug, a confessed terrorist, masterminded the 2000 Christmas bombings in Indonesia and the USS Cole in Yemen.<\/p>\nIf he is captured alive, he will surely sing like a parrot because he knows a lot about the operations of the Al-Qaeda.\u00a0He was holed up in the Tora Bora Mountains with Osama during the Afghanistan war.\u00a0 Like Osama bin Laden, he may be living inside Pakistan and enjoying the protection of some corrupt Pakistani government officials.<\/p>\nHe is rich and can afford to pay for protection.\u00a0Al-Zawahiri is popular among the tribal warlords who operate in the semi-tribal areas in Waziristan, and it is alleged he shuttles from Pakistan to the Tora Bora Mountains, where he has his lair.<\/p>\nThe death of Osama bin Laden should not make the US complacent as far as the fight against terrorism is concerned.\u00a0 His supporters may try to retaliate and this is the time Obama should beef up security in America and indeed all American embassies across the world.\u00a0May the soul of Osama bin Laden lie in pieces under the sea where he is buried!!\u00a0Somebody should\u00a0help me say Amen!!!<\/p>\nEric Bawah<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11952 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11813 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11813#comments Tue, 10 May 2011 12:16:28 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11813 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/john_kufuor.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11814\" title=\"john_kufuor\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/john_kufuor.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"299\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nEx-President John Kufuor<\/p>\nToday, 10th May, 2011 marks exactly three years and two days since President John Agyekum Kufuor, while on a trip to the United Kingdom, secured a grant of \u00a342.5million from the British Government to kick-start the free national anti-natal care for every expectant mother in all our state health facilities.<\/p>\nAgain, last Sunday, 8th May 2011 was \u2018Mothers Day\u2019 just as it was on 11th<\/sup> May, 2008 when the announcement to institute the programme was actually made. This therefore became the most single innovative way of acknowledging the mothers of Ghana by any leader we have ever had, since the days of Adam.<\/p>\nNow, when the NDC wanted political power in 2008, they intentionally criminalized everything that Kufuor government was doing at the time. They accused the NPP of turning Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital into a slum where women went to deliver and, for lack of money to pay bills, were compelled to smuggle their babies out of the facility.<\/p>\nAt the time, some experts came out to advice the Government to take a look at our population growth so that it did not out-pace our economic advancement. And as usual, Kwesi Pratt rubbished that advice by the experts, with an explanation that the State had absolutely no right to interfere with how many children an individual could have. He said it is rather the responsibility of the State to put measures in place to cater for people who go about engaging in sex as a recreation, and churning out babies on \u2018conveyer belts\u2019.<\/p>\nWhat the likes of Kwesi Pratt forget to appreciate is that proper management of a nation\u2019s population growth is inextricably linked to improved standard of living and general well-being of its people. For example, Norway, in 1957, had a population of five million people which was the same as Ghana\u2019s population at the time of independence. Now, after 53 years, the population of Norway is still five million while that of Ghana has sky-rocketed to nearly 25 million!!!<\/p>\nSo, let\u2019s say, if both Ghana and Norway were developing at the same rate, economically, citizens of Norway will certainly be enjoying much better standard of living than Ghanaians. And by the kind courtesy of leadership greed, selfishness and visionlessness, Ghanaians have rather retrogressed economically whilst our population is growing out-of-control.<\/p>\nToday, the lying and property looting social-democrats are in power and instead of delivering on their delusional campaign promises to enable Ghanaians to enjoy the \u2018heavenly\u2019 living standards promised us, they have rather chosen to travel abroad to deliver their \u2018social-democratic babies\u2019 while ordinary women of Ghana are perishing in their thousands, through child-birth under the current \u2018better Ghana agenda\u2019.<\/p>\nDon\u2019t these current NDC government appointees know that they are seen as fools by the foreigners, when they abandon their core duty of coming up with solutions to the problems of those who have queued in the sun to vote for them, to perish like house-flies while they (appointees), are falling over one another for space on aircraft to go and deliver babies abroad?<\/p>\nNow, during the 8-year rule of the NPP, President Kufuor undertook a number of foreign trips with the sole purpose of selling Ghana, and also to woo investors. The results of these trips are very much visible for all to see if we are to put away our dogmatic political lenses and give credit where credit is due. These good works were going to be continued by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo but Ghanaians decided otherwise.<\/p>\nOne of these trips was the \u2018Business Call to Action\u2019 confab in London, in May 2008. At a meeting held with the British prime minister during the confab, President Kufuor announced the British government\u2019s \u00a342.5m support to augment our efforts of implementing the fee-free pregnancy care for all women in all state health institutions. And since reducing maternal mortality is one of the millennium development goals, that donation by the British government was, certainly, welcome news.<\/p>\nThe health and general well-being of women are pivotal in the socio-economic advancement of every nation. Hence, the saying by Dr. Kwegyir-Aggrey that: \u201cIf you educate a man, you educate an individual but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation\u201d.<\/p>\nThis particular product of president Kufuor\u2019s travel was announced on Wednesday, 7th<\/sup> May 2008. Incidentally, the proceeding Sunday, 11th May 2008, happened to be Mother\u2019s Day. Therefore, President Kufuor certainly could not have given mothers of our dear nation a more befitting present.<\/p>\nThis novelty in our nation\u2019s maternal health delivery, swiftly crucified the obnoxious \u2018cash and carry\u2019 system that sent many of our nation\u2019s expectant mothers, prematurely, into the other world.<\/p>\nHowever, some developments following the successful kick-off of the fee-free pregnancy care programme on 1st<\/sup> July 2008, has got me thinking and I would urge the NDC administration to take steps to address the situation.<\/p>\nAveragely, one thousand babies were being delivered, monthly, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, which works out to 250 deliveries per week (Citi FM breakfast news, 11\/7\/8).\u00a0 In that same Citi FM report, a young expectant woman whose view was sought on the fee-free natal care actually said that some of them have gotten \u201cpregnant without knowing the men responsible\u201d for their \u201cpregnancies, and therefore this intervention by the government\u201d was indeed \u201ca welcome relief\u201d.<\/p>\nThere have also been pictures of over-crowded maternity wards of our state health facilities on our television screens in recent times, which are largely due to the increased number of expectant mothers accessing the service.\u00a0 According to official statistics from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, there were 280 deliveries within the first week of the implementation of the programme on 1st<\/sup> July, 2008. That was in excess of 30 deliveries over the previous figure of 250 a week. And I believe current figures may be well over that of two and a half years ago.<\/p>\nThis situation of maternity departments of our state medical facilities coming under pressure, following the institution of the fee-free natal care, is being reported throughout the country, pointing to the fact that more women are accessing this facility. Most of these pregnancies which are putting pressure on our health facilities are being carried by girls who are children themselves!!!<\/p>\nThe state, therefore, must consider the establishment of Citizens Advisory Centers, manned by seasoned counselors and psychologist, where any citizen, particularly the teenagers, could go and seek professional counseling in various areas when they are in distress.<\/p>\nThese citizens\u2019 advisory centers must have a single, free nation-wide, and a three or four digit telephone helpline which can be reached easily, unlike the current numerous police and other essential service emergency mobile phone numbers which are often out of coverage area.<\/p>\nAgain, the state must consider establishing community libraries and youth centers where teenagers, during vacations, can either go and study or engage themselves in recreational activities in order to keep them from vices, particularly, early sexual relationships with its attendant pregnancies which tend to disrupt their academic progress.<\/p>\nAnd here, I would like to urge NGO\u2019s, financial institutions and philanthropists to assist in expanding, upgrading and equipping our nation\u2019s maternity outfits to enable them to cope with the current surge in patronage on the existing facilities.<\/p>\nParents must also learn to play their part in the shaping up of the character of their children, by way of having regular and open dialogue with them. And when this is done, these children will in turn, develop trust in them (the parents). Therefore, the situation where children turn to their peers for \u2018advice\u2019 due to rather un-approachable nature of their parents shall be a thing of the past since a harmonious home, naturally, breeds happy and well-mannered children.<\/p>\nManagers of the Health Insurance Authority must also, as a matter of urgency, adopt a habit of extreme parsimony which is number one on their Hippocratic-oath to Ghanaians and re-focus on core duties of their constitutionally mandated responsibilities. They must exercise a great sense of moderation with their affinity for wastage on multi-billion dollar rented accommodations and fuel-guzzling sports utility vehicles (SUV\u2019s).<\/p>\nFinally, I would urge all teenagers of our beloved country, Ghana, particularly the girls: please be focused in pursuit of your natural talents, believe in yourselves, love and preserve your bodies, understand that sex isn\u2019t a recreation but a pro-creation activity and always be mindful of the fact that impossibility is God-given but inability is man-made.<\/p>\nConsequently, with zeal, determination and positive attitude, you shall grow up to become good and successful citizens but not \u2018baby making machines\u2019 for irresponsible men and boys, so that Ghana will rise through your positive contributions.<\/p>\nE-mail: justnoff@yahoo.com<\/p>\nBy Justice Abeeku Newton-Offei<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11813 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11666 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11666#comments Mon, 09 May 2011 11:12:16 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11666 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\nThe way the clouds gathered prior to the rainfall, so would the sun shine afterwards. As such, just as we commented on the grey areas before the Kukrudu parliamentary primaries, so shall we extol the successes too, Kwaku Ananse stories from doomsday prophets notwithstanding.<\/p>\nIf you would recall, there were uncountable incidents which marred the 2007 parliamentary primaries. I needn\u2019t recount them here because I know they are still vivid in your memory.<\/p>\nIt is therefore refreshing that the party responded to the cry of its grassroots and expanded the Electoral College. Despite whisperings from its detractors, the Osono should be proud of its achievement because it has chalked another milestone in the political history of this nation and the world at large.<\/p>\nIf the saying, \u2018coming events cast their shadows\u2019 is to be believed, then one can say without any fear of contradiction that the peaceful and orderly nature of the exercise is a sign of victory for Kukrudians in the upcoming 2012 polls. Yes, there were a few hiccups. But no one can deny that it was a huge success. Apart from a few disturbances, the conduct of the exercise was generally peaceful, courteous and decorous. It is indeed a feather in the cap of the Kukrudu family.<\/p>\nAbusuapanin, it is my pleasure to inform you that all but one of my predictions came true. In the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency for instance, I predicted a resounding victory for Adjoa Safo Kantanka and it came to pass. Her victory was a reward for dedication, hard work and loyalty to the party. I recall clearly how she did not recoil into her shell when she lost to Hon. Mike Ocquaye, aka Papa Ajasco, in 2007; but rather supported him, morally and financially, to retain the seat. It was therefore understandable that the delegates have now reposed their trust in her.<\/p>\nThat however is not to say Mike Ocquaye Jnr, her main contender, isn\u2019t dedicated and loyal to the party. Not at all! I think his is a case of contesting for the wrong position at the wrong time. His defeat is clearly a manifestation of the fact that my compatriots abhor even a semblance of monarchical governance in the country\u2019s politics. Father goes, son comes? Tofiakwa!<\/p>\nIn the Adenta Constituency, where we witnessed a heated contest, Frances Asiam\u2019s victory over Yaw Buabeng Asamoah was a pleasant shock to many. She was my bet and I\u2019m very glad she won. I preferred the Iron Lady, as she is affectionately called, to Yaw because I believed and still believe that she is a better match for the Akatamansonians.<\/p>\nAnother notable result was Hon. Maxwell Kofi Juma\u2019s loss to Hon. Patricia Appiagyei in the Asokwa Constituency. I wasn\u2019t surprised at all because I knew Hon. Juma\u2019s foul mouth was going to be his nemesis. Without a doubt, his infamous \u2018bottom power\u2019 statement was the last straw that broke the camel\u2019s back. His loss supports the argument that bad breath breeds hatred and humiliation.<\/p>\nThe Ahafo Ano South Constituency is the only place I got it wrong. I tipped the man who propounded the mouse-pepper theory but he lost miserably. The theory tells us that Mother Mouse once took her children to her enemy\u2019s pepper farm and told them to eat as much pepper as they could.<\/p>\nAfter some time, the children told their mother that the pepper wasn\u2019t sweet so they should move to another farm. The mother admonished them to discard that thought and eat more of the pepper, because the main purpose of eating the pepper was not to enjoy but destroy. \u201cSo my children, eat and destroy the pepper farm because we are destroyers,\u201d she bellowed. Her children heeded her advice and destroyed the farm.<\/p>\nThe story teaches us to be wary of our opponents and enemies because they will go to the extreme to see our downfall. Maybe, just maybe, the proponent of the theory himself, Hon. Kwaku Balado Manu, lost because he failed to act when his opponent was destroying his \u2018pepper farm\u2019.<\/p>\nHon. Balado\u2019s loss was one of the few that hit me very hard. It hit me so hard that I still want to believe it was only a bad dream. But hey, wishes are not horses, are they? Anyway, he will be missed by the next House because his contributions are very phenomenal. Sad, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\nOne thing I\u2019ve learnt from the results of the Osono parliamentary primaries is that being very visible in the media circles doesn\u2019t necessarily mean popularity among the delegates.<\/p>\nIt is therefore imperative that prospective parliamentary aspirants would take a leaf from the book of those who lost and serve the party in their various constituencies as they should.<\/p>\nThey should know that talking on radio is good, but it does not guarantee popularity among the grassroots.<\/p>\nI expected to hear some muted protests in one or two constituencies, so I\u2019m not surprised it is happening. But those aggrieved should remember the consequences of in-fighting in the 2008 presidential polls and advice themselves accordingly.<\/p>\nIf I were one of them, the rot we are witnessing in governance today would be enough motivation for me to forgive my compatriots who have wronged me. I once again remind all Kukrudians that, \u2018The fly that fails to heed good counsel follows the corpse into the grave.\u2019<\/p>\nAbusuapanin, if Kukrudians heed this wise counsel and patch up their differences, I see no reason why they should not start singing R Kelly\u2019s hit tune \u2018Sign of a victory\u2019. I\u2019ve already started and all they have to do is unite and join me to sing in anticipation of the majestic coronation of our new president on January 7, 2013. Sing along if you believe in the prophecy: \u2018I can see the colours of the rainbow<\/p>\nI can feel the sun on my face<\/p>\nI see the light at the end of the tunnel<\/p>\nI can feel heaven in display<\/p>\nThat is the sign of a victory \u2026\u2026.\u2019<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11666 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11529 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11529#comments Sat, 07 May 2011 10:09:19 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11529 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/african_union_flag.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11530\" title=\"african_union_flag\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/african_union_flag.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"299\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nAfrican Union <\/p>\n-Shameless NATO destroys Africa\u2019s Libya<\/p>\n– Why not present ceasefire bid to UN?<\/p>\nFor President Muammar Ghaddafi\u2019s Libya to be subjected to incessant air bombings from NATO air planes over a two months\u2019 stretch is something that continues to baffle the minds of all right thinking people.<\/p>\nWhy, it must be asked, why this senseless war in Libya?\u00a0 Why should planes of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which consists of Americans and Europeans Soldiers) continue to rattle over Libyan skies, shooting cruise missiles and bombs to kill President Gaddafi\u2019s soldiers and to raze down some apartments of his house, instantly killing one of his sons and three grandchildren?\u00a0 Why?<\/p>\nAnd one cannot simply understand why all African Union members, led by their heads of state, continue to look on silently for this mayhem to be visited on their member state Libya, by white people of other continents!<\/p>\nDoesn\u2019t Libya belong to the African Union which presupposes a more compact relationship bordering on consanguinity or blood-kinship such that an affront against one African member state is against all African states which should warrant their immediate response?\u00a0 The days of the OAU (Organisation of African Unity) are over, a period when African States AGREED TO FRATERNISE quite lightly on periodic get-together basis, when talking and talking for closer relationship was the major leitmotif.<\/p>\nIt was an organizational period preparing African states to, in future, form a more cohesive union in which each state saw herself to be in family ties with the others, not remaining indifferent to the woes of one another, but reacting appropriately to offer immediate help or relief or peace to the other.\u00a0 This is how the present name, AFRICAN UNION must be seen to connote- a more compact sisterly affinity in which love for, and assistance to one another should be practicalised.<\/p>\nMEANING OF AFRICAN UNION<\/p>\nBut this is not what we see now with the so-called AFRICAN UNION.\u00a0 It appears most states consider the UNION to be mere UNITY which envisages a temporary relationship without any deep commitment for the welfare or safety of each other.\u00a0 If this is so, then it\u2019s most unfortunate.<\/p>\nIf indeed we have consigned ourselves to an AFRICA UNION construction which is very close to AFRICAN UNITED STATES, then African Presidents must wake up to uphold the ideals of the UNION and stop sleeping over the war being waged on Libya by NATO forces for no justifiable reasons.\u00a0 The basis of the war is childish.\u00a0 Some opposition elements in Libya say that they don\u2019t want Gaddafi and his government to continue to \u2018misrule\u2019 Libya, so they must resign and be off the governance scene.\u00a0 They demonstrate.<\/p>\nAnd that\u2019s permissible in a democratic state.\u00a0 But when the demonstration is: (a) being held every day to cause disturbance of the peace in the locality (b) waxing into violence when missiles (stones, cudgels, cutlasses etc) are hurled against the police who are using teargas to disperse the demonstrators, has the government no mandate or authority to defend itself or to put down the disturbing riots?\u00a0 Will the British, American, Italian or French government sit down unconcerned when some elements (ostensibly trained or organized to cause violence to overthrow that Administration) begin to act to endanger the peace in that country?<\/p>\nWon\u2019t it defend itself by clamping down on such violence?\u00a0 Then why is it that when President Gaddafi rose up to fight the criminal violence against his state, the Europeans and Americans considered it unheard-of, and immediately thought it as their bounden duty to go to Libya to protect the innocent civilians whom Gaddafi \u201cwas killing through air attacks\u201d?\u00a0 Are the whites political and military \u2018protectors\u2019 of revolting blacks?\u00a0 Who made them so?<\/p>\nFORMER USA, ITALIAN ATTACKS<\/p>\nDid the votes in the United Nations Security Council mandate the USA, Britain, Italy and France to quickly invade Libya to ostensibly protect the \u201cunarmed civilian revolters\u201d?\u00a0 When did it become justifiable for unapprehended and fighting revolters (openly seeking to overthrow a government) to be protected by the white men?\u00a0 Where is the cited case history morally justifying such protection?<\/p>\nThere is absolutely no justification for American, Italian and French forces to, in the name of NATO, send military aircraft to bomb buildings in Tripoli, Misurata, Benghazzi etc, and to indiscriminately kill Libyans, thus causing further bloodshed.\u00a0 Why did the votes not mandate African countries to intervene diplomatically, and if possible, militarily?<\/p>\nFact is that Libya has been a victim of these four nations- USA, Italy, Britain and France- for over two centuries, all because of their yearning to exploit her oil wealth, coal and gas.\u00a0 In 1804, the United States invaded Libya, with the view to fighting an ongoing piracy, just it is as being carried on presently at the coast of Somalia in Africa.\u00a0 This turned out to be a medium through which the wealth of Libya was to be exploited.<\/p>\nIn 1911, Italy invaded Libya on the pretentious reason of fighting Turkey which had earlier on declared war on the Sanussi Muslim sect formed in Libya and had considered it to be unIslamic.<\/p>\nThe Sanussi sect withstood Italy for 20 years until in 1931 when its leader al-Mukhtar was executed, and that enabled Italy to gain full control over Libya.\u00a0 However, Idris who was also a Sanussi Muslim emerged later, and having helped the British and the French in World War II, invited these two allies to Libya who divided that nation into British and French zones.<\/p>\nNevertheless, in 1949, the UN declared independence to Libya under Idris who later was sworn in as King.\u00a0 Contrary to expectations, Gaddafi, then a colonel in the army, overthrew King Idris on September 1, 1969 and revolutionized the nation, bringing rapid transformation and development in the country on socialist lines.\u00a0 Gaddafi\u2019s \u201cGreen Book\u201d he wrote which brought the \u201cpopular participation\u201d concept, quick revolution in agricultural and oil production, soon made Libya a nation with the highest per capita income of over $4000 per year in Africa, thus making her the wealthiest nation on the continent.<\/p>\nFOREIGN RELATIONS<\/p>\nWhilst at home, Gaddafi has been hailed as the most popular and best leader, who has made several workers rich and comfortable (this is confirmed by Ghanaians returnees from Libya), his relations with Arab countries and the Europeans and Americans have gone sour day by day.\u00a0 His interactions with Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Saudi Arabi have not gone well; especially his opposition to Saudi Arabia and the Emirates for not helping him to resist \u201cthe pressures and manouevres of transnational corporation\u201d of the USA and Europe which are making oil prices go higher and higher, has not been taken kindly.<\/p>\nTherefore, one can see why the Arabs initiated in the UN the idea of \u201cmilitary protection of Libyan civilians\u201d which has invited NATO to wage air war against Gaddafi.\u00a0 And one wonders whether Gaddafi will find it comfortable to remain in the Arab League again, whilst his military strength appears to have been betrayed and undercut by fellow Arabs.<\/p>\nOf course, the question of Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya etc indulging in \u2018absolute bilateralism\u2019<\/span> still remains an important issue to be mooted, a situation in which these aforementioned countries consider themselves as real Africans belonging to the AU and real Arabs belonging to the Arab League of the Middle East! Will Gaddafi want to be in the Arab Circle again, if the current war is over and he remains the President?<\/p>\nIn 1986, Gaddafi was subjected to US economic embargo (January) and on April 14 the same year, American war planes invaded Libya and bombed Tripoli, the capital city, and Benghazzi, killing hundreds of people for nothing, except that Gaddafi was to be killed.\u00a0 It is therefore not amazing that under the pretext of saving Libyan civilians, NATO war planes have bombed Gaddafi\u2019s premises, the second attempt killing his relations.\u00a0 African Presidents should quickly meet over this, and issue a strong resolution backing Gaddafi, and calling for cessation of the ongoing war.<\/p>\nThe resolution should be presented to the Security Council and the UN General Assembly.\u00a0 And diplomatic discussions should be held with Russia and China to use their \u201cveto powers\u201d to stop the war to enable African nations to bring peace to Libya.\u00a0 African Presidents, rise up to save your own pal, Gaddafi, and your sisterly nation, Libya!\u00a0 Rise up!<\/p>\nBy Apostle Kwamena Ahinful<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11529 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11484 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11484#comments Fri, 06 May 2011 15:28:19 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11484 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/npp_logo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10877\" title=\"npp_logo\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/npp_logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nNPP Flag<\/p>\nIt is a joy and pride to belong to a group or organization whose daily conduct internally and externally exudes public trust and confidence in all its ramifications. It is more gratifying when that organization happens to be a political party like the New Patriotic Party (NPP).<\/p>\nThere is therefore no wonder that even in opposition, the members and sympathizers of the NPP feel more respected and attract more respect and confidence publicly, than the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). Members of the NPP confidently wear their paraphernalia publicly than the ruling NDC. They speak about their membership of the party with their chests out, while members of the party in power shy away from identifying themselves with their own party.<\/p>\nIt is not for nothing that our elders name their off-springs after very prominent and respectable members of their families. In this case, prominent not as in wealth, but in life well lived in a manner that society cherishes and upholds. The NPP has shown to the world that when it talks about democracy, it means it in all its facets. In 1992, when the PNDC metamorphosed into the NDC with all the state apparatus at its disposal, the NPP accepted the Constitution drawn by the ruling government, with all its weaknesses, as the document for the fourth republic.<\/p>\nThe reason behind the acceptance of the document, the Indemnity Clause which was smuggled into it notwithstanding, was the fact that it was better for this nation to\u00a0 be governed by an imperfect constitution than to be ruled by a murderous dictator surrounded by spineless, unprincipled intellectuals whose crave for political power had been made possible by an equally unsuccessful military officer whose only way out to escape poverty was to abort a constitutional dispensation mid- way its tenure.<\/p>\nThe pseudo-socialists who had used subterfuge, plain murder, intimidation and blackmail to govern this country needed to be shown the exit from dictatorial rule, courtesy Allotey Jacobs, alias educated fisherman, to a more civilized and respectable form of governance.<\/p>\nIt was very clear that the processes before, during and after the December 1992 presidential elections were criminally tailored to meet the aspirations of the ruling PNDC, which had taken away the P to form the NDC.<\/p>\nAfter the elections, it became blatantly clear that the PNDC had rigged the elections in favour of the NDC. The leadership of the NPP, in spite of the tension in the country, put their intellectual prowess into play by recording all the kululuu which took place in that particular election. The leader of that exercise was no less a person than the current presidential candidate of the NPP. The outcome was a book titled the \u2018Stolen Verdict\u2019.<\/p>\nThis happened on a continent where election results have generated endless internecine wars. Yes, it also happened in a country where guinea fowls have created wars leading to the death of over 3000 citizens of this country.<\/p>\nThe world was amazed at the level of tolerance of the NPP and its belief that even if the elections had been stolen, it was better to stay in opposition and bid your time than to plunge the entire nation into chaos. So on and on, the NPP patiently waited on the good people of this country. While waiting, it also mended its ways.<\/p>\nIt took a critical look at its structures, identified the weaknesses in them and strengthened them where necessary. Its constitution went through amendments as and when it became necessary, refined its message and strategies until it won power in the year 2000. What the NPP did with the power entrusted to it by the good people of Ghana is very well known to not only Ghanaians, but the world at large.<\/p>\nWhen the party lost power in 2008, it did not relent, and as typical of it, gathered its intellectuals\u2013 ladies and gentlemen- to critically analyse the cause or causes of the defeat and find solutions to them.<\/p>\nThe outcome of that intellectual exercise was the theme \u2018Reflect, Rebuild and Recapture\u2019.\u00a0 The reflection certainly took into account what the party might have done wrong when in power as well as the shortfalls of the government. It also looked at its grassroots structures and how representative they were as far as internal democratic principles were concerned.<\/p>\nHaving identified some weaknesses in them, some of the structures were strengthened through the rebuilding process. This led to the introduction of the electoral area coordinators, in addition to the polling station executives at the grassroots levels. The number of constituency office holders also went up with the introduction of certain positions, which hitherto did not exist.<\/p>\nThe same went for the regional office positions as well as the national office positions. In all these, elections took place throughout the 230 constituencies and the 10 regions. Finally, the national elections were conducted at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to elect our national officers.<\/p>\nThe increased number of contestants in all these elections did not attract major bickering, which have the potential to break any political party apart.<\/p>\nWhen the major decision of the over 100,000 delegates to elect the flag-bearer of the party arrived, many were the cynics who believed that was going to be the end of the NPP, but once again, members of the party showed to the world that internal democracy had come to stay in the NPP and that it was paving the way for others the world over to learn from them.<\/p>\nBy 6pm of that faithful day, the winner of that election had emerged and all the aspirants, except one resident in Kumasi, had congratulated the winner and gathered around him at a public place to hear him speak.<\/p>\nThe world was once again astounded by that singular feat by a political party in opposition in Africa. They came from all walks of life to witness it in order to give testimony to the outside world.<\/p>\nTo crown it all, last Saturday, the 30th<\/sup> of April 2011, saw another feat of the NPP when almost another 100,000 delegates gracefully, decently, responsibly, with commitment and dedication to boot, travelled from their villages and hamlets, some of us from our cocoase villages to our district capitals, to show the broadened horizoned people that even in our cocoase nkurasi lives, and despite the Kumasi thing in us, we know how to choose our leaders in a very peaceful manner. Once again, a feat unsurpassed in the annals of democratic practices anywhere on the African continent.<\/p>\nWhy will I not be proud that I am a member of the NPP?\u00a0A party which does not trust its birth to any individual founder, but has collective ownership by its members, and has the propensity to behave according to its collective dictates rather than bending to the whims and caprices of a so-called deified founder.<\/p>\nPolitical history has taught all of us that any political party not built on political philosophies or ideologies, but on the beliefs of individuals who are made constitutional founders of such parties, die naturally with the death of the founder.<\/p>\nOh yes, when the founder dies, the struggle by interest groups and individuals laying claim as heir apparent, engenders the demise of such political parties. With NPP, tofiakwa, all of us have stakes in the party.<\/p>\nWhile we pat ourselves on the back, it is important also that we bring to the fore some of the weaknesses in the system, no matter how minimal. There seems to be a conflict in the party\u2019s constitution which tends to unfairly favour incumbent Members of Parliament who contest other aspirants during parliamentary primaries.<\/p>\nA sitting Member of Parliament, per our constitution, is an ex-officio member of the constituency executives without a voting right. However, when it comes to parliamentary primaries, which even involves bigger participants, the sitting MP is given a voting right to the detriment of the other aspirants.<\/p>\nIn the year 2008, some sitting MPs won by just a vote, which generated legal tussles in some cases. At Asanti Bekwai, this led to the independent candidate standing against the incumbent. It has happened again, in some constituencies this time around.<\/p>\nI think it is not fair to offer any aspirant a vote lead in any contest. It is either all the aspirants are given the opportunity to vote or none of them votes. This, if well considered, would further enhance our democratic credentials as it were.<\/p>\nAs for me, my mahogany bitters has been my companion since last Saturday. What about you?\u00a0 NPP all the way, let me \u2018cut\u2019 some aaaa and go to sleep while those who are launching and re-launching their campaigns against their traitors and enemies go ahead.<\/p>\nKwesibiney2009gh@yahoo.com<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11484 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11315 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11315#comments Thu, 05 May 2011 11:18:28 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11315 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_konadu_rawlings1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10855\" title=\"nana_konadu_rawlings1\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_konadu_rawlings1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"282\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nBATTLE READY! Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings<\/p>\nThe vituperation and curses being hurled at Mrs. Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings for daring to exercise her democratic right to challenge Professor Mills to be the flag-bearer of the NDC for the 2012 presidential election in Ghana is quite strange. It is as if the lady has committed such a huge crime and it is as if\u00a0 this is the first time in the history of the world that this is taking place.<\/p>\nAs has been said for the umpteenth time, there is no law in this country that disqualifies any Ghanaian of sound mind to present himself\/herself for any election, as long as he\/she meets all the requirements surrounding that election.<\/p>\nIn the United States of America, the late Senator Kennedy challenged the then sitting President, Jimmy Carter, during the primaries of the Democratic Party for the 1980 presidential election, albeit unsuccessfully.<\/p>\nThe filth that is suddenly being thrown at Mrs. Rawlings, who was until recently one of the leading lights and an unchallenged icon of the NDC, says more about that organisation than about the lady.<\/p>\nTrue to character, but to the amazement of independent observers, all the persons who were widely known to be her close friends are one by one abandoning her\u2026. ET Mensah, Shirley Ayittey, Fiifi Kwetey, Betty Mould, Segbefia, Asiedu Nketiah, etc. etc are showing the kind of unprincipled persons that they are. This is particularly interesting against the background of the fact that all of these people, without exception, owe their small positions thanks to the insistence of the Rawlings duo that they be hired by the Mills machine.<\/p>\nAnd now\u2026. Obaa Konadu has become the most hated person in Ghana. That is very disturbing, isn\u2019t it, if we want to have leaders who can muster some principles no matter the cost? <\/strong>By their deeds, these people have sent the most horrible signal to the young men and women of this country who need to be inspired by our current leaders. <\/strong> A number of lessons lend themselves to the whole of Ghana, though.<\/p>\n1. The episode should reveal to all and sundry that in the NDC, the only qualification that matters above anything else is the level of sycophancy that one can demonstrate to the man in power. In their vocabulary, the only thing that counts most is one\u2019s ability to master the art of opportunism. Loyalty\u00a0and principles count for absolutely nothing.<\/p>\n2.\u00a0 The NDC is not interested in quality because if quality was the yard stick for the presidency of this country, Professor Mills would most certainly be one of the most unqualified persons for the job. As we have all known, he has raised incompetence to new heights in this country. The President has simply not been trained to bear a responsibility as onerous as being the Head of State of a sophisticated country such as ours.<\/p>\nHe is obviously so confused and this is shown by everything that he does and says, ranging from the outlandish promises that he made during the campaign trail, to very vulgar contents of his campaign messages, especially in the Central Region, where he shamelessly sought to pitch one ethnic group against the other, to his reaction to the Anas video\u00a0at the Tema Port, to the verdict regarding the trial of the Ya Na murder suspects. One may even add to the list of maladroit actions and pronouncements what he said and did\u00a0about the Ivorian crisis and his strenuous attempt to fuse State and Church in a secular country such as ours.<\/p>\nAt any given opportunity, President Mills has reinforced the general feeling and impression about him being a very weak, inarticulate, and ill-prepared leader. Nana Konadu has said it aloud what every discerning Ghanaian knows and for this she needs to be commended instead of the wave of condemnation that is being heaped at her.<\/p>\n3. Contrary to the NDC protestations, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is doing this country the greatest service that any true citizen can do for Ghana. Her bold decision to rid us of the persistent embarrassment called Mills should\u00a0gladden the hearts of all patriotic Ghanaians, because if she succeeds to get rid of Mills from their list, and even fails to win the presidential election, she would have helped to spare the country the constant headache that we all suffer any time we see our pastor president or hear him pronounce himself on any national or international event.<\/p>\n4. By her decision, the lady is telling the men of the NDC, and indeed the whole of Ghana, that we still have some Yaa Asantewaas in modern day Ghana. No wonder one of her children was named after that legendary queen mother of Edweso. The men of the NDC are clearly only interested in the little moneys and little power that the president has made available to them.<\/p>\nThey must be ashamed. By that bold decision, Mrs. Rawlings can be sure that her name in the history of contemporary Ghana is fully guaranteed. She must resist any form of pressure to stand down because not only will that be a total betrayal of those who admire her courage, but she will miss a golden opportunity to have her name fully engraved in the history of this country.<\/p>\nAs a foot note, I am sure she has now understood what the concept of sycophancy means in the Ghanaian context.<\/p>\nIt is a very sad phenomenon that was started by the CPP blokes and which has assumed frightening proportions under the NDC regime\u00a0in this country. Only God knows when we can cure it, if ever we shall. Secondly, I am sure she knows that if the NDC congress distorts the rules to her disadvantage, she can always break away from that bogus party and stand as an Independent. She is on course to making history, this lady. I wish her well. Obaa Mo!<\/p>\nBy Kwasi Yeboah,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11315 3 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11171 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11171#comments Wed, 04 May 2011 11:05:17 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11171 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ghana_police.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11176\" title=\"ghana_police\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ghana_police.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"281\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nGhana Police Service logo<\/p>\nPerception is a very dangerous weapon that can derail the truth and facts about the realities of life.<\/p>\nThe Police institution as a whole carries a lot of baggage which prevent people from finding favor with them since it is consistently undermined by certain corrupt and dangerous elements whose alliance with the institution is to use it as a consulting body to siphon money from innocent people.<\/p>\nA case in point is the Police Buffalo Unit of the Ashanti Region Police Service whose quality of service dignifies honesty, humility, objectivity, reformation and fundamental fairness. As lethal as they are, they still have in them what it takes to be identified as men of honour<\/em>.<\/p>\nThe Buffalo Unit is part of the Ashanti Regional Police Force with special assignment to protect life and property. The leadership of this unit, DSP Rev Nana Adane-Ameyaw and his deputy, DSP James Owusu, demonstrate exemplary qualities of service to the citizenry and humanity in general.<\/p>\nThey are the special ones whose methodology of service injects sanity into the Police Service and creates room for certain concerned people like me to believe that the future can be good. Although the whole setup is not perfect, with little rough edges, it still has the potential to be the best in terms of job execution.<\/p>\nThe Commander of the Buffalo Unit and his deputy are not just good policemen but men of God. They are real ministers of the faith whose persona reflects what they preach. They use the fundamental principles of right and wrong as basis of their work ethics and truth is the key in their judgment, notwithstanding one\u2019s status.<\/p>\nIn the arena of the commander\u2019s domain, it pays to speak the truth, seek genuine remorse and you will find favor with them, depending on the magnitude of the offence. On the contrary, to attempt to perpetuate lies and display hardiness will attract the roughness and physical power of the unit.<\/p>\nAt the Buffalo Unit, truth and objectivity is the key. Whether, you are the victor or loser in a case, you will learn to respect and admire their judgment which lingers on rules of engagement \u2013 the law, ethics and fundamental fairness. In the end, it is nothing but the truth which most of us abhor since we are structured to using the law enforcement agency to intimidate and advance our own personal aggrandisement.<\/p>\nIn addition to its special mandate to protect life and property, they perform one special function which deserves one\u2019s recognition and admiration, reform people.<\/p>\nThey take time to explain the nature of the offence and it effects. Consequently, all participants in the case are schooled- the complainants, defendants and sympathizers. Their services define civility, yet they are rigid in their pursuit for the truth which is an indelible mark of excellence.<\/p>\nThe issue which took me to the Buffalo Unit was simple and yet complex in nature: My ward spent three days in cells before a bail could be granted and I was convinced by him that she (my ward) deserved to be there (although, it was a holiday, the need to reform her was the key here).<\/p>\nOne thing that beats my imagination is the composition of the leadership team of the Buffalo Unit. Whether by design or accident, both the Commanding Officer and his deputy are men of God.<\/p>\nI mean, Ministers of the faith who practice what they preach on the pulpit. At first, I sensed an element of contradiction with the roles of the Commanding Officer, first as a Police Officer and secondly as a Reverend of the Apostolic Church, vis-\u00e0-vis my perception about the normal policeman in today\u2019s Ghana. Little did I know that in God\u2019s own way, everything is possible.<\/p>\nThey use wisdom in the word, conflict resolution management process and the law to reform people who otherwise have landed in jail to be fed by the government which is phenomenal. Kudos to the leadership of the Police Service, Paul Tawiah Quaye, for his drive, ingenuity and creativity in establishing a functioning department which is respected by the community.<\/p>\nThe whole Buffalo Unit is not perfect, like all other institutions. Notwithstanding the fact that they have very shrewd and energetic leadership, they still have among them few sharks who behave like the normal policeman.<\/p>\nIt is just obvious from my observation that some of the junior staff need a real talk to compliment the efforts made so far in making the unit one of the most remarkable setups within the police institution in the Ashanti Region.<\/p>\nIt is therefore the responsibility of the Commanding Officer to continue to ensure that the character of the overall unit represent the true character of his leadership. I know that it is not going to be easy but with God on his side and prayers, he can succeed.<\/p>\nCurrently, the government has embarked on a decent pay structure for the Police Service that elevates them to a high level in our society.<\/p>\nWhat reason do some of our men in uniform have to perpetuate their evil crime of exploitation? Many people in the service use the institution as a consulting place to amass wealth. Whether it is a myth or reality, people believe that most cases do not travel the usual length because our men in uniform do collect monies from both the complainant and the defendant.<\/p>\nIn certain locations, the police structure refuses to be a service<\/em> institution; you have to pay money as a complainant to have your case attended to and the frustration thereon sometimes makes you feel like abandoning the case. However, I am glad that the Buffalo Unit exists to create a difference.<\/p>\nOur dear nation called Ghana is in crisis. Greed, vindictiveness and selfishness have assumed a new dimension in our socio-economic life.<\/p>\nThe attributes of goodness and sacrifice have no relevance any longer in our institution and it is all about \u2018each one for himself, God for us all\u2019. Naturally, it is always exciting to identify one good story worthy of praise and emulation to write about.<\/p>\nA case in point is the Buffalo Unit of the Ashanti Police Force whose exceptional leadership style creates hope that one day we shall have a transformed police institution ready to be of service<\/em> to our dear nation and its citizenry. God save our dear nation called Ghana.<\/p>\nEmail:VA Eric123946@yahoo.com<\/p>\nBy Eric Edusei<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11171 0 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11055 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11055#comments Tue, 03 May 2011 10:48:34 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=11055 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\nI have keenly observed the sorrows of the Ghanaian teacher since this animal called Single Spine Salary Structure(SSSS) reared its \u2018mugu yaro\u2019 head on the shores of our beautiful country.<\/p>\nFor me, the most important groups of professionals in any society are teachers, farmers and doctors. With only these three groups, any nation that is seriously bent on making advancement in any sphere of human endeavour can easily do so.<\/p>\nUnfortunately, greedy, incompetent, liars, indecent and brainless pseudo-socialists have held the nation to ransom by always descending heavily on knowledgeable people who seek to make useful contributions towards our nation\u2019s advancement with their highly caustic mouths.Intellegent voices have therefore decided to keep silent while plain-faced vagabonds with destructive mentality akin only to that of Haiti\u2019s renegade criminal organization called \u2018The Tonton Makut\u2019 are having a field-day.<\/p>\nNow, before an individual can appreciate what he\/she has to do with his\/her life in future, it has to take the efforts of a teacher to teach and direct him\/her at the foundation stage. I remember my primary school days at \u2018Maame Esaaba\u2019 Memorial Primary at \u2018Memmpe Asem\u2019 near Sekondi, where some of our teachers were trekking for hours to school.Relatively,I am certainly not a wealthy person but I recently met one of the masters who taught me in secondary school and I was extremely sad.<\/p>\nI would not say he is a pauper but considering the fact that this person who probably had his university degree in the early 70\u2019s and has certainly imparted so much knowledge to millions of students who must be occupying various important positions in our society today, was still struggling to board a \u2018trotro\u2019 to his one-room rented accommodation somewhere in Kasoa was rather pathetic.<\/strong><\/p>\nHe is currently retired, and according to what he told me, his many years of clutching to sticks of chalk and duster did not bring him and his nuclear family any meaningful livelihood. Indeed, tragedies of both active and retired teachers actually abound but this is an example I can personally attest to.<\/p>\nIn the case of farmers, they provide for the survival of the human race by way of ensuring there is food on our table. This food is then consumed and our bodies\u2019 nutritional requirements are provided to enable us to accumulate the necessary energies to undertake our various daily activities. Doctors take care of our ailments and make sure we do not perish from preventable deaths.<\/p>\nBut rather sadly, the Mills administration seems to be embarking on a deliberate mission to relegate to the background enormous contributions of these above named professionals while their appointees are going about hounding for multi-million dollar properties.<\/p>\nOn the issue of teachers in particular, the Mills administration has treated them with contempt. I remember Madam Pretty Betty, affectionately called \u201cmadam how dare they\u201d, now the education minister, saying at a press conference that \u201cmistakes\u201d surrounding the teachers\u2019 SSSS implementation were as a result of undue \u201cpressure\u201d brought to bear on her ministry by the teachers. And if we were operating in a civilized enviroment, that very pronouncement should have instantly resulted in her instant dismissal.<\/p>\nAnd my reason is simple: a person who has been put in-charge of a ministry to steer its affairs in the right way, and at all times, so that sanity prevails to enable set targets to be met irrespective of any external pressures, rather unashamedly, proclaiming in front of television cameras that she made those mistakes so that teachers would go through that stress simply on a flimsy account that pressure was brought on her!!!<\/p>\nEffectively, she was simply telling the president who appointed her to head the education ministry, and by extension the whole Ghanaian populace, that if she was a medical doctor and you go to her with an advanced stage of appendicitis (inflamed appendix), she can still go ahead and rather remove your brain instead of your appendix if you are able to bring pressure to bear on her to do so. These are the kind of people currently managing the affairs of our dear nation. Any wonder why our nation\u2019s institutions are in complete disarray.<\/p>\nIn spite of their total incompetence, these government appointees have access to every good thing under the sun. The juvenile-delinquents amongst them, by the benevolence of political office, are today able to kidnap people\u2019s daughters and force them into marriage and take them on nuptial-flights to far-away \u2018Obama-land\u2019 while the suffering teacher\u2019s badly crushed \u2018single-salary-spine\u2019 has been left to rot.<\/p>\nAnd with the Coalition of Concerned Teachers in the Eastern Region rejecting the 15% salary increase for the month of March, 2011 describing it as \u201can insult to their dignity (Daily Guide, 20\/4\/11, pg.6), it is clearly evident that this current lesion afflicting the spine of Ghanaian teachers can never be surgically removed by these incompetent and greedy government appointees who are rather pre-occupied with their new-found love of \u2018property-grabbingship\u2019.Attempts to even voice their grievances are met with armored-vehicles and hails of bullet from the \u2018zombie\u2019 fraternity.<\/p>\nIn medical Radiology, some of the most common spinal problem patients normally report to our department with are spondylosis, kyphosis, lordiosis, scoliosis and all kinds of fractures as a result of road traffic accidents (RTA).<\/p>\nSpondylosis is an abnormal growth anywhere along the spinal column which tends to exert pressure on the nerves emanating from the spinal-cord. This condition normally results in pains in parts of the body being served by these pressured nerves. So for example; a patient will go to a doctor with pains in the arms and fingers but an X-ray of the neck will be requested. And this is because the nerves controlling the arms actually emerge from the spinal-cord at points in the cervical spine which is found in the neck.<\/p>\nKyphosis, lordiosis and scoliosis are all types of what we normally refer to in the Akan language as \u2018akyakya\u2019 or \u2018efu\u2019 (hunch).Kyphosis is when the curvature is at the back, lordiosis is when the curvature is at the front and scoliosis is when the curvature is at either the left or right side of the thorax. Road traffic accidents (RTA) can also cause various degrees of fractures to the spine.<\/p>\nThe \u2018single-salary-spine\u2019 of the Ghanaian teacher has suffered a debilitating blow by the Mills administration and because those who have been tasked to diagnose the extent of damage in order for a remedy to be found, have their attention rather focused on property-grabbing. As such, I would like to advise the teachers to take their destiny into their own hands by seeking solutions to their problems.<\/p>\nNow, orthopedic surgeons are medical doctors who have specialized in handling conditions affecting the skeletal system. I would therefore advise the gallant teachers of our nation whose enormous, vital and selfless contributions to our nation\u2019s development have been completely relegated to the background, to consider paying a visit to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to engage the services of an orthopedic surgeon.<\/p>\nI would therefore advise them to walk away from useless \u2018Kweku Ananse\u2019 promises of these incompetent and greedy government officials, and seek the intervention of an appropriate surgical specialist since such a move will bring about proper diagnoses of the extent of damage done to their \u2018SINGLE-SALARY-SPINES\u2019 by the Mills administration so that the appropriate remedy can be administered.<\/p>\nE-mail: justnoff@yahoo.com<\/p>\nBy Justice Abeeku Newton-Offei<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=11055 2 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=10948 http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=10948#comments Mon, 02 May 2011 09:11:39 +0000 Nicholas <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?p=10948 \nContinue reading \u2192<\/span>]]><\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ghana_cedi3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10949\" title=\"Ghana Cedi\" src=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ghana_cedi3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" \/><\/a><\/p>\nGhana Cedis<\/p>\nWell, my compatriots, let anyone, including citizen the dog born, swear that our money is not going into congress mansions and filling congresspeople\u2019s cheeks. Congresspeople are eating well, well, and building huge, huge mansions with our money. Otherwise where is all the money (na sika no wo he)?<\/p>\nThey cannot be said to have gone into the small, small projects being sod-cut or commissioned all over the place as if something big is happening. They always say classrooms and not schools; because small is many and big is few.<\/p>\nNever in the entire history of the motherland has so much money accrued to government chest. Gold price is at record high. Cocoa price is highest ever. I just saw CEPS has already exceeded its first quarter target. Utility prices are at their peak. Fuel prices are the highest ever. Toll and other levies have never been this high. On top of everything else, we are exporting oil.<\/p>\nSo why are we not seeing big development at a scale never seen before instead of the small, small projects? It is because the money is going into mansions and filling cheeks. A mosquito is now able to lay eggs of cement blocks to build two mansions in two years. Small and small standard seven boys and girls are building mansions.<\/p>\nThey put small money into doing small things in the rural areas to deceive rural dwellers to vote for them in 2012. I think those whose job as politicians to stop the deceit should start now because the deception could stick.<\/p>\nJust think, the money used to construct that beautiful road from Pantang through Peduase Presidential Lodgeto Mamfe by the Kufuor administration could probably have built one thousand rural schools. But Kufuor built both that road and one thousand and over schools.<\/p>\nThere was no oil money then, cocoa and gold prices were not that high, and tolls were a thousandth of their current level.<\/p>\nThe oil money has gone with the STX wind, with the crumbs towards congress mansions and cheek stuffing.<\/p>\nMy proposal for addressing the development issue is first to property audit. EOCO or CHRAJ, whoever cares, must publish an announcement in the newspapers and on radio asking anyone who suspects a mansion built by a congressperson within the last two years to provide details.<\/p>\nEOCO could even begin by asking for volunteers. We would see how many congresspeople will raise their hands to be counted as auditees.<\/p>\nIf none of this happens, we will be stuck with a big government that does little, little things and expects to be applauded for that. If we allow it to be stuck in the heads of our compatriots that a better Ghana means small, small community projects, then the motherland is doomed to be underdeveloped.<\/p>\nA central government builds the big roads, trunk roads, arterial roads; roads that link regional capitals and district capitals to regional capitals.<\/p>\nRevenue generated from such projects is then channeled into building the feeder roads. Even these are done strategically. Cocoa and foodstuffs must be carted. This ensures that food prices are kept down and that enough revenue is generated for the smaller projects.<\/p>\nNo nation has ever completely built enough schools. Even those with shrinking populations never stop building schools because of shifting population concentrations. So you can never finish building schools before constructing the big roads.<\/p>\nMy compatriots, if you heard them, now they say they are doing rural development. So everyone should be stuck in their village. No Nsawam bypass, no Nkawkaw bypass, no Aflao road. If it\u2019s going to cost more to transport goods and services from the ports and harbours which are all located in the southern part of the motherland, they congresspeople couldn\u2019t be bothered.<\/p>\nI thought rural development was community development. It is small development which should be propelled by the big development. No big development, no small development.<\/p>\nThe big money will continue to go to mansions, and cheeks and policy fairs. They promised to cut down workshops and seminars and conferences and fairs to save money. Just watch. There are now big, big policy fairs which can never put food on your table nor money into your pockets.<\/p>\nAll you who can read and will read this, please go and tell your compatriots and my compatriots in the rural areas that the liars and cheats are at it again. All the money which should come into their pockets are being used to build mansions or stuff cheeks.<\/p>\nWhen they come to commission a borehole or classroom, or KVIP or cut sod for whatever, they should ask them where all the gold and cocoa and oil money has gone that they are giving them those small, small district level projects. They should ask them where they are getting all the money for building mansions and filling their cheeks from.<\/p>\nBy Kwasi Ansu-Kyeremeh <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n]]> \n http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&p=10948 2\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\nGo here to read the rest: \n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/?feed=rss2&cat=14\" title=\"Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists The Grand Denouement, The Konadu Factor In The NDC Why Make A Martyr Of A Murderer? 3 Years Of Kufuor\u2019s Gift To Ghanaian Women Sign Of A Victory! AU Presidents, Why Sit Silent? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-422169","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"yoast_head":"\n<title>Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists - Ghanamma.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists - Ghanamma.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists The Grand Denouement, The Konadu Factor In The NDC Why Make A Martyr Of A Murderer? 3 Years Of Kufuor\u2019s Gift To Ghanaian Women Sign Of A Victory! AU Presidents, Why Sit Silent?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ghanamma\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ghanamma\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"127 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"\",\"@id\":\"\"},\"headline\":\"Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists\",\"datePublished\":\"2011-05-11T13:40:47+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/\"},\"wordCount\":25440,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Local News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/\",\"name\":\"Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists - Ghanamma.com\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2011-05-11T13:40:47+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/\",\"name\":\"Ghanamma.com\",\"description\":\"News In Ghana - Latest Ghana News Headlines\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists - Ghanamma.com","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists - Ghanamma.com","twitter_description":"Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists The Grand Denouement, The Konadu Factor In The NDC Why Make A Martyr Of A Murderer? 3 Years Of Kufuor\u2019s Gift To Ghanaian Women Sign Of A Victory! AU Presidents, Why Sit Silent?","twitter_image":"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg","twitter_creator":"@ghanamma","twitter_site":"@ghanamma","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"127 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/"},"author":{"name":"","@id":""},"headline":"Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists","datePublished":"2011-05-11T13:40:47+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/"},"wordCount":25440,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg","articleSection":["Local News"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/","url":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/","name":"Daily Guide Newspaper \u00bb Columnists - Ghanamma.com","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg","datePublished":"2011-05-11T13:40:47+00:00","author":{"@id":""},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/11\/daily-guide-newspaper-columnists-3\/#primaryimage","url":"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg","contentUrl":"http:\/\/www.dailyguideghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/nana_kunadu_61.jpg"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/","name":"Ghanamma.com","description":"News In Ghana - Latest Ghana News Headlines","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=422169"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422169\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=422169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=422169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=422169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}