Epistle To Hon Baah-Wiredu

Last Wednesday marked the sixth anniversary of your journey from this wicked world to Samanfoland. Many of your compatriots may have forgotten about you, but some of us remember you very fondly. I've therefore decided to use the sixth anniversary of your departure to communicate with you. Pardon me for not communicating with you earlier. But it is better late than never, isn't it?

Death, we all know, is inevitable; yet we are most often shocked when it lays its icy hands on friends and loved ones. That was exactly how Asomdwekromanians felt when they heard the news of your demise.

Like many Asomdwekromanians, I couldn't help shedding tears because we had lost a perfect gentleman. You were described by those who knew you very closely as hardworking, selfless, dedicated, down-to-earth, respectful, humble and affable. No doubt, you were one of the most humble and affable politicians to grace the shores of this country.

But I strongly believe that you were much more than all the aforementioned adjectives. This is because you proved that one could disagree with political opponents without being rude and confrontational. A perfect case in point was the way you responded to criticisms from the opposition during the debate on the proposed sale of Ghana Telecom. Although the opposition was very antagonistic in its critique, never once did we hear you respond in like manner; proving that you were a very decent gentleman.

Ironically, my only encounter with you was at the funeral of the late Hon Hawa Yakubu, another Osono stalwart. You may not remember me because our interaction was very brief. Despite the brief nature of our encounter, you left a lasting impression on my mind. Your smile, humility, affability and decency held me spellbound. No wonder you were loved and respected by all. How sad that you left us for good at the tender age of 56? Life is very short indeed!

Your departure left many people grief-stricken. Many eulogies and encomiums were heaped on your departed soul. But wouldn't it have been better if you had had the privilege of reading all those nice and beautiful things said about you?

Wofa, your departure brought home the fact that whatever one does, good or bad, is watched by the Bearded Old Man above and human beings alike. It also re-emphasised the fact that life is too short to toy with. Indeed, the tears of sorrow and the grim look on the faces of almost all citizens of this country at the mention of your name is ample testament that you lived a very fruitful and fulfilling life.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. Your party was not able to maintain political power in the December 2008 presidential polls. Your friend Nana Addo won the first round with a little over 49%, but could not go pass the constitutionally stipulated 50% + 1 votes. He however lost the second round to Zu-za's Agya Atta, who has since joined you in the land of the dead.

The reign of Agya Atta ushered in the era of 'create, loot and share' policy. This policy is all about government officials colluding and conniving to loot the state and share the booty. The 'create, loot and share' policy gave birth to what has come to be known in this country as the 'woyomization' saga. One Agbesi Woyome colluded with Zu-za officials to plunder over 51 million cowries from the nation's treasury in the name of judgment debt. Others too have looted this country in the name of judgement debts.

I must, however, add that Agya Atta was himself an incorruptible person. He however presided over a government which is regarded by many as one of the most corrupt this country has ever seen. But I do not blame the man too much because his health was not in the best of state during his reign as President. He eventually passed on in July 2012.

I'm sure you knew Hon John Dramani Mahama when you were here with us. He was then your colleague in Parliament representing the people of Bole-Bamboi. He was the one who succeeded Agya Atta because he was then the Vice President. He subsequently won the 2012 presidential poll which was disputed by your friend Nana Addo and your party. The dispute led to eight months of litigation at the Supreme Court (SC), which endorsed the decision of the Electoral Commission (EC).

Being a democrat, your friend Nana Addo accepted the verdict, although he disagreed with it. Having watched the proceedings live on national television, many of us still wonder how the SC judges arrived at that verdict. Our doubts were heightened when a deputy minister of state was caught on tape boasting how Nana Oye Lithur, wife of the first respondent's lawyer, was able to convince the judges to rule in their favour.

We are almost two years into his government and things have moved from bad to worse. The cedi is running like Usain Bolt against the major trading currencies, and the economy is also in shambles. We are so worried that Archbishops have even started praying for the cedi to rise. The prices of goods and services are skyrocketing and mismanagement and corruption are at an all-time high. Yet all they keep on telling us is the mouth-twisting slogan: 'e dey be keke'. Your compatriots are really suffering.

Much more annoying is the fact that your party is not giving us cause to be hopeful. In-fighting and name-calling have become the order of the day. No one is ready to listen to the voice of reason. Your compatriots have therefore become disillusioned. It is a sad spectacle indeed.

Wofa, I have much more to say, but time and space would not allow me. My only wish is that you and the others in Samanfoland intercede on behalf of this nation, so as to save it from eternal damnation.

We do miss you a lot; and our prayer is that your soul finds peace with its Maker.