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24.11.2014 Feature Article

Peter Suaka Writes: EVIL UNDER THREAT

Peter Suaka Writes: EVIL UNDER THREAT
24.11.2014 LISTEN

At long last, a fountain of hope in the nation Ghana is emerging. A new race emitting from the spirits and souls of the dead and the living of Ghana beginning to glitter. I can hear a chorus of fragile voices from afar; voices of the perpetually marginalized and oppressed Ghanaians shouting; Go OccupyGhana Go! we are with you, go!

I wish to hear that powerful and optimistic declaration from one of my mentors in the media (Abdul Malik Kwaku Baaku) once more, Ghana will work again! He declared. And I can't wait to bow my heard in prayer for brains like Ace Ankoma, Dr Esi Ansah and Prof. H. Kwesi Prempeh who under normal circumstances will not be heard on issues we consider to be politically sensitive like corruption.

We indeed are not living in normal times and so individuals and professionals like those I have mentioned above and other academicians and technocrats against all odds must begin to speak out for the millions of illiterates and half-educated who are bullied, cheated and impoverished by the few wicked and greedy political class.

What is the essence of our education if we sit, shut our mouths up and allow our colleagues and classmates who just happen to enter into mainstream politics after school cheat and dupe us all the time? It has become a popular phenomenon watching our classmates few years after graduating from school together build huge and magnificent edifices and driving luxurious vehicles in a struggling economy such as Ghana as if they had a manner drop from the sky for them alone. That is the tax payer money most of them use. That is Ghana's resources been splashed lavishly all over by these few.

This share greed and wickedness must be exposed any time any where it glares its ugly head. The silence of the academia, the technocrats and the clergy must be broken this time around. The quietness must stop. We must begin to occupy the minds and hearts of these corrupt individuals through any means plausible. That is the reason I believe in OccupyGhana.

We must admit that Ghana is still a third world country and irrespective of its broad based media activism, many of its citizenry remain deficient of the insights and nuances of governance and politics to be able to proffer effective interpretation to the propaganda, gimmickry and the pretentiousness of the politician in fighting poverty and corruption using our Ghanaian laws and institutions. I must indicate that Ace Ankoma's illustration of this current government's attitude towards fighting corruption in the first edition of OccupyGhana forum was very much enlightening to us the non legal minds.

He said and I quote “the fight against corruption in Ghana can be liken to a journey from Accra to Takoradi, where a cruise along the road is often met with oncoming drivers signaling with lights and intelligible hand signals; warnings that police officials are waiting further down to shake individuals of their “mauve notes”. That is our Ghana for us. But for this illustration how could a non legal mind like me have understood the reason why Abuga Pele is undergoing prosecution in court whiles Clement Kofi Humado testifies to the court when indeed Abuga Pele worked under Clement Kofi Humado and took directives from him in the GYEEDA program.

The question I pose is, how can a son be accuse of wrong and be taken to court and the father who indeed sanctioned and ordered the actions of the son is walking about free and be made to testify to the court for allege wrong of the son? Is this a deception, pretense, sham or It's just that I don't get it right? Someone should tell me something! Thanks to Ace, we ask for more.

Please permit me to sound a bit spiritual here, the Bible teaches us in Isiah 54: 17 that No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shall condemn And I there say; that no weapon that is formed against OccupyGhana shall prosper and any evil tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shall condemn. May God fortify you to function effectively.

There are lots of examples and point of references for OccupyGhana and the new breed of outspoken Ghanaians to follow. The former Anthony General and anti-corruption crusader Honorable Martin Amidu did it alone, Manasseh Azure a broadcast journalist and anti-corruption campaigner is doing it alone. Anas Arim Yaw Anas is doing alone. It is time for all of these brains to streamline their efforts through a wonderful platform like OccupyGhana.

OccupyGhana represent the soles and spirits of the voiceless, the vulnerable and the oppressed. There is no course more justified than what OccupyGhana stands for and the only force that will possibly rise against OccupyGhana will be that emanating from the camp of the evil that are the perpetrators and beneficiaries of this greed and rot because darkness detest and can't stand the power of light.

Admittedly, many of us don't know much to say much. But we are getting a sense that OccupyGhana is a potential threat to corruption and the corrupt in Ghana. I have a conviction within me, that with platforms and fora like OccupyGhana emerging, Ghana will have its version of the battle of Armageddon. I can't wait to see the victor. There is a seemingly unusual discomfort within the well orchestrated network of looters and plunderers of our abundant state resources. I can feel the growing tension between evil and good.

I can feel the emerging intellectual revolution that is driven by the passion to right the relentless wrongs and liberate the handicapped and oppressed majority. An ordinary person like me is only excited that OccupyGhana is the brainchild of this intellectual revolution.

Ghanaians are happy that at long last, mass advocacy groups like OccupyGhana has finally arrived and we are grateful that a long awaited and anticipated powerful lion as that has begun to roar to the evil we call corruption.

But one thing the ordinary person is also certain about is that there will be unseen manipulative hands that will work so hard at stopping you (OccupyGhana). We are certain by now you might have begun receiving strange calls and SMSs, threats and possibly visitors from powers that be. That is how they do it and that is how they are able to perpetrate this rot in perpetuity.

All we (the voiceless and the oppressed) are asking from OccupyGhana is that; please stand your grounds and don't disappoint the ordinary Ghanaian. Stand up for the vulnerable, the spirits and souls of the oppressed are with you. Don't keep quiet, don't stop the pursuit.

Ghana has the respect of the west because of its perceived strong democratic credentials, such as good governance and strong democratic institutions. But it is obvious it is gradually losing this reputation to corruption, poverty and inequality because of its weak and cowardice leadership style. That is the reason I particularly endorse the open rejection of president Obama's popular statement to Africans and African leaders by Ace Ankoma, that Africa does not need strong men but strong institutions.

In the case of Ghana, the reverse of this statement is largely rather the truth. Ghana has strong institutions but wicked and selfish officials presiding over them. They pay themselves unreasonably huge remunerations using the so called Article 71 of the 1992 constitution and turn to wait for ex gratia upon leaving offices. The plight of the poor and ordinary citizen is none of their business.

It is obvious corruption is virtually bringing the West African sub regional darling boy Ghana to its needs. This evil must be stopped immediately. I am confident, that this evil is very much under a threat by emerging advocacy groups like OccupyGhana. Like a helpless poor mother will say to a resilient daughter in a marathon race, Go OccupyGhana Go!!

The writer is a citizen of Bunkpurugu Yunyoo District. Send opinions and suggestions to [email protected]. Tweet @suakapeter. 0200922728/0243166674.

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