Ghana: Parliamentarians Cheap Emotional Blackmail

I repeat one of my favourite sayings here: until we in Africa can compel those misruling us to live the same poverty level they set for us, progress shall forever elude us. In no other place than Africa did I see such yawning gap between the opulence of rulers and grinding poverty of those they rule over.

One of the most galling things to yours truly is the sight of presidents in Africa imposing punishing, inhuman austerity measures of citizens while they continue to live like medieval potentates. Where on earth is the integrity of the leader of say, Ghana Inc., who mortgaged the future of his country to foreign interests, yet tool around in the most expensive jeeps money can buy? It will not be so annoying were we to see Ghanaians lead semblance of modern lives. Despite her immense mineral wealth, the Black Star continue to harbor villages like scenes from a Charles Dickens novel. Villages in several parts of the country look like they had been frozen in some time warp – mud houses, children with Kwashiorkor bellies foraging in dustbins with domestic animals.

What but scathing scorn can we continue to pour on so-called leaders who sold off their countries immeasurable mineral resources, yet cannot provide their citizens with life’s basic like water and electricity?

How on earth did we in Africa end up selling gold, diamond timber, manganese, cocoa etc, etc for over a century, yet our people continue to eke out miserable existence? Why are those at the helm of our affairs not affronted when they see the primitive conditions many of their compatriots are forced to live? What goes on in the minds of those misruling us as they see us selling bric-a-bracs in hot sun and yet drive us off the roads with their siren?

I believe it was in his autobiography that India’s first Prime Minister Nehru admonished his ministers to go naked until they succeeded in building a successful textile industry for the country. If I recall correctly, he also told them that they should take to trekking if they cannot build a successful automobile industry.

History is replete with leaders who participated in the sacrifices they called on their people to make. What could be more inspiring, more honourable than for those that lead to lead by example?

No, I don’t envy anyone.

But I can have nothing but utter contempt for hypocrites who called upon their people to make sacrifices, but are unwilling to join in. That is not leadership. That is stupid cop-out.

All these bring us to the uber stupid and cheap blackmail members of Ghana’s parliament wanted to force on Ghanaians to get Police orderlies at state’s expense.

Following the recent dastardly murder of one of their colleagues, some MPs took to town to loudly vociferate for the nation to provide them with security. It was not a new call, but the so-called honourables though the death of their colleague was enough ammunition to wirld in their cheap blackmail attempt. Gladly, Ghanaians will have none of it.

The murder of an MP is condemnable, but the death of any citizen should grief those that call themselves the people’s elected representatives to call for actions to safeguard the lives of every Ghanaian.

Many Ghanaians have lost their lives in very fiendish manners. Many have had their lives snuffed out by cheap hoodlums. We didn’t see parliamentarians come to shed tears or drag the IGP and the Minister of the Interior before the House for serious grilling. We didn’t see them sufficiently moved to improve security across the land.

In several pieces I have called for the country to adopt a part-time legislature. I cited the example of China which, with its mammoth economy, make do with a parliament (Congress of the People) whereby people gather for few months of every year to take care of the country’s legislative business. Their job done, the people’s representatives receive stipends and they go back to their normal lives and professions.

This arrangement make eminent sense, especially in country like Ghana where MPs do little except to ratify loan agreements contracted by the Executive branch. The Chinese model not only safe enormous money, but it also make sure that the country is not saturated with professional politicians with no other calling in life.

I have been to the Parliament House on several occasions, and I must say that nothing I saw there increased my respect for the body. Notheing in there reflects the culture or history of Ghana.

To be honest, it is a bloody waste of money to maintain a full-time legislature for an impoverish country like Ghana, complete with US$50,000 car loan for each member.

My visits always bring back the vivid contrast between the lives of the ordinary Ghanaians and those that purport to represent them. While the average Ghanaian struggle hard to squeeze himself into the contraption we call Trotro, the car park at the Parliament House look like an Auto garage for the well-heeled. Don’t take my word for it, take a look at the pictures below.

Plug for Femi Akomolafe books

Femi Akomolafe is a Freelance writer, Author, Film & Video Documentary Producer, IT Consultant and Web-Designer.

His highly-acclaimed books (Africa: Destroyed by the gods,” and “Africa: It shall be well,” are now available for sales at the following bookshops/offices:

1. Freedom Bookshop, near Apollo Theatre, Accra.
2. The Daily Dispatch Office, Labone – Accra
3. WEB Dubois Pan-African Centre, Accra
4. Ghana Writers Association office, PAWA House, Roman Ridge, Accra.
5. Nana Kwaku Nketsia, +233-27-8599250

They are also available on the internet. Here are useful links:

1. Africa: it shall be well: http://alaye.biz/africa-it-shall-be-well-introduction-in-pdf/

Africa: it shall be well is available for sale on Kindle books at this link: https://www.createspace.com/4820404

A FREE Chapter of ‘Africa: It shall be well’ could be downloaded here: http://alaye.biz/africa-it-shall-be-well-a-free-chapter/

2. Africa: Destroyed by the gods (How religiosity destroyed Africa) http://alaye.biz/africa-destroyed-by-the-gods-introduction/

Africa: Destroyed by the gods is available for sale on Kindle books at this link: https://www.createspace.com/4811974

A FREE Chapter of ‘Africa: Destroyed by the gods’ could be downloaded here: http://alaye.biz/africa-destroyed-by-the-gods-free-chapter/

Read a review here

Femi maintains a blog @: www.alaye.biz/category/blog

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