Our Leaders Have Failed Us

Last week we discussed how a colonial rule on hair is keeping Ghana’s young men and women from getting an education. This week, I heard some shocking news out of Ghana.

Two teenage boys killed their 10 year old friend after watching a spiritualist on TV promising hefty sums of money. This is a developing story and details keep coming. Arrests have been made.

Ghanaians are talking. Some are saying, “Kill the kids! Death penalty! Firing squad!”. Others are saying, “Jail them!”. Before we rush to conclusions, let’s first discuss causes and effects. What would possibly cause two young men to kill their little brother?

Have we thought about that before casting stones at our youth? Have we taking into account the massive wealth inequality, youth unemployment and lack of social safety net in the country?

There is a proverb that goes a little something like this:

“A fish rots from the head to the tail”

Ghana’s elected and appointed officials, traditional kings and queens, religious leaders and elders have totally failed Ghanaians.

I blame the lack of basic regulation of the airwaves and leadership for this very preventable tragedy. Give them kids rehab. Get rid of the mallams, pastors and anyone selling “get rich quick” schemes immediately. Enough of that stupid shit. Ghanaian officials travel to Asia, Europe and the US every year but it is very clear they learn jack shit.

Now let me fire Nana Akufo-Addo’s lying ass. He’s been president of Ghana for over 4 years (he’s on his second and last term). He promised to construct 88 hospitals across the country. Not a single one has been built.

How will a national cathedral or an award house (the award house just dey buss my brain) be a boon for Ghana? Might I remind you of the state of schools (or lack there of) in Ghana?

If the Ghanaian diaspora stopped sending remittances back home, Ghana would collapse.

Our mentality must shift. Ghanaians deserve better! Ghanaians must know that they have the right to question authority and hold government accountable. If you see shit you don’t like, you demand that it be done correctly. For too long, we’ve been conditioned to serve individuals who have titles even when they are doing wrong by us. The purpose of government is to serve you, the Ghanaian. It’s high time Ghanaians both at home and aboard take to the streets, list out their demands and put pressure on those that represent them in parliament. Lets exercise our democratic muscles. This is all part of being a citizen.

If the military and police don’t side with their fellow Ghanaian, it wont be their faults. They were indoctrinated by those who want to keep the status quo intact for their benefit.

I’ll leave you with a quote:

“Action without thought is empty. Thought without action is blind.” - Kwame Nkrumah

We’ll talk later family. Peace.

Paul O.