Nana Fredua-Agyeman Jnr. Pens: Alms To Psalm

The kind gesture extended to veteran actor Psalm Adjetefio by a cross section of dignitaries is commendable. The recipient has been ill-ridden for some years now. He has appealed to the general public for as far as I’m informed since 2018. In late 2019, he called for assistance through funding to undergo a heart surgery. He recently said he prefers a heart surgery since the medication to manage his condition is overwhelming. According to Mr. Adjetefio he takes a combination of up to about eighteen tablets and capsules on a daily basis. He expressed discontent about infiltrating his system with these pharmaceutical drugs which undoubtedly have varying side effects.

On the 13^th of September 2021, it was reported that the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana had donated GHȻ 50,000 to Mr. Psalm Adjetefio. According to the reportage, the magnanimous gesture was presented through the Vice President’s spokesperson to the presenter who interviewed the actor. I am thinking that was their surest means of getting to Mr. Adjetefio since he had recently interviewed him. I am wondering how they could not use the same resources in locating the presenter to locate Mr. Adjetefio. Anyway, that’s not the subject matter.

Furthermore, the manner in which the donation was to be disbursed was outlined. An amount of GHȻ 30,000 to pay for his rent for five years; that means GHȻ 500 per month. Then GHȻ 20,000 will be for his up-keep. On 15^th September 2021, another news broke that the Greater Accra Regional, Hon. Henry Quartey had pledged to give GHȻ 1,500 of his parliamentary salary to the ‘Taxi Driver’ famed actor. In a letter to back his donation, the Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central stated he had placed a standing order for the monthly transfer effective September 2021 until his tenure in parliament lapses in January 2025. This will amount to a total of GHȻ 60,000 the end date. Both donations have since been received by the actor who has expressed his profound gratitude. I am further informed Mr. Daniel McKorley, Chief Executive Officer of McDan Group of Companies gifted Mr. Adjetefio with GHȻ 5,000. The aforementioned donations amount to a total of GHȻ 115,000 which presumably can build a simple two-bedroom house.

The objective of these donations is to solve Mr. Adjetefio’s problems; health and shelter. The question that arises is whether it is a short or long-term solution. How long can GHȻ 20,000 cater for the man in need with regards to the Vice President’s donation and suggested break down of expenditure? Remember, there is also an amount of GHȻ 1,500 that he will receive monthly until January, 2025 when the eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic comes to end. In the event that Hon. Quartey does not continue with his role as Member of Parliament, will he still give Mr. Adjetefio GHȻ 1,500 per month?

If the cost of medication and general treatment of the ailing actor is too heavy on his pocket and causing him extreme financial decline, the suggested solution will be to absorb that cost until he is fit. Again, there is the issue of his rent. What happens after five years if the recipient of this act of kindness is still unwell? The suggested solution is to work on providing Mr. Adjetefio with a permanent residency that will absorb his cost of rent.

The powerful office of the Vice President can direct the State Housing Corporation to identify some of the vacant houses across the country and make a unit available to the veteran actor. I understand that first aid was needed and hence the swift move. However, if longevity was considered the better. This is not the first time a veteran public figure has reached out to the general public for assistance. I don’t want to narrow it to a specific profession that is an extensive topic for another day. Long-term solutions are way better.

Written by: Nana Fredua-Agyeman Jnr.