If The Speaker Is A Fool, The Listener Isn’t!

There is a Hausa saying which literally translates, “If the Speaker is a fool, the listener, certainly, isn’t.” It is a popular Hausa proverb that is used anytime someone makes a bizarre or farcical claim. I am clear in my mind that it is very apt for today’s discussion.

President Ogwanfunu’s so-called “Thank you” tour continues and we are yet to hear him make a statement that sounds reasonable to anyone outside the boundaries of the eagle-headed Umbrella. Indeed, the absurdity of his statements makes many wonder why we, once upon a time, allowed such a man to sit on the country’s presidential throne.

But I do understand him. The man is simply desperate; and we all know a desperate man has no regard for civility or common sense in speech and action. So I impress upon my compatriots to see his misguided lamentations in that regard.

Be that as it may, we need to draw his attention to the dangers associated with his reckless claims, especially if he has no proof to back them. We will also not hesitate to rebuke him for the nation-wrecking statements because a hard knock on the head does not break the neck, but rather reinforces it.

We have, on many occasions, heard the Umbrella’s claim that the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission (EC) had miraculously stuffed one million ballots in ballot boxes in the Ashanti Region to ensure the victory of President Nana Dee and the Great Elephant. Curiously, they were silent on such a serious claim when they filed their election petition at the Supreme Court. The EC accepted their challenge and invited the Ghana Police to investigate and untie all the knots in the matter. The leadership of Zu-za expressed excitement at the EC’s decision and promised to furnish the Police with the necessary evidence.

But before one could say Kwaku, Zu-za had made a U-turn as President Ogwanfunu was heard screaming, “The Ghana Police cannot be trusted.” He says the only way he would provide any evidence to corroborate his Kwaku Ansnse tale is when the ECOWAS is brought into the matter.

Reminds me of the late Jerry Boom’s lie detector test and chemical interrogation request, when asked to prove the allegation that his political opponents were behind the mystery killings of women in the latter parts of his reign as president. Hmm, things have happened in Kwame Okro’s homeland before oo!

Sorry for the digression. President Ogwanfunu’s request for an independent investigation by the ECOWAS is as ridiculous as it is laughable. Which ECOWAS is he talking about? Is it the same ECOWAS that monitored and certified the 2020 polls as very free and fair? If he has a short memory, we will remind that even the EU’s Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) had sanctioned the free and fair nature of the 2020 polls.

Listen to Javier Nart of EUEOM: “Voting was well conducted and political party agents were present at all polling stations, where the verification of voters was implemented. Counting was transparent in the presence of party agents who signed the results and received copies, which is a critical measure.”

Mr. Nart also commented on the lapses, which were common to all previous elections conducted in this country. “Fears about violence and vigilantism, fortunately, did not materialize. There were isolated incidents, even tragic ones,” he added.

So, you see, President Ogwanfunu’s imagined one million ballots could not be found even if ECOWAS, EU or UN were to conducted an investigation. His claim is just the cry of a candidate who is yet to come to terms with the reality. In short, he is a sore loser!

In any case, did Zu-za not acknowledge publicly that the party was present when the excess printed ballots were burnt? For sure, only desperation could lead them to make a u-turn and start telling the fanciful thumb-printed one million ballots story!

President Ogwanfunu’s ECOWAS independent investigation request is akin to the story of the powerless fetish priest who told a client to bring the intestines of an ant for a spiritual cure, when he knew there was no way the client could satisfy his request.

Someone should tell President Ogwanfunu that we cannot be deceived by his political antics because we know him too well. Indeed, a village child does not need lessons on the croaking of the frog because he knows the sound too well.

See you next week for another interesting konkonsa, Deo volente!