RE: AFAG'S “ATTA ADAADAA YEN DEMO”

Member of AFAG demonstrated against the Mills administration on Tuesday

Having endeared for herself the enviable accolade as a model democratic nation in Sub- Saharan Africa, Ghana's democratic credential is being touted on the global political platform and this has made it more imperative for both the Government and the citizenry to consolidate our democracy. In our quest to do this, we must take cognisance of the fact that, the best democratic practices, tolerance and a responsible government are not mutually exclusive. I have been following with keen interest the activities and comments of the leadership of the pro-opposition pressure group, the Alliance For Accountable Governance (AFAG) and I am engulfed with deep grief and disappointment.

As an apostle of Democracy and a believer in our traditional African Values, I think any act of an individual or group of persons which militate against the aforementioned ideologies must be condemned. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic Of Ghana enjoins the citizenry to enjoy and exercise their natural and inalienable rights. As a matter of principle, ones rights must concurrently be exercised with his responsibility. Arbitrariness and negligence of one's duties or responsibilities could lead to a civil or criminal action backed by a force of law. Just as the state is required to create the enabling environment to protect and ensure that we freely discharge our rights, the citizenry is unconditionally expected to be responsible.

After the historic Obama visit, we don't need an angel from Heaven to tell us that our democracy has come of age. It would be recalled that after the Police Service had secured an injunction on the AFAG demonstration scheduled on July 2nd, (due to resource constraints) the Presidency issued what seemed like a fiat or a request to the Police Service to endeavour to facilitate the AFAG demonstration. This purported fiat incurred the unwarranted wrath of the officials of AFAG who used every media platform at their disposal to vilify, indict and implicate the PRESIDENT who has been given the mandate to lead the country by majority of Ghanaians who voted for him. As a matter of fact, those expressions cannot be printed or transcribed in this piece of writing because they lacked decorum and substance. Let me state that anyone who questions the integrity of the President and by extension cast direct or indirect vituperation on him has not only indicted the President but all Ghanaians.

On Tuesday July 28th, I was shocked to my bones to hear the content of the much anticipated press release. AFAG largely made up of young men and women are disappointing some of us. Freedom of Expression doesn't mean that people abuse their right to expression to vilify unreasonably, allege without evidence, speculate without substance, and to insight people to sabotage the Government of the day. For Mr. Kwabena Bomfeh (Kabila) the spokesman and the Youth Organiser of CPP to tell us that, “about 10 billion cedis was spent on the 24hr visit of President Obama”, is an allegation I find highly unfathomable. It lacks acceptable substance and to a very large extent preposterous. Should the youth hit to the street on the mere speculation that GOVERNMENT had spent 10 billion cedis? For young men to spend their productive years on the street because of speculation instead engaging their energies in nation building is quite strange. Nation building is not run on speculation.

Fellow citizens, AFAG also states that, “starting next academic year, the Residential Facility User Fees (RFUF) will increase by 18% which is contrary to an earlier agreement with the NPP Government to stay same the RFUF for 3 academic years from 2007”. This assertion cannot be true since the RFUF was agreed upon by the various University Councils in January and it is instructive to note that these councils were in place before the current government came to office. If the NPP had made an agreement with the various universities to ensure that the RFUF stays same for 3 academic years from 2007, how come those NPP University Council appointees would agree on an increment? Is AFAG not aware of the astronomical increases over the past few years?

Let us use a public university like KNUST as a case study in the analysis.

In the 2005/2006 academic year, the RFUF was GH ₵ 50.00 and compulsory hall dues of GH ₵ 25.00.

In the 2007/ 2008 academic year, the RFUF was GH ₵ 100.00 and compulsory hall dues of GH ₵ 35.00.

In the 2008/ 2009 academic year, the RFUF was GH ₵ 150.00 and compulsory hall dues of GH ₵ 40.00.

To conduct a scientific analysis of the figures above, the following conclusions can be drawn; That since 2005/ 2006 to 2008/2009 academic years, there had been 300% increase in the RFUF. If the margin of increase in the previous years is anything to go by, then I think that the purported 18% in the 2009/ 2010 is a better deal for the Ghanaian student. If in one breathe AFAG claims the cost of living and utilities is higher, then 18% cannot be raw deal. Where was AFAG when GETFund Hostel in Nyankpala was used as a hotel and was charging over $50.00 per night? This hostel was built with the tax payer's money.

AFAG also spoke about high cost of living which was as a result profligate spending and mismanagement. It would be recalled that the Governor of the Bank Of Ghana and the Chairman of the Monetary Policy Committee on 21st July, 2009 made a press release. In paragraphs 4 and 5, the statement read that, “domestically, the last six (6) months have seen a considerable uncertainty following from the large macroeconomic imbalances at the end of 2008, but also associated with the global financial turmoil. These have reflected in exchange rate expectations, inflation and inflation expectations, and general macroeconomic uncertainty. A comprehensive policy framework has been put together which has been favourably considered and supported by resources of both the World Bank and the IMF. The return to the IMF to support the policy framework is part of the stabilization process seen in most emerging and frontier developing economies globally, following the global financial and economic crisis. The underlying fiscal and monetary policies have been designed to unwind the imbalances that characterized the past 18 months, and further strengthen the consolidation process to secure economic fundamentals better to sustain rapid growth with financial stability”. Is AFAG more informed than the Monetary Policy Committee? Well, your guess is good as mine.

Ghana is larger than embittered idiosyncratic and sycophantic boot-lickers who would want to be operating under the pseudonym of a pressure group. In our quest to contribute our quota in consolidating Ghana's democratic credentials, let us not behave like small children and unruly people who are demanding attention. AFAG should not give a bad impression about the youth. We can use our productive years in nation building and that can never be achieve by rumour mongering and speculation. Would the youth hit to the street due to the speculation of AFAG, make the economy better? Your guess is as good as mine.

PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR AFAG DAADAA YEN 2......................................................

Thank you.
By Justice Kuts
[email protected]