The Cat Is Out Of The Bag

At long last, the cat is out of the bag! The wind has blown and we can all see how messy the anal region of the fowl is. It is now very clear to all that the apostles of 'probity and accountability' are themselves as corrupt as Sanni Abacha of Anagoland and Mobutu Sese Sekou of Zaire.

No wonder the high priest himself, who was mentioned in a similar scandal in Norway sometime back, has started making frantic moves to clear his indelibly tainted image.

Indeed, those who rush into the battlefield do not understand that war brings one closer to death. For the sake of power, a man who claims to be god-fearing wakes up one day and decides to accuse his political opponents of corruption without any evidence.

But now that it has been proven in an Obroniland court that the real corrupt persons are his cohorts and not his political opponents, the word 'evidence' has started rearing its head.

Holala! Now I understand what our elders mean by “spittle sent skywards against a brother falls back on the one that spat.”

Was it not this same Agya Ofuntuo who accused Don Barima JAK of paying lip-service to fighting corruption simply because he (JAK) demanded evidence before taking action? Indeed, if Agya Ofuntuo is the god-fearing man that he professes to be, then he should eat the humble pie and apologize to Don Barima JAK. But the question is, would he?

I'm sure by now you've heard that Mabey and Johnson (M&J), an Obroniland engineering firm, has admitted paying £470,000 in bribes, to leading members of Zu-za and an additional £750,000 into a ghost fund dubbed 'Asomdwekrom Development Fund' between December 1994 and August 1999, to gain juicy contracts.

Not only did M&J mention the recipients, but also revealed details of the bribery transactions such as amount, name of bank, branch and date. Even records of those who travelled to Obroniland to collect their share of the loot were exposed.

Kweh, obroni be wild oo. He no dey like obibini who no dey keep records at all.

The M&J people even get records of events wey happen about 15 years ago. My broda, I yadda 'obroni' too much! I sure say other corrupt officials wey dem secret no comot yet go dey sweat like pregnant fishes by now. Hmm, a ye huhuuuhu!

It is worth noting that the authenticity of M&J's claim cannot be doubted because some officials of other countries cited in the bribery allegations have accepted culpability and resigned from government.

What is therefore puzzling is why Agya Ofuntuo is asking for more evidence when he has already accepted reparation for the misdeeds of his cohorts? What more evidence does he need to prosecute them?

Is he telling the whole world that he is partially impaired in the eye? Oh, forgive my asking because I needn't seek answers for what I already know!

Many Asomdwekromanians, home and abroad, say this is a test case for Agya Ofuntuo, so they eagerly wait to see whether he can back his tough political talk with action; but I beg to differ. 

I'm among the few pessimists who think the M&J bribery scandal is just a passing storm which would not claim any casualties.

The mere resignation of two ministers is not enough. Asomdwekromanians want more! But Agya Ofuntuo is not man enough to prosecute these corrupt officials.

Did I hear you ask why? The answer is very simple and we all know it! Agya Ofuntuo is a leader known to bark very loudly but unable to bite because he is toothless. Even if he grows teeth and decides to bite, the zeal to protect the pride and ego of his party would not allow him.

Have you forgotten his action when the infamous 'muntakalization' of the Ministry of Youth and Sports happened?

Didn't he protect the 'chinchinga'-chewing ex-minister under the guise of 'there is no evidence'? What then makes you think this would be any different?

Nonetheless, I believe this is his finest opportunity to put me and my kind to shame by acting swiftly and decisively to help clean the soiled image of this country. If he does, which is doubtful anyway, I would be the first to heap all manner of encomiums on him because he would have deserved it a thousand fold.

Good leadership is known for its great sacrifices for the people. But now what do we see? Leadership is sacrificing its people for itself. Ministers and top officials of state, who swear to serve, sacrifice the people by collecting bribes for their parochial interest.

The truth jumps out of the bag and the culprits are left unpunished because those with the 'krakye powers' think it would tarnish the image of their party. Do we call that good leadership?

I say, and would say repeatedly, under no circumstance should we allow such nation-wreckers go scot-free. If we did, then we would be condoning evil; and that, we all know is not good for this great country.

Indeed, whatever is done in the dark is exposed by the sunlight. And he who breaks the laws of the land carries the pieces on his head. So Agya Ofuntuo, let those who have broken the laws carry the pieces on their 'Mugu Yaro' heads. We are watching oo!!!

See you next week for another interesting interaction!