Spio The Greek And The Enemies Within
“GHANAINS MAY be patient and long suffering, but increasingly, they are ready to punish at the ballot box political parties and leaders who waste their time” – Ekwow Spio-Garbrah
His name sounds like that of a Greek god. He is a communication whiz kid and internationally recognized. He is vociferous, mercurial, intelligent, tall, handsome and outspoken.
He seldom speaks but when he does, there is reason. He is a typical Fante who has command over the Queen's language. In fact, he has enough recognition and visibility in relevant quarters.
His name is Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, but the northerners call him Super Gariba.
In 1992, when Rawlings metamorphosed from a military Head of State to a democratically elected president of this country called Ghana, he looked around to see if he could get the right person to take charge of communication in his government.
He looked around Ghana and could not find a suitable candidate for the job. Somebody told him there was a guy heading the communication department of the African Development Bank (ADB) in the Ivory Coast who could do the job and do it well.
And so it came to pass that Rawlings invited the young man to come down to Ghana and take charge of the Ministry of Communication.
The man left his enticing and lucrative job in the Ivory Coast to come down for the love of his country.
When he went before the Vetting Committee, his own party member, Owureku Amofa, the then Member of Parliament of Abuakwa, told the committee that Spio was not a registered voter and as such he could not be appointed as a minister.
Owureku was right because the constitution of Ghana kicks against that. Spio was withdrawn and he flew back to the Ivory Coast to carry on with his job in that country.
That was where the enemy within started the plot. Spio did not know and therefore took things for granted.
Rawlings was seriously disappointed for losing the service of this particular young man, but because the constitution spoke loudly, he had no choice but to comply. He thus nominated a new man for the job as he bid his time for another chance.
The chance came and Spio registered as a voter. Rawlings again nominated him for the job and he scaled through.
In no time, he was appointed the Ambassador to the mighty United States of America where he excelled to the admiration of all and sundry. Spio is born to win, you know.
When the NDC lost power in 2000, Spio flew out to take yet another mouth-watering job as the CEO of the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organization, a job people like Koku Anyidoho will never get till the day they die.
It was Spio who gave then aspirant Mills a run for his money when he boldly challenged him for the flagbearership of the NDC. He equally criss-crossed the country to sell himself but lost at the congress.
He was not bitter after losing the primaries. He flew out again to eke out a living.
The man is not as lazy as those who were dismissed from banks and waited until a political party came to power before landing a job.
The problem some people have with Spio is that he is a self-made man whiles they are not. Those who are insulting Spio are mediocre opportunists, half wits, nit wits and upstarts.
Spio should have known that there were people in his party who just do not want to see his face because he is a threat to the position they are holding today.
When a Team “A” sits on the bench and Team “B” is making a mess of the game on the field, you do not expect people to be indifferent. Spio said it as it is and has incurred the displeasure of his own people.
He should advice himself accordingly because he is a good guy who has found himself in the midst of wolfs and jealous people. In such a situation, no matter how well your intentions are, they will be misconstrued.
In the face of all these provocations, Spio should not leave the party. He should stay in there and work for reform.
There are people in the party who will jubilate when he leaves because they will see his exist as good riddance.
Goosie Tando did the same and regretted. If Goosie had stayed in the party to fight for reform, he would have succeeded. Breaking away to form the Reform Party did not help him and his followers.
Newcomers like Koku Anyidoho who are now in the corridors of power are uneasy because of people like Spio.
They are where they are today because President Mills wanted to create a new NDC, forgetting that it was the old NDC which has made him what he is today.
Anyway, where were the Anyidohos and Ahwois when the founder of the NDC, Mr. Rawlings, made the statement that Mills was too slow for his liking?
Or perhaps they were afraid that if they said anything against the machoman, they will be Arkaalized? And why were they silent when the Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin said there was the need for a cabinet reshuffle?
They dared not comment on anything said by the two because they knew with a stroke of a pen or a text message, they could lose their positions.
And so when Spio 'brought himself', they vented their anger on him as if he was the only person who criticized the way Mills is governing the country.
Uncle Spio, just press your mental delete button and go about your duties. After all, you have made your mark both as a politician and a diplomat. The rest is history. Jealousy go shame!!!