TO EVERY 'ISOFOTON' THERE IS AN 'AMIDU'

I was beginning to lose hope, in fact I lost hope in Ghanaian politicians and Ghana for the former's insatiable and unappeasable desire for ill-wealth forged through shady government contracts, arbitrations or what we now refer to as judgment debts. Yes, I know you'll disagree with my characterization of wealth as 'ill'perhaps you might want to quote a few lines/lyrics of Daddy Lumba's song 'sika.' But let it be made loud and clear that there is 'ill' in wealth; the Bible teaches so or at least that's what our grand-parents told us and we never questioned it then and not now.

For so many decades, Ghanaian politicians and leaders have milked Ama Ghana dry. They have mercilessly raped the country's coffers and massaged contract figures to suit their parochial gains. They have, through impeccable grammar and LAFA (locally acquired foreign accent), masturbated the law and/or the constitution to satisfy their selfish libido. And so, for some of us, all politicians in Ghana were the same; spoke the same language, ate the same food, and drank the same water or wine from the same cup/glass. They were all 'Isofotons' or 'Isofotonic-minded,' metaphorically representing the vignette of their greed, hypocrisy and corruption.

For us, no pill, regardless of origin (China or World Bank), was potent and efficacious enough to cure this 'isofotonic' and 'wayomic' greed. Indeed, not even 'Ayaricough,' albeit, it succeeded in making Ama Ghana laugh off her politically-induced depression.

When I and others of my mindedness had given up all hopes in Ghana, Isofoton, Waterville/Wayome and others of their ilk were hands high in the sky, singing hallelujah for having cunningly and effortlessly infected all Ghanaian leaders with their criminality and greed.

Then Martin A. B. K. Amidu, the name and subject for integrity, accountability and transparency in the next edition of Ghana Education Service's curriculum on Social Studies (or perhaps in my dreams), graciously came to the scene. He defied all odds, some of which were perceptibly insurmountable, to make history for generations yet unborn. Amidu did not mind his own business; he did not mind whose ox was gored; he did not throw his hands in the air in despair and said business as usual; he did not run empty and self-aggrandizing commentaries in the media; and above all he did not consider his side of the political divide (NPP or NDC).

Amidu was party blind; he put Ghana high and above all the needless partisan, ethnic and religious factionalism. Even when in government, he took a bold step to, for the first time, plead fraud and amend the then writ to include all criminal angles. Though he was booted out of office for his Godly attempt to retrieve monies wrongfully or deliberately paid to cronies and partners in crime, he never relented. At his expense and at the peril of his life, Amidu single-handedly (though government now wants to partially claim honour) fought hard to secure judgment for the good people of Ghana.

In victory, Amidu does not want his ego to be massaged; he prefers to dedicate it to the people on whose toils and tax he was fed and educated. He has demonstrated beyond my doubts and disillusionment that Ghana still possesses within its shores, 'Amiduic' anesthesia capable of calming and eliminating all 'isofotonic' pains suffered by the people of Ama Ghana.

You have won a lost soul, Amidu, to believe in Ghana again. Now, all Ghanaians, NDC NPP alike, are 'amicus Amidu.'

Adjei Baffour Stephen
[email protected]
Blog address: nanabaffour.webs.com
Thoughts from afar!