Chief In A Stinking Gutter

A chief, regardless of his status in society, loses his deserved deference when he ignores the traditional mores of decency and talks loosely.

In the wake of the rather painful and tragic death of 20 students of the Wenchi Senior High School (SHS) a few days ago, a Kintampo chief is reported to have descended into the gutter, spewing remarks incompatible with his status as a chief.

He should have said nothing if he had nothing to say on such a somber occasion when elders of society are required to comfort the bereaved with words of wisdom of which chiefs are repositories.

He was plainly engaged in the pre-election rhetoric to which a few chiefs of his kind relished so they could attract the freebies of the times.

He could have done so with a little sophistication so his political colour would be mute.

He appears to have lost out, having failed to get one of the luxurious V8 vehicles of the pre-election period. Licking his wounds, he has resorted to a reprehensible method of attracting the attention of those who are now minding their businesses, no more cars in their garages for distribution to persons of his ilk.

The un-traditional loose talk, unproductive as it sounds, cannot turn the tables in his favour.

Poor fellow frustrated and looking for a vent, thinks he has found one in the death of these young students.  How uncaring and diabolic!

A chief who turns to the kind of partisan politics many decent Ghanaians are seeking to reverse in our body politics is one who should be reprimanded. We cannot pay obeisance to a chief who can pass such remarks at a time of a national loss.

Our country is enduring a social malaise symptom of which the chief is exhibiting amply. Such a chief cannot proffer the kind of counsel chiefs of his status are enjoined to give in times of a national loss.

Attributing the disaster which befell not only Kintampo but the nation as a whole to the ruling party as the chief is reported to have done, is shameful and unbecoming of a traditional ruler: it spins a question about the integrity of some chiefs in the country.

As custodians of our heritage, so much is expected of chiefs in terms of their public presentations and conduct. It is for good reason that chiefs speak through their linguists. As important personalities in society, their remarks should exude respect and steeped in wisdom nowhere near the kind of garbage spewed by the chief, whose imbecility triggered this commentary.

It is good that chiefs are graded according to their statuses. But we would recommend that they are further ranked according to their ability to maintain the decorum which goes with the traditional offices they hold. Those of them who are unable to exude the good attributes of chiefs are fit to be confined to the dustbins – which are proceeding to do with this man. May the souls of the young students Rest In Peace.