Where Are The Monies?

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) was very active in the past three days. The party found in the unfortunate delay in airlifting a little over 500 prospective pilgrims to Saudi Arabia an appropriate subject to play pure mischief with.

Having mastered the art of political chicanery over the years, the party sought to make a monster out of a situation which should have elicited a soothing support rather than aggravating the pain of distressed prospective pilgrims waiting for an aircraft which had suffered a long delay in touching down.

We all shared in the pain and inconveniences suffered by especially the elderly among the stranded pilgrims, as did Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and the National Chief Imam –  both of who as it were, kept vigil in Tamale until the aircraft landed to the relief of all.

The heated reaction of the NDC persons, including we have learnt, a near press conference – their specialty – came at the heels of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia questioning the whereabouts of the monies paid by some 452 persons to perform the pilgrimage but were not airlifted, under the NDC regime.

Much as we acknowledge the inconveniences of the stranded pilgrims, we can bet that these did not come near the ordeal suffered by the 452 who paid but failed to make it to Saudi Arabia – the monies they paid missing in the black hole of NDC thievery. Such open hypocrisy is nauseating, especially coming from this group of unprincipled politicians.

The money paid by the 452 failed pilgrims is a subject the NDC has not sufficiently addressed to date. The loud-mouthed persons in the party have sought to answer many questions posed about their stewardship in various subjects, but this. Like the late President Mills' autopsy report, they would continue to avoid it.

Perhaps the only thing that would compel them to respond to it is when the relevant state agency drags them before it.

We would be surprised if that does not happen because curious as it is, the matter has not received the kind of attention we expected it to receive.

We are aware of the interventions and facilitations to enable – out of compassionate grounds – the paid-up prospective pilgrims to go for the pilgrimage, albeit after topping up with GH¢2900. Those who grieved more than the stranded pilgrims have ignored this reality sadly. Such selective show of sympathy is silly and should be disregarded with all the contempt it deserves because it is unreal.

We are tempted to think that the missing monies were used to oil the campaign machinery of the party last year when it especially became obvious that the party was losing power. Money had to be combed from all corners, including those under review.

At this time when the subject is still at the backburner, they can hop from radio station to another castigating the current managers of the Hajj and the government.