Prez. Mahama's Nightmares. Have Just Begun?

As I trod the craggy path to the steel gate of Katamanso, I observed an eerie atmosphere--most of the faithfuls gathered under the umbrella appeared morose and distraught.

Apparently, they'd been awakened by a powerful storm. The news from London regarding Airbus' bribery blues has hit home.

Their flagbearer fingered. Their fate shaking like a maple leaf.

Could this jolt his political ambition?

It remains to be observed.

Trouble finds not its victims.

'Tis the victims that beseech trouble.

About 10 months from now voters in Ghana will head to the polls to elect their President.

But it appears one of the two main contenders former President John Mahama of the opposition NDC, might've his past deeds come back to haunt him. Nemesis!

Over the weekend, Airbus, Europe’s largest aerospace multinational, was fined £3 billion as penalties after a High Court in London found them guilty in what has been described by anti-corruption investigators as the largest ever corporate fine for bribery in the world.

This followed the multinational company's admission that it paid huge bribes in order to secure contracts in a number of countries, Ghana, included under the erstwhile Mills-Mahama administration.

London-based newspaper The Guardian reported that Airbus was found guilty on the grounds of paying bribes in “Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Taiwan and Ghana between 2011 and 2015.”

And why was Ghana cited?

Parts of the prosecution case relating to Ghana read: “Between 2009 and 2015 ( Airbus) engaged intermediary 5, a close relative of a high-ranking elected Ghanaian government official (Government Official 1), as its BP in respect of the proposed sale of three aircraft to the government of Ghana. A number of Airbus employees knew that intermediary 5 was a close relative of Government Official 1, a key decision-maker in respect of the sales.

A number of Airbus employees made or promised success-based commission payments of approximately £5 million to the intermediary. False documentation was created by or with the agreement of Airbus employees in order to support and disguise these payments. The payments were intended to induce or reward improper favour by the Government Official 1 towards Airbus."

Now the inevitable question is:

Who's intermediary 5 and government official 1? Sounds like the Bible Code that remained hidden for 3000, years until it was unlocked by a famous Israeli Mathematician. He broke it with a computer. Perhaps, we might not wait that long to know the identity of these bribe-takers. At least the prosecutor's report gives us some clue(s). That there were two individuals embroiled in the unholy business.

The one who acted as the British Partner (BP) and the powerful 1 that served in the Mills-Mahama-NDC government.

Why were their names coded or reducted?

I could only speculate that it was for a security reason. But for how long?

Have Prez. Mahama's Nightmares just begun?

This could be one of several troubles that await the former president. Mr. Mahama who's running the second time for his party-NDC has been fingered. And if this accusation or allegation is anything to go by then he (the former Prez)must brace himself...

Cicero wrote: Certain signs precede certain events.And indeed coming events cast their shadows before.

Since the report came out some social media users have frantically tried to connect the dots.

The connectivity hinged more on facts, rather than casting insinuations. For instance, they cited how the late President John Atta-Mills appointed a committee to investigate the processes of the acquisition of five aircrafts under his administration. However, after the President's demise, the commission was not made public.

"3-Member Committee the late Atta-Mills established to investigate John Mahama on the Processes of the Acquisition of Five(5) Aircrafts including Embraer 190 Aircraft and hanger for the Ghana Armed Forces -GAF," wrote Nana Ansah Obofour.

If true, would this case be re-opened?

And how would it affect the chances of the Zu-Za candidate?

By Gordon Offin-Amaniampong