 |
| A Distress Message To Presidential Hopefuls |
| |
| Posted on: 2007-Jul-08 Times |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
For the most part, the long line-up of presidential aspirants crowding our political space does not present the sort of breath-takers who take my breath, beckoning me to become excited for 2008. An aspirant must also inspire. The trouble is that I do not feel their energy – yet. Or, is it just me?
Whenever I listen to the presidential hopefuls re-state their desires to become our president, I go through torturous Q&A sessions in my mind, wondering – who ever told them they are presidential material on this side of heaven? What do they stand for? What are the issues they will pursue as president?
Some of the aspirants sound irritatingly ‘agendaless.’ On the last conservative count, there were about 15 of the President’s men (and brother); the flag-bearer from the previous administration; and a few men from the minor parties who appear to be warming up to flex their fragile muscles.
And, there are no women! Where do you think we are — Liberia?
What immediately follows is part of the internal dialogue I regularly have with presidential hopefuls and their foot-soldiers concerning the November 2008 elections.
* An aspirant: "Vote for me because I love Ghana"
Oh P-L-E-A-S-E, who doesn’t? As Tina Turner sang in her classic hit-song that froze her recollections of beatings, bruises and pain from a lousy marriage — "What’s love got to do with it?" Tell us your concrete plans to resolve our nation’s complex developmental challenges.
* An aspirant: "It’s my turn to be President. I am a party faithful and founding member who helped to draft the constitution that gave birth to the party?"
Sir, we’re not talking about your party. The major issue at stake is GHANA my motherland and fatherland. Take for instance, the country’s health care system. The time it takes from my home to the nearest hospital is about one hour. In case of any health emergency, I would be a pathetic case of DOA (Dead-On-Arrival). Sir, what are your plans to improve the nation’s health care delivery system to save and prolong our lives?
* From a foot-soldier: "This candidate is cultured, charismatic, well-educated and speaks the English language so smoothly; he will be excellent for Ghana’s interactions with foreigners."
Why, na English we go chop? And please, get real with us and cut out the excellence and charisma rhetoric!! A wise man once taught me that when someone is touted as charismatic, I should keenly and uncompromisingly watch out because charisma could be nothing but mere excesses glazed with false charm. The person could potentially behave like a knuckle-headed crack-head when least expected.
* From another foot-soldier at a rally: "Ladies and gentlemen, especially the Ladies. This is the most presentable and good-looking of the pack and therefore most fitting to lead our country."
Yes, I concur. Your candidate is drop-dead gorgeous. But, is that really his appeal? What makes him tick? What is his "IT" for the development of Ghana? Is your camp aware of the dangerous roads with free and abundant dead traps on our nation’s highways and bye-ways? What are his plans to continue improving our roads?
* From a Regional Chairman of a party: "I present to you, the next President of Ghana, Honorable Professor……"
Professor, sorry – Honorable. I beg to remind you that Ghana is not a lecture theatre. By the way, what are you a professor of? What would you be professing to Ghana? How would you bring your big knowledge to move Ghana beyond 50? I bet you know that the rainmakers are yet to return from making incantations to conjure down water from the blessed high heavens into Osageyfo’s beloved Akosombo Dam so it can supply Ghana with much needed electricity to light our homes and power our industries so the private sector would become the much-touted engine of economic growth.
And so it goes for me regularly, and thankfully – internally.
Ghana appears to be on the cusp of taking off on the development jet plane and to proudly champion African (Africa’s?) excellence. But as they say, if you don’t know where you are going, any place could become a destination. This is therefore no time for pretentiousness, self-centeredness and conceitedness. We need a national development agenda.
Big guys, Your Excellency wanabes: please try this exercise with me: shut your eyes and imagine Ghana 100 days, six months, one year, two and four years after (I meant to say, IF…) you become president. Could you sincerely describe to us the state of the human condition at these specific milestones under your leadership? What path do you intend to take us on? Or, you’ll be blown in the direction of the wind?
This exercise should not to be limited to mainstream Accra and our major cities. Please, cast your mind’s eyes to city backyards, the many slum-like dwellings, to the rural as well as the rural-urban poor – yes, the very dirt and painfully poor and deprived. And, don’t forget the numerous sleepy villages. Also, remember the many children who should otherwise be in school to adequately prepare them to become future leaders after we have checked out of this world, but who have taken pre-mature exits into petty trading, spending their growing up years selling by our road sides – anything made in China (and beyond).
Aspirants, don’t impose yourselves on us when you know, without a doubt, that you don’t have anything of essence to offer this country at this critical phase in our history. Ghana does not need to take a leap of faith with you, playing a probability game while hoping that maybe, just maybe, in mid-stream of your presidency, you might figure out where to take us.
We have been taken before, many times, and — for several years. As a nation, we have collectively, without question, cheered civilian-politicians, and have – in moments of senseless ecstasy – even hailed soldier-politicians, unsuspectingly heralding them as our new redeemers. We even once chanted: "Let the blood flow." Big mistake! This next lag in our nation’s history should therefore be a period to consolidate our gains by taking decisive actions – and with all fingers crossed – to finally snatch our people out of this fifty-year old funk.
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Bookmark with: