The current trend in Ghanaian politics with regards to the TWO MAIN parties can be likened to a parent trying to seperate two warring siblings and getting bruised in the process. A heated argument here, a punch thrown there, accusations flying everywhere and a parent (AN ELECTORATE) caught between the two. Such is the cacophony that whether you support the one and not the other or if you dont belong to either and do not blindly support them either and are prepared to judge them on their merits without any fear or favour then you are certainly going to find it hard to keep up as each faction; from party leaders to supporters are so loud in their bid to be seen as the best and not as biased as the other it is getting deafening and a tad annoying.

A universally recognised part of the democratic process, Pressure groups are by definition the collection of people with a common interest who influence socio-political structures and strengthen the democratic process by giving a voice to a variety of the citizenry.
These they achieve through advocacy, public awareness programs, policy research, lobbying of parliament, public opinion polls and organised protests.

A well intentioned but otherwise badly timed speech by our deputy minister of health Dr Benjamin Kumbour has gone and opened up some old wounds in the eyes, minds, thoughts and sentiments of most diasporean doctors, health workers and other proffessional work groups for that matter.
His charge? Well speaking at a four day health conference at the KATH, he asked all diasporean doctors to come back home and help with the emerging challenges and environments facing health care delivery in Ghana today. To say this has incensed the majority of the diasporean fraternity is an understatement and i will stress on the most notable points most people have raised.

CITIZENRY RIGHTS...DUAL NATIONALITY.

The advent of Swine Flu in Mexico (where it is thought to have first reared its ugly head) in the past few months was something that most people thought would go away quickly but at the moment it seems to be taking a global dimension with every country (you do hope so don’t you?) jumping to action and preparing for a pandemic. If the reports flashing across the International news sites are anything to go by, then the situation is growing into worrying proportions and taking on wider dimensions.

How many roads must one cross in order to be called a man? If it is the case of a Continent called Africa, then in the words of Barack Obama there are four major highways. Many were expecting handshakes and handouts but he hit the nail right on the head and threw the ball straight into our court with the admonishing that how we take it and work with it will be the determining factor in our future development and how we are perceived on the global spectrum.

THE ISSUE OF DEMOCRACY

There’s a reason why we are counted amongst THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. These are the countries whose growth are stunted by one reason or the other or those who move slowly towards progressive attitudes and trail behind other countries in the advancement of all things that make life easier and better for its people. Developing Country because we don’t ever seem to move from the same spot, let alone play catch up. Whiles you can forgive and understand some countries for not having the wherewithal to act as launch pads to fly sky high, in other instances it is simply unforgivable and a testament to how one can have it all and yet whittle it away somewhat or have it all and mismanage it till it becomes a noose round the neck and a shame to observe.

The above subject matter is one that i will never get closure to in my time, and if you were anything like me when I was a youngster then you did go through the baffling experience of trying to find out the FIRST and SECOND World Countries on your World Atlas, badgered your Geography teacher with umpteen questions till he stuck you at the back of the class, whiles your dad lit a cigarette and poured himself a gin as soon as he saw you approaching with a pencil and exercise book eager to drive him nuts with your findings that got you nowhere of course. If like me you are still searching, then you know how frustrating, uncalled for and insulting the World has turned out in the way it brands itself.

The news that Barack and Mrs Obama will be visiting us in Ghana was greeted with a lot of joy and it’s a great honour and the people of Ghana can’t wait to say ‘AKWAABA’ to their ‘AMERICA FO KYIA MO’ and as this wont be the first time we have hosted an American President there’s probably a lot to be said for our hospitality…right?
I wouldn’t go as far as politicising it as this was by no means the work of any President past or present and any moves by any faction to score some political marks or erode the pleasantries of this State visit will be in bad taste. They are visiting the people of Ghana and no single Individual so please put the political placards away for a moment and the tribal ‘Ogbonu’ drums in storage and show some solidarity, peace and friendship.

Every country has this particular batch of men and women. The Koti, The Odumgya, The Soja, The Border (bother) guard are all endearing terms we use to call our security services not to mention the services of some special forces whose praises we barely get to sing but are always there for us should they be needed all the same. My mission today is to pay tribute to them but also to draw attention to how they have failed us in certain respects. The Sergeant Adjeteys and Corporal Attipoes of our time are not being matyred whiles submitting any petitions on our behalf in the line of duty but neither are they being showered with fragrant smelling confetti either in some respects.

PARADE ATTEEENG-CHUN!

Korle-bu teaching hospital was in the news recently and what struck me as shameful was the admission that they were down to their last supplies of blood. This wont be the first time such a thing has happened and I believe i speak for all the major hospitals when I say that they are all probably suffering the same plight.
With all the promises made by governments past and present about enhancing our health care delivery system, I am wondering why such a vital component of the health care delivery has been left to rot or is it simply a case of mismanagement.

God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong…bold to defend forever the cause of freedom and of Rights? Pride? Nationalism? Patriotism?

The long awaited ‘SOTNAD’ finally happened last week.

I am just picturing a cute 6 yr old with two front teeth missing bopping up and down with impatience in the back seat of a car on the way to a very exciting event asking the inevitable question: “are we there yet” (justified impatience mind, especially if the journey is taking a tad too long). If I were to apply this analogy to what is happening in the political clime of Ghana today then it certainly does look like watching paint dry. I try to be patriotic but try as I might I can’t seem to catch the fever.

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP:

The people of Ghana have spoken but have they really? A landslide victory would have given the incoming President an unopposed majority of the people’s mandate but the closeness of the election results says it all that the country is split in equal halves in their support and opinion. In other words only ‘HALF THE BATTLE’ has been won. Not a very comfortable victory by the looks of it as the other half needs to be won over lest the irate vote of theirs comes out in full force in 4 years time. You don’t have to do the sums to figure out that there is no time for complacency.

ALLAYING THE FEARS OF THE PEOPLE:

The 2008 elections has brought about the worst in humankind in Ghana. Everything is based on rumours, speculations and down right lies and negative propaganda. The information flying about is so collosal it will send your head reeling. I have followed many an article on websites across the spectrum and unsubstantiated declarations of all sorts and the conclusion i have drawn is that it is Ghanaians doing what they do best...vying for a bit of notoriety and everybody wanting to shout the loudest.
In the past few weeks a culture of blame, scape goating and insults of a very acrid nature is what is flowing across the landscape. Its like a battle ground flowing with poisonous spears of discord aimed at the consciences of people.