By Abdul Razak Bawa
Ghana is on life support. The diagnosis and prognosis are not only scary, but hopeless. Ghanaians are living in a country that mirrors in all instances, as described by the Holy Bible and the Holy Quran the conditions in hell.
But the selfish, inordinate, and obdurate politicians are lining up and declaring their intentions, as to who is best fit to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as its flagbearer.
There is a major issue in town, it is an issue of bread and butter, and an issue if not handled well will send most people to their early graves.
These people are not just any people, they are our fathers, mothers and grandparents, who have given the better part of their lives in the service of the country. Upon attaining the age of retirement, the little they made which was put away for a rainy day, has recently become a matter of controversy, because the government wants to touch it.
The president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is 78 years of age, so if they is any one single individual in this country that should understand what pensioners are going through, look no further than him. Fortunately for him, he lives on the generosity of the same people he wants to shortchange.
Most of the pensioners live on drugs as though it is biscuit, they need a lot of money every month to meet their health expenses, the president doesn’t go through this, because his health needs is taking care of by the state.
Vice-president, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, was born on October 1, 1963, is 59 years of age, he is a year away from retirement. If he was a public or civil servant, he will have been feverishly preparing for retirement and that will include buying government instruments like bond, Treasury bill etc.
It is sad that, the two foremost gentlemen of the land are at the ages where they should be concerned about the welfare of the aged, but it seems like, they are too comfortable in the ivory tower, so do not care.
Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), is the new poison Akufo-Addo is forcing down the throat of Ghanaians. It is the final nail on the coffin of Ghanaians, after corruption, mismanagement failed to kill them.
Most Ghanaians, notably, the Clergy, Statesmen, the elderly, who were supposed to make their voices heard, when Akufo-Addo, was leading us down this path, today have also had to pay for playing deaf and dumb. When you play Ostrich and the storm comes it will sweep you away.
The warning signs were so glaring, the few who spoke up were described as naysayers and enemies of the state. Today, all those who decided to keep quiet are paying for their silence.
The Christian Council had to issue a statement to complain among other things that, the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, if implemented in the manner government wants to do it, will affect the tithe their members are going to pay. Yes, finally the Chicken are coming home to roost and the silent voices are beginning to speak. Unfortunately, the shit has already hit the fan.
The former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, was forced out of retirement and in her comfort zone to join her colleague retirees, who are picketing at the finance ministry and asking for total exemption from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme. Indeed she is not only brave, but is of what others are going through.
History has shown that men of courage and conviction refused to keep quiet when leaders were leading the people astray. The Prophets of old, who have all become symbols of religion and faith, spoke and fought to emancipate their people, who were suffering the rule of the oppressors.
Willaim Ruto, who is presently the president of Kenya, as Vice-president spoke against the policies of President Uhuru MuigaiKenyatta, his hard stance created a strain relationship between the two. President Kenyata, in the 2022 election then decided to support Raila Odinga, against his vice-president. Despite his support William Ruto defeated Mr Odinga, to become the 5th president of Kenya.
Meanwhile, our favourite vice president, who was commended for his brilliant ideas, when he was the running mate of candidate Akufo-Addo, is yet to make his voice heard on what is happening to his fellow Ghanaians.
Silent, it is said means consent, are we to assume that, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s supports what Ken Ofori-Atta is unleashing on hapless Ghanaians, including pensioners?
If you keep quiet in the midst of all that is happening, which is seeking to impoverish Ghanaians, then there is no difference between you and your boss the ancestor who holds sway in the Jubilee House.
Dr Bawumia, should understand that, Ken Ofori-Atta’s arrogance and stubbornness is stretching the patience of Ghanaians and is aimed at stirring public angst against him, should he become the standard bearer of the New Patriotic Party for election 2024.
Well-meaning and discerning Ghanaians are beginning to consider Dr Bawumia, as one who does not care about the people, who once had trust in his capacity and ability to lead them to the Promised Land.
Nana Akufo-Addo, has gotten his dream come true, which is to become the president of Ghana, whether you agree with the ruling of the Supreme Court in the 2021 election petition that affirmed his presidency, he will complete his second term in 2024, so like a dog that has since become deaf to the hunter’s whistle, President Akufo-Addo, is too far gone to retreat.
Our cries are no longer his, our pleas will in the next two years he has to complete his second term, will fall on deaf ears, our pain matters not to him, because he had succeeded in fooling us to vote for him.
Tomorrow belongs to Dr Bawumia, at least his closest contender for the flagbearership of the NPP, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has spoken against the DDEP, one might say, too little too late, but then, it is better late than never.
One question, I want to ask Dr Bawumia is, will he be able to campaign on the economy?
Time has revealed who indeed is incompetent.
The silence of Dr Bawumia on the DDEP is no longer golden.
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