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Friday, December 16, 2011 12:56:02 AM

Words of Wisdom

Seidu's blog

View Point: Alhaji Abass Mohammed Mensah:

"The president has done wonders from day one of his administration. Up to now three years, the man has done well, NDC has done well. Only NPP because they want to come to power so they will not commend him. They will never agree that actually he is fulfilling his promises.

if they love Ghana they will have to commend Atta Mills. You left uncompleted roads, uncompleted school duildings, uncompleted health centres. Lets say whatever Atta Mills is doing you started it, but you were not able to do anything about that to complete them in 8 years. This man has come to power only 3 years now, he has been able to complete so many of your left overs, school buildings, roads... what do you want him to do again? If all the past governments had done as Atta Mills is doing, do you think Ghana will be in this position?"

View Point: It's hard to understand why former president Rawlings choses the wrong places to say the right things. His heart pour represents concerns of thousands of NDC followers who raise similar concerns on daily basis. However, as the founder of the party one would have thought that these concerns better be addressed in privtate, unless he is being frustrated privately and all channels of communications closed to him.

If the NDC is to win the 2012 elections, they need unity before March next year. The leading figures must learn the language of conciliation, most often, some personalities feel that the only way they get noticed by their benefactors is to use crude, insulting and arrogant language against their target. This is not helping the NDC.

If people do not see the party attractive, they won't join it. Who will join a party whose members bitterly complain on a daily basis. The NDC leadership and members of government are living in self denial just like the NPP in 2008.

CAUTION: Seeing crowds come out to welcome the president is not a sure ticket for election victory. Remember Victor Owusu in 1979, NDC in 2000, NPP in 2008 where these parties pulled hundreds of thousands of people to their rallies.

"The trouble with this country is that there are too many politicians who believe, with a conviction based on experience, that you can fool all of the people all of the time." - Franklin P. Adams 1881-1960.

View Point: Doctors in Ghana have clearly disrespected the people of Ghana and therefore deserve every condemnation from the public. I feel disgusted by the actions of the doctors.

The government, led by President Mills, must consider the issue of doctors carefully. If they rush to fulfil the request of the doctors, it will trigger series of strike actions from other bodies who will want to also prove that they are as important as the doctors.

Already Nagrat and Pharmacy council are up in arms. As much as I respect the fact that doctors need to be motivated, I believe that the leadership of the Ghana Medical Association is not on top of their game and is therefore shifting attention from their incompetence unfairly onto the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

Also, it appears the leadership of GMA is using the impasse to enhance their public profile. I find the comment of the president of the GMA, Adom Winful, unfortunate and disappointing. In any case, why was he sacked from the Medical school that he had to go to USSR to finish his course? If it had been a western country, his licence to practice would have been withdrawn immediately.

I expect the government to handle recent agitations expeditiously in order to avoid Arab spring happening in Ghana. Because of the communication challenges this government faces, it has to act proactively to prevent further strikes. The information out there is that, this government only listens to threat of actions and agitations. This is a complete fact that the NDC or the government can't run away from.

 Friday, August 5, 2011

Exclusive: Nana Akufo Addo to nominate Dr Mahamadou Bawumya as running mate in January 2012. Information scooped exclusively says that Nana's choice is a very strategic one. Moreso Dr Bawumya has been marketed to Ghanaians during the last elections in 2008. However, this is not without competition coming from the camps of Ambrose Derry, Deputy Minority leader in parliament and a group calling for South-South ticket (Running mate from the south) for election 2012.

The Paradox of Underdevelopment of Africa.

I am so fascinated by the writings of Walter Rodney to the point where I begin to wonder if our policy makers do research at all. Dr Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana envisioned this exploitation of our natural resources over 50 years ago. I believe it is important for the Ghanaian policy makers to come up with policies that aim at benefiting Ghanaians just as Botswana has done remarkably under former president Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire and has since continued with it.

African, Caribbean and some Asian countries are unjustifiably referred to as developing, in other words, third world countries. Going by the western definition of the status of these countries, they are underdeveloped and less intelligent.

"Underdevelopment makes sense only as a means of comparing levels of development. It is very much tied to the fact that human social development has been uneven and from a strictly economic viewpoint some human group have advanced further by producing more and becoming wealthier."

It is possible to compare the economic conditions at two different periods for the same country and determine whether or not it had developed; and it is possible to compare the economies of any two countries at any given period in time.

A second and even more indispensable component of modern underdevelopment is that it expresses a particular relationship of exploitation: namely, the exploitation of these so called underdeveloped countries by the western or developed countries. All the countries named as "underdeveloped" in the world are exploited by others; and the underdevelopment with which the world is now preoccupied with is a product of imperialist, capitalist and colonialist exploitation. African and Asian societies were developing independently until they were taken over directly or indirectly by the capitalist powers. When that happened, exploitation increased and the export of surplus ensued, depriving the societies of the benefit of their natural resources and labour. That is the concept of underdevelopment in the contemporary sense.

It is typical of underdeveloped economies that they do not concentrate on those sectors of the economy, which in turn will generate growth and raise production to a new level altogether. The ‘underdeveloped economy’ prefers to import quantity ‘technology’ at the expense of quality.

Furthermore, whatever savings are made within the economy are mainly sent abroad or are frittered away in consumption rather than being redirected to productive purposes. Much of the national income which remains within the country goes to pay individuals who are not directly involved in producing wealth but only in rendering auxiliary services- e.g. bloated ministerial appointments, special assistants and party functionaries.

What aggravates the situation is that, these people do not reinvest in agriculture or industry. They squander the wealth created by the peasants and workers by purchasing flashy cars, buying air tickets for their lovers to travel abroad, launder these monies, luxurious homes, extravagant birthday parties, whisky and perfume and what have you.

Many more figures of that sort indicate that in describing a typical underdeveloped economy it is significant to point out the high disproportion of the locally distributed wealth that goes into the pockets of a privileged few. Taxes do not produce national wealth and development. Wealth has to be produced out of nature- from tilling the land or mining metals or turning raw materials into finished products for human consumption. These things are done by the vast majority of the population who are peasants and workers. There would be no incomes to tax if the labouring population does not have jobs.

In fact, it can be shown that the underdeveloped countries are the ones with the greatest wealth of natural resources and yet the poorest in terms of goods and services. The United Nations Survey of Economic Condition in Africa (1964) states that "Africa is well endowed with mineral and primary energy resources…" however the reality is that Africa has not come anywhere near to making the most of its natural wealth. Most of the wealth now being produced is not being retained within Africa for the consumption of Africans. Foreign earnings are used to import goods and services or used to service foreign loans. Are the supposed developed world justified in referring to Africa as underdeveloped?

Underdevelopment is justifiably a paradox. Realising this the so call developed economies euphemistically describe Africa as developing: Many parts of the world that are naturally rich are actually poor and parts that are not so well off in wealth of soil and sub-soil are enjoying the highest standard of living. Who except God can explain this Oedipus paradox?

There again lies the canker that the people of Africa have gone through a cultural, social and psychological crisis and have accepted the European version of things. In other words the African himself has doubts about his capacity to transform and develop his natural environment. With such doubts, he even challenges those of his brothers who say that Africa can and will develop through the efforts of its own people.

Walter Rodney tells us that "when the "experts" from capitalist countries do not give a racist explanation, they nevertheless confuse the issue by giving as causes of underdevelopment the things which are consequences. For example, they would argue that Africa is in a state of backwardness as a result of lacking skilled personnel to develop. It is true that because of lack of engineers Africa cannot on its own build more roads, bridges and hydroelectric stations. But that is not a cause of underdevelopment, except in the sense that causes and effects come together to reinforce each other." In other words, that is the effects of exploitation by the imperialists and colonialists with the complicity of the greedy, corrupt, arrogant and heartless African leaders who have no sympathy for their people.

Mistaken interpretations of the causes of underdevelopment usually stem from prejudiced thinking. Transposing ideas and policies from the west will not solve the continent’s problems. The true explanation lies in seeking out the relationship between Africa and the developed countries and in recognising that it is a relationship of exploitation: exploitation of natural resources by man, man by man, nation by nation, continent by continent-Africa the most affected.

NDC Conundrum Anagram

 And finally the NDC is set to press the destructive button. The internecine strife is in motion and fast too. I have repeatedly called for the calm hearts and the issues of disagreement indentified and resolved. As things stand now, the NDC has reached a point of no return, thanks to the greed of the party chairman and his executives.

Indeed nobody should blame the Rawlingses, the presidency or any other camp but the party executives who failed to address the concerns of some party members when they first emerged. Instead Dr Kwamena Adjei and his team went chasing positions and contracts, abandoning the party in the process.

It's gratifying to hear the president call for restrain and a campaign devoid of insults. I actually wanted to write a personal letter to the President telling him to call his young ministers to order. Their arrogance was at variance with the President's persona. Now the only solution is for President Mills to reach out to other NDC members who feel left out. These are the NDC businesses, 'foot soldiers', media and all those who played diverse roles to the victory of the NDC.

The President must not also undermine the potency of the Rawlingses. In 2000, when Goosie Tanor broke away to form the Reform Party, NDC played down the impact he could cause them, and he eventually helped in the defeat of the NDC. Also, all those who left the party and are now rushing back for the goodies must be watched carefully.

If what is happening in the NDC now is democracy, then I don't need one. I don't think that is democracy, it is viciousness at best and disgraceful at worst. I never expected Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to defy sound advice and to pick-up nomination forms. By her action, she has put her husband in an awkward situation. The former first lady has done a lot of good for the women of Ghana, especially the rural women, so is the former President Rawlings. But by contesting the forthcoming primaries, she stands to dent the hard won respect she had over the years. There are her admirers who think that, yes, she and her husband have a case against the government, but the way they have handled it betrayed their intentions.

I have a feeling that Nana Konadu intends to conduct a very dirty campaign. That will be suicidal considering that these are records that the opposition will be keeping for posterity and will use them to haunt any NDC presidential candidate in the future. On the side of the president, the new-comers in the NDC are not in it for the good of the party. Most of these people either betrayed the NDC in the past or the various parties they belong to.

And the president's idea of father for all is rather benefiting this category of people thereby neglecting the warriors of the election 2008. If the president is father for all, one will expect that core NDC members are treaty fairly. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Core NDC members and sympathisers are rather treated unfairly, they are disadvantaged and they feel used. These are the bridges that the President has to mend. I have cause to believe that some of these mistreatment and discrimination against NDC members at work places are happening at the blind side of the president.

President Mills will have to act now and fast to bring everybody on board. People are very bitter and no volume of propaganda and cult following will erase the anger within the NDC. I shudder to say that the very people the president trusts today are his enemies.

To be continued. 

Solving the NDC Conundrum

The National Democratic Congress once again is at a cross road. The party's current situation is a Deja vu with a new twist. This time around with a much more powerful force confronting the very existence of the party. The party has gone through similar tsunami in the period leading up the the 2000 elections and at the 2006 congress in Koforidua.

This is a party that never learns any lesson from history. The very essence of history or experience is to remind us and help us resolve current challenges. However, this seem not to be the case with the NDC. As William Faulkner tells us in Requiem for a Nun that "the past is never dead. It's not even past".

The party at the moment is confronted with two most powerful camps with extremely entrenched positions with varrying interests. In one camp is the 'angry' and in the other camp is the 'arrogance'.

In trying to resolve the conundrum, the party leadership has failed to understand the concerns of both antagonists. In fact the party leadership is the problem not the camps. The executives of the NDC have abandoned the party to pursue their personal interests. In doing so, they have thrown principles to the wind and have become puppets in their on right.

Take the earlier pronouncements of the Chairman, General Secretary, National Organiser into account and you would realise that these are individuals pursuing their interests but not party interest. When the issue of the Rawlings camp and Atta Mills' camp first emerged, one would have expected the party to move swiftly to defuse the tension; what did they (executives) do? They muddied the waters by condemning one side and siding with the other.

Then also came the arrogance of some of the young ministers and party activicts, who, unfortunate to say, lack communications skill. They misconstrue insults; spiked insults as communications. At this point, I expected the President to have rained them in. These young ministers are very brilliant and intelligent in their own right but when it comes to handling communication, they are bereft of the how.

Coming back to the core issues. How did the NDC get to this boiling point? In 2009, some of us picked up the signal that Mr Rawlings would be used for election campaigns and then kept at bay afterwards. I asked many questions about this but nobody listened, and nobody cared. As this strategy rared its head, Mr Rawlings himself did not help matters by incessantly chatising the President in public. This provided a very logic excuse to put the strategy into operation by the powers that be at the Castle.

Once again, I raised caution, nobody listened, nobody cared. The bottom line of it all was the naivity of government officials and the party leadership who moved the party away from their supporters, especially the grass root based supporters and the businesses that also financed the party to come to power. In deed, there are numerious examples about how businesses who supported the NDC to come to power are colapsing as a result of not getting government contracts and support.

The world over, every business supports a political party just to get opportunities in the event that the party wins. I beleive the NDC is following the controversial acquisition of BskyB by Rupert Murdock's News International in the UK? News International played a key role for the Conservatives to come to power and in return they are being rewarded with the taker-over of BskyB.

On Wednesday, 7th January 2009 when His Excellency President John Evans Atta Mills was sworn-in as the President of Ghana, he declared that he was "father for all". That very evening, I predicted the current situation in the NDC to happen and surely it has happened. That very evening all those who phoned into the programme on GFM radio in London took me to the cleaners. Thankfully, today they call me on daily basis to say I could not have put it differently.

As a matter of fact, as soon as you are sworn-in as the president of Ghana, you are father for all Ghanaians and therefore there was no point over-hyping that as government ministers and officials sought to do.

By implementing that call to the letter and calling party activists (Foot Soldiers) criminals, the NDC succeeded in alienating their supporters and stirring their anger. This anger let to the seizure of toilets by the 'Foot Soldiers' and increasing demands by them.

Ministers and top officials deepened the problem by either changing their phone numbers or failed to answers phone calls from party members. Little did the President know that this new status quo benefitted only few people in his inner circle.

The new phenomenon of attacks unleashed on Mr Rawlings when he started critising the President was of great concern to the by-stander. Many of these are not members of the NDC; they are beneficiaries of the confusion in the party. Then came the praise singing from religious bodies, civil society organisations, opinion leaders, ministers and some leading figures in society, who would benefit from the status quo being maintained.

As a result of the President's failure to apease the disgruntled NDC memmbers, who undoubtedly are more than those shielding the facts from the President, Ex-President Rawlings took advantage of it. He identified himself with the concerns of the core NDC party members and the support for his position increased; and the strategy of excluding him from national issues of governance reached a cresendo.

Mr Rawlings has been thorn in the flesh of the President and rightly, the President would feel angry. But Bill Clinton states in On the Make (1994) that "If something makes you cry, you have to do something about it...". President Mills has to start addressing these concerns by reaching out to party members and to pursue the core principles of the NDC. By so doing, Mr Rawlings would not have any issue to moan about and indeed it would calm down tempers in the party.

The President should also rain-in on the young ministers and party activists who are muddying the waters instead of using conciliatory language to reassure the supporters of the party who are growing increasingly uneasy, heartbroken, anxious, and confused.

Mr Rawlings should also know that criticising the president publicly is not the answer to his grief and will not help the NDC. Many NDC members privately agree with him but disagree with the manner he is handling the problem.

In part two of this feature, I will state why Mr Rawlings is spot-on on the initial concerns he had about abandoning the core principles of the NDC by the government; why President Mills must not trust those around him, his ministers, appointees; the neglect of pro-government media and also why Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings has to restrain her ambitions and must not contest the President at the primaries.

Constitution Review Commission meets Ghanaians in London for Consultation

Updates:

The Ghana constitution review commission is in London to meet Ghanaians in London at the Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre of the the School of Oriental and African Studies. This is part of their world tour to consult Ghanaians for their imput for the recommendation for a possible ammendment to the 1992 constitution.

This is in conformity with His Excellency President John Evans Atta Mills' manifesto promise. In a short speech to open the occasion, the Ghana High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo called on Ghanaians in the UK to take the opportunity offered them to contribute towards this noble national excersice.

In his remarks, the Chairman for the event, Dr Emmanuel Akuffo, Consultant Psychiatrist, expressed his profound gratitude to be chairing the function.

He stated his pride of being a Ghanaian at a time there are aggitations across Africa and seeing Ghana, a country of peace in the turbulent region.

In a keynote address, Professor Emeritus Albert Fiadjoe, Chair of the constitution review commission, introduced the members of the commission, some of whom were absent, to the Ghanaians participating in the consultation.

The commission's chairman reiterated their resolve to come out with a workable and much respected document. In doing so, the commission toured the whole of Ghana, the 170 districts, with 2 consultations. He gave a detailed account of what the commission has done so far in Ghana before their world tour.

The commision also held national mini consultation in all regional thematic areas e.g. human rights, chilfren, youth, national security, national resources. Also agencies of gov't, organised labour, faith based organisations, oral submission, emails, social networking sites such as facebook and twitter. Also used short code text messages.

They also met leading figures in Ghana including heads of state both present and past and political party leaders. The commission received over 80,000 submissions from Ghanaians so far.

The commission's chair informed Ghanaians present that the review process belongs to Ghanaians. They don't intend to leave out Ghanaians abroad and has so far been to USA, Holland. He applauded Ghanaians abroad for submitting a well structured contributions to the process.

Dual citizenship, voting rights and married partners, these he intimated that have been given prominence by the constitution and therefore needs special attention by the delegates. He emphasised the ownership of the process, which he said belongs to Ghanaians.

In a brief on the 1992 constitution and emerging issues, Mr Rowland Atta-Kesson Esq. took delegates through thematic areas of the 1992 constitution which have so far been discussed in all the consultations.

Proposed outcomes:

1. Reviewed it and accepted the old version

2. Proposed changes to resourcing key institution

3. Portions reworked

Succession in the absence of the President by the Vice, Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice was also brough for discussion.

Qualification of the Council of State, composition, functions and tenure of office: some proposed it to be the second chamber of parliament.

Legislative powers of the president.

Judicial powers.

Indemnity clause came up for discussion.

Diaspora issues

Open forum for consultation started at exactly 7.58pm for submissions by Ghanaians presents. Professor Emeritus Fiadjoe chaired the second session which sat with the powers of a high court.

Dual citizenship came up for discussion. Contributors called for distinction between citizenship by birth and by registration. Called by section 8 to be amended "except citizens by birth" so that citizens by registration will not have the same rights as citizen by birth.

Parliamentarians voting at the African Union on behalf of their constituents - by Kofi Ali Abdul-Yekin

Dual citizens must be allowed to vote. Call for the idemnity clause to be amended - by Dr Michael Amoah

Mr Benjamin Akyea: Ministers being MPs. The schedule of the minister is quite ardous and therefore ministers should not be MPs. They should under go training at GIMPA. Also parliamentary powers to investigate corrupt officials or check on corruption. The president's salary should be taxable.

Gameli: Decentralisation and local government. The phrase "as far as practicable" should be removed. 240-256. Nomination of 30% of Assembly members by the president. Right of President to appoint DCE be rvoked. DCE's be appointed or having executive mayor. Article 248 be removed; right of association. Decentralise finance base of district.

Georgett Djaba: 42 as amended must be applied in the next elections. 191 indemnity clause should be repealed.

Dr Lawrence Akwetey: Constitutional provision prohibiting Diasporians from holding certain offices becasue of dual citizenship should be amended or reviewed.

Veronica Hemmi: Women's rights, maternity rights.

Dr. Hebert Bukari: Traitors, bomb throwers should never be honoured.

Mr Kwaku Luthroyd: CRC should be funded by Ghana government not external donors. E-voting for diasporans. Independence of the media must be looked into. Content too vulgar. National Media Commission be empower to enforce constitutional provisions sanitising the media landscape. Public Brodcasting Bill before parliament.

Dr Tagoe: Limit on Supreme court Justices will ensure faith in the judiciary. Freedom of info.

Mr John F Mensah: Dual citizenship in a security risk and not beneficial to Ghana. Provision not implemented properly. Land laws be changed to make it a bit organised.

Mr Mathew Kyeremeh: Suggests a referedum be called. The constitution not fair if it disadvantages certain group of Ghanaians. ROPAA is an alienable right. Organisation of Political parties; state should fund political parties. Indemnity clause be repealed, articles 34&35. Limit of spending by poltical parties.

Godwin Adjei Gyamfi: Attacks on the judiciary. Independent prosecution system. Article 88.4.3. This will instill confidence in the judiciary. Purely a civil servant as prosecution officers.

In all 36 registered to submit, 29 submitted, 2 to make written submission, 5 striked out.

Conclusion of the CRC global consultation. The chairman congratulated participants for deepening democracy by attending the consultation process. He reiterated the heavy schedule ahead and promised that by June there would be a draft constitution submitted to government. The event was adjourned sine di at 22.48pm by the chairman.

Services at the Consular Section of Ghana High Commission Improve

Ghana High Commission Launches Automated Online Passport Application

The Ghana High Commission in the UK has launched the automated visa/passport online application which aims at making it easy for applicants who wish to apply for passport or visa. This was made known when His Excellency Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo briefed the media at the mission's conference hall on Thursday the 20th of January; on the activities, initiatives, youth and investment fora and outreach programmes the Mission has undertaken in the last two years.

The new automated application procedure was demonstrated to the media by the Consular in-charge of Visas and Passports, Benard Quanson. He took journalists through the process of making an application using the new automated system, explaining to them at every stage.

In a statement, the mission stated that "the new procedure is the second phase of the modernisation process started in 2009.

"The second phase allows applicants wishing to apply for Ghanaian passports to log onto the Mission's website and select the required service. Applicants will then fill the form online. Upon completion, applicants will automatically submit the application online. Hard, signed and witness copies of the submitted forms, together with all the required supporting documents will then be posted to the Mission or presented in person."

The statement added that "the new facility makes allowance for applicants who may wish to submit applications in person to do so by obtaining appointments online. Appointments will be controlled and operated on a first come first serve basis."

According to the Mission, a standard time for processing passports is two to three weeks. However, the automated system is designed to facilitate a 24 hour Express, and a 72 hour Priority processing service at a premium rate. The payments methods for processing passports are postal orders and bank drafts. Applicants will soon be able to pay by credit cards.

In view of the difficulty applicants used to go through to acquire passports and visas, the Mission has taken steps to make it easier and comfortable for its clients, especially applicants living in other parts of UK other than London. In doing so the mission after processing a postal application, "the applicant's passport and supporting documents through DX Secure mail delivery services with a unique tracking reference."

Also "the mission will use text messaging and email services to notify applicants when the Mission receives their documents, and when their approve applications are ready for collection or dispatch. It will also be used to communication with applicants if there is a query with their application or they need to attend an interview."

The Mission hopes the new procedure will reduce the long periods of wait that normally characterise passport applications and eventually reduce the number of visits applicants would make to enquire about their applications.

To ensure that the system is not abused by passport agents and fraudsters, the Mission has cautioned that the "online service is only available on the mission's official website www.ghanahighcommissionuk.com. Application forms from any other websites will be rejected when presented at the mission."

The High Commission said it "will be launching an automated online visa application procedure as Phase 3 by Monday 7th February 2011." This system, the mission states, "will offer similar functionalities for the passport application procedure"

Finally, the High Commission is encouraging Ghanaians to always visit the mission's website for more information on the activities and new developments at the mission. 

Why the Democrats are Angry at President Obama

President Barack Obama is at a unique point in his presidency. This is a place where no one thought he'd be, but then again, no presidency ever turns out the way we would expect. The president is finding that in addition to the burden of dealing with unrelenting Republicans, many of whom can't stand seeing a black man in power, he now has to deal with Democrats who are angry at him for compromising on the latest tax agreement.

I admit that I was shocked to see such strong Democratic opposition to Obama's tax deal with the Republicans. Effectively, the Republicans were holding the nation's unemployed hostage in exchange for having Bush tax cuts extended for the rich. This was a prime opportunity for the Democrats, given that the Republicans were revealing themselves to be working on behalf of the wealthy, at the expense of middle class Americans. Additionally, their push to give tax cuts to those who needed them the least was in stark contrast to their proclaimed objective of embracing fiscal discipline as it pertains to the federal debt.

Obama made a deal with the Republicans that seems pretty good on the surface. Among other things, Obama agreed to extend the Bush tax cuts for another two years for all Americans, including those earning more than $250,000 per year. In exchange, Obama gets a one-year extension on unemployment insurance for those who've been out of work for at least 26 weeks, but less than 99 weeks. Republicans also get, among other things, an estate tax of 35 percent for estates worth $5 million or more, while Democrats wanted 45 percent.

Recent Obama Photos

AFP PHOTO/YURI GRIPAS

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President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with Jim McNerney, President and CEO of the Boeing Company, at a meeting with the President's Export Council at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC December 9, 2010.

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Recent Obama Photos

President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with Jim McNerney, President and CEO of the Boeing Company, at a meeting with the President's Export Council at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC December 9, 2010.

AFP PHOTO/YURI GRIPAS

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Recent Obama Photos

President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with Jim McNerney, President and CEO of the Boeing Company, at a meeting with the President's Export Council at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC December 9, 2010.

Recent Obama Photos

President Obama greets members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-NY, center, and Rep. Mel Watt, D-N.C., far left, after signing the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 which settles long-standing lawsuits by African American farmers and Native Americans against the federal government, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, part of the White House complex, in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010. The act also authorizes $1.15 billion for black farmers who say they were discriminated against by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Recent Obama Photos

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama watch as Susan Retik (2nd L) and her daughter Molly (L) light a Menorah on the second night of Hanukkah during a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, December 2, 2010. The Menorah, loaned from Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans, was discovered after Hurricane Katrina by cleanup crews covered in mold, filth and sewage. Retik's husband David was killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Recent Obama Photos

President Barack Obama greets guests after signing the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 which settles long-standing lawsuits by African American farmers and Native Americans against the federal government, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, part of the White House complex, in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010. The act also authorizes $1.15 billion for black farmers who say they were discriminated against by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Recent Obama Photos

President Barack Obama signs the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 along with administration officials, member of congress and congressional staff on December 8, 2010 in Washington, D.C. The bill will end a disputed Cobell v. Salazar Indian trust fund lawsuit against the federal government.

Recent Obama Photos

Recent Obama Photos

First lady Michelle Obama greets people after speaking at a ceremony to dedicate the first of three new Fisher houses,Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The new houses joins a network of other Fisher Houses serving the families of military personal who are recovering at the hospital.

Recent Obama Photos

President Barack Obama greets business leaders in the Executive Office Building, on the White House campus in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, as he holds a meeting with the President's Export Council.

Recent Obama Photos

President Barack Obama meets with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski (L) during meetings in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, December 8, 2010. Komorowski met with Obama amid a brewing storm over the diplomatic cables published by Wikileaks, which Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said have eroded the trust between Warsaw and Washington.

Recent Obama Photos

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski (L) during meetings in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, December 8, 2010. Komorowski met with Obama amid a brewing storm over the diplomatic cables published by Wikileaks, which Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said have eroded the trust between Warsaw and Washington.

Recent Obama Photos

Many leading Democrats are angry at President Obama for making this agreement.

"Everything President Obama has done has signaled weakness and has sent a signal to Republicans that if they block tax cuts long enough, at the end of the day he will pass whatever comes across his desk. That is not how you negotiate," said Adam Green of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

Green may have a point. Some Democrats argue that had Obama pushed harder when negotiating with Republicans, he could have allowed them to appear to be the party fighting for the rich, which could yield benefits in the 2012 elections. But the White House had to balance these benefits with the gains that could be made by showing that they worked across the aisle to avoid tax hikes that would likely slow down the economy. There is the added benefit that by making this deal, Obama helped to secure the financial future of millions of out of work Americans right before Christmas.

The great challenge for President Obama is that he is perceived by neither Democrats nor Republicans to be a strong leader or effective negotiator. Unlike solid negotiating presidents of the past, like Ronald Reagan, Obama has lost some of the trust initially invested in him by his liberal base. Additionally, while Reagan struck quite a few deals during his presidency, he also took opportunities to show strength and stand toe-to-toe with his enemies. Obama has yet to do much of anything other than bend like a rubber band.

A greater problem for Obama is that while he seems to understand that compromise is the way to get things done in polarized Washington, he's not getting credit from Republicans for his willingness to work with them. The Republican Party is insistent upon seeing Obama out of office, the racists in their party don't want a black president and they are spreading some of the most vicious and irresponsible lies imaginable in the kind of political lynch mob that we haven't seen since the Reconstruction. Liberals, on the other hand, are irritated that Obama has not been as idealistic as they are. All the while, many of them don't have the first bit of understanding of what it takes to actually get results on Capitol Hill. When you try to please everyone, you usually end up in no-man's land. That's where President Obama lives right now.

While Obama needs to show that compromise doesn't imply weakness, we must choose our battles carefully. Becoming engaged in political chest thumping with unemployment insurance on the line would be both politically irresponsible and devoid of human compassion. Leaving families hungry in exchange for a political victory would only serve to remind us of just how far apart our leaders in Washington are from the rest of America. One thing that does hold true for the president is that he needs to find an opportunity before 2012 to draw his line in the sand and show the world that he's not a punk. No one wants to support a weak leader.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy.

NDC Brand of Politics

The National Democratic Congress, the party in 'power' in Ghana, has over the years been touted as a party for the grassroots and rural development. Indeed the only party that has achieved that feet in Ghana is the CPP under Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Gen. Acheampong's government.

Therefore when the NDC won the elections in 2008 many were those who celebrated with the hope that the urgency with which the party attached to issues in the past will come to play once again, no they were wrong. The party has adopted wait and see attitude towards issues that need urgent addressing. This has led to the situation the government finds itself in the UTAG and the ally strikes and threats of demonstrations across the country.

The genesis of the threat of strikes and demonstrations started when after the party won the election and chose to practice a rather novice political strategy of pleasing the opposition instead of empowering and consilidating their core base. The resultant frustrations on the part of the party's core supporters led to them resorting to unorthodox methods of getting their grievances heard. When they started the aggitations, the government acted with dispatch which suggested that the language the government understands is aggitations.

People tell me that if you want the government to immediately address an issue, threaten to embark on demo or strike. This has been proven time and again by the reactive responses to aggitations and the actions of the opposition.

In politics it is always dangerous for a political party to try strenuously to please the opposition at the disadvantage of their core base. And if the NDC thinks this strategy they have adopted and is holding on rigidly to, will help them then they are living on planet 'Joke'.

There is no political party that will go chasing for the favours of the opposition; will have the peace needed to govern. From the very day President Mills was sworn-in, this has been the trend of events and upon repeated calls from the NDC members and some well meaning Ghanaians, the President has refused to change tact. I hope the president is monitroing what is happening to the Democrats in America. They are on the ropes receiving knock-out blows from the Republicans that nobody ever imagined after the 2008 elections could bounce back within the shortest time.

What is even worst is that the NDC functionaries have also taken after the President, trying to ignore their core supporters and sympathisers. Now the businesses sympathetic to the NDC are collapsing simply because the status qou is retained benefiting the opposition businesses, where is fairness?

The NDC is also losing the hearts and minds game. The communications strategy is absolutely dysfunctional and if in existence, clearly it is misdirected. It is therefore not surprising that some pro-NDC media is refocusing and taking up strategic positions. The serial callers who are upset because Radio Gold has changed their programmes which do not allow them (serial callers) much interaction should spare the station. It is a business entity and if the NDC is not ready to properly empower them, don't expect them to lose valuable customers (listeners).

 At this point let me state that I strongly disagree with people who think that this present crop of Ministers are not competent or are Team B. In fact the President, his Vice and majority of the team members are A-listers. The problem is that the president has bought into the opposition propaganda strategy through their media thereby restricting the performance of our intelligent ministers. A minister once told me that if it will take him one year to approve one project he will do it in order to retain his job; why, he says he has a family to take care of. Their hands are tied up which is affecting their performance output. I won't therefore say these ministers are a Team B materials.

It's imperative for Prof. Mills to understand that the NDC has world class materials who can occupy any position. Therefore if the father for all tune is not refined and the base of the party consolidated, it will affect the performance of his members. It's the supporters who will bring the floating voters. The government has done well so far but the party members are not motivated enough to sell the message to Ghanaians. Seeing physical development only is not enough to convince voters. That is human nature.

Why is the NDC government distancing itself from the achievements of the NDC 1 under Rawlings? You hardly hear them using it as a reference point in discussions. I shall return to this issue later. 

However, for now, protecting an image or reputation/integrity is not part of politics.

Spot the Similarities: Achievements Locked in the Dark

They both won elections almost at the same time; they both follow identical political ideology; they both exhibit the same human trait, humility; they both want to satisfy their political opponents at the expense of their party members; they are both performing excellently with their economic policies; they both see themselves as unifiers; they are both facing stiffer opposition from the media, civil society groups and elements in the opposition; they both have had to deal with two strong women in their parties; they are both lacking well groomed PR teams; they are both excellent Presidents governing their countries at the wrong time.

When President Barack Obama of America and President John Evans Atta Mills of Ghana won elections in 2008/9 the world heaved a sigh of relief that at long last there will be peace, fair development and justice. And indeed they went into action to bring up to speed the 'mess' left behind by their predecessors and indeed they have so far managed to achieve impressive records.

They have stabilised the economy, cooled down the heated global economy; stabilised the currencies and have started massive infrastructure development and oil exploration. Coincidentally, they both rely on China and oil to achieve that. In the case of Ghana, the arrears of contractors, teachers, railway workers, nurses, MMDCEs and other allied groups have been paid. The deficit has been reduced and foreign reserve increased.

President Mills has returned from a twin visit of China and Japan where he succeeded in negotiating for concessional loans, grants and donations to improve the infrastructure in the areas of roads, hospitals, railway and even housing. I am extremely glad that the eastern corridor road linking the north to the south is finally on top of the national priority list.

This is a road that has been neglected since the 60s due to political pressure from self seeking people who think firstly the north does not deserve development, secondly, tarring the road means that some 'cities' will be cut off since vehicles from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and the northern part of Ghana will prefer travelling to Accra through the eastern corridor which is comparatively shorter than the Kumasi road.

The President has also revamped the Agriculture sector which was delibrately neglected. Today food prices have gone down and Ghana is on course to meeting the Millenium Development Goal of halving hunger by 2015.

President Obama's stimulus package has also worked magic for America. It helped stopped a double dip recession; reduced repossessions of properties and created a couple of thousands of jobs. He also fulfilled an election promise by introducing health reforms to cover over 40 million Americans who have no health insurance cover.

In view of all these achievements, it is incredible that these two presidents have no effective communication (PR) teams that will sell their economic and social records to their citizens. This will help greatly in perception and public opinion management and utilisation. 

I have said it many times on radio and I will repeat it here that President Mills is an honest, humble, truthful, Godfearing, softhearted and an excellent President. But unfortunately he is governing Ghana at the wrong time. And this I hold nobody an apology! The civil and peaceful manner the NDC in opposition handled affairs of the country allowed ex-President Kufuor to go about governance without hustle. However, same cannot be said about NPP in opposition.

If President Mills gets a semblance of peace and cooperation that NDC gave ex-President Kufuor, he will transform the country in three years. With these aggitations from all works of live, interestingly, including school children, something which was unhead off in the recent past, how can the president remain focus on governance?

The President has not also helped the situation with his father for all mantra. When you win an election you are the father of the nation. You don't have to say it and get your officials to over flog it. The party, businesses and the media that brought you to power are very important tools for your success.

To be continued.

My Diary

Deja Vu

I am genuinely amazed at the leadership crisis in Ghana because this is a country that has produced high quality leaders for the world but lacking leadership domestically. The country is at a stage where we need inspirational leader who will inspire the people to believe in themselves.

Deja vu, I will say. Between 2002 and 2008 I made some observations through the numerous features I wrote pointing out the concerns of Ghanaians and NPP party members. The then president Kufuor was so much consumed by propaganda that he never listened to some of us and eventually his party lost power in the 2008/2009 elections to the Mills led NDC.

Indeed Ghanaians gave President Mills an overwhelming goodwill which fizzled out within months after he was sworn-in. Why? because the President chose to change Ghanaian politics over night ably encouraged by people who will sing his praises at all cost and also encouraged by the NPP who are incredibly benefiting from the president's 'father for all' call.

I thought the NDC as a party would know that as soon as a president is sworn-in, he automatically becomes the father of the country. This message is been drummed home even with clear evidence that it is a misjudgement and would affect the fortunes of the NDC in 2012 if care is not taken. At the moment there is deep reservation in the ruling party with all manner of people emerging from nowhere to sing the praises of the president.

However loud their chorus is, the opposition and their hatchet media see things differently and are seriously exploiting the anger within the rank and file of the ruling NDC. What's more, the president seems to be protective of his image more than the gains of his government and his party.

President Kufuor faced similar situation in his first tenure of office but had to change tact when he realised that his party was in danger of being defeated in 2004. What did he do? Kufuor never looked back in promoting the course of his party members, cronies and family members. It's important to state that what he did was totally wrong and must be condemned unreservedly. But the politics that President Mill is introducing into Ghana is frightening and is likely to affect NDC greatly.

The president should have known by now that the father for all message is so divisive and dangerous for his government and party. Moreso, people are not buying into it. The NDC government is no longer in control of a single institution in Ghana now. All the institutions are plotting for the exit of the NDC from power, yet the chorus of 'father for all' keeps chiming into our ears.

I felt scandalised when JSS students were paraded on GTV (national TV) threatening to go on demonstration naked. A young girl was given a written statement to read on our national TV giving the government altimatum to stop the construction of market stalls close to their school in Kumasi.

If this is not evidence of chaos, social breakdown, impunity, social rebellion currently driven by the NPP and most media houses, then I need more education. All these together with other factors are not making the NDC attractive and at the sametime causing people to resile from the NDC. At work places, bars, functions, village squares, communities and everywhere NDC members are not proud to belong to that party. An opportunity to rule Ghana for a long time being lost.

Continue to read my blog for more analysis and insight.

Optional commentary on the debate around the STX dThis eal and the Single Spine Salary Scheme (SSSS). How will it motivate workers and will it eliminate perceived bribery and corruption (economic graft) from the officialdom especially the police service.

Hello Seidu,
Thank you once again for the marvellous radio station and programs under your auspices.
 
Ex-president Kuffuor voted for Nana Addo. Yes ex-president Kuffuor voted for Nana
Addo and that is the revelation from reliable sources at the NPP post-convention
base. Contrary to popular opinion about the ex-president's strong support and
advocacy for his Ashanti protégé, Alan Kyeremateng, he voted for Nana Addo.

Contrary to the general expectation that the NPP will emerge divided from the convention
along support bases of the two leading candidates. they have come out united and
with a direction of purpose.  

No one should be fooled, NPP is more united than ever with a united front against a common enemy.  NPP is very determined to wrestle power form the ruling party and they are capable of winning the 2012 presidential elections.

 NPP is fuming with anger for many reasons and they want power now or never:

1. They believe that they are the rightful heirs to the presidency of the nation

2. They are still in denial and disbelief that they lost the 2008 presidential
elections.

3. They sense deep dissatisfaction among a  wide spectrum of Ghanaians and believe
that the ruling government is vulnerable at this time.

4. They do not believe that the law of the land applies equally to them and the
sooner they can teminate the prosecutions against the ex-cabinet members the better.

5. They believe that the discovery of oil started with them and the oil fields
belong to them.

6. They see their financial base dwindling and the sooner they come back to power to
refill their pockets and entrench thier acquisition of government and Ga land and
properties the better for them.
 
I really do admire the resolve and determination of NPP as they make every effort to
come back to power against "the rule of eight years" established with ruling
goverments in Ghana. This is real politics. Politics is not for the weakling and I
respect the stance of the NPP.
 
NPP has filled the judiciary system with "most of their own" by way of buying the
judges and I assure you that they will win any legal case against them. I am not
surprised that Justice Samuel Quist resigned from the Ghaha @50 case for flimsy
reasons that he should have known before accepting the case. The recent court ruling
on the two cases involving Maame Dokonoo and Mrs. Asamoah Boateng should tell the
tale. A person who assaulted a pubic officer on duty was acquitted without any
fines. A person who allowed orphans, minors, and mentally challenged individuals to
be abused was also acquitted. Moreover, the timing of the these cases (a few
days before the NPP convention) cannot be coincidental.
 
NPP has avowed to ensure acquittals of all their members who face the law and they
know how to protect and shield their members.  There is no fainess in politics and
that is what I call real politics. Politics is not for any individual who cannot
separate government and the church. You will see real justice and application of the
law when NPP comes to power.
Nevertheless, the law of the land must not favor only the privileged few  or tribe.
The outcome of subsequent legal cases, especially the Ghana @ 50 and Ghana
International Airlines cases are yet to reveal the conduct of justice and
injustice in the judicial system of Ghana.
 
Seidu, I am thankful to to you for your wonderful programs
 Dr. Emanuel Utsu
       USA

Find below the topic for Sunday:

1. How important is data to policy formulation in the following areas?

a. Budgeting,
b. employment,
c. Health delivery
d. Housing
e. demography of the country
f. poverty reduction initiatives

THE “RUSHED” STX DEAL AND THE ACCOMMODATION
NEEDS OF THEGHANA POLICE.

The police service has a large number of uncompleted andabandoned building projects with 80% of
projects which were started in and...around 1999 uncompleted as at 2007 when an audit was done.The police service has 2754 occupied premises ...(residentialand non residential), out of which 2442 (88.7%) are rented and 312 (11.3%) areowned by the service. Only 42% of policepersonnel are properly accommodated, the remaining 58% are housed in“inappropriate” (defined as more than one person in a room or a number ofpeople in an open dormitory) housing units.

Between 2002 and 2006 36.60billion cedis (GHC 3.7million)being 90% of total disbursement for the provision of residential accommodationfor the police service was paid to landlords.Several police officers who have graduated in the last fiveyears still live communally in makeshift structures.

In June 2007, the police service in a policy documentprepared and presented to the ministry of interior for the redevelopment ofpolice lands, PROPOSED to use parts of its lands, some of which are located atprime areas as equity for private investors to develop and build residentialaccommodation for the service.

Source: PerformanceAudit Report of the Auditor-General on Management of Ghana Police ResidentialAccommodation, sent to Parliament on 28 October, 2008.

Attached is a photograph of police officers accommodated in a 10m by 4m hall at the central Police Barracks in Accra.

Paul Boateng inducted to UK’s House of Lords

One of Ghana’s illustrious sons the Rt. Hon Paul Boateng former MP and former High Commissioner has been inducted to the UK’s House of Lords. He is now known as Lord Boateng.

At a short but impressive ceremony at the House of Lords in London the son of Ghana was inducted to Britain’s Chamber of Parliament and one of the busiest second only to the House of Commons. Lord Boateng was inducted with two others at 15 a minutes ceremony.

On 28 May 2010, it was announced in the 2010 Dissolution Honours that Boateng would become a member of the House of Lords. On Thursday 1^st July 2010 which incidentally coincided with Ghana’s 50th Republican Anniversary this Great son of Ghana achieved yet another feat in an illustrious political career spanning more than two decades by being inducted to the House of Lords. He was inducted as Lord Boateng; supported by Lord Ouseley and Lord Janner.

The House of Lords which plays a key role in revising legislation sent from the House of Commons also initiates legislation and so shares the burden of legislative load. Other important functions of the House include serving as a check on the government and the House of Commons by scrutinizing its activities. The House does this by asking questions, debating policy and through its select committees takes evidence from ministers and others.

Members of the House consist of individuals with enormous breadth of expertise and backgrounds, who have distinguished themselves in Britain and, individually, are characterized by independence of thought. They complement the work of the elected House of Commons.

At the induction ceremony to support and celebrate Lord Boateng was H.E. Prof. Kwaku Danso-Boafo Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK as well as family and friends of Lord Boateng.

Lord Paul Yaw Boateng is a member of the British Labour Party and was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Brent South from 1987 to 2005. In May 2002 he became the UK's first black Cabinet Minister, when he was appointed as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. When he left the House of Commons, he served as the British High Commissioner to South Africa from March 2005 to May 2009.

Lord Boateng was born in Hackney on 14^th June 1951, to Ghanaian and Scottish parents. His mother moved to Ghana when he was a young child. Kwaku Boateng (Paul’s father) was a member of the Convention People's Party and a leading member of Dr Nkrumah’s government. He was Information Minister, became Interior Minister in 1961 and in May 1964 he became Education Minister.

Lord Boateng attended Accra Academy High School. His life in Ghana was cut short with the jailing of his father in 1966 after the coup against Nkrumah. His father was imprisoned without trial for four years and Lord Boateng, who was only 15 and his sister fled to Britain with their mother.

Whilst in UK, he and his family lived in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, where he attended Apsley Grammar School. He furthered his education at the University of Bristol where he acquired a degree in law and began his career in civil rights, first as a solicitor, and later as a barrister. As a civil rights lawyer, he represented Cherry Groce, a mother of six who was shot and paralysed by a police officer whilst they were searching for her son in her home.

Lord Boateng was elected to the Greater London Council (GLC) in 1981 when Ken Livingstone was the leader of the council. As chair of the GLC's police committee and vice-chair of its ethnic minorities committee, he advocated greater accountability in the Metropolitan Police and spoke out against racism and how the black and Asian communities were treated by the police.

He stood and won the Brent South seat in the 1987 general election and became the MP succeeding Laurence Pavitt as one of the first three black MPs. In delivering his victory speech he said "We can never be free in Brent until South Africa is free too." And then added: "Today Brent South, tomorrow Soweto!"

In 1989, with a softening liberal view Neil Kinnock made him a junior Treasury spokesman, making him the first black MP to speak from Labour's front bench. His portfolio included economics, industrial strategies and corporate responsibility.

In 1992, he became shadow minister for the Lord Chancellor’s Department, a post he held until the 1997 general election.

With Labour's victory, Boateng became the UK's first black government minister as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health, where he was responsible for social services and mental health.  

In 1998, a year after New Labour led by Tony Blair swept to power in 1997; Lord Boateng became a Minister of State at the Home Office and subsequently became Deputy Home Secretary.  In 2000 his portfolio as a minister was expanded to include first Minister for Young People, and his task was to represent the concerns of Britain's youth. Among numerous programmes during his time as youth minister he played a leading role in establishing and launching the £450m Children's Fund aimed at tackling child poverty.

He was made Financial Secretary to the Treasury in 2001 and later in May 2002 he was promoted to the position of Chief Secretary to the Treasury, making history as Britain's first black cabinet minister. Lord Boateng was famously quoted as saying "My colour is part of me but I do not choose to be defined by my colour."

Civil rights activists hailed his appointment and said that gave hope to young black youths which would eventually inspire them to become involved in politics. Today black youth are elected MPs and many are involved in politics. In his role as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, he played a leading role in finalising the Spending Review of 2002. Lord Boateng, in coordination with Sir Peter Gershon’s report, announced in 2004 the government's efficiency programme to save over £20 billion in the public sector.

In March 2005, Lord Boateng stepped down for re-election as an MP in the May 2005 general election. Dawn Butler replaced him as the MP for Brent South.

In 2008, he participated in a number of talks with political leaders in the United States to encourage them to support the Doha Development Round trade negotiations that would open Western markets to goods from Africa and other developing countries.

His passion for the Labour government's Africa Commission Report championed by Tony Blair at Gleneagles in 2005, which called for additional funding to the continent and dismantling trade barriers, Tony Blair named him to replace Ann Grant as the High Commissioner to South Africa. His tenure as High Commissioner ended in May of 2009. Many Africans across the world praised the appointment, stating that it signified a symbolic break from Britain's colonial past.

Lord Boateng is also praised for fostering a close relationship to South Africa's ANC government, and was also credited for working behind the scene to bringing together bitter rivals in the crisis in Zimbabwe between President Mugabe and his Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. His concern for the African continent saw him addressing the World Economic Forum on issues concerning Africa.

Internet Service Now Human Right

Fast internet service now a human right in Finland with 99% of the populace connected. When will my village even get the slowest internet service?

The following topic is what we shall be discussing on Sunday:

G8 Summit in Canada to Recycle Old Pledges to Africa... Is there the need for African leaders to attend?

The group of eight highly industrialised or rich countries known as G8 (or “Greedy 8”) will be attending the 36th G8 summit in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada from June 25-26, 2010. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Deerhurst Resort, a very plush resort not for the majority poor in the world. It will be the fifth G8 Summit hosted by Canada since 1976. The G8 countries are United States, Canada, France, Japan, United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, and Germany. The group is also referred to as G8+5 and the five largest emerging economies are China, Mexico, India, Brazil and South Africa.

The ‘Greedy 8’ Summit has undergone reformations and is no longer the gathering of world political leaders. The event is now characterised by the gathering of a wide variety of non-governmental organizations, activists and civic groups to congregate, albeit protests, to challenge the leaders in a multitude of issues; ranging from poverty to fair trade. The leaders of the G8 countries stonewall themselves whilst protesters always have it tough with security protecting the leaders who are being entertained to delicacies including lobsters.

The theme for this year’s summit in Canada is "Recovery and New Beginning.” Recovery because of the recent recession; and “New Beginning”, well the world is waiting to know what that means.

Also on the agenda of the summit will be an "Africa outreach" session. Canadian Prime Minister Harper has invited five African leaders considered to be the darling of the G8 (“Greedy 8”) leaders to attend. They include Presidents Hosni Mubarak of Egypt; Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia; Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal; Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi. Conspicuously missing is Ghana’s President Attah Mills and it is understandable considering the role oil now plays in geopolitics highly influenced by the G8 leaders.

Leaders of the major international organizations including Africa Union, Commonwealth of independent countries, United Nations, World Trade Organisation, WHO, etc. have also been invited to attend.

Africa once again is also on the agenda. “A tentative agenda for the 36th G8 summit will include some issues which remain unresolved from previous summits. As chair of the G8 summit when many of the commitments for African aid and development are due to be fulfilled, special attention will be focused on Canada. International anti-poverty campaigners will descend on Huntsville.

The Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA) was established at the 31st G8 summit at Gleneagles, Scotland in the United Kingdom in 2005. Since that time, the ICA’s annual meeting is traditionally hosted by the country holding the Presidency of the G8—in 2010 in Canada.”

The good news is that President Mills of Ghana is not attending this jamboree called summit. Again, to make their bitter prescriptions which have caused the underdevelopment of Africa look humane in the eyes of the world, they have cleverly invited some African leaders to the summit to legitimise their illegitimate decisions on Africa. They have also put Africa on the agenda to continue the unfulfilled and recycled pledges, promises and ultra cosmetic commitments to the continent, creating the impression that they care for the economic emancipation and eventual development of Africa.

It is however sad to see African leaders clapping and cheering at such summits when they in fact, know that these pledges will not be carried through, not in their life time. What is worst, these same African leaders will gleefully announce to the whole world that the G8 countries are God sent to save Africa.

It will make a whole world of good if we take a trip down memory lane of G8 deceptive pledges to Gleneagles in Scotland. In 2005 at Gleneagles the following, among other pledges, was agreed for the forward march of Africa. The meeting agreed that US$50 billion in aid to developing countries by 2010 and out of this colossal amount US$25 billion would be allocated to Africa in addition to the ministerial level agreement to debts forgiveness to selected HIPC countries.

The Gleneagles summit also made commitments to train 20,000 African peacekeepers and in return African governments would commit themselves to democracy and good governance. It also made commitments to ensure a universal availability of anti-HIV drugs in Africa by 2010.

In order to facilitate and ensure fair trade, the summit made commitment to reduce subsidies and tariffs. The European members of the G8 also made commitment to a foreign aid target of 0.56% of GDP by 2010 and 0.7% by 2015.

It is imperative to note that five years after the Gleneagles summit, which was again highly praised by none other than some African leaders at the time, most of these commitments are yet to be fulfilled. These pledges and commitments have been recycled year-in-year-out. Last year the G8 (‘Greedy 8’) summit in Italy re-pledged these previously announced commitments to Africa.

In view of the above, it would be interesting to hear from African leaders attending the G8 summit to tell us the benefit(s) (if any) the continent stands to gain at such ‘celebrity clubbing’. In deed the Saturday, 16^th June 2007 edition of the Daily Graphic could not have captured it any better:

“The meeting agreed on June 11 2005 to write off the entire US$40 billion owed by 18 Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) to the World Bank, IMF and the African Development Bank. The ministers stated that an additional US$15 billion owed by 21 countries would be written off if they met their HIPC targets.

For most of its life, the G8 did not attract much notice from ordinary Africans neither did the group concern itself specifically with Africa but in the last few years, certainly since Canada played host at Kananaskis in Alberta, the G8 has placed “African issues” such as poverty and HIV/AIDS at the centre of its consideration. This attention to Africa reached a crescendo in 2005 when the United Kingdom hosted the summit at Gleneagles in 2005. Ironically, it is the Gleneagles summit that has caused most disaffection for the G8 in African eyes”.

The discovery of oil in commercial quantities in some African countries is redefining the geopolitics of the continent. The neo-colonialism Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah wrote extensively about is now given African flesh remote controlled by the western powers with the help of their fixers in Africa.

It is therefore understandable why some African leaders who are genuinely committed to protecting the resources of their countries against foreign exploitation are overlooked when it comes to such summits. However, such leaders must be encouraged that majority of Africans are behind them. We do not hear leaders such as Navin Ramgoolam of Mauritius bootlicking world leaders yet his country is doing well economically.

The G8 summit scheduled to be held in Canada would not be different from previous summits. Announcement would be made of recycled pledges and African leaders attending the meeting would be the first to let the world know how successful the event has been and the benefit thereof to Africa. However, it is Multinational and big corporations that would benefit from decisions taken at the meeting at the expense of developing economies. Africa would forever remain grateful to leaders who would stay at home to see to the needs of their people.  

Ibrahim Prize:

Former President Kufuor will be awarded the Mo Ibrahim award on Monday the 14th of June at a ceremony in London. After careful consideration, it was only Kufuor who is a democratically elected president to have left office between 2007 and now.

Thabo Mbeki of South Africa resigned and therefore handing Kufuor the award. 

The Ibrahim Prize committee is chaired by His Excellency Kofi Anan, former Secretary General of the United Nations. 

The following topic is what we shall be discussing on Sunday:

Sunday, June 6th 2010

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

Politics and Deceit

 GFM RADIO, LONDON and DIAMOND FM, TAMALE to Collaborate

The Diasporan voice is a powerful voice as such we shall strive to let it reach every corner of Ghana. This coming Sunday at 7-9pm (London time) and 6-8pm (Ghana time) the much awaited collaboration between Diamond FM in Tamale and GFM Radio in London starts. The inaugural edition of the programme will be a special one.

We shall have panelists in GFM studio in London and Rashid in the studio of Diamond FM in Tamale. We shall also have the parliamentary candidate of Labour party in UK also in the studio between 8-8.30pm for a campaign broadcast.

This programme promises to be a classic and platinum programme. Our people back home will get to know that we in the diaspora have a real concern about developments back home and that we are ready to contribute in building the country.

Through this programme, we in the diaspora will also get to know what is happening back home.

This is going to be a discussive show and therefore topical, credible and intellectual. 

Anang Akanbekbisah.

Is The NPP Warning President Mills To Stop Chasing


When Professor Abrefa Busia’s Progress Party rigged the 1969 general elections and assumed the reins of power, they immediately executed the infamous “Aliens' Compliance Order” and inhumanely forced thousands of mainly Nigerians, out of Ghana? They were not even given time to sell up their houses and businesses before crossing our borders? Some of them were so traumatised that they became mentally deranged and even died?

The PP government perceived the aliens as supporters/sympathisers of the CPP – persecution of perceived political opponents? Following the ‘Aliens’ Compliance Order", came the infamous “Apollo 568” – a list of indigenous Ghanaian Civil Servants, Army, Police Service Personnel and other State Security Personnel who were dismissed from their jobs, without any compensation, because they were perceived to be CPP supporters/sympathisers?

This same PP government set up a Special Court presided over by Mrs. Justice Anni-Jiage, a High/Supreme Court Judge and a grand ‘hater’ anything Nkrumah or CPP, to try Kofi Baaku and all who were perceived to be CPP supporters, Ministers of State, Regional Commissioners, District Commissioners, Workers’ Brigade Commandants and even Makola Market Queens who were perceived to be pro-CPP? Most of them were jailed for periods of time and banned from holding political office for ten years and upwards?

Anyone remeber the 'Caged' Boye Moses through the streets of Accra? Anyone remember the famous Salah case? Salah was the Managing Director of GNTC. The PP government dismissed him, because he was an EWE and perceived as a favourite of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s? The High Court ruled that Salah’s dismissal was illegal but Busia, as weak as he was in governance, shamelessly came on GBC and GTV to announce to Ghanaians and the whole world that ‘no court’ in Ghana could challenge his government’s decisions?

So, NPP should NOT talk of their followers being persecuted? They are being paid back in their own coins? The NPP prosecuted and jailed Kwame Peprah, Victor Selormey, Daniel Abodakpi, Tsatsu Tsikata and they even shamelessly embarrassed and harassed Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings for well nigh five years? If this was not political persecution, someone tell me what is!!! The UP/PP/PFP/NPP are the originators and grand political persecutors in Ghana!!! Let them refute these facts!!!

Is the NPP Chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Normal? 

When you observe quietly and thinking that politicians have learnt a lesson, then oooooppss, they spring a surprise. Many were those who concluded that haven suffered a crunching defeat in the 2008 elections, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will be a much cleansed and rebranded party.

However, recent events and utterances by leading members of the party suggest that they are rather going wayward and sounding irresponsible. In fact, their arrogance and boatfulness has gone up a notch higher.

The statement issued by Jake Obetsebi Lamptey about the Bawku crisis is irresponsible at best and criminal at worst. It is stupid and shameful. The NPP must apologise to northerners. Jake has not learnt any lesson from the backlash from his father's terrorist machinations during Dr Kwame Nkrumah's era. As they say, like father like son. Jake is ready to spill human blood in order to win power for NPP and the best blood to spill is the northern blood.

NPP knows for a fact that northerners hate their lies and criminal tendences so the only way to get votes up north is to divide and gain votes. I genuinely feel insulted by Jake's and for that matter NPP's attitude towards northerners. They see them as a source of cheap labour and servants. The fews northerners in NPP who are offered crumps know no shame and are prepared to sarcrifice their kin for NPP gain. If not how on earth could Jake, the bomb thrower's son, muster such courage and audacity to inflame the already precarious situation up north so his party could profit from it.

First, they stirred Yendi, then Bawku, then Gushegu and Bimbilla. If NPP wants to win elections in Ghana again, they must rebrand the party, shed their elitist, corrupt, tribal, arrogant and lying scales. As it it, most northerners do not trust NPP, so are Ghanaians.

Ghanaians must be warry of the likes of Jake. If there was any mistake on the part of NPP after their election 2008 defeat, it is the election of Jake as their national chairman. It will cost them loads of votes. I don't want to believe that NPP elected him to create insecurity in the country as a political strategy. That strategy is dead and gone with George Bush, their mentor. NPP used this same strategy in the heat of the election in 2008 but it never worked, why not change a strategy? Ghanaians are now well informed than Jake and his cliques want us believe.

NPP must rebrand and create a different image for itself. However the election of Jake and his group will not help the course of the party. And I feel strongly about politicians serving as the wedge in the conflicts in northern Ghana.

I cry for NPP for having someone who's face represent deceit, lies and with criminal intent at all times as their party chairman. I am calling on all northerners to be very careful about this character called Jake Obetsebi Lamptey. Jake we don't need you to fight for us.

Is it correct that NPP gave AK47 assault riffles to some constituencies in northern region during the 2008 elections? 

NDC Doesn't Get It

The Ghana government is underestimating the anger of party foot soldiers which will altimately be its waterloo. If politicians who are suppose to know better, and by virtue of them being comfortable, turn round to question the loyalty of the very people who toiled to put them there, one then wonders what politicians take the people for. I made this point when NPP was in power and it eventually affected the fortunes of party in the 2008 elections.

NDC is gradually destroying itself with an overly greedy people hijacking the party and has started an unprecedented blackmail and smear tactics of its own members. They plant stories in the media, secret phone calls and meetings to plot their diabolical machinations. Is the NDC cursed? Their attitude is beyond believe and the level of arrogance is sky rocketting by the day.

Listen to them, that their party foot soldiers know no sacrifce. My goodness! Apart from President Mills who among the government members has given up part of the largesse they are enjoying? Do they have the morals to talk about sacrifce?

Dear reader, I am predicting that should the NPP win election 2012, all perceived NDC members holding government positions will be thrown out and once again their party members properly taken care of.

If the NDC really wants to retain power, they should build bridges with the Rawlingses and the rank and file of the party. If they fail to do that, then they should forget about the elections in 2012. In fact loud mouth social commentators will not win the election for the NDC. As it is now these social commentators are causing serious disaffection within the NDC and among floating voters.

Also Nana Konadu must control her ambitions especially the presidential candidate slot. If she attempts to contest for it the party will split. She has a every important role in the party and her 31st December women's movement. The opposition NPP and their overly controlled media are targeting her to cause serious problems within the NDC. She has to thread cautiously.

I think it is about time president Mills stepped-up his performance. The way he spoke to CEPS officials moved the polls a little in his favour because Ghanaians got to know that he can bite and can be assertive as well. His humility in dealing with issues is misconstrued to be weakness which some politicians and civil society organisations think they can exploit.

Groups giving the government altimatum here and there does not speak well of the government. The research unit of the NDC (if there is one) will find out that the talk of town is that the Mills led administration dithers when they hear threats, agitations, demonstrations and press conferences.

I will continue my observations on this blog page till December 2012.

Verdict: So far NDC is not impressing me. Good President with excellent leadership qualities; excellent and able Vice President but bad team to match. 

seidu@gfmradio.com

Today's Topic

 Sunday 11th April 2010

The economy of every country is based on effective and efficient transport system. In Ghana the transport sector is one area plagued with serious challenges. On Direct Talk on Sunday we ask; how can Ghana overcome these challenges to ensure smooth transfer of goods and services across the country.

Send your contributions and questions to: seidu@gfmradio.com

Sunday 4th April 2010

Housing is linked to poverty. A country that is able to solve the challenges in the housing sector solves many issue associated with poverty. The housing sector is also where the government can create chains of jobs e.g. engineering, plumbing, mason, carpentary, electricals/electronics, manufacturing etc.

How do we address the problem of housing in Ghana? How can we reducce the 1million housing deficit using local material including engineers, capital and finance?

Joining me in the gfm radio studio to continue the discussion is Dr Lawrence Akwetey, a Development Economist and Alex Bediako, a Social Commentator.

Make a date with us this Sunday between 7-9pm. Am your regular host: Seidu Kpebu

email:seidu@gfmradio.com

On GFM Radio's PLATFORM AFRICA

Time: 7-9pm

President John Evans Attah Mills' state of nation address and Gonzo Media Practice in Ghana.

What are your thoughts? Has the president addressed your concerns?

Do you feel satisfied?

Do you believe the president can achieve the BETTER GHANA AGENDA?