Ada East DCE: Did Sarah Dugbakie rightly deserve it?

Surfing the Internet, I stumbled upon an article written by one gentleman, expressing his chagrin about the District Chief executive DCE appointed for his area.

In the ad hominem article titled: ‘Ada East DCE: Nana Ado, Why Sarah?’ published on Classfmonline, the author launches a diatribe against the appointment of Hon. Sarah Dugbakie Pobee - newly appointed DCE for Ada East District.

He questions and laments why Ms. Dugbakie is given the nod, despite being underdog in the race, and also one with the least academic qualification amongst all the candidates who vied for the position.

The author, Ephraim T Spines appears overawed by the fact that a ‘mere’ Secondary School leaver, and owner of a supermarket, gets chosen over supposedly more ‘competent’ Masters Degree holder(s)

...The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Sarah's story reaffirms this scripture, doesn't it?

While I personally appreciate the assertiveness of this writer who comes across as concerned about his community’s growth, I take exception to some of the things he wrote.

I normally avoid dabbling in politics but this has less to do with it. This is quintessentially a human issue.

Democracy allows us to freely express opinions, however we’ll be doing our societies a disservice by peering at everything with a jaundiced eye and reading ridiculous meanings into things that don’t favor us.

Let us not forget that the infamous Kumasi-Delta-force revolt stemmed from a similar ground.

Another example is the one that occurred in Builsa North in the Upper East Region, which led to the destruction of property.

While it could be a great amount of ‘Supernatural favour and anointing’ (humor me) that worked for Sarah, the president and his team did not sidestep due process, unless there’s evidence to prove otherwise.

Why Sarah was chosen over other entrants, I dare say, had less to do with her academic qualifications than with her potential, which might have ignited the President and his team’s confidence in her.

Taflatse Kafla Si Kpaago (With all due respect), …Do we genuinely think the President would choose a prat to represent him for such serious work as overseeing a district?

What is meant by: She came through the backdoor as stated in the article?

Is it to say she exchanged sex for the job, or she paid her way through?

…Let’s be clear in the mind – Ms. Dugbakie went through the drill and came out tops.

The argument about 'favorite(s), is neither here nor there, as one with a quick start in a race does not necessarily become the one who wins.

Clause 1 of article 243 of the Ghanaian Constitution states:

There shall be a District chief Executive for every district who shall be appointed by the President with the prior approval of not less than two-thirds majority of members of the Assembly present and voting at the meeting.

If this wasn’t the case, then we have a genuine cause to worry.

I would have thought that for Ms. Sarah to come up against much ‘better’ candidates than her and yet beat them to it tells of her worth and quality… YES/NO?

My advise: Instead of contemptuously questioning the President’s decision, let’s only make judgments based on the successes or otherwise of its outcome.

Common SSSCE holder?

The importance of Education cannot be downplayed, however we all would agree that learning does not only happen in the classroom nor ends there. It is an ongoing thing, very preset in all spheres of life.

Skill or competence comes not only from textbook knowledge, and the President knows this firsthand, as he himself studied law through apprenticeship; and per his works, he ranks in the league of outstanding lawyers in Ghana and on the African continent.

The President is a staunch believer in practical work other than ‘bla bla’, and he sure will give the opportunity to anyone who puts his or her shoulder to the wheel to push his agenda.



I have picked up very profound lessons from this, being: Hard work pays, no matter who does it.

If we go through the ‘song and dance’ of University education only to prettify our CVs rather than make an in impact with it, those with hardly any certificates whatsoever, would outrun us in races as these.

Even if university education broadens ones horizon and makes him or her more aware of their environments, it does not place one in the position to do everything or make them super thinkers let alone problem solvers by default. Ones work must sell him or her.

Sarah has worked!

Her supermarket has been of tremendous help to the local economy of Ada. (Prove me wrong if it has not).

Yes, she cannot evade reading and analyzing dossiers of policy/projects documents with countless pages, leading intellectual-based discourses and making brilliant negotiations etc. in the course of her work, but do not underestimate the power of a woman.

Mr. Spines, Sarah will not succeed in transforming the district, but brilliant ideas and hard work backed with discipline and unity surely shall.

A changing paradigm

Businesses and organizations the world over, both private and public are not just looking to employ people with CVs so heavy, a ship would capsize, so to speak; rather, they’re looking for great minds to turn around their economies and maximize profits.

In other words, it is ones capabilities that matter, and not the denseness of their credentials on paper.

That is not to say Hon. Frank and the others are not up to the task. They are as able as the one who has been chosen, and maybe even more.

It is only in Africa that we exalt ourselves based on the tons of degrees and titles chalked, rather than how much of it translates to the betterment of our homes, communities and countries at large.

ood – I certainly will be part of her ‘Roman Soldiers’ to 'crucify' her.

For now, let’s all rally behind her and support her to succeed.

Hon Prince Ofoe Akoto, who vied for the West slot but lost, captured my mood with the following words of his prior to the call:

"The beauty of democracy is competition, and as hard as it may be, one competitor must be declared winner, and it does not automatically mean other competitors are losers, especially in internal competitions.

In as much we all who desire to be MMDCE are qualified, the president can only chose one.

To my supporters and sympathisers, we look forward to a favourable verdict. But should it not go our way, let us support the president's nominee, let us work with him and seek the development of our district and party".

Peace!