Burn Ghana To A Stand Still?

…….NPP must be suffering from “ATASIE-ATASIE”!!!!

The shock of NPP’s defeat in 2008 has brought an untold desperation into the rank and file of the New Patriotic Party. This is evident in the way they have conducted themselves in the last five months. People have described their actions as gross desperation, leading to what some have described as “gbligbli”, “Atasie-Atasie” and so on. But which ever name is given to their behavior, it is simply unacceptable and utterly preposterous. PERIOD!!!!

Indeed, the clandestine and self-seeking tendencies of the NPP have complicated their lives in opposition, such that they feel unreasonably uncomfortable after loosing the December polls, this has led them into a state inscrutability and fear of accountability.

The height of such desperation was unscrupulously expressed on 2nd June, 2009 at the infamous gathering at the BNI office, under the guise of moral support for their colleague Mr. Kwadwo .O. Mpiani. It is very disappointing how self acclaimed intellectuals and elitist like the NPP could succumb to frivolous and paleable lies peddled on their own media houses i.e. Oman Fm and other radio stations: These radio stations at about 7:45pm reported that, Mr. Mpiani had been injected to death by the BNI on the instructions of the NDC government, they therefore urged all sympathizers and party leaders to move towards the BNI offices to demand for the release of Mpiani. The question is whether they were really going for the mortal remains of the ‘dead’ Mpiani. Later live reports from the besieged BNI offices indicated that they were shouting ‘you can intimidate us!!!’, ‘we are tired of high inflation!!!’, ‘the dollar is fast depreciating!!!’ and so on.

To the dismay of Ghanaians they didn’t cry “aoow Mpiani, aoow Mpiani wo gya yen ma wha en neo”. This is indicative of the fact that it was a well calculated attempt to interfere with due process and the rule of law. Was it not surprising to see that former Ministers were banging on the gates of the BNI and chanting the above mentioned? This is an unwarranted reaction to the implementation of the government’s manifesto promise, which they have been calling for.

Under section 40 of the Securities and Intelligence Agencies Act, (Act 526) of 1996, section 40 the BNI power to invite people for interrogation on any matter of national interest and public concern. Therefore, the attempts by some NPP functionaries to rubbish the actions of the BNI and give it a party color as if Mpiani was invited to the NDC headquarters for interrogation is defeated. The President under constitutional mandate has established a Commission of Inquiry into the Ghana@50 celebrations which by all standards is in the right direction. Last Saturday, some arguments made by Abdul Malik Kweku Baaku and Egbert Faibille on Joy FM’s News File, sought to suggest that the commission was unnecessary and a waste of public funds.

In fact this made me wonder the kind of journalist and social commentators we have in this country. People like Abdul Malik Kweku Baaku and Egbert Fiebille are living contradictions of their own thoughts. These gentlemen condemned the procedures of the BNI that does not allow lawyers into the interrogation room, yet they can’t even discern the reason why this problem must be solved. It is common placed that a commission which will have the powers of high court is better and should be commended with agility. Yet too bad, it was condemned because it was coming from the NDC government.

This emphasizes the public perception that these men are double standard journalist who have sold their conscience and profession to corrupt leaders and have invariably become corrupt in their way of thinking.

It is again thought confounding how a personality like Kwabena Agyepong, once a candidate for flagbearer of the NPP came on Peace FM on 4th June to threaten that he and the NPP will burn this nation to a stand still if the BNI continue to treat them like that. This is unacceptable, irresponsible and the height of insensitivity, which the government must take serious, because the NPP cannot be underestimated when it comes to throwing bombs and planting land mines.

It is important for the NPP to understand that, nobody is interested in intimidating, victimizing and frustrating them, but the law and due process must be respected. Their continous interference with justice might bring an untold repercussion to the party. The earlier they wake from that destructive desperation the better.

Otokunor Boamah Peter

Former JCR President, Commonwealth hall, UG-Legon. Peter_otokunor@yahoo.com