Cutting off the nose to spite the face

Frank Essien, Ph.D.

Cutting off the nose to spite the face has been an expression used to describe a needlessly self-destructive over-reaction to a problem. There is no doubt that Ghanaians in the diaspora have a lot of respect for our country people back home who are doing their best in the interest of the nation. However, irrespective of some of us being apolitical, that is not belonging to any political party, that should not prevent us from disagreeing and sometimes condemning in uncertain terms when individuals or groups make statements that do not augur well for the nation. The truth of the matter is that Ghana belongs to no one person and nobody should arrogate to him/herself that he or she is the destined individual to flawlessly direct affairs of the nation. The Indian teacher, philosopher and royal advisor , Chanakya was right when she said that the wise man should restrain his senses like the crane and accomplish his purpose with due knowledge of his place, time and ability. It is time individuals who mount political platforms in Ghana paid attention to Chanakya. There is no doubt that given the glare of political attention some people either tend to be possessed by gbeshie or are so full of themselves that they forget that our resolution should be that we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word (Goran Persson, Swedish politician). Besides, as Buddha said, Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.

The economic situation in Ghana (and for that matter many nations in this world) is nothing to write home about, but that does not merit the obsessive condemnations that we read about daily which could drive away potential investors. There is no doubt that being human, we may be inclined to make unguarded statements and this is where the qualities of leadership, statesmanship and political astuteness come in. A case in point is the unguarded and sad statement from the Ashanti Regional Chairman of a major and respected political party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP). I believe Chairman Wontumi had a genuine concern with the “Capitation policy”, but that should not have driven him to call for the use of “Arab Spring” to overthrow the NDC government. There is a serious danger in inciting crowds by a perceived leader and this should be noted by all political honchos in Ghana. What happened and in some instance is on-going in places like Rwanda, Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Syria, etc. should be our guide. We in Ghana are lucky to live in a country where majority of the population is not hot headed otherwise by listening to some of the unguarded utterances from so-called political leaders and party officials this country would have been plunged headlong into chaos. I wish to emphasize that Ghana is for us all and a call for chaos, a call to destabilize the nation, a call to cause mayhem is not appropriate for anyone.

Mr. Emmanuel Bombade, Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WNEP) rightly stated: The fact that he (Wontumi) can stand on political platform to speak the way he spoke and be walking about freely shows why Ghana cannot have an Arab Spring. It is this type of liberty and freedom to express yourself politically as a politician which was completely absent in Tunisia leading to the uprising.”

Ghanaians in all walks of life should remember that political instability, a country in chaos, a country where the people turn on each other, etc. is nothing to be espoused by anyone. We cannot always wear our political colors and forget about our humanity. A political party needs to thrive in a stable country. We cannot fry ourselves up and expect to have people around to rule. As we strive for political power, it is important that our leaders keep in focus the totality of the welfare of the country Ghana. Unfortunately, people clamoring for such instabilities have not seen the horrors caused by such things they are advocating. I believe it is time civil society rose up and condemned in uncertain terms irresponsible individuals whose mantra is to bring instability to peace loving Ghana. The sad part of it is that such individuals usually have the means of escaping the outcome of the kind of flames they are fanning, leaving behind all the mmobrowa fo (the downtrodden). I want to join with all peace loving individuals to call upon all political groups to reign in their so-called leaders who cannot bridle their tongues. Let us all join hands with Mahatma Gandhi and say to ourselves daily: Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.

Oman beye yie efir obiara. My country men and women please do not let us cut off our noses to spite our faces. Long Live Ghana.

Dr. Frank Essien

University at Albany

Albany, New York

USA

fessien1@nycap.rr.com