Mayor Okoe Vanderpuye – Why are you burning our Markets?

By: Kwadwo Boafo

The recent spate of fire outbreaks in the major markets in Accra has been a major quandary overwhelming Ghanaians. How can a government countenance such man-made catastrophes without any major push forward in terms of policies and crisis management?

It, however, became obvious, after the Kantamanto market was razed down by fire, that it was started by the scamps of the city’s Mayor, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye. The market traders linked the inferno to the, apparent, sale of the parcel of land, that accommodated the market, to Chinese investors who would, eventually, build their so-called modern market, albeit a CHINESE MARKET!!! It all started when a helicopter made several low fly-overs and dropped small explosive liquid in four different locations of the market, which was ravaged by the inferno from all angles leaving the Fire personnel helpless for the want of a strategy to quench it out as it was billowing at all fronts. This development was all over the news at the time and like the old adage, interestingly, puts it, “there is no smoke without fire”.

Likewise, it was all over the news that the Member of Parliament for the Odododiodio Constituency, Mr. Nii Lante Vanderpuye, would support any measure to kick-out the majority of the inhabitants of the Kantamanto Market since they were an NPP voting majority, so that they would not find a livelihood there anymore, thus another premise for the suspicion of arson, allegedly, perpetrated by the Mayor, the MP and their cohorts. The nefarious behaviour of this uncouth person supports the whisper that is making the circles in town that he, Mayor Vanderpuye, is behind the fires in Accra. I do not want to grunt on, as I am already smoking with rage, but to analyse the situation, one could have seen it coming. The Chinese infiltration of Ghana is unprecedented and despite the many calls on John Mahama to arrest the takeover of Ghana by foreigners, he just would not be told. The Chinese have been crying for an opportunity to establish a market of their own for long. As a matter of fact, they have acquired some land along the Kasoa and Sege roads and the icing on the cake was the Kantamanto market, which was, apparently, destroyed, deliberately, for this purpose.

I am saying to Alfred Oko Vanderpuye, the Mayor of Accra, that he ought to resolve the outstanding issues with objective and non-partisan pragmatism. While some institutions have been found lacking in the very fundamental and basic amenities to operate, like the Fire Service, the Immigration Service and the Border Control, it is contended that this, current, Mayor of Accra is engaging in very sordid corruption, so much so, that he has to hire a very expensive foreign lawyer to defend a case levied against him by the Americans in America. What kind of shame is that? What kind of bigotry is that? To disenfranchise poor Ghanaians striving to make ends meet only to fill your stomach and those of your tail-waggers is the worst crime that any official could commit against his fellow citizens whose interests he has been charged with protecting. Then the other markets! What do you want from Makola, Tudu, Agbogbloshie, huh? Have you, also, connived to, criminally, acquire those parcels of land? Who do you want to give the restoration contracts to? How much money have you been bribed with?

Is it not perplexing to note that John Mahama paid a soothsayer’s visit to the Makola market and not to the Kantamanto one? Is it not insulting to the herd that the shepherd would fleece all his sheep and leave the one that has the most wool? John Mahama, that is exactly what you have done and continue to do. While the majority of Ghanaians are suffering and barely surviving under the back-breaking hardship that they are forcibly enduring under your administration, your very gangs are on the rampage perpetrating wrong in all its forms, enriching themselves to the detriment of the people they were appointed to serve. Then again, if you are not in check, what will check your fellow compatriots in their gargantuan wrongdoing? When they see their Boss in such flagrant violation of the ethics of service and leadership, what will deter them from misbehaving?

The suspicion of arson is not to be ruled out but given the many unfavourable sentiments on public display by the NDC stalwarts, they should be able to pinpoint these acts of mischief to a source of origin. They must be able to mention names relevant to any ongoing investigation by the security agencies, so to the BNI and National Security, the cry is for the arrest of Dr.Kwabena Adjei, National Chairman of the NDC, for making claims that the NPP stands behind the recent infernos in Accra. If one makes claims, one must be able to substantiate them with evidence otherwise it would be a crime of inciting sedition to set the good people of Ghana against one another.

And another inferno in another main market in Kumasi!!! Have you taught your comrades-in-treachery the art of “pharonism”, “nebuchadenrism” and “absolute savagery to extend it all the way to the hinterland? You must be chased to Nsawam Penitentiary by Ghanaians and locked up for good. Shame on you!!!

Mayor Vanderpuye, your continuous abuse of office and consistent harassment of people and businesses under your jurisdiction will, inevitably, invite nothing but calamity upon calamity that shall befall you and your family and I want to take this opportunity to advise you to fear GOD, for it is only in such a situation would you be able to discern your waywardness and straighten up, afterall, you will not be in your position forever.