Peace, The Output Of A Just Input-The Case Of Yaw Boateng Gyan

By; Alhassan Hadi Azindow

I am not writing this piece from the background of any political persuasion but from the perspective of the fact that I am a legitimate son of Nkrumah’s Ghana. As we gear up to this year’s general election it is very imperative that we condemn any statement that has the potential of marring the election. This can only be achieved if we have a just system devoid of any suspicion, bickering, acrimony and antagonism.

It is interesting to listen to the two major political parties (NPP, NDC) with regard to the recently leaked Mr Yaw Boateng Gyan’s tape saga, in which they have both taken entrenched parochial interests that would not help the forward match of this country. I have come to a personal conclusion that this particular criminal incident must be treated with so much contempt as it has the potential of sparking violence. In as much as we all stood up and chastised Hon. Kennedy Agyapong for his irresponsible outburst that nearly threw this country into ethnic conflict so must we treat Yaw Boatengs tape saga. I would have been very happy if his Excellency John Dramani Mahama had equally used ‘a bulldozer to kill a fly rather than a sledge hammer.’

For those of us who are not privy to the NDC's National Organizer's infamous leaked tape recording, I would try to summarise what he said. Mr Yaw Baoateng-Gyan promised to enlist members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) into a Special Force of the Ghana Armed Forces whose members would later be given National Security identification cards to enable them to infiltrate the ranks of some parties especially the National Democratic Party (NDP).

The plan, according to the voices, was to find information about the strategies of the NDP and its likely impact on the fortunes of the NDC in the December elections.

It also made reference to issuing the operatives with National Security identification cards but was not sure about the support from National Security, since in the past such provisions had been abused by those the party recruited for a similar exercise.

The recording also made references to the motivational package for the persons to be engaged which included a GH¢5,000 for the wives of the people to start a business. Why did he say he will pay their wives not them? This is a typical SUICIDE MISSION APRROACH.

Mr Boateng-Gyan has confirmed that the voice of the recording is his, prompting calls from several quarters including the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for his arrest.

In any ‘serious’ democratic country the police would have been the first to respond since they have been implicated. Again, the presidency would have equally quickly organised a press conference to allay the fears of the populace. As long as suspicion and mistrust exist between the security apparatus and the civilian populace there can easily be violence.

We can make progress if we adhere to the call by Dr Papa kwesi Nduom to separate the attorney general’s office from that of the chief justice. In order to strengthening the IGP for future swift actions devoid of any political colour I would also propose that the IGPs office should not be appointed by the president.

I conclude with a statement from Socrates which states that; Injustice is all the graver when it is armed injustice, and man is furnished from birth with arms ( such as for instance , language) which are intended to serve the purpose of moral prudence and virtue, but which may be used in preference for opposite ends.

GOD BLESS GHANA.