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Proceed On Indefinite Leave

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 Source: Kwansema, Ekua

By Ekua Kwansema

Ghanaians would recall that immediately President Kufour was sworn into office in 2001, he came up with a master list. The list contained the names of officials and other workers who they perceive have leanings towards the NDC. Within days these officials and other workers received just a simple letter of instruction. Proceed on indefinite leave. This attitude by this insensitive Kufour affected so many families including children. Yet do you believe Kufour run on the slogan of bringing positive change in the lives of Ghanaians?

Most of these positions taken from hardworking Ghanaians were then given to Kufour’s family members, NPP party faithful and those who were sympathetic towards the NPP. Is it any wonder why people like Musician Ampadu who became a contractor during the NDC era suddenly made a u-turn and denounced the NDC in order to get his daily bread from the NPP? Is it any wonder why others like Frances Asiam and Maame Dorkono whose resources were fast depleting would not employ the same trick Ampadu used to jump into the sinking boat of the NPP?

Anyway back to my topic of the day before I lose my bearings. Ghanaians soon forgot about this diabolical act by President Kufour and braced themselves to see what he can deliver in order to move the country forward. Even though Kufour has done something, we Ghanaians believe he could have done much more than we even expected. But I am not in the mood to belabour you with his failures. I am going to talk about history repeating itself.

I would like those who have been following the NPP blindly including Daily Graphic’s Editor Ransford Tetteh who went and planted a diabolical story in the Guide newspaper that if the NDC wins the election his head including Graphic’s MD and others would roll to carefully digest what I am going to write. Ransford who I am told by my sources at Graphic to be receiving three pay checks, walks with a big swagger at the corridors of the newspaper thinking every condition is permanent.

But I have good news or bad news for Ransford. And this act happened only days ago, and it comes at a time when he doubles as an Editor, President of the GJA and NPP Sympathizer in Chief. Some of his colleagues at TV3 and GBC who happened to be members of the GJA have been asked to proceed on indefinite leave. This is the inside story which Ransford should have scooped for Graphic or planted in Guide before it even happened since he is privy to information even from the NDC camp. And I know the NPP people would again come out with the lame excuse that they know nothing about these issues happening at TV3 and GBC. The NPP’s imprint is all over this diabolic act.

As long as I have breath I would continue to write and let Ghanaians know the true nature of the NPP. This party which has made so much noise over the years for lack of objectivity on the part of journalists in Ghana now cannot stand the truth. They cannot take a punch from some fair minded Ghanaian journalists who want to expose some of the very same excesses that they preached against before coming to power. (By fair minded journalists I don’t mean Harruna Attas, Kweku Baakos, Baby Ansabas and Ransford Tettehs). What kills my heart is when you hear highly educated NPP people justifying some of the simple stupid mistakes committed by their officials by simply saying, “NDC people also did the same thing”. So if NDC did something that was bad, does it mean the NPP should also perpetuate the same thing?

These journalists who are doing their work by being fair and balanced in educating Ghanaians about the elections have been kicked out, and as usual Kufour and Akufo-Addo are smiling, because it serves their purpose of silencing any dissent voices in their scheme to maintain power at all cost. And I am yet to read or hear from any sources the reaction of Ransford Tetteh, who I believe would have jumped into their defense if the NDC had done something like that. Ransford, where are you? What are you doing for your fellow journalists? Or are you smiling with Akufo-Addo and Kufour since you have also compiled your list of journalists at Graphic who you want booted out of office?

The NPP government now has no shame, therefore, some of the tactics they are employing is shaking some people beyond believe. They claim today’s special election would be for the security and other essential service personnel who would be assisting on Sunday’s presidential run-off, but reports in Kumasi and other parts of the Ashanti Region indicate that most of the NPP members have also joined the long queues to vote. One question that you would want to ask is would these same people be voting again on Sunday? Your guess would be better than mine. My little advice to the NPP people is they should do all what they can, but if it’s the Almighty’s Powerful Will that they have had enough of Ghanaians and therefore, its time for them to go, THEY WILL GO. To the journalists who have been sent home even before its Christmas, my heart goes out to you. I am with you and if there is anything I can write on your behalf, please provide me with the information. I urge Ghanaians to stand up with these journalists and vote the NPP out of power come Sunday December 28. We cannot live with this kind of behaviour for ever. AfrenhyiaPa, Monuanom Ghanafo.

By the way where is Kofi Wayo hiding? That man who claims he has millions yet could not get money to contest for the presidential and parliamentary elections. I wish Ghanaian journalists especially radio stations would stop giving free air time to this clown.

ekwansema@yahoo.com

Columnist: Kwansema, Ekua