The woes of a burger parliamentary candidate

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siam Asembeba dabi 12 years ago

Damn! Is Hamburg in the Netherlands?
I hope my geography teacher did not deceive me.

Damn! Is Hamburg in the Netherlands?
I hope my geography teacher did not deceive me.
Debbie 12 years ago

The writer obviously doesn't live in Ireland - the Ghana of Europe where whom you know works wonders! :)

The writer obviously doesn't live in Ireland - the Ghana of Europe where whom you know works wonders! :)
Debbie 12 years ago

... Only they call it NETWORKING here, lol

... Only they call it NETWORKING here, lol
Debbie 12 years ago

The writer raises some very interesting points. So often I have been told to "just bring the money and leave us alone to deal with the matter" when I have tried to be involved in family affairs. A burger is only as good as th ...
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The writer raises some very interesting points. So often I have been told to "just bring the money and leave us alone to deal with the matter" when I have tried to be involved in family affairs. A burger is only as good as the money he can dish out. Sad but true.
the truth 12 years ago

truth. they do not need you!

truth. they do not need you!
Yaw Buor 12 years ago

Sure the writer has identified some of the problems. But why didn't you offer any solutions?
Potential election candidates, whether Burger or not, face equally daunting hurdles to jump over. It's all due to the patronage sys ...
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Sure the writer has identified some of the problems. But why didn't you offer any solutions?
Potential election candidates, whether Burger or not, face equally daunting hurdles to jump over. It's all due to the patronage system that bedevils African politics - the age-old practice of handing out money to everyone. When we visit home, every person you meet wants 5, 10 or 20 cedis from you.
My four kids, all born overseas, have never asked anyone for a cent. It will be so odd and strange for them to ask anyone apart from their parents for any kind of help or assistance.
That's how Ghana has operated for decades. We have to strive to end the money-begging mentality. There's dignity in labour, as they say.
the truth 12 years ago

Yaw Bour, you can offer soclutions too. I think that the writer has provided some food for thought.....deal with it!

Yaw Bour, you can offer soclutions too. I think that the writer has provided some food for thought.....deal with it!
OGA yum yum 12 years ago

merci

merci
Amegaxoxo 12 years ago

Who told this ignoramus that Hamburg is in the Netherlands?

Who told this ignoramus that Hamburg is in the Netherlands?
Kwasi Tafritwe- USA 12 years ago

Why do you think 'all" want to be in politics in the first place? Is that the only way you can contribute to the welfare of the people? Secondly, those before us, like Konadu Apraku, Kofi Ghana, Sir John, and the rest, that ...
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Why do you think 'all" want to be in politics in the first place? Is that the only way you can contribute to the welfare of the people? Secondly, those before us, like Konadu Apraku, Kofi Ghana, Sir John, and the rest, that promised the people heaven but failed to deliver has made the "fools" to become wise. So now the "wise fools" will demand his "pound of flesh" before u get his or her vote. That is even if you will get it at all. You think those people in the village are fools? Even if they are not literate, at least, they have brains and eyes to see. You get to the top and do not care for them so they get you whiles you are with them at the bottom.
Remember when the late Bob Marley said "you can fool some people some time but not fool all the people all the time". Do not be deceived that the money you send to your family will ever influence the entire constituent to vote for you. Whoever wants a vote from the entire constituents must think of the entire constituent when remitting from abroad.

Al Hajj A A A Rashiid(OH. USA) 12 years ago

Kwame Yeboah, I did enjoy your piece, however there was a fundamental mistake you made in your first paragraph, referring to Hamburg as a city in the Netherlands.

FYI, Hamburg is a very popular city in GERMANY NOT HOLLAND. ...
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Kwame Yeboah, I did enjoy your piece, however there was a fundamental mistake you made in your first paragraph, referring to Hamburg as a city in the Netherlands.

FYI, Hamburg is a very popular city in GERMANY NOT HOLLAND. Thanks.
Komla 12 years ago

Like you, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the article and I am pleased you pointed out the misplacement of Hamburg.

Like you, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the article and I am pleased you pointed out the misplacement of Hamburg.
ATAKORA BEDIAKO 12 years ago

KWESI-GROW UP.

KWESI-GROW UP.
osei-Asibey -Atlanta 12 years ago

Why can't we overlook Kwame's typographical mistake and give a serious thought about his subject under discursion? Am pretty sure Kawame knows Humburg is in Germany. Come on folks, give meaninful contributions and stop bashin ...
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Why can't we overlook Kwame's typographical mistake and give a serious thought about his subject under discursion? Am pretty sure Kawame knows Humburg is in Germany. Come on folks, give meaninful contributions and stop bashing Kwame b'cos of a typo.
Speedy Gonzalez. 12 years ago

Burgers get fleeced not only in politics but also in every step burger takes.You do not need to be in politics to help your country develop,there are a lot more,these fellas love the publicity.It is sensible to do thorough re ...
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Burgers get fleeced not only in politics but also in every step burger takes.You do not need to be in politics to help your country develop,there are a lot more,these fellas love the publicity.It is sensible to do thorough research before venturing into anything in Ghana.It is common knowledge that our own relatives rip us off very often.Some people just jump into businesses without adequate research or non at all only to get seriously bruised.With all the knowledge accumulated,it is important to back it up with research,go often to read what makes the people tick,what moves them and how they reason and how issues are processed.
the truth 12 years ago

the average Ghanaian is greedy, not straight forward and always ready to "pounce".

Greed is in the DNA, dont blame the burger.

the average Ghanaian is greedy, not straight forward and always ready to "pounce".

Greed is in the DNA, dont blame the burger.
Good citizen 12 years ago

Give kwame a break. Read the piece carefully, he didn't say that Hamburg is in the Netherlands. He left out a comma after Hamburg mistakingly. Kwame bravo!

Give kwame a break. Read the piece carefully, he didn't say that Hamburg is in the Netherlands. He left out a comma after Hamburg mistakingly. Kwame bravo!
Kwame Yeboah 12 years ago

Folks, some for the Hamburg in Netherlands gaffe. I don't know what the hell happened to my geography.

May be Burger, ma ye mre.

Folks, some for the Hamburg in Netherlands gaffe. I don't know what the hell happened to my geography.

May be Burger, ma ye mre.
Kwame Yeboah 12 years ago

Folks, sorry for the Hamburg in Netherlands gaffe. Forgive me and read the main message of the article.

I am so stressed my geography knowledge has escape me.

Folks, sorry for the Hamburg in Netherlands gaffe. Forgive me and read the main message of the article.

I am so stressed my geography knowledge has escape me.
Kim Cole Kweku 12 years ago

Good job for admiting your mistkake: It's a mark of greatness !

Good job for admiting your mistkake: It's a mark of greatness !

Kwabena 12 years ago

If Burgers are to be successful in Ghana they have to put their efforts and resources together, come up with big capital and invest. Most burgers come home with about $20,000 to invest and in less than no time lost the money ...
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If Burgers are to be successful in Ghana they have to put their efforts and resources together, come up with big capital and invest. Most burgers come home with about $20,000 to invest and in less than no time lost the money and go back and suffer again.

We have a growing company in Ghana (we started in 2010 with $100,000), few of us pull our money together. We currently employed about 20 people and valued about GHS600,000.00. It is very hard to do one man business and be successful these days. So Burgers don't go it alone!
Diprof 12 years ago

Kwabena, you've made a very good point. I think combining resources (capital and intellectual) is the best way to go and some of us will take that advice seriously.

I'll also add that the burgers who have returned home to ...
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Kwabena, you've made a very good point. I think combining resources (capital and intellectual) is the best way to go and some of us will take that advice seriously.

I'll also add that the burgers who have returned home to form an association. Such an association can be used to encourage partnerships/joint-ventures among members, lobby on issues like exhorbitant and unrealistic import taxes, dual nationalities enz. An association can also help to even facilitate the political ambitions of some its members by providing them for instance the necessary network/links to rely on and at the same time not necessarily comprising on the integrity of the association as a non-partisan one.

Kwabena, you may contact me on my e-mail address which is diprof56@gmail.com
JOE 12 years ago

TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN EUROPE OR NORTH AMERICA,LET'S LIVE OUR LIVES HERE OR THERE!GHANA IS STILL SHIT!!
ONE MIGHT THINK LIFE IS TOUGH HERE,EXPERIMENT BY GOING TO GHANA,LIVE FOR 3 MONTHS AND NOBODY WILL SHOW U WHERE TH ...
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TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN EUROPE OR NORTH AMERICA,LET'S LIVE OUR LIVES HERE OR THERE!GHANA IS STILL SHIT!!
ONE MIGHT THINK LIFE IS TOUGH HERE,EXPERIMENT BY GOING TO GHANA,LIVE FOR 3 MONTHS AND NOBODY WILL SHOW U WHERE THE ONLY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS LOCATED IN ACCRA!DUSTY ROADS,ONE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL EVEN WHEN USING THE ZEBRA CROSSING,BCOS THE DRIVERS THERE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ONE SHOULD WALK AND NOT RUN IN ZEBRA CROSSING.THEN THE DAILY POLITICS..THESE DOMINATE THE AIRWAVES!FOOD IS STILL SOLD BY ROADSIDES..THE EDUCATED ARE STILL IN SUITS (COAT) WITH FLYING TIES WALKING AROUND MAKOLA OR CIRCLE UNDER 36 DEGREES CELSIUS!VERY EDUCATED!FROM THE UNIVERSITY!U LOOK STRANGE TO APPEAR IN A BANKING HALL IN SHORTS AND SLEEVELESS GEARS AND TOFFLERS (CHARLIE WOTE)..THEY EXPECT U TO BE IN LONG SLEEVES TO COME TO WALK INTO A BANK.O,"FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE MY PEOPLE PERISH"!THEN THE WEATHERMAN'S WARNING.."THOSE TRAVELLING TO THE MOUNTAINOUS AREAS SHOULD HAVE WARM CLOTHES ON,BECAUSE THE NIGHT TEMPERATURES WILL BE CHILLY,RANGING BETWEEN 20-22 DEGREES!HAHHAAHAHH...CHILLY!!
Debbie 12 years ago

Your comment cracked me up. Tell me about the suits - they look like silly wannabes.

Your comment cracked me up. Tell me about the suits - they look like silly wannabes.
Yeabr3 _Mo 12 years ago

The So-called 'acid-washed' jeans(top plus bottom);the strange-looking fancy attire(made from silky fabric) they derisively referred to as "shaking";the cheap briefcases; and of course, who can forget the 'dripping jerry curl ...
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The So-called 'acid-washed' jeans(top plus bottom);the strange-looking fancy attire(made from silky fabric) they derisively referred to as "shaking";the cheap briefcases; and of course, who can forget the 'dripping jerry curls'!
Today,some of these imposters may choose to adorn their over-sized jackets(coats) with imitation jewelry you can pick up for next to nothing on 42nd Street in NY or at some flea-market elsewhwere.
Look, 'burgers'particularly,the 'european variety,have nobody to blame,but themselves!
Gomido 12 years ago

Thank you very much Kwame. In obituaries they proudly write Kwame so, so, and so (son,daughter, nephew, )in the US, Canada , Belgium, Germany etc. Each day you receive calls asking for money. Most of these people who do this ...
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Thank you very much Kwame. In obituaries they proudly write Kwame so, so, and so (son,daughter, nephew, )in the US, Canada , Belgium, Germany etc. Each day you receive calls asking for money. Most of these people who do this are often our politicians relatives or family relatives with political clout, the very same people who refuse Ghanaians in the diaspora to have the right to dual-citizenship, right to vote, right to hold public posts etc. (I do not mean our poor mothers and fathers who have nothing to do with this). When election time comes you see them trooping to Europe, US and others with begging hands for election contributions. Our monies don't smell but our votes "smell". Any Ghanaian with citizenship in a foreign land is always a Ghanaian. We were all born and bred in Ghana. We toil and struggle here to bring new resources and ideas to improve upon the lots at home but we are being disciminated against. Obtaining citizenship of country of residence only help to minimize our struggles but that should not take my natural right from me. Wake up our "honorable" parliamentarians. WE NEED DUAL CITIZENSHIP NOW !!
the truth 12 years ago

Stay where you are and contribute where you are.....you are better off that way!

Those who do not appreciate your help do not deserve it!

Stay where you are and contribute where you are.....you are better off that way!

Those who do not appreciate your help do not deserve it!
HARUNA IDDRISU 12 years ago

THEY GOT WHAT THEY INTENDED FOR. THEY KNOW AFRICAN LEADERS ARE CORRUPT SO THEY WANTED TO WIN AND STEAL LIKE OUR PRESENT LEADERS

THEY GOT WHAT THEY INTENDED FOR. THEY KNOW AFRICAN LEADERS ARE CORRUPT SO THEY WANTED TO WIN AND STEAL LIKE OUR PRESENT LEADERS
Yeabr3 _Mo 12 years ago

Are,in fact,fugitives from the long arm of the law!

Are,in fact,fugitives from the long arm of the law!
akua ba kwame (BEREKUM) 12 years ago

God promise to claim every piece of land that we set foot on.The Bible also promises that anyone who has a doUble mind fall short of GOD'S BLESSING.In most cases , l wonder why people try to claim dual identities as far as na ...
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God promise to claim every piece of land that we set foot on.The Bible also promises that anyone who has a doUble mind fall short of GOD'S BLESSING.In most cases , l wonder why people try to claim dual identities as far as nationality is concerned
If you deemed to be an American, British, German etc, etc, please stick to it since having you two eyes peeping through a gourd would serve you no good.
Society is always dynamic and the Ghana you left in 2012 is not the same Ghana you meet in 2014.
Armed robbery was not in our dialect but now its a daily phenomena we have to grapple with .
Everything is changing and would say , treat all your remittances to your love ones as giving but not anything you're doing to gain any level plainfield with them back home.More also , politics is no honorable back home in Ghana so chart a very prosperous , respectful and rewarding career if you someday choose to go back to OGYAKROM GHANA. Good luck.

Kobena Anaman 12 years ago

Save your money for business instead of politics. You will have control of your own affairs. The African politician does not go into politics to help develop their countries but to enrich themselves! That is why you see th ...
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Save your money for business instead of politics. You will have control of your own affairs. The African politician does not go into politics to help develop their countries but to enrich themselves! That is why you see them using illiterates to kill their opponents during elections. Save your money and the headaches.
JB 12 years ago

is it that hey wantto help mother Ghana, or they also see an opportunity to "loot" so they also pack bag and baggage to go and continue the looting spree. To most people, there s no differnce between the "burger" and the loc ...
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is it that hey wantto help mother Ghana, or they also see an opportunity to "loot" so they also pack bag and baggage to go and continue the looting spree. To most people, there s no differnce between the "burger" and the local Ghanaian. They are all grabbing.

This excessive "paying of way in politics" is not restricted to burgers alone, it is a Ghanaian phenomena, maybe that is what need to be addressed.
Komla 12 years ago

Good article with very important points for discussion and consideration.

Good article with very important points for discussion and consideration.
Kwobia (Toronto ) 12 years ago

I finally told all my relatives back home to stop
Bugging me for this or that.No matter how much you give, it is never enough.Most Burgers
Have a genuine love for Ghana,but Ghanains are masters of their own misfortunes.

I finally told all my relatives back home to stop
Bugging me for this or that.No matter how much you give, it is never enough.Most Burgers
Have a genuine love for Ghana,but Ghanains are masters of their own misfortunes.
Komla 12 years ago

I totally agree with you that most Burgers have a genuine love for Ghana and wants to help.However, we are taken advanage of sometimes.

I totally agree with you that most Burgers have a genuine love for Ghana and wants to help.However, we are taken advanage of sometimes.
cham-cham 12 years ago

well written. Ghanains should chang their attitude to so called "burgers" and see them as one of their kind; otherwise our development agenda will continue to derail.
Well, written, Kwame Yeboah. You have hit the nail on the ...
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well written. Ghanains should chang their attitude to so called "burgers" and see them as one of their kind; otherwise our development agenda will continue to derail.
Well, written, Kwame Yeboah. You have hit the nail on the head. WAKE UP GHANAIANS.
Abal 12 years ago

There is one thing I will like to say. If the burger has chosen to take up citizenship of their adopted foreign country, they should stay there. They should not be living their comfortable lives abroad and think they can ju ...
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There is one thing I will like to say. If the burger has chosen to take up citizenship of their adopted foreign country, they should stay there. They should not be living their comfortable lives abroad and think they can just go back to Ghana and try to stand for election to lead the people who have lived the miserable hard lives lives in Ghana. If they want to lead the people back home, they should go back home first, renounce their foreign citizenship, live they hard lives together with the people for 5 or more years before attempting to lead the poor souls back in Ghana. Thank you!!
Prof Lungu 12 years ago

Good essay!

I guess we must all conclude it is in the "water".

You got to have water, right?

Ha!

Nuf food for all to digest!

Good essay!

I guess we must all conclude it is in the "water".

You got to have water, right?

Ha!

Nuf food for all to digest!

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The woes of a burger parliamentary candidate

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