CONSEQUENCES OF NUMBER 12 DOCUMENTARY- KWESI NYANTAKYI CAN SURVIVE THIS - PART 1

Yesterday I was telling some friends that it is likely Kwesi Nyantakyi may skip a jail term. Many of them said that considering the order from the President, he is likely to be jailed. They added that even the most experienced lawyer Tsatsu Tsikata was jailed. So Kwesi Nyantakyi is likely to be jailed, more so because the President called for his arrest and not an invitation for investigation. 

When I got home, mum was watching Tonight on TV Africa so I joined in watching. Patrice and the guest tried to debunk the phrase that the Police/CID/BNI was ordered to ARREST him but rather it is a call for invitation. (I'm still contemplating on which of these issues are true - still waiting to find out the exact words of the President).
But whether Kwesi Nyantakyi was to be arrested and locked or invited for investigation, I am of the view that Kwesi Nyantakyi is likely to be sanctioned and removed but not jailed. I think the Presidency wants to shake him and clean their name out of the rotten words in that documentary. ( Kwesi Nyantakyi's unprintable words is an indictment on the Presidency.) 

Everyone can allege that different kinds of businesses come through the Presidency, some of which may be acts of corruption but the way Kwesi Nyantakyi spew those words is a big blow to the Presidency. The NDC folks will not hesitate to use this against their bitter rivals - considering Mahama's recent declaration of a come back. 

Thus the best that should be done is what is being done. Even though Kwesi Nyantakyi is powerful, there are powers that surpasses him. The Presidency will definitely want to attack back fiercely for several reasons - paramount is saving their image that seem to be messed up by Kwesi Nyantakyi in that video.

I do not know whether Kweku Baako and his son Anas thought really through the fact that even though Kwesi Nyantakyi may be getting fried in hot oil, even though the former NDC government will be blamed for some of Mr. Nyantakyi's corrupt deed, Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Bawumia and the NPP will also be lambasted severely for the purported meddling in corruption. Among all the parties to be blamed, the ruling government is the one to suffer most. Such unprinted words spewed by Mr. Nyantakyi is really a big issue. So I don't know whether Kweku Baako and Anas knew that they were going to stab the same government "which wants to be used to boot Kwesi Nyantakyi out" at the back. Well, as intelligent as they should be, I am sure they considered that but probably chose the powerful Presidency's ability to overcome all manner of disgrace over the tongues that will bash the Presidency for being corrupt. - Bottom agenda being, Kwesi Nyantakyi and "football people" must go down.

A lot of factors will come to play in this Kwesi Nyantakyi's saga that many people are not really considering. Mind you Kwesi Nyantakyi was like the President of a country.
You want to know all about the factors that will come to play? And the reign of Kwesi Nyantakyi as GFA Boss? Then read the following episodes of this article and commentary on Tiger Eye PI documentary Number 12, Kwesi Nyantakyi and "football people's" woes. 

Thank you for reading! Watch out for the continuation of this article in the next write up. 

Do well to share your views, comments and contributions. 

ELECTION OF MMDCEs - A WRONG INITIATIVE.

One of the most recent news in the public domain is H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo announcing that Ghana will begin to elect its Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in 2021. Over the years, MMDCEs are appointed by the ruling government so as to represent government in the various Metropolis, Municipalities and Districts across the country. In this representation, the Chief Executive is to implement the central government’s policy in their jurisdiction. Also, they oversee activities of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly staff in order to bring development to the area.

The debate of electing MMDCEs popped up few years ago with many citizens speaking for and against the initiative. Those speaking in favor of the initiative are of the view that electing MMDCEs will promote development since the Mayor/ Chief Executive will be serious about developmental plans in the area knowing that election is at stake in the next few years. They also made the argument that sometimes inhabitants are not happy with the Mayor/Chief Executive appointed by the President, thus there is lack of peace and collaboration for development. These and other numerous reasons were given by some school of thoughts that are in favor of the election of MMDCEs.

On the other hand, some section of citizens raised concerns that are against the election of MMDCEs. Though I am not an authority in governance, I have reservations for the election of MMDCEs. I think it is totally bogus to have our Metropolitan, Municipal and District Mayor/Chief Executives voted for.

One reason I deem the election of MMDCEs bogus is the history of elections and its effect on Ghana as a country and the citizens. Ghana held its first Presidential elections in 1960. After attaining independence, we have been holding series of elections to elect our Parliamentary and Presidential candidates. We also hold Assembly Member Elections across all Constituencies in Ghana.

Critically analyzing the about 5 various elections that I have witnessed in Ghana, I will say that elections have not brought any specific change to our beloved country and to the citizens. Basically two main political parties namely New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress have been the ones winning elections in Ghana since 1992. During the ruling of these two political parties, almost similar things happen. Even though these two political parties are said to have differences in ideology, their progress and failures are similar with corruption being at the center of their attitude. And at the end, the ordinary Ghanaian who stood in cue for long hours to vote does not benefit much.

Let me expatiate on some of the evils that election has brought to us as a country. Even though the masters of democracy consider election as an integral part of having a fair governance system, election seasons in Ghana bring a lot of tension and division to the country. Election years are the most uncertain periods for Ghana where many are not sure whether we will continue to enjoy peace or there will be riots emanating from misunderstandings during the elections. The worse of it is when some political leaders make certain irresponsible statements that could trigger a faction of party supporters to cause mayhem. Such uncertainty, fear and panic that election brings to Ghana every four years does not augur well for a peaceful country like ours. Factually, it is in these election periods that war and riots break in many countries. Even though over the years there have not been any major war linked to elections in Ghana, the pockets of unrest, violence and uproar that occurs in some parts of the country is enough to conclude that the fear and panic associated with elections are alarming. Fresh in our minds of death resulting from election problems is the death of Alhadji Adams Mahama, Upper East Regional Chairman of the NPP. Many other people especially supporters die from election related attacks from opponent political parties. It is at this moment that even siblings turn against each other in a war-like manner, thereby bringing a lot of division among friends and loved ones.   

Another evil that comes along with elections is the spending spree that political leaders go on just to win votes from citizens. A lot of money goes down the drain in election years; where cars, bill boards, posters, etc. consume a huge amount of money from politicians. It is during election years that powerful politicians get a bit vulnerable thus enabling their supporters to cash in on their vulnerability and extort money from them. To me, many of the equipment bought during election years are a waste of money and resources. If all that money should be churn out into developing Ghana, imagine the vast development that Ghana will witness considering the millions spent on advertising and co. Virtually nothing comes out of that huge spending especially of benefit to the ordinary Ghanaian. The politicians who win the elections find their way into the coffers of the state and loot back all the money spent. Infact they loot more than what was spent leaving the ordinary Ghanaian to suffer. Such waste of money and resources on billboards, cars, Electoral equipment, etc. which later gets damaged and become of no use is alarming.

Furthermore, considering Ghana’s financial status ‘vis a vis’ the amount of cash spent on activities of the Electoral Commission and other state agencies whose funding comes from government coffers every four years for the Presidential, Parliamentary and Assemby elections we hold, we will be adding up cost by electing MMDCEs also.

I can continue to go on and on about the evils that elections bring to this country every four years. Thus the decision to begin electing MMDCEs is just another way of adding to the already existing evils that come along with our Parliamentary, Presidential and Assembly elections. There will be division, assault, violence, death, etc. in our Metropolis, Municipalities and Districts just because the Mayor/Chief Executive is being voted for. The state will spend money that will bring no return. There will be a lot of money spent on campaign for which those who win will come back finding ways to loot their cash spent. These and many other evils are going to come into our areas just for the sake of elections. With the already existing menace associated with elections that we are unable to overcome, Ghana will in 2021 add up to her woes by introducing election of MMDCEs.

Even though election has not yet brought war in Ghana, we are not certain that it may not bring war because Ghana and Ghanaians are not different from the other countries that election begets war. Also, all activities like violence that leads to war in those countries during election years also occur here in Ghana. It is only for the luck of times that we have not witnessed a war outbreak here in Ghana emanating from elections. But we cannot continue to bet on luck and whatever reason hoping that war will not erupt from fallout during election periods.

Democracy is already expensive and causing us huge sums of money. Should a developing country like Ghana not be thinking of reducing our expenditure than add up to the already extravagant and wasteful state spending? In as much as we think elections represent the real voice of the people; (amid the numerous election malpractice and violence), money spent on elections could be more beneficial when used than voting to determine the real choice of the masses. After all how well do those elected really represent the voice of the masses? They quickly shut their doors to advice and fail to do the real will of the people. Even in the developed world, the masses complain about their elected politicians so whether elected or not, politicians will always act as politicians with corruption at the top of their agenda. Politicians can never be trusted! Electing them is an enemy to the masses!

To save ourselves from extra problems that election brings, I am of the view that adding the election of MMDCEs is equivalent to doubling our election related problems, most of which can plunge Ghana into war and dry up our coffers. Election no matter how it goes, the state and individuals blow cash on stuff that if avoided can be used to develop a developing Ghana.

Thanks for reading. Do not hesitate to write your comments and contributions on this topic.

GITMO 2 ARE NOT A HUGE THREAT

Sometimes when I ponder over the way some Ghanaians cause fear and panic to themselves and the society at large, I understand why we have simple solutions for some problems in Ghana but are implementing cumbersome solutions. Our level of exaggerating simple issues are just getting overboard; typical is the issues on GITMO 2.

News trickled in few days ago that the Ghana government has decided to accept the GITMO 2 as refugees in Ghana, thus are allowed to continue staying in Ghana as long as they desire but under the refugee tag. This announcement has since caused tongues wagging with a section of citizens claiming that it is dangerous for the country to allow the former Al-Qaeda terror suspects from Yemen to continue residing in Ghana.

In January 2016 under the John Mahama administration, ex-President of the US Barack Obama as part of a move to dissolve the US Naval Base prison at Guantanamo Bay ordered that 2 Yemen Nationals – Muhammad Bin Atef, 36 and Khalid Muhammad Salih al-Dhuby, 34 suspected to be terrorists be brought to Ghana for a period of 2 years after which they are free of all accusations.

The 2 years is over and the Presidency has announced that considering the chaste life of the GITMO 2 coupled with their already acquired refugee status in Ghana, government is allowing the two Yemenis to continue staying in Ghana as refugees. This announcement have sparked a lot of argument in the Ghanaian media and among citizens with many scared that the continue stay of GITMO 2 in Ghana is tantamount to likely terrorist attack on the country.

In this article, I want to express my opinion on why I think many of the hullabaloo being made about the continue stay of GITMO 2 in Ghana are uncalled for. Many of the commentary against the decision are doing nothing but just causing fear and panic among some citizens as well as making the Yemenis citizens feel uncomfortable in a place they are already settled comfortably with some family and friends.

One most important fact that we must bear in mind is that the GITMO 2 were not convicted of any terrorist crime. Information available to us states that the two Yemen nationals were suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists. The word ‘suspect’ which was not tagged by Ghana but by the arresting nation themselves depicts that the two men may or may not be terrorists. It probably was for certain unfound reasons that they were arrested and detained in the US Naval Base prison in Guantanamo Bay. Even the USA could not prove that the two men were directly involved in a terrorist act so it will be an unfounded claim to get scared that the two additions to Ghana’s number of refugees are part of any terrorist organization or can trigger any terrorist attack on Ghana.

Furthermore, news has it that the GITMO two have integrated into the Yemeni Association in Ghana and have gone on to give birth with women in Ghana. This information should be one that must curb part of the fear and panic. Even though having children does not mean they cannot be involved in terrorist acts, the decision to settle down and have family should inform us on how known, responsible and settled the GITMO 2 have been in the 2 years of their stay in Ghana. Mingling with fellow Yemenis to the extent of having children shows that the men are traceable enough since people know of them and their current where about.

Notwithstanding, we must not belittle the intelligence of Ghana security agencies involved in keeping an eye on whatever activities the GITMO two engages in. In as much as we can sometimes count the fall outs of our security apparatus, I bet the security agencies are not sleeping on their job pertaining to monitoring and guarding the country against possible terrorist attacks. It is not all security arrangements on how the GITMO 2 are and will be monitored that will be revealed to the public. In this light we must know that just as our security officials were able to monitor their stay for the past 2 years, they will not leave ajar the monitory regulations. I am convinced that even the US who gave us the so called burden of housing the GITMO 2 will not abandon us in terms of security.

In conclusion, I will state that the decision to offer the GITMO 2 a refugee status did not just come out of the blue but out of many considerations and extensive deliberations. In any case we are not out of the world, meaning like all countries in the world including the most powerful countries, we are not safe from terrorist attacks for which me may claim that the stay of 2 suspected terrorists will open the gate for a terror attack. If the terror attack will come, it will come based on many issues other than the stay of GITMO 2; some of which are already taking center stage in the country.

Thanks for reading…Another Reality from my Medulla Oblongata.

Do well to share your comments and contributions.

Here for God and country! Long live Ghana! 

PLASTIC RICE BROUHAHA…TIME FOR GHANA TO CASH-IN ON RICE PRODUCTION.

Over the weekend my friend Booty Brown chatting with me over a bottle of whisky complained that he suspects eating the plastic rice that lots of people are talking of. For the sake of the law, I will not mention the name of the rice brand but from his words, he suspects that the brand of rice he bought few weeks ago and had already consumed half of the 5kg bag is the said plastic rice.

Somewhere last year, a video went viral involving the manufacturing of what is purported to be rice made from plastic. From the view of the plastic rice in the video, it is very similar to the natural rice that we know and have been eating over the years. This resemblance has raised more suspicion, consequently causing fear and panic among many Ghanaians. Some others are actually refraining from eating rice for fear that they will eat plastic rice. (For this people, I ask that they rather turn to purchasing local rice because there is local rice on the market). The video also suggests that the said plastic rice is being imported into the country, thus the plastic rice could be bagged as a new rice brand or bagged as already existing rice brands. And with the influx of many foreign rice brands on our markets, one could conclude that the plastic rice will be part of the numerous foreign rice brands imported into the country. Meanwhile there are locally grown brands of rice on the market as well.

At the moment, rice consumers which undoubtedly constitute the larger chunk of Ghanaians are in a fix sort of since the market in dominated by foreign grown imported rice. From some indications, it is becoming difficult for one to differentiate between the natural rice and plastic rice which could be placing all foreign grown imported rice at a bad position in the minds of Ghanaians.

Though this phenomenon of plastic rice is bad for a rice consuming country like Ghana, this could be another avenue for a rice growing country like Ghana to rethink improvement in the rice sector. Ghana is one of those countries that have very fertile land for the cultivation of many agriculture produce which rice is included. 

Over the years successive governments seem to fail in improving rice production in Ghana from planting improved seeds to attracting Ghanaians to buy. It is no news that Ghanaians have a strong taste for foreign grown rice for which we see a low sale of locally grown rice. And this is due to several reasons ranging from the perception that Ghanaian farmers do not grow long grain and perfumed rice to the assertion that local rice is often broken and not delicious. I will not be quick to blame Ghanaians for this stereotype because before rice farmers began cultivating improved long grain perfume rice seeds, they cultivated seeds that often provided broken rice. Many Ghanaians did not like the idea of eating broken rice and this brought about the stereotyping that Ghanaian grown rice is not delicious. I call the assertion stereotype because for some time now Ghanaian rice farmers are growing long grain perfumed rice seeds thus are producing the same foreign grown rice we crave for.

I think this is where we have come to a crossroad, thus needs government to drum home the news that Ghanaian grown rice are also long grain and perfumed plus getting Ghanaians to understand the fact and change their perception about locally grown rice. 

This morning I spoke to my young Lawyer friend who abandoned his banking job to go into rice production up North. He confirmed to me that he and his farm team are done planting long grain perfumed rice. Meaning when it is time for harvesting, Rashid’s farm will be selling long grain perfumed rice to Ghanaians; same rice that is grown out there and imported here for which we are having cases of plastic rice on our markets.

Some months ago when I heard that Praire Volta Ltd, a rice growing company in Ghana collapsed, I got furious and asked myself when Ghana will be able to manage some of these state owned companies. I used to consume rice produced from PVL and the rice was so delicious. For years now, I have come to know that fresh rice that does not sit in a ware house for over a year is the best since it is healthy. So I was excited to be purchasing locally produced long grain perfumed rice from PVL since it was fresh and not stored for several years. 

But aside Praire Volta rice, other rice farmers and companies are springing up like that of my friend Rashid who are cultivating the same seeds that the foreign grower cultivate for which they must be supported and given the necessary incentives to feed Ghanaians.

With the plastic rice brouhaha plus other numerous advantages like employment creation, profit making and growth of the economy, concentrating on local rice production I think is the best way to go now. We have had occasions where governments try to improve rice production in Ghana but fail. I urge that this time, the story should not be like that of the old times where we failed at a lucrative rice production business. 

Thanks to waakye and omotuo sellers because if not for them, our local rice farmers will not have people buying their produce.  But for the moment where our life and health is at stake, we should capitalize on this and view it as a blessing in disguise. 

For this, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with rice farmers across the country should develop modern ways to cultivate rice thereby providing healthy rice to Ghanaians. 

You have been reading Realities from my Medulla Oblongata.

Thank you for reading!

Please drop your comments, contributions and criticisms.

THE GALAMSEY CHRONICLES...GOVERNMENT MUST CONTROL SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE MINING.

In my last write up on Galamsey Chronicles Series published on 11th April 2017, I promised to continue the series by touching on some solutions to do with government's control of the Small and Medium scale mining sector so as to curb the numerous challenges Ghana is facing due to inappropriate and illegal mining.
After 11th April, 2017 when I published my article titled Galamsey Chronicles...#StopGalamseyNow is a Nine-day wonder, the unfolding occurrences on galamsey actually scared me from writing the next piece which is what you are reading now. The whole galamsey industry especially to do with its fight amazes me because just when Ghanaians decided to wage a huge war against galamsey, the following developments are really shocking. From threats received my the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to the brutal killing of Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama at Denkyira-Boase. Actually the developments almost deterred me from writing the next piece on galamsey because I used to have the feeling that anyone who renders a commentary on galamsey but does so in contrary to the interest of any party involved in the galamsey brouhaha can be abused or killed.

But aside the scare, I feel that nothing should stop me from sharing my opinions when I have a blog and the knowledge to write my opinions. It is in this light that I decided to continue my article series titled Galamsey Chronicles and zoom in on control plus the need for government to totally control the small and medium scale mining sector if it is really considering ending the menace that comes with the illegality.
We must keep in mind that Ghana on couple of occasions tried to stop the negative effects that the activities of galamsey are causing on our environment and the economy of this country but many of the times failed or effected very little changes. I am of the view that one reason why government is unable to champion the fight in these couple of times it tried fighting the menace is because small and medium scale mining is run by licensed/unlicensed individuals in form of a private business.
Anyone interested in mining goes to the Mineral Commission, obtain a license, go to the mining areas to buy lands from Chiefs, families and individuals and then begin mining. I think this is the basic mistake that we are making as a country in terms of small and medium scale mining. Is it for the sake that lands are owned privately in Ghana that influences the decision that where government actually comes in is only at the licensing stage? I think it is totally wrong for Ghana to somewhat leave small and medium scale mining to individuals like we see in many of the instances. Why should a resource that belongs to all Ghanaians be given to individuals who are able to obtain license and buy concessions? Then in that case the gold and other natural resources belong to the individuals and families who own the land and not all citizens. But from my research, natural resources are owned by the entire citizens of the country no matter who owns the land. So just like the way citizens of Western Region are not given license to go and drill oil on their own, just as government has a stake and some control over the activities of large scale mining, I am of the view that government must control and own a higher stake in small and medium scale mining.

In everywhere across the world, individuals or private business persons are more concerned with their profit; in many cases outrageous profits than any other aspect of the venture. Same applies to small and medium scale miners; they are more concerned of making returns out of the cash they invested in buying the concessions and equipment. Due to this character by the miners, it is difficult for them in many cases to think of safeguarding the environment by practicing safe mining. Notwithstanding the fact that some legal miners practice safe mining, secondary research available to me indicates that a number of miners both legal and illegal engage in unsafe mining. It is not surprising to have many of these miners engaged in unsafe mining because safe mining also comes with a cost. A cost that many of the profit-minded miners will not want to bear. Thus when small and medium scale mining continue to be in the hands of individuals, the tendency that they will practice safe mining is minimal.

The second challenge that licensing coupled with government's inability to control small and medium scale mining in Ghana is the cause of Chinese galamseyers on our lands. In an interview on radio, I heard one legal miner claiming that the Chinese have brought a lot of technology into the mining sector which is making the business easy and lucrative. It is no news that many of the Chinese who come to conduct mining activities here in Ghana are brought by their Ghanaian counterparts or business partners. If a business man who is profit-minded feels that the introduction if Chinese miners will enable him or her make huge profit, there is no way they will not engage the Chinese. But since they have legal license to operate and have cash to buy cocoa farms, other concessions for mining, they have the courage to introduce Chinese miners since what permits them to mine is mostly to do with the license. So some Ghanaian business officials just go through the process of licensing, acquisition of land (sometimes with funding from Chinese business miners) and then get the Chinese to mine on the fields. There on the fields and to the authorities, they have a legal documentation to mine but are engaging the services of Chinese. With the licensing loop hole in our system, I do not see the end of Chinese miners coming to Ghana.

Let us turn the other side of the coin where government controls small and medium scale mining by not issuing licences to individuals. Government knows almost all mining areas in Ghana so it is not a difficult task for government to know areas that are appropriate for mining the resource and areas that are inappropriate. Also, government will be able to do safe mining since they have the country at heart and have expertise who knows that mining should not be done in rivers and near water bodies. Furthermore, government will be able to mobilize the huge profit coming from the mining sector and use it in developing the country. This will also curb the situation of Chinese galamseyers coming in because the activities are under the control of government. 
Government can then employ professional miners by decentralizing the process and making the Minerals Commission in all mining areas to employ, monitor and control all activities of mining in the various areas. With this, the tendency to solve many of the challenges coming along with galamsey will cease or minimize. But if Ghana continues to issue mining licenses to individuals, I am skeptical if we can control individual business persons who are looking at making profit than saving the environment. 
Moreover the huge profit made by individual business persons from resources that is said to belong to all citizens will now come into the State's coffers, thus can be used to develop the country as a whole.

Until then...

Well, may be there is a better way government can solve this but like I will always do, I will keep writing realities from my medulla oblongata.

The word ''Galamsey used in this article refers to illegal small and medium scale mining.

Thanks for reading!


Please do not hesitate to write your comments, contributions and criticisms below.

THE GALAMSEY CHRONICLES...#STOPGALAMSEYNOW CAMPAIGN IS A NINE-DAY WONDER.

One of the most longest topical issues ever to reign in the Ghanaian media landscape is the recent call against illegal small scale mining in over 6 regions in Ghana. It is no mistake that Ghana used to be known as the Gold Coast because it has been revealed that gold mining is taking place in over 6 out of 10 regions in Ghana. The 3 Northern Regions which many did not believe had gold is now witnessing mining in many forms.
"Galamsey", popular term used to describe illegal small and medium scale mining originated from the phrase "Gather and Sell". It is not a new thing in Ghana to see English words being mentioned in different ways or have become some sort of local words and terms used. It is quiet evident that the word Gather and Sell some way some how via the normal Ghanaian way changed to become Galamsey.
To many, Galamsey is evil and yes, it is the devil of our time. Because the rate at which Galamsey have and is destroying arable land and almost all our water bodies are so devastating that the new fierce call from all sections of the Ghanaian citizens is not surprising. Meanwhile small scale mining dates way back to the 60s where only Ghanaians are allowed to mine in small ways by using small equipment like shovel and pick axe. Many claim that the introduction of Chinese miners brought about the use of excavators and some sophisticated and heavy machines.
But I have a reservation and a part of me keeps reminding me of the high possibility that the recent loud dedicated looking campaign to the end of Galamsey is a nine-day wonder. To those who may want me to refresh their memories, ex-President Atta Mills in 2013 used somewhat this same emotional way to solving the illegal mining menace where he deployed security forces including the 'Almighty" army. But if that had worked quiet extensively, we will not be crying barely 3 years after that supposed effective measure.
We are in the era of hashtags so it is not astonishing that the #StopGalamseyNow hashtag has been trending on most social media platforms for weeks now. It is a story that caught the attention of international media as well accounting for an interview between Akwasi Sarpong of BBC African and Akoto Boateng of Accra based Citi FM.
With no intention to downplay the good effort some section of Ghanaians are putting into the help to end the Galamsey menace coupled with the launch of a media coalition of ending galamsey, I think that if the solution of galamsey is not carefully thought through, the media rant may not be successful as anticipated.
On the small scale mining front, there are legal and illegal miners who ply the business with the zeal of making huge returns considering the huge money that must be invested in it. For the legal small scale miners, they are supposed to set up an appropriate mining facility that will ensure a safe mining activity devoid of land degradation and polluting of water bodies. While on the other hand, the illegal miners are said to be the ones violating the appropriate mining laws, thus damaging our environment extensively by degrading the land and polluting our water bodies.
Meanwhile variety of investigations conducted by most media personnel reveal that some legal small scale miners who are licensed by the Ghana Minerals Commission are also practicing their venture in an inappropriate way thereby causing extensive harm to the lands and water bodies. Not to talk of the everyday casualties of people dying through mining accidents.
This is where the cross road lies - reason I said that the recent #StopGalamseyNow call may not see a drastic change of our mining sector and subsequently a clean of our environment like we expects now. I make this assertion because legal small scale mining cannot be stopped. And in a situation where it is quiet difficult for all to differentiate between legal and illegal small scale miners, it will be very difficult to stop galamsey. Galamsey depicts only the illegal small scale miners and excludes licensed legal small scale miners. The part of the call that seem legitimate is that some legal small scale miners are also mining inappropriately adding to the devastating effect on our land and water bodies. But how long can our security services go into the mining areas to stop the illegal ones from mining? Deducing from the 3 weeks ultimatum given by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, he is likely to throw in the security apparatus to forcefully sack miners from the fields. This was the similar action taken in 2013 by the then government but like we all know, the security team will not forever remain on the field to prevent illegal mining.
Even among the work of security forces in the country, reports from many areas prove that some individuals of the police and army who are supposed to stop illegal miners rather aid and guide them to continue the barbaric act. They go on to find ways of intimidating residents who seem to call for a stop to the menace in their areas.
I have heard on one front which I think will be one of the only extent that the government can go is try to enforce their regulation process of small scale mining activities. This is likely to be done by reviewing existing mining licenses and try to enforce certain measures that are getting our lands degraded and water bodies polluted. How far can authorities go with this measures since it is actually their initial mandates that they just seem to be failing on. What new measures can the Minerals Commission take to actually stop Galamsey? Because one smart way these illegal miners could go is accept to go for license to deem them legal but still mine inappropriately.
Therefore deducing from the inappropriate mining activities undertaken by both legal and illegal miners, it is quiet evident that issuing license alone cannot ensure that small scale miners will stop degrading our lands and polluting our water bodies.
The license era coupled with enforcing appropriate mining activities by the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ghana Police Service and all other institutions mandated to oversee small scale mining have witness a large percentage of failure.
If those who are paid to work are not doing what they are to do, do you think a mere hashtag or a media rant could change their attitude towards work? As a blogger and a believer in the power of media, I think it can awaken and push them but to a better extent that we can witness a drastic change is quiet skeptical.
Meanwhile many people talk of the problem but are not suggesting a good solution to the menace. Some say there should be a STOP to illegal small and medium scale mining while others say there should be a stop to all forms of small scale mining whether legal or illegal. Notwithstanding, some section too think that the quest to mine gold and other natural resources from the earth itself is devastating to the existence of humans thus the activity both big or small scale, legal or illegal must stop.
Mining as an activity is not new to Ghana since we have seen the mining of natural resources such as gold, diamond, bauxite, manganese,etc over centuries. Meaning the growth of Ghana partly has been dependent on mining so the call to suggest a STOP to the various forms of mining are quiet unrealistic. The call to probably accept legal mining and stop illegal mining also seem not achievable considering the management of the sector over the years. So the word STOP is quiet unrealistic when it comes to mining in Ghana. Regulation is what many suggests but in a situation where regulation seem not working in a society with all appropriate institutions, I doubt if it might really work.
It will be incomplete if I do not also add my voice to solutions than just drum home the problem. Thus in my next article on the Galamsey Chronicles, I will outline a solution that will not talk of stop or regulate but rather concentrate on proactive CONTROL of the small scale mining sector by government. Control is the word and with action on controlling the sector, the menace will be reduced drastically.
Thus watch out for my next article outlining some solutions to this menace.
As always, it has been another #Reality from my Medulla Oblongata!

Thanks for reading!
Your comments and suggestions are welcomed.

SUPREME COURT MUST REGULATE POLITICAL PARTIES

The Supreme Court of Ghana is the highest judicial body in Ghana. Ghana’s 1992 Constitution guarantees the independence and separation of the Judiciary from the Legislative and the Executive arms of government.

Before I zoom in on why I think Ghana’s Supreme Court must regulate some activities of political parties, I want to do a bit of justice in explaining the short information I wrote in my first paragraph on what the Supreme Court is. I am not an authority on governance issues and may not be able to say all about the Supreme Court and their mandates, a reason I have not written much on their mandates, thus I will not go deep into that. My brief explanation is therefore based on logic and what the Supreme Court must be doing in order to safeguard Ghana's peace.

The first sentence reads; The Supreme Court of Ghana is the highest judicial body in Ghana. The word ‘highest’ which in other sense means Supreme depicts the level of power that office holds in the country.

The second sentence reads; Ghana’s 1992 Constitution guarantees the independence and separation of the Judiciary from the Legislative and the Executive. The words 'independence' and 'separation' in this context means these three arms are not the same. Mind you this is a guarantee provided by the highest law of the land which is our 1992 Constitution.

Let me therefore site an example each of the independence and separation bit that the Constitution guarantees in the statement above. (I believe many of you reading this may have better or perfect examples that best explains this). An instance where the Supreme Court is said to be independent is that The Supreme Court is a body on its own where their activities are not attached or regulated by both the Legislature and the Executive. This brings about the separation between these hierarchies. One main demarcation is that officials of the Judiciary are not voted for or elected into office unlike the Legislature and Executive who is voted for every four years in a general election.

Becoming a Supreme Court judge requires that the fellow has integrity and is of high moral standards. Meanwhile officials of the Legislature and the Executive mostly politicians are not strictly required to have such qualities to contest for elections.

I could go on and on giving instances on the independence and separation of the Judiciary from the Legislative and the Executive. So let me pause here and zoom in now on why I am of the view that Ghana’s Supreme Court must regulate activities of our political parties.

Note, the judiciary provides judgment even when officials of both the Legislature and the Executive have an issue. A typical instance is the 2012 General Election petition. At this point, you will agree with me that the Judiciary is powerful than both the Legislature and the Executive.

Politicians fall within the jurisdiction of Legislature and Executive. These are officials who are not appointed to their various positions but instead contest for elections for them to be voted into those ranks. Be it the President, Ministers or Members of Parliament. The competitive nature of this process gives way for officials of these two arms to engage in activities that can jeopardize the peace of this nation.

In the history of many countries where political wars and chaos erupts are mostly due to the activities of members of the Legislature and the Executive. Same applies to Ghana, the peace of this country can be considered to be in jeopardy if the activities of officials who fall under these two hierarchies are not regulated and curbed. Politicians are one section of human species who love power more than any other item, making them do everything within their means to hold on to power or take over power.

As we speak now there is clash between NDC and NPP supporters at Zabzugu over the voter registration exercise. This and many more confusions and minor chaos are happening at different places across the country. Apparently the voter transfer exercise should not involve political parties but that directive is not been adhered to by politicians and their supporters. Orchestrators engaging in this voter transfer malpractice are the various Members of Parliament. (This answers the question of anyone who may argue on my earlier assertion that Legislative and Executive Council members are not actually required to be of integrity and of high moral standards like that of the Judiciary. I am sorry to say this but a lot of malpractices being carried out by politicians do not portray integrity and high moral life standards).

The current chaos in Zabzugu resulted from two political parties ignoring directives of the Electoral Commission. I heard the Public Relations Director of the EC in an interview claiming political parties were invited to witness the transfer for reasons of transparency. But the intention of the EC has been thrown out into the dustbin where political parties especially the two large parties have turned the exercise into transfer malpractice. The main allegation was various political parties are alleged to be bringing people from outside the constituency to transfer their votes to that constituency.

This is actually not the first time political parties have sort of ignored directives of the Electoral Commission. But these political parties often turn around to accuse the Electoral Commission for wrong doings. (This is where I think groups such as LMVCA, Occupy Ghana and co. must condemn the political parties. Not only finding interest in vilifying the Electoral Commission.)

At this point I will draw my first curtains. If political parties especially the two large parties have on several occasions ignored directives given by the Electoral Commission, then we have no guarantee that they will continue to abide by incoming directives. Everyone will bear with me that news of such confusions is not good especially in an election year where tensions are so high. It is in this light that I think the Supreme Court should step in and regulate these political parties. The chaos in Zabzugu and other places may be burning beneath even after calm is restored. And this can trigger to other chaos getting into the Elections or during the elections. If the law is made to work where the Supreme Court backs the Electoral Commission’s directive, I am not sure we will witness such chaos or just a little of it since perpetrators are aware they may face jail terms.  

Tensions getting so high lead me to another reason why the Supreme Court must regulate the activities of the political parties. Comments made by the various political parties are tantamount to possible unrest in the country. Elsewhere in countries where there have been or there is political unrest, some were triggered by just a comment made by one party official or the other. I think the Supreme Court must regulate comments made by political parties where victims of comments that are detrimental to the peace of this country must be taken to the law court.

Imagine the recent vilification of the EC by Let My Vote Count Alliance and other pressure groups. Many of these comments in a way damaged the reputation of the EC and its Chair. Even as it stands now, there are citizens who by hearing such comments have lost trust and may not trust the EC to give us fair judgment come December 7. This perception in the minds of citizens can result in chaos during the elections.

Other comments made by high ranking officials of certain parties such as party supporters after voting should not go home but instead stay over at the polling station to guard votes as if their life depended on it is inappropriate. Contrary to this, the Electoral Commission demands that voters should go home or stay away from the polling station after voting meanwhile few may come over to witness the counting process. Is this not a situation where political parties are ignoring a directive of the EC thereby misinterpreting the EC? The probability of chaos and confusion at these polling stations are very high if all supporters of the various political parties sit there to 'so called' guard their votes.

These and others comments, allegations and claims which we all hear every day and can testify to are dangerous to our peace especially in a tension-filled election year. It takes a moment, an act or a comment for political chaos to spark in any country meanwhile Ghana is not different from those countries. We do not have to sit down unconcerned and allow political parties to plunge this country into chaos. It is obvious they will not openly charge their supporters to cause confusion but their actions and comments can lead to unrest.

In as much as we have trust in our security officials to calm tempers down and guard this country before, during and after the elections, prevention they say is better than cure.

Since the Supreme Court is the highest judicial body of this land and are at the best position to uphold and guard this country, I think officials of the Supreme Court must begin to condemn, criticize and regulate some activities of the various political parties. Ghana is bigger than all political parties; same way the Supreme Court is powerful than all political parties so I humbly urge that they begin exercising that power.

I think the Supreme Court’s involvement in this will go a long way to assure citizens, investors and the entire world of Ghana’s peace going into the December polls.

GHANA FOR PEACE!!!

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