I am very upset … upset with a government that takes terrible decisions, and then when things don’t go well, fails to own up to it and point out from whence cameth our problems (ie. point to self), and all of a sudden, the problems they created become ‘our’ problems. All they have done is to consistently reiterate the problems. That is why you play the leadership role, for crying out loud!!! You are supposed to give us solutions, not tell us the problems we already know!!! As if that were not enough, we are harassed by refrains that smack of fecklessness and blatant arrogance, whenever we hear things like “e dey be k\u025bk\u025b”, “kwasea bi nti….” and ‘yenntie obiaa’ (we’ll listen to no one).<\/p>\n
I am disappointed … disappointed in a faceless opposition that underestimates the intelligence of the citizen on the street. They presume that we don\u2019t know that this NEF for example is mere window-dressing and an example of the usual knee-jerk propaganda reactions that have come to characterize leadership in the last few years. I know, they know that we all know what\u2019s going on, and so we won\u2019t think they are in bed with strange political bedfellows \u2013 we will know that their sense of responsibility to the NATION first compels them to at least show up and not fall into anyone\u2019s trap. They show up and reiterate their points etc, and that way, they give people one more chance to at least hear alternative views, if for nothing at all, not for their own sakes, but for the sake of posterity, who will know the stance of their fathers and see the value of having the courage and temerity to face people with opposing views and put forward ideas that would have benefited Ghana, had they been followed. Will the incumbents follow the alternative advice options from the NEF? No, but \u2026 we get to hear views one more time, and even if it doesn\u2019t reverse the madness in high places, it reminds citizens of the importance and the need to stand up and put up alternate views; it reminds incumbents that you (non-government) can\u2019t be bamboozled without you at least for the record and for history\u2019s sake, letting them know where you stand and disagreeing on principle. It\u2019s not about your party \u2013 it\u2019s about an awakened, conscientized and engaged citizenry.<\/p>\n
I see that some smaller parties at least try to exercise thought leadership \u2013 they don\u2019t just react to issues \u2013 they preempt and proactively publish their thoughts and views on issues. You know, silence is worse than dissent. It is better that you show up and not fall into anyone\u2019s trap \u2026 be there to speak up and\/or oppose this crazy new norm of governance. If you hadn\u2019t gotten trapped in so-so boycotts, perhaps, we could have forgone certain clueless people being foisted on our very noble selves. In leadership, for the sake of principle, I have come to realize that it is not enough to give attention to the outcome per se, but the process too! It matters that you show up and abstain, or show up and present, if for nothing at all, for the record and for posterity.<\/p>\n
I am disheartened … disheartened by citizens who think that some of us do nothing but talk, and yet will neither SPEAK nor DO anything themselves. Citizens who are quick to criticize others who may have taken some steps, even if feeble, to DO something – to make their views known, or to support others who have the guts to move center-stage and DO. Nothing stops YOU, mr. or ms. Citizen from upping and doing. I have read posts by people who think the march in connection to the Nigerian abduction was hypocritical, if these same people were not ready to step up and do the same for the KATH missing baby saga. Well, what stopped those other people from mobilizing in favour of Suweiba and countless other parents who have suffered the same fate? Nothing.<\/p>\n
Remember the words of Theodore Roosevelt\u2026 \u201cIt is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.\u201d<\/p>\n
I am frustrated … frustrated with people – both leaders and followers who put political party and personal gain above that of nation. As a patriot of this land, I find it hard to accept, that there are people who refuse to acknowledge the truth of our current situation. I am disappointed when some sycophants (well-educated ones too), don’t have the guts to admit that things are not well in this land, and the choices and decisions of this current government have directly contributed to our sad story. Why can\u2019t people acknowledge the scandals and poor leadership etc? What is this feeling-sorry-for-leaders in the name of \u201cit\u2019s not only us, all around the world, there\u2019s a global economic crisis\u201d nonsense? In those \u2018other\u2019 places, have their leaders literally thrown money away the way we have? Why the sudden need to be \u2018patient\u2019 and \u2018understanding\u2019 of failed leadership, evil, crime, foolishness or whatever you choose to label it and more? Why? What happened to some people\u2019s individual capacity to think; to reason; to analyze things and to be true to themselves? How can you live in this bubble and pretend all is well?<\/p>\n
If I were in a political party that was making some major mistakes in judgment, broad, daylight scandals from capital cronyism etc, the last thing I would do, would be to defend the party\/govt. I would retain my membership alright, but would not hesitate to speak my mind and tell my fellow compatriots when I feel things are not going well. I would rather make my opinions known and be ready to show that I have brains, can think for myself and refuse to collude with others to tell blatant lies, and distance myself from certain decisions etc. I would be willing to risk losing favour of the powers that be … after all, my allegiance is to Ghana first. Not a party. Well \u2026 then there\u2019s also the reality of victimization and worse. \u2026 but why would I not stand up, if for nothing at all, for my own conscience sake, and record my divergent views and show that I do not go with the flow just for the sake of it? If our politicians, teachers, lawyers \u2013 everyone were faced with a thinking and an engaged citizenry, I am sure that they would be less obnoxious and reckless in their judgment and decisions. After all, can you blame them? They know we are a silent people who do not stand up to be counted, and so they know they can get away with any, and everything. And remember, voicing your opinion for the record and for posterity is better than remaining silent, whether it is through writing or speaking, etc\u2026 at least, let\u2019s know you are thinking critically about issues and we know where you stand.<\/p>\n
Oh well \u2026 I guess it’s now clear why some of us refuse to get involved in party politics … we appreciate and love the opportunity to be equal opportunity praise singers and equal opportunity critics, where everyone is fair game. Others seem to have chosen, or sworn to remain blind even when facing the bull. \u2026 well, so what? \u2026 so let\u2019s put Ghana first, otherwise, \u2026 with this blindness, as Uncle Bob said, \u201cEveryday the bucket a-go a well; one day the bottom a-go drop out\u201d. Look out for the PAVA Forum coming up on Friday, June 13th at the British Council, and other initiatives by Citizen Ghana. Some of us will neither claim to be saviours nor sit on the fence. We\u2019ll simply do what we can, while we can, and plan and hope that while we do what we do, with our hearts bleeding, tears burning, fears raging, hands shaking, thoughts mauling, ideas emerging, is all for the benefit of Ghana, our beloved country.<\/p>\n
Hmm\u2026 Oh for grace to operate in ‘solution’ and ‘action’ mode with wisdom and patriotic fire.<\/p>\n
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By: Dr. Esi Ansah\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I am very upset … upset with a government that takes terrible decisions, and then when things don’t go well, fails to own up to it and point out from whence cameth our problems (ie. point to self), and all of a sudden, the problems they created become ‘our’ problems. All they have done is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":18407,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[8],"yoast_head":"\n