‘Ghanaians aware of Constitution’ - Larry Bimi
Moves to recruit more doctors from Africa to UK
Who’s
who at NDC congress as three blocs do battle
E.T. Mensah joins NDC vice-Chairmanship race
Interior Minister orders arms producers to see Police boss
'Malik Yakubu, Imoro Andani have shown sense of maturity'
Censorship is least preferred option - Ayeboafo
Accra (Greater Accra) 23 April 2002 - An assessment
conducted by the Institute of Adult Education of the University of Ghana has
shown that most Ghanaians have become aware of the existence of the 1992
Constitution through the mass media. The study established that 80 per cent of
2,067 people interviewed in a nationwide survey last year have heard about the
Constitution.
Mr Larry Bimi, Chairman of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE),
who made this known in Accra on Monday, therefore, urged the mass media to
continue to serve as a tool to inculcate the culture of constitutionalism and
democracy in every Ghanaian.
Mr Bimi was briefing the press on the programme of
activities lined up for this year's Constitution Week scheduled from 28 April
to 4 May 2002. The theme for the week is "The Constitution, Cultural
Values and Good Governance."
A forum for farmers, market women and low income earners, a roundtable
discussion for songwriters, actors, actresses, musicians, and the launching of
abridged versions of the Constitution in Ghanaian languages are part of
activities lined up to celebrate the week.
Mr Bimi said even though the result of the assessment of the first
constitutional week is gratifying, it showed that there is the need to build on
the achievement chalked so far since many people who have heard of the
constitution are those who are literate in the society. He said it is for this
reason that this year's programme is focused on market women, farmers and
people in the rural areas.
Mr Bimi said even though the study firmly established the role of the mass
media in constitutional education, practitioners in the sector failed to
participate in the sector actively in the activities, which were organised to
celebrate the first constitution week last year. He said the goal of the
Constitution week is to ensure that Ghanaians develop a democratic culture and
are able to resist dictatorship any time there is an attempt to overthrow the
Constitution.
He said the 1992 Constitution is unique in the sense that there is an inherent
mechanism, which imposes on Ghanaians the need not only to protect and defend
it at all times but to restore it any time it is even threatened. "The
1992 Constitution is a living document since it is perpetual," he said.
He said it is only when every Ghanaian is aware of their rights that they will
be willing and prepared to fight for them. Commenting on the theme, Mr Bimi
said the Ghanaian culture has a lot to offer to Ghana's constitutional
development and democracy.
He said the cultural practice where a chief nominated is confined for sometime
before he is installed could be incorporated into the country's constitutional
and democratic practice. He said a President-elect could be confined for
sometime before he is inaugurated. - Daily Graphic.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 23 April 2002 - The brain drain
problem that has bedevilled the country’s health sector is likely to assume
alarming proportions following plans by the UK National Health Service to
recruit more health professionals from Africa.
A research finding in the UK has recommended that a number of incentive
packages be instituted to attract more doctors from Africa. The study
specifically suggested that Ghanaian doctors be recruited because of their
diligence and hard work. The research conducted by the National Health Service
of the UK predicted that in the next 25 years, the UK will experience a
shortfall of 25,000 doctors.
To address the projected shortfall, the study, which was conducted by Mr Derek
Wanless, Chief Executive of NatWest, one of the biggest banks in the UK,
further suggested the urgent need to institute attractive packages to recruit
more health professionals, especially nurses and other paramedical staff.
In the UK, a doctor earns at least £60,000 per annum and has
numerous opportunities for postgraduate work and for specialisation. A number
of Ghanaian-trained doctors as well as nurses and paramedics are working in the
UK, other European countries and the United States.
According to the Provost of the College of Health Science at the University of
Ghana, Professor A.S. Ayettey, the State of New York alone is reckoned to have
close to a 1,000 Ghanaian doctors.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Moses Dani Baah, who
confirmed the story in an interview, said the ministry is aware of plans by the
UK to recruit a number of health workers from Ghana. “We have raised the issue
at several international and national fora but the authorities in the UK seem
adamant with the excuse that we live in a global village, where there should be
no restrictions”, he said.
The deputy minister said for instance that at a conference in Geneva, the
former Health Minister, Dr Richard Anane, called on the international community
to help developing countries to address the problem of brain drain but did not
gain favour with many of the delegates at the conference.
“We have been impressing upon them to spare us this agony since we are a poor
country”, Mr Baah said adding that, “we have not been able to convince them.”
He said it is in this light that the government, in collaboration with the
various professional health bodies, has designed a comprehensive programme for
better conditions of service for the personnel.
Mr Baah said the proposed draft, which includes a housing policy and reasonable
remuneration, have been sent to Cabinet for approval and will soon be
implemented. Other incentives are transportation, especially for health workers
in deprived areas and opportunities for all health workers to upgrade their
skills.
“We will do our best to keep the few doctors that we have. Obviously, we cannot match the packages being proposed by the UK”. We will rely mostly on the goodwill and patriotism of doctors to provide quality health care for their own people” he stated. – Daily Graphic.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 23 April 2002 - With only five days to the holding of the fifth delegates congress of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a sharp disagreement has emerged over whether to retain the position of co-chairman of the party or not.
The former President, Jerry John Rawlings, and former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, have very divergent views on the matter. While former President Rawlings insists that the structures has worked well for the party in the past and, therefore, should not be abandoned, Dr Asamoah has described the concept as undesirable and unworkable.
The position of the former President on the controversial co-chairmanship issue was contained in a statement issued and signed by Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, the General Secretary of the party after a meeting with regional chairmen of the NDC in Accra at the weekend. The regional chairmen, on their part, are reported to have expressed the desire to convey the former President’s sentiments to their members in the regions for further discussions.
Dr Asamoah, who, however, made his views known at a news conference in Accra on Monday, said the idea of co-chairmanship is alien to all political parties in the country. He said considering the changes that have taken place on the party’s front and in the country since its defeat in the last elections, it will be suicidal for the NDC to maintain the position, which, he said, has outlived its usefulness.
According to him, in the light of present circumstances, it will be unwise for the party to maintain the co-chairmanship position. He said such a situation will lead to clashes of interest and stunt the party’s ability to organise to fight and win back political power in the next presidential elections.
He said the abolition of the concept of co-chairmanship of the party and having a single chairman is of fundamental importance, since it will offer the party a united and serene front to prepare adequately for the next polls. The concept of co-chairmanship contains within it the potential for conflict and leadership paralysis, particularly now, as each chairman would represent a faction of the party,” Dr Asamoah said.
He said inertia of one co-chairman will considerably affect the other, thus leading to the paralysis of the party, even if the co-chairmen are not in conflict with each other. “In the past, because we were in government, we eliminated the potential for conflict and paralysis by making one of the co-chairmen, Mr A.A. Munufie, an Ambassador to Cote d’ Ivoire. Besides, since the government provided leadership for the party, the question of chairmanship was peripheral and the performance of the co-chairmen was not of critical importance,” the former Attorney-General said.
He said the NDC cannot claim to be wiser than the overwhelming majority of mankind and should follow the general practice of having one chairman whom we can hold responsible for failures, if any. “In as much as you cannot have co-drivers for one car, the concept of co-chairmanship is undesirable and I will reconsider my candidature for the chairmanship if Congress approves the retention of the co-chairmanship. This will be in keeping with the position of the principle I have taken,” Dr Asamoah said.
He said democracy must be encouraged to thrive at all levels of the party, stressing that he does not subscribe to the handpicking of people to occupy higher positions of responsibility in the NDC. Dr Asamoah also described as a pack of lies and empty propaganda accusations by his detractors in the party that he is over ambitious and is seeking the chairmanship position as a stepping stone to flabearership for the 2004 polls.
“If I were that ambitious, I would not be anxious as to draw in personalities like Mr P.V. Obeng and Dr Kwesi Botchway who would be strong contenders for the flagbearership position of the NDC,” he said.
He said he has no problem with the former Vice-President, Professor John Atta Mills, vying for the flagbearership of the party again and if he should win, “I will work with him; even though I cannot speak for him, I do not get the impression from the discussions I held with him when he was in Ghana in December that he has any problem with my vying for the chairmanship of the party.” – Daily Graphic.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 23 April 2002 - As 27 April draws near the factions struggling
for power within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are becoming
increasingly clear though few members of the party would admit that they have
been divided into rival blocs.
Chronicle
can say that three blocs, The Rawlings bloc, the Dr Obed Asamoah bloc and the
J.H. Owusu-Acheampong one are firmly established to contest the posts available
at the contest. Apart from the Rawlings bloc, which is putting up the person,
Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama, as the candidate for the National chairmanship, the two
other bloc leaders are themselves contesting for the post.
In the
corner of Ex-President Rawlings, whose trump card is Alhaji Mahama are the now
quiet former first lady, Nana Konadu, the NDC wordsmith Ekow Spio Garbrah and
the hatchet man, Dr Tony Aidoo. Though heavy weights supporting Dr Asamoah and
Owusu Acheampong are discrete because of their lingering fear of Mr Rawlings,
insiders say either of them have considerable big wigs in their corners.
Differences
are deepening by the day, a situation worsened by their own media wars and the
hyping of the impending contest by the press. One thing, though that the three
candidates unanimously agree on is the abolition of the co-chairmanship.
Leading members interviewed expressed surprise that Ex-President Rawlings
continues to insist on the bogus arrangement when even Iddrisu, his candidate,
wants a single chairmanship.
In the ring
that will feature the three ex-senior cabinet Ministers will no doubt be a
thrilling political bout on Saturday. After the horse-trading, powerful
speeches and breathtaking balloting, expect Dr Obed Asamoah to win with
Acheampong probably placing a surprising second position.
This is
because the popular feeling in the party now is that the Rawlings domination or
dictatorship should be curtailed. For the general secretaryship, the incumbent
Huudu Yahaya remains likely to re-contest and do so with the blessing of
Rawlings. But if by the eleventh hour he declines, Prof Josiah Aryeh, the
lecturer and social commentator will step in.
And either
of them is likely to beat Alhaji Abukari Sumani, the former Ambassador and
current Member of Parliament for Choggu-Tishigu who belongs to the Obed camp.
The perception is that Huudu and Aryeh each have carved for themselves a big
stature within the NDC that Sumani cannot match.
Mr Owusu
Acheampong for now lacks a “complete team” and nobody seems to have fielded for
any but the post of National Organiser on his ticket. In fact Owusu Acheampong
draws his strength from posturing as a third force hoping to pick votes of
delegates irritated by the wranglings of the two main protagonists in the
factional fights. His real stronghold is the group of former MPs with whom he
is in close touch.
For the
post of National vice-chairman, the Obed camp has Nii Okaidja Adamafio, the
ex-Interior Minister, whiles the man for the Rawlings-Mahama card is a surprise
Enoch Tei Mensah who relinquished his Youth Organiser post recently at age 60.
The fight
for one of the most important positions in the party, the National Organiser,
seems a straight fight between the Obed camps and the Owusu Acheampong corner.
Obed has the sympathy of Ofosu Ampofo, former deputy Eastern Regional Minister.
According to an insider, though the 40-year-old MP maintains a cordial
relationship with all the three camps, and denies any affiliation he is more of
an Obed man.
His student
leadership qualities, organisation of the party in the Eastern Region since
1996 and his long association with the rank and file puts him ahead of Dauda.
For the National Treasurer post only Mrs Clarke-Kwesie, the former Deputy
Minister of Health has filed. Obviously not many people want to carry an empty
kitty.
Of equally low
importance to the competitors, so far, has been the post of deputy General
Secretary, which has two slots. Deputy National Treasurer, National Organiser
and its deputy position are also not being keenly contested for now. – The
Chronicle.
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E.T. Mensah joins NDC vice-Chairmanship race
Accra
(Greater Accra) 23 April 2002 - As the date for the National Congress of the National
Democratic Congress (NDC), draws near, more party functionaries are declaring
their intentions to contest for the various positions. The latest party guru to
announce his candidature for the vice-Chairmanship slot is Mr Enoch Teye
Mensah, former National Youth Organiser of the party.
Mr Mensah
made his intention known to "The Evening News" in Accra on Monday.
According to him, opinion leaders in the party are asking him to stand for the
vice-Chairmanship position because they need experienced hands in the
executive. They believe that with his vast experience as the former National
Youth Organiser, he has the capability of transforming the party into a winsome
side.
"Mr
Haruna Iddrisu, who was recently elected as the National Youth Organiser, is young
and therefore needs an experienced person to guide him", he said. Mr
Mensah said he is prepared to cooperate and work with anybody who is elected as
chairman and "if even I lose the election, I will still continue to be a
committed party member and work towards total victory in 2004". – The
Evening News.
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Interior Minister orders arms producers to see Police boss
Accra
(Greater Accra) 23 April 2002 - The Acting Minister of Interior, Dr Kwame
Addo-Kufuor, on Monday gave local arms manufactures two weeks to report to the
Inspector General of Police (IGP) in Accra.
According
to the Acting Minister, who is also the Minister of Defence, arms manufacturing
might be linked to the activities of armed robbers because under the law, they
were not allowed to manufacture but to repair arms. Moreover, he said, they
were not registered whilst the type of arms they manufacture, the quantity and
who their clients were are not known.
Dr
Addo-Kufuor disclosed this to the media in Accra after a closed-door meeting
with Senior commanders, regional Police Commanders and schedule officers. The
meeting was to discuss what action to take to uproot armed robbery and other
anti-social practices from the country.
He said
that the military and the police had agreed to collaborate to wage war on all
anti-social practices, especially armed robbery saying "we are going to
take a more determined and purposeful action". He said that the military
and the police in their efforts to stem indiscipline would rely on the good
people of Ghana, however anybody who would want to take the law into his or her
own hands would not have it easy.
"A
free and democratic society is definitely not the one in which anarchy
reigns", he stated, adding that there was going to be positive change on
indiscipline, especially in the areas of mob action, indiscipline on the roads,
in the forests, in schools and everywhere.
Dr
Addo-Kufuor told the meeting that the country could not tolerate the current
situation where her traditional hospitality and peaceful environment would be
abused with impunity by unpatriotic elements in the society. Accordingly, he
said, the only choice available was an all out war to win that anti-social
practice once and for all. – The Ghanaian Times.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 23 April 2002 - Two of the most powerful names in the National
Democratic Congress seemed to be fading into the background as the battle for
the soul of the NDC reached fever pitch on Monday, days before the
make-or-break Congress scheduled for this Saturday.
There has
been uncharacteristic silence from Mrs Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, an almost
series silence that cannot be explained. The Founder and Leader of the party,
her husband - until this weekend was silent but his shadow loomed.
Mrs
Rawlings should have been in Ireland by now stuck in the middle of a course at
the International Management Institute in Dublin, taking a course in Leadership
and Development. The fee was 6,300 euro, but days before the due date, she had
someone call to cancel. The reason for the cancellation could not be fathomed.
Reports
have it that there is now enough evidence to prosecute her for various forms of
unjust enrichment and possible fraud. Her role in the Ghana Rubber Estates
Limited palaver and the trial of her closest associates, Mr Ralph Casely
Hayford of Checkmate Industries (supplier to the Ministry of Defence and
booming loudspeakers to the NDC cause), and the woman who had the former Chief
of Defence under his thumb, Ms Sherry Ayittey, treasurer extraordinaire and
fixer, was too close to call.
It used to
be feared that pulling her dear wife and life support from under his wing was
too provocative and might rouse the Great One to some sort of destabilising
boom sound. Oh, and there are persistent reports of stuff in Switzerland,
nothing compared to what is being returned by Sani Abacha and family to Abuja
in return for the $100 million the Abacha family gets to keep, but still
interesting enough to raise eyebrows.
Can these
be the real reasons for the shock chilling of the usually noisy lip that used
to shoot so quickly from the hip in the days when she was the monarch of all
she surveyed.
The
ambition of Nana Konadu to pursue the Presidency amidst the clarion call for
women’s lib and all that surreal stuff was so clear. Now that state resources
and state power are not available to fertilise the 31st December war
chest, it has become like a bad dream, invisible, dormant and almost comatose.
For the
first time, there is talk of a women’s wing of the NDC, just-elected Ms Essiam
publicly distancing herself and the NDC Women’s wing from the DWM. Time was
when she could not say that and still get home without a summons or worse.
Gone, or is it quiet is Mrs Cecilia Johnson, former General Secretary of the
DWM.
In court in
the Quality Grain trial, it has been a revelation to see the recently divorced
husband of Mrs Cecilia Johnson, sit with the prosecution, while Sherry and Co
sit in the defence wing. Actually, Cecilia started putting some distance
between herself and movement even before the elections.
Mrs Edith
Haizel, deputy Secretary, is in Parliament, but still unashamedly supportive of
the ex-First Family as demonstrated when they visited Parliament during
President Kufuor’s ‘State on the Union’ address. Edith and Comfort Owusu were
like puppies wagging their tails excitedly and schmoozing with them. Good show.
But Edith
does not want to talk about 31st. She wants to talk about helping
her constituents. Recently, they auctioned off their property, including even a
water tanker and trucks. By the time I moved in to try and obtain one for my
new business idea, they had closed shop.
But, of
course, they would not sell to me and I had to use some of their own to get a
foot in the door at Ridge. Surprise, surprise, do you know that the Ridge
office is being taken away from them because the owner of the property, a
confiscated one, is asking for it? That’s one of the numerous filla that yours
truly is quietly looking at even as the to-ing and fro-ing continues. Dakmak
where are you?
Even though
Nana Konadu’s relationship with Ms Faustina Nelson was warm, it was an open
secret that the latter had loyalties to Obed Asamoah, whose loyalty was more to
himself than to his party. More on this later. So where is the NDC headed? –
The Chronicle.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 23 April 2002 - Dr K. Ofei Agyemang, a natural therapist, has stated that urine is a good therapy. In an interview, he dismissed claims by Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, that urine is not a good therapy.
Prof Akosa said the claim that urine is a good therapy has no scientific basis because urine is considered a form of liquid waste excreted from the human body in addition to other forms of waste such as faecal excreta and sweat from perspiration.
Dr Ofei Agyemang described such a statement from a medical practitioner as unfortunate since it can be proved beyond all doubt that the kidney which produces urine is not an excreting organ but rather creates a balance between the body cells and food nutrients like minerals, vitamins and proteins, among others.
He attributed Prof Akosa’s claims to lack of research and wondered whether he ever did any serious research in his orthodox practice. He said orthodox practitioners have failed where natural therapists have succeeded,” he said, and challenged Prof Akosa to prove scientifically that urine is not a good therapy for diseases.
Dr Ofei Agyemang argued that he has conducted research, which established beyond doubt that urine contains very vital elements for the body. According to him, at a recent world conference, which he attended in Germany, a medical practitioner from Nicaragua proved that he used urine to cure more than 10,000 patients suffering from cancer, ulcer, diabetes and other diseases.
Dr Ofei Agyemang produced a 143-page medical book, which contained testimonies from more than 50 medical practitioners from all over the world about urine therapy. He urged, orthodox medical practitioners who disagree with his therapy to justify their claims and not make unjustified proclamations.
Dr Ofei Agyemang said it is unfortunate that that doctors suffer from the tropical diseases that affect their patients and said orthodox practitioners must be able to bring positive changes in their lifestyles as well as in the lives of their patients. He said the body is a composite of what one takes and that diseases are not caused by devils but by one’s eating habits.
He, therefore, urged all to adopt healthy lifestyles such as the consumption of fruits everyday and, “avoid unhealthy lifestyles like smoking, alcoholism, frequent intake of tea, coffee, meat, fish and too much boiled foods.” – Daily Graphic.
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'Malik Yakubu, Imoro Andani have shown sense of maturity'
Accra
(Greater Accra) 23 April 2002 - The Nasara Youth Club of the New Patriotic
Party (NPP), has expressed its appreciation to Alhaji Malik Yakubu, former
Minister for Interior and Prince Imoro Andani, former Northern Regional
Minister for their sense of decorum and maturity in the Yendi chieftaincy
crisis.
At a youth
general meeting to deliberate on issues of pertinence, the national chairman of
the club, Alhaji Hussein Meiga, said the youth see the action taken by the two
former Ministers as a step in the right direction which is geared towards
fore-stalling peace and ensuring democracy, its transparency in as much are
investigations and probes as concerned. "It is against this background
that we advise that all and sundry initiate such a good example," he said.
Alhaji
Meiga said, "from the foregoing analysis, we can confidently say then that
we are proud of you for really defining the term Islam through action and not
words. We wish you good luck in all your endeavours. "You really came to
serve not to be served."
He said the
club would like to crave the indulgence of all, irrespective of race, religion
and of course political affiliations to join the crusade towards zero tolerance
for corruption, to ensure the success of President Kufuor's administration. The
chairman stated that the club would like to register its appreciation to the
government for the peace and tranquility being forestalled in the country at
the moment, especially Yendi, and the entire Dagbon traditional area. – The
Evening News.
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Censorship is least preferred option - Ayeboafo
Accra (Greater
Accra) 23 April 2002 - The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission
(NMC), Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo, has noted that whiles regulating the media in times
of emergency, censorship is the least preferred among the various regulatory
mechanisms.
Boadu-Ayeboafo
made this observation during a panel discussion on "Censorship versus
transparency: The role of the press in reporting the facts," organised by
the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Africa, in Accra last week.
Commenting
on the topic, "In the freedom regulation continuum, what is the mediation
factor- an instrument of censorship or are there any alternative?" he
emphasised that the 1992 Constitution admits that there are varied and
different layers in regulating the exercise of freedom of expression.
He said
among such mediating factors are the National Media Commission (NMC) that
serves as a regulatory institution, the Committee of the Ghana Journalists
Association (GJA), as well as the Private Newspaper Publishers Association (PRINPAG)
and the code of practice of the Association of Private Broadcasting companies.
Boadu-Agyeboafo
noted that the institution of internal disciplinary bodies of the media
institution offers more acceptable alternative to censorship in the process of
media regulation continuum. The executive Secretary indicated that the recent
government's directive about the Yendi conflict, demanding news clearance from
the Ministry of Information constituted an onerous task.
"There
was no way the government could have managed the situation effectively if that
directive was allowed to prevail. This is because apart from lacking the
necessary facilities, the directive would have meant that only those charged
with the censorship had the best discretion and were predisposed to exercise it
for the public good," he intimated. – The Statesman.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 24 April 2002-Question: Some people say for a
member of the New Patriotic Party, you are too critical of the party to the
point of sounding disloyal. Answer: Maybe it is the undemocratic elements, the
parasites in the political system who fear the truth I speak.
Q: What truth do you espouse that people don’t like to hear?
A: I keep insisting that the present system that has prevailed for a long time
does not work. It is designed to exploit the people and not to build a truly
democratic society.
Q: How do leaders of your party take your frequent criticism of the government?
A: Some may not like what I say and how I say it and I have heard some
complaints, but I speak on behalf of the mass of the people who are suffering.
Q: Have you ever been reprimanded or threatened with suspension or dismissal
from the party?
A: Not a serious reprimand. I have received a mild reprimand, yes.
Q: Have you ever received threats to your person for the kind of things you say
in the media?
A: Yes, I have been threatened.
Q: What has been the nature of the threats?
A: I have received threats to the effect that someone could ram my car with
another one. I am well trained and well prepared. I will fight all who are
enemies of my people.
Q: What do you mean when you say you have been trained?
A: Just what I said. Besides, remember I am fighting for the people and the
people have power. That is why governments fear it when the people are
conscientised into a state of awareness of their living conditions.
Q: What major policies had you expected the government to pursue that it is not
pursuing?
A: I had expected a major programme of industrialisation to promote national
self-sufficiency, and economic growth while providing employment. I had
expected that within three months of coming into office, the new administration
would have announced a programme of free and compulsory education for children
between the ages of six and eight years at least.
Q: Is that realistic? It may be easy to declare education compulsory for all
children but with the prevailing national economic constraints, would free
basic education be possible in the short-term?
A: Yes, if the government knows how to find the financial resources. I know how
to access those resources.
Q: I have heard some people say you are a Blay-Meizah type — a flamboyant,
swashbuckling, garrullous, playboy and that you do not have the money yo claim
to have.
A: I have never claimed to have money. I am a middle class millionaire. I am
able to pay my bills. I don’t trick people and take their money away as many in
the system are doing. I have heard this Blay Meizah talk. I had never heard of
Blay Meizah, until I heard I was being likened to him, so I went to check out.
You know what? The real Blay Meizahs are in the banks, the big corporate
organisations, the bureaucracy. They are the Blay Meizahs.
I have supported some businesses and individuals and helped the poor on the
quiet.
I have helped at least 17 businesses in this country to access credit, but I do
not talk about it. I have helped market women with capital they can repay under
very good terms. I began trying to help two public institutions to access US140
million and US$150 million respectively. I stopped the projects for reasons I
will not go into.
Q: You have frequently criticised the Honourable Minister of Energy, Mr
Kan-Dapaah over his running of the energy sector without really offering any
clear alternative agenda for the administration and operation of the kind of
energy sector you seem to have in mind. Some people have dared you to hold a
public debate with the minister on the state of the energy sector. Are you
amenable to such a debate?
A: I would love it. I really would love it! There is nothing I would love more
than a debate with the minister. Listen, buddy, I would knock him out so fast
the government would be embarrassed!
Q: From the state of the energy sector today, do you foresee a power crisis...
A: There is already a power crisis! I could have helped to avoid it.
Q: There are reports that you made a failed bid to buy the Tema Oil Refinery
and that the fact has left you quite peeved and bitter towards the government.
It has been said that you offered a dismally low purchase bid for TOR. What
really happened in your bid to get TOR?
A: I brought in my people so that we could buy the refinery but we got no
support.
Q: What people?
A: O, engineers, financiers, lawyers. We tried talking to the government about
buying TOR but got no tangible response. I hear they have been talking to the
Koreans and others. I tried to buy TOR for one principal reason: to demonstrate
that it is possible to produce and sell petroleum and thermal power at rates
cheaper than the prevailing rates. I had intended thereafter, to sell TOR back
to the government to repay on favourable terms.
Why did the government not try me when I proposed to buy TOR? Had I been given
the chance and failed, the government could then justifiably have said: “There
is Kofi Wayo. He bragged a lot about making the energy sector more efficient
and we gave him the chance. See how he has failed miserably.”
Q: The NPP made a clean sweep of the votes in the last parliamentary elections
in many constituencies. Why do you think you lost the Nima seat in spite of
your concern about and apparent affinity with the underprivileged who are in
the majority in that constituency?
A: I did not lose it my friend, it was stolen.
Q: What do you mean?
A: After polling, I was initially declared the winner remember? Some people
later stuffed a ballot box with ballot papers to enable another candidate win.
I am glad I did not go to Parliament though.
Q: Why?
A: Parliament is a hoax. It is a joke. It should be better equipped. MPs have
no offices, secretaries, research assistants or equipment. If an MP has no
research assistant, how can he analyse and articulate the concerns of his
people? Tell me.
Q: Parliament has been engaged in very serious business in spite of those
constraints, don’t you agree?
A: Parliament should have been fighting for better education, medical reliefs
and improved social amenities, for the people. They should have been talking
about the misery of the majority of the people. Have you heard them doing that?
Q: What do you say about complaints from within your party that radio stations
have been giving you undue access to their studios to unfairly criticise the
government and to speak of some government appointees in rather uncomplimentary
terms?
A: Some radio stations invite me as a guest to share ideas with the public. I
sometimes call phone-in programmes to share my opinions on subjects of national
interest under discussion. Whenever I am in town I host a programme on Vibe FM.
The programme is called “Common Sense”.
What is wrong with all that?
The people of this country have been oppressed for a long time. Those who do
not want the people to be conscious of their circumstances bother me. How on
earth could anyone object to someone trying to make people aware of the nature
of the problems they face and how to overcome them?
Q: Are you suggesting that the people of this country are unaware of their
circumstances?
A: Many do not know why they are suffering so much.
Q: Really...?
A: They have always lived in a vampire state. They have had callous governments
which have used the military to subjugate them while those in power have
plundered state resources. Those in power often suffer from “the big man in the
little pan syndrome”. They drive around in Mercedes cars while the people
suffer. If any among the people dare criticise those in power, the people are
persecuted.
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
A: I am from Nima in Accra. I went to high school and later to college for six
months in the United States. Thereafter, I attended the “University of Hard
Knocks” and earned the kind of PhD that enabled me to make some millions of
dollars.
I have been an Honorary Consul of the United States to Liberia before
(1992-1997) and I am a member of the United States Army Association.
Q: What is that?
A: Well let us leave that out of it, shall we?
Q: I hear you are an international arms dealer and that you admitted having
tried to use a mercenary force to overthrow the administration of former
President Rawlings.
A: I surveyed the possibility with intelligence people from outside the
country. We came to the conclusion that there would have been a high civilian
casualty rate and abandoned the idea.
Q: Can you say in all honesty to your conscience that you are a loyal member of
the New Patriotic Party committed to the attainment of the party’s vision?
A: My loyalty to the party is unquestionable. I love the NPP. I am committed to
it.
Q: Do you mind if I ask exactly what the nature of your business in the United
States is?
A: I work with a company in Springfield in Illinnoise called OPA. OPA is
principally an oil refining and marketing company. It is a fairly small but
robust company. I am the company’s Vice-President. I can call the President on
my mobile phone so that you can talk to him if you like...
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