“Here, I stand accused. I can do no other”
Martin Luther (1517) refusing to recant before the Catholic Diet of Worms.
Blame us not for playing on words, if you call it “pun”, you will be getting it right. And if you use “erif” for “fire” that may be an anagram but one might be recalling the literary trick when one changed Teacher Osei-Mensah’s tag on the door of his room: “Beware of Man” into “Bawarefo Dan”. That should be more than half a century ago in the town of the late Yaw Nsiah, Director of Miklin Hotel, Anyinasu. Do not get worried if you cannot distinguish onomatopoeia (from sound, egtattaratat) from alliteration (sing a song of six pence).
But, if we should go straight and not do logo-ligi we would say the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene who put his stethoscope down to wear Asiedu Nketiah’s batakari had his “baptism of fire” last week. No, not the theological concept from John the Baptist as in Matthew 3:11 when John said: “I indeed baptise you with water into repentance, but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, …he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire”.
The Pentecostalists would play into glossolalia (speaking in tongues); other Christians believe fire in the Judgment Day. “Baptism of fire” or “baptism by fire” is an idiomatic expression which refers to a harsh initial encounter: it comes as a trial or a challenge. You may like the Spanish version: “un bautismo de fuego” or French “bapteme du feu”.
Amoakohene faced “real” or “live” fire, not the simulation of it. Fire broke out in the Central Business District of Adum in Kumasi. The inferno started around 5:30 in the morning, and the traders (in phones and accessories, leather ware, footwear, haberdashery, boutique, jewelry, watches and drinking spots (Hello FM was spared); were in anguish. There was indeed ‘gnashing of teeth’. Goods worth millions of dollars and millions of cedis – some had put their “latest arrivals” in their shops just three or so days, earlier.
The fire-fighters were there: no water, and the hose could not reach the third floor, and there was no access (compacted shops). Which politician will dare to sack them, they will not vote for you!
And the Regional Minister, troubled by the cataclysmic incident stopped doing everything (perhaps) including his English breakfast of toasted bread, ham and cheese plus beacon with tea, to visit the scene. No political talk. Action. He could have been a commander over the Police, Army, Prisons and other Security Personnel who were there but the Fire-fighters were everywhere. Up, down no playing draughts or cards but could not locate the fire hydrant. They could not get access to the inside. Some structures had to be broken. The Regional Minister was moved by the biblical edict (Roman 12:15): “Mourn with those that mourn. Rejoice with those that rejoice…” he became ‘emotionally charged’.
And he blurted out: “Are you afraid to tell me there is no water in the tender? Don’t lie to me… Take the tender away if there is no water in it… what is it doing here…? Why are you standing there idle…? Were the fire-fighters idle? Fire-fighters being talked to this way? Fire Service is a thankless job, one would hear somebody say. The National PRO would not take it any longer.
Alex King Nartey noted: “He (the Regional Minister) could have easily just approached any of our officers or the commander without necessarily hasting to put a camera on himself to create a spectacle. To what end? Because at Kantamanto there was no shouting but we were able to quench the fire. So, what was the essence of the shouting with the cameras there, just to create a scene that you are working.
One of our officers fell from the top and is at the hospital right now. We don’t have health insurance, we don’t have any height allowance… The President himself acknowledged the effort of the firefighters and came to say thank you. Any thanks from the honourable Minster? There was nothing; he just wanted to criticize our men and then demoralize them…” The PRO was at his pugilistic best. Would you say the Minister goofed? Don’t be too hard on the young man; why not use the anagram “defoog” to obfuscate the general public.
Or is it equalisation? The ex-Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, was throwing his hands at the marauding school feeding caterers in April 2023 in a stand-offish manner. He charged at the women: “I didn’t become a Minister to pamper people who engage in lawlessness… so long as I continue to be the Regional Minister anyone who goes on a demonstration without informing the police, we will deal with that person as the law prescribes. We won’t tolerate lawlessness. If your child comes to you with chants in demand for a favour will you be happy? “Go way you” he seemed to say. “Christ”, “demand” “favour” Words, words, words-Polonius
Or was Amoakohene recalling the lesson he must have learnt from President Mahama in May, 2014 when he addressed a group of NDC sympathizers in Kumasi: “…The Presidency is working hard so don’t allow anyone to deceive you into thinking that we are retrogressing… As I speak, there are several projects ongoing. Roads, water and electricity… runways of the Kumasi Airport … GIHOC footwear. However, the Akans have a saying that the chicken never pleases the hawk no matter how well it dances …. As for Kumasi, even if we construct roads tarred with gold, they will tell us that we did nothing…”
No, that 2014 speech has been affected by the “resetting agenda”. This time, President Mahama consoled the victims, pledging government support. He charged the security to do thorough investigation and report to him. He noted: “We must take fire safety seriously. Cooking in the market, especially with gas and cylinders poses a serious risk. Preventing such disasters must be a shared responsibility…” Remarkable, except that some naysayers are twisting the message saying: “Mahama aye n’ade no bio” (Mahama has done his thing again).
Meanwhile, the Acting Head of the Fire Service, Chief Fire Officer Daniella Ntow Sarpong has, as expected, done a “mea culpa” “I refer to the uncomplimentary comments and remarks by a member of the Public Relations Team… On behalf of myself (?) and the entire Ghana National Fire service we unreservedly extend our profound and sincerest regret for any unfortunate comment made against your good self and reputable office as the Regional Minister and Chair of REGSEC…”
We would like to know the report on the investigation into the import of used uniforms for the Fire Service in October 2013 when Segbebia was the Health Minister. Who dare do this to a certain security group? Who born dog? Do we entreat the government to resource the service with adequate modern equipment for effective work? What about regular drills to check the serviceability of the motors; the location of fire tenders (not like the case of Tema Central Medical Store where the three fire hydrants had been sealed the night before the fire-allegedly in January, 2014.
Dr. Bawumia offered GH¢200,000 plus a promise of 1,000 bags of cement. Was it individuals to build or the government?
So, the Regional Minister was spot-on when he decided to contact “Kuro-wura” Otumfuo Osei-Tutu, Asantehene for clearance – to know who re-builds the structure.
