As students of literature (in English) and ardent literary critics, we get enthralled by the latest scripts on the home stretch of the 2024 elections.
Most interesting are the research findings by reputable research institutions. Global InfoAnalytics, in a research done between March 22 and March 30 with sample size of 6,128 voters, give John Mahama 54.3%, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia 34.9%; Alan Kyerematen 7.5%; Kwame Bediako 2.3%; all the others, including Akua Donkor 1%. Fitch Solutions gives Mahama 54% and its Associate Director Mike Kruinger says: “Recent polls consistently place the NDC ahead…”
Dr. Asah of the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana gives a cheer to NDC, NPP and other parties when he says the surveys help political parties to plan.
Hopson Adorye, who hobnobbed with the NPP as Director of Operations of Young NPP Patriots and is now flirting with Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change, says: “On December 7, NDC will take the lead. Alan will be second, before NPP gets the third position. John Mahama will not be able make the 50 plus one mark, so there will be a run-off. Alan will be President…”
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, addressing an audience of law students, academics and political enthusiasts at the maiden edition of the Election 2024 Dialogue at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) touted Bawumia’s leadership. “Under his presidency (of accountability and transparency) we will implement reforms that hold public officials accountable, ensure that government spending is efficient, and root out corruption at all levels of public service.”
Whilst these fine gentlemen were talking in such high falutin language, Kwame Baffoe also known as Abronye DC, the Bono Regional Chairman of NPP was preaching the Code of Hammurabi of collateral injury or reciprocal equivalence.
“When you are attacked by the NDC, don’t waste time by going to the police to lodge a complaint… it should be an eye for an eye… if you fire a gun, I will fire a gun”. What!
Then came the volte-face action of Rev. Owusu-Bempah, the Kokobra man who was a notable prayer-man for the NPP in 2016 – 2020. Was it his tiff with Rev. Agradaa? And what did he expect the NPP to do? Rev. Owusu-Bempah joined other Men of God to offer prayers for NDC’s John Dramani Mahama: “We are praying to God of all flesh, this is whom you have favoured Ghana with and to lead the nation in a time like this, that no power can prevent.
Through him, this nation will move forward…” “Amen” Rev. Owusu-Bempah then took the microphone and noted: “When the prayers were ongoing, this is what the Lord told me. Because of the good heart of this man, God has handed over this nation to him again, and nothing can change it…”
But, how did the “fight” between Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi) Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman and Rev. Owusu-Bempah arise? As the two “battle”, the sedate NPP members ask: “who checks who in NPP?” “Who controls NPP?” Bringing out personal secrets to the public?
Wealthy Wontumi who brags about his wealth and does not hesitate to flaunt his gold bars on TV reveals how he “arranged” for John Boadu and three other NPP members to go to the police station where Owusu-Bempah had been behind bars: “I had talked to IGP” and his side of the story convinced him that Owusu-Bempah had not told him (Wontumi) the truth.
“Talk to IGP?” Is that what politics is shifting to? Some people like veteran Obiri Yeboah think politics in Ghana is “going to the dogs”. Wontumi says he can bring NDC from the 8th slot to the 6th or 7th. How? He continues: “Do you know how much we spend (on NPP) in a day? My son died in 2016 (?)… I can be bad, but I can’t cheat, I can’t lie. It’s not in my time that somebody can curse NPP and go scot-free…
And Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng on the pulpit predicts: “This election (2024) will not go second round… If you insult me, you are talking about the one whom I speak for (God)… This is what I have heard God say: NPP will win one touch…” A critical mind will ask “what did God say about the National Cathedral? Some people may be afraid about the curse from Rev. Kusi-Boateng. Who are the fake politicians masquerading as prophets. And Rev. Otabil says God does not choose a leader for any country! Wow!
Our friend, Lawyer Obiri Boahen talks tough: “My Bawumia is winning, and we will surprise former President John Dramani Mahama… Who cares whether Owusu Bempah is present or absent? He is not the only prophet who has contributed to the NPP’s win. Go to Kumasi; there is someone named Olumba-Olumba who has been praying for the NPP. The country is not bound to a single tradition.
There are Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Traditionalists… We survive on our own strength, hard work and the grace of God Almighty. So if InfoAnalytics and the others have predicted victory for the NDC and you trust in them, so be it. But the NPP does not survive on these things.” Great talk, our good, learned friend.
Critical thinkers are asking about Owusu Bempah’s prediction: “When the prophecy was in your favour, there was nothing wrong with it. He has turned against you and you are talking.” We go back to our O and A Level Religion and check Ezekiel 4 where God yields to Ezekiel’s inability to do as God willed (to prepare barley with dung) and as a mark of love, God’s constant omniscience makes it impossible to “nacham” (change of mind). We look also at Exodus 32… did the Lord change His mind about the harm which He said He would do to his people? Or Jonah 3:9… did God turn and repent and withdraw his burning anger so that His people will not perish?
Aren’t we tired of writing about galamsey? The Catholic priests (our priests) will also demonstrate to advertise their displeasure about the goings-on, having breakfast with “Akufo-Addo cocoa drink” laced with mercury cyanide … Ei. Organized Labour will strike and our cousin, Kofi Jumah, will threaten GIHOC workers: “… if you dare go on demonstration and don’t come to work… I will sack you…” Sure, that’s our “bold” cousin, Akufo-Addo’s brother-in-law speaking!
Kwabena Agyapong asks the demonstrators to leave Accra and go to mining sites. In 1946 George Orwell authored “1984”, a novel based on a horrific, non-existent version of the future, a perverse, bleak inversion of utopian super country called Oceania in Airstrip One (Great Britain) Check the casuistry, the political chicanery of Newspeak: “ungood” not “bad”, “plus-good” not “very good”, Winston Smith has it tough, seeking to overthrow Big Brother’s totalitarian government.
What is the definition of galamsey? Illegal mining? Wontumi offers the definition: “The difference between galamsey (illegal mining) and small-scale (legal mining) is just a paper”. We shudder to think about this country’s future. Disregard L.1. 2462 – no forest reserve; a great fish pond (National Cathedral) and Mahama will release those jailed for galamsey.
Because Ghanaians are easily forgetful, Mahama will say “governance is a ‘continuum’, so from 2025, it will be free SHS: Article 35 (7) of 1992 constitution: “As far as practicable a government shall continue and execute projects and programmes commenced by the previous Governments.” Who is speaking the truth at the Minitrue (Ministry of Truth).
