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In camera
In camera

In camera

Do politicians have the country at heart? What motivates Ghanaian politicians in their actions? Is it the good of the country or their selfish interests and little egos?

Last week, the country was feted on a menu of high emotions, from the time the former Chief Executive Officer of the COCOBOD was presented in court.

In news clip by Joy FM, a young man mobilised as part of the opposition’s effort to back their member said he was walking the streets of James Town and was accosted to “go and give fans to a big man who was coming to court.” He did not know the big man. He even did not know his name!

Then on Tuesday, emotions were heightened some more when the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Deputy General Secretary, Mr Koku Anyidoho, was picked up for comments deemed to be treasonable by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

The comments, deemed treasonable, were based on the Ghana/United States (US) Military Agreement ratified by the majority NPP members in Parliament that had generated controversy because it seemed our government had given away more than was beneficial.

In protest and in the announcement of a demonstration the following day, Mr Anyidoho said there was going to be a coup d’état.

That was what irked the government for the police to pick him up with such promptness (usually they take their time when reports are made about armed robbery attacks).

As usual party members, always mobilised based on empty emotional sensitivities rather than thought-provoking societal or political quests, were gathered at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service (GPS).

From the interviews conducted, the key party members were determined to sleep on the streets adjourning the premises until their general secretary was released.
They used the necessary vituperative words to whip up sentiments before the cameras and in public.

In the Chamber of the House too, minority parliamentarians staged a walkout to show their disagreement over a document they had given their blessing to three years ago.

In the corridors of Parliament, NDC members teased their colleagues before the sitting to pass the agreement.

While the NPP parliamentarians insisted teasingly that their counterparts had agreed to similar conditions in 2015, they retorted in a similar manner that yes, they had agreed but would not anymore and would rather prefer our military went to the US for any such collaboration.

My observance of these events, that is the boisterous opposition when the cameras were rolling and the camaraderie among Members of Parliament from opposing sides, saddened me.

If the opposition, as a government in waiting, was really against the agreement, was the drama they played out the only way to have resolved their disagreement?

If they had the welfare of Ghanaians at heart, would they not have armed themselves with all the relevant information and debated their colleagues on the floor of Parliament?

Could they not have followed up with a press conference laying out for Ghanaians to understand the issues of their grievances?

Could the opposition also not monitor the implementation of the agreement to periodically brief Ghanaians on the disadvantages they complained about, and say to the government, “we told you so?”

With the issue of giving support to their member, Dr Opuni, was the giving of’ fans’ on court premises by the teeming unemployed the best form of support to give?

Apart from the legal support, could the NDC not gather facts and pass on to his lawyer to dispute the criminal charges against him with the resources at their disposal?

Really, what clout could the unemployed and unskilled have in the judicial process?

I have concluded that politicians use the emotions of Ghanaians at will.

When it suits them, they incite and heat up the atmosphere.

Thriving on the ignorance of some people and their idleness because of the dearth of job opportunities, they use Ghanaians to gain political mileage in needless quests.

They do not have our interests at heart.

What Ghanaian politicians have at heart is themselves.

They love to acquire the money, the material wealth, the status, the power for themselves and their families.

The masses, in their thinking, can go perish! They care less about us!

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