Ghana needs more dr mortons

K. B. Asante / Daily Graphic / Ghana Voice from afar Dec - 02 - 2013 , 05:34

When I asked an elderly friend whether he knew that Dr Morton was dead, a younger man nearby asked, “Who is Dr Morton?” I replied, “Don’t betray your age”. The market women of old talked about “going to Morton” when they were visiting the doctor or clinic. Dr Morton was synonymous with the recovery and maintenance of good health. The old man died on November 21, 2013 at the ripe old age of 95.

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) of Kwame Nkrumah captured the imagination and enthusiasm of the early nationalists. Many of the youth worked for and supported the party without any pay. But the party needed more educated people to implement its plans and vision.

They, therefore, approached some of the university graduates and professionals to join the party. Unfortunately, many of those charged with the recruitment enticed the graduates and professionals with posts. The proud nationalists naturally refused to join on those terms and continued in their official roles with passion to make Ghana as good as any great country.

Their attitude was misunderstood and this led to the rift between the party and confident, competent officials. Strange enough, the division still continues and gives rise to unnecessary problems.

But even in those early days there were professionals and highly educated Ghanaians who embraced the mission and vision of the CPP and worked hard to create the great new Ghana of confident, self-reliant Ghanaians in a fast-developing economy.

One of the CPP stalwarts who believed in being their brother’s keeper was Dr Aruna Morton. He attended to the rank and file of the CPP at all times and at all hours for modest or no charges. His surgery was the first place of call for the sick, especially the women of the party. He was warm and sympathetic even after so many hours of work. It was observed by the discerning that his manner and approach alone made the sick recover.

In Ghana, such personalities are often the victims of character assassination. Dr Morton was too busy attending to the sick and at CPP meetings on health issues to be detracted by unwarranted comments. Some colleagues and the educated questioned his competence. I remember one attack on him by a specialist who was answered softly by this observation.
“Yes, he prescribes medicines without tests. But doctors are trained to observe the patient and not to be slaves to machines. In any case, the machines are often not available or broken down. There are instances when the results of the tests arrive after the patient is dead!” The specialist walked away. The warm approach of Dr Morton healed many to whom he prescribed drugs free of charge.

Dr Morton never appeared tired. He was all smiles at his clinic. He was never daunted by the many patients who waited at his clinic. He had comforting words for those who waited for their turn.

It is a pity that the work of Dr Morton was not continued after he retired from active service. He built a fine hospital at Adabraka which remained desolate for years. I wonder whether Ghanaians find it particularly difficult to work together. I have been to countries where family concerns or business have continued for over 100 years. Why can’t we have hospitals, legal and accounting firms remain as enterprises for more than a generation? The expertise and goodwill generated would be of enormous benefit to clients and proprietors.

The death of Dr Morton should charge our historians and social scientists to find out whether his like is gone forever. We now seem to have many who believe that the aim of life is to make money and live well. Often they do not know how to live well.