The Northern factor in selecting running-mates

Aliu Mahama-who hails from the 'North' is the current Vice-President of Ghana

by Godwin Yaw Agboka

With the election of Presidential Candidates for the various political parties in Ghana coming to full circle, one question that is still being debated within political circles is who best fits the tag of Vice Presidential candidate—to win votes for these political parties. That process has recently been characterized by much discussion, thought, and calculation.

All political parties, especially the NDC and the NPP, are aware of the importance of a regional appeal when it comes to nominating a vice presidential nominee. However, it appears as if when it comes to the election of a Presidential Candidate, some regions are ‘disqualified’ even before the elections begin.

It’s been more than a year since the National Democratic Congress (NDC) organized its congress, and it is still debating who to go in for to fill that enviable slot. The Presidential Candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akuffo-Addo, who was recently elected, has been appealing to the rank and file to give him some time to think through the process of nominating his running-mate—indeed, the party chairman Peter Mac Manu has done similar thing.

While political observers will attribute that to the two parties’ attempts to outsmart the other, one thing will be obvious by the time these nominations are made—each of these parties will go in for someone from the North—and by ‘North’ I refer to the Upper East, Upper West, and Northern regions. I will use the same categorization throughout this piece (forgive my lumping these together).

That people from the North are overlooked, and yet could be at the center of a scramble for the vice presidential slot, may not only be disconcerting to those from the North, but is an insult to them. At its most subtle realization, it could perpetuate the idea that those from the North are people who could be used and dumped, once the benefits of their involvement have been exhausted.

In 2000, there was a huge invasion into the three northern regions by the major political parties to win the sympathy of the people from the north to vote for them in the general elections. While candidate Kufuor went for Aliu Mahama, Prof. Mills, surprisingly, went with Martin Amidu, then Deputy Attorney-General. Then in 2004, Mr. Kufuor stuck with Aliu Mahama, while Prof. Mills, who did not change much, went in for Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, also from the North. Also, recall that the late Prof. Adu Boahen nominated Alhaji Roland Alhassan as his running-mate.

Currently, the names which have been thrown out there do not reveal any new trends in the rush for Northerners to take up this position. The NDC has been debating the candidature of Mr. John Mahama, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, and Mrs. Betty-Mould Iddrisu, even though the Betty fire seems to be dying down. The last time the discussions came up, Nana Addo was considering the possibility of calling on Alhaji Boniface Abubakar to join the train.

Thus, if Northerners are good enough for the Vice Presidential slot, why is it that they are ignored in discussions of who becomes the Presidential Candidate for these parties? Both Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu and Vice President Aliu Mahama, who contested on the tickets of the NDC and the NPP, respectively were totally rejected by their various parties.

Of course, one could argue that there were much stronger candidates in each of those elections, and some will even be quick to caution you to be realistic, but if voting for someone from the North who is qualified enough is the height of idealism, then the country has loads of work to do to ensure regional parity or, better still, bridge the spatial inequality in Ghana.

It is a fact—and we can’t run away from this—that when political parties decide to go in for candidates from the North, they do so not because they see these individuals as very qualified to occupy that slot, but because they consider such individuals perfect fits for political ‘cleansing’ and redemption. I did argue before the NPP congress that there was no way Vice President Aliu Mahama could win the NPP primary, and that is not to say he was not qualified, but because he was brought into the NPP to give the party a “Northern” face.

After being used to garner some votes, he was dumped by the party, and that was reflected by his abysmal showing when the election results for the NPP Presidential primary were released. For so many reasons Aliu’s situation was very different and unique: he was the sitting Vice President, he had dutifully served President Kufuor, and he had changed the face of Vice Presidential politics. That a sitting Vice President will only amass 146 of over 2000 votes is interesting in itself.

As I monitored the results come in from the congress grounds, I could read surprise from the voices of the journalists, who were covering the events, who had thought the Vice President would put up a good showing, even if he could not win. I will be belaboring the point if I went further to discuss the rejection of Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu by the NDC.

Am I being fair in this analysis? Dr. Hilla Limann was once President of the country, right? How long was he President? Dr. Limann became President following the 1979 coup led by former President Rawlings. Dr. Limann stood for elections following the disqualification of Alhaji Imoru Egala by the then ruling Supreme Military Council and won 62% of the popular vote in the second round of voting.

He assumed office as president on September 24, 1979, but was deposed in a coup led by Rawlings on December 31, 1981. Technically, then, he was President for only twenty-seven (27) months. In the period in which he was President—of course, even after he was ousted—several stories went out discrediting his personality.

Northern Ghana only gets some attention during the political season when politicians are looking for votes. These regions have become the orphan of the country’s political life, and they have become important as far as political parties can win votes and can exploit people who come from that area to give them a positive image. To highlight that the northern regions are the poorest in the country will be an understatement. Poverty in the country is predominantly rural, and seventy per cent of the country’s poor live in the rural areas, according to an International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) report.

The report indicates that incidence of poverty is highest in the three Northern regions, where more than eight out of ten people in the Upper West region are poor.In the Northern region, poverty affects seven out of ten people. In the northern part of Ghana, the report notes, poverty often has a hold on entire rural communities. Livelihoods are more vulnerable in those regions, and all the members of the community suffer because of food insecurity for part of the year.

Currently, even though students from the three northern regions enjoy free education, the resources that would facilitate this process are either sorely inadequate or non-existent. There was much expectation from the people in the North when Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah initiated a lot of policies and programs like the introduction of compulsory basic education and scholarship schemes for students from the Northern Sector which enabled the less developed, highly illiterate, poverty endemic Northern Ghana to dream of better things to come.

Unfortunately, however, these positive developments were ephemeral. Successive governments after the Osagyefo Nkrumah’s administration failed to implement these policies. Today, Northern Ghana has become the unattended orphan that is crying to be taken care of. Isn’t it a shame that the people who provide a greater percentage of our foods are treated with such contempt and disrespect?

Believe it or not, there is an unfounded stereotype about people from the North that has gained so much ascendancy and currency and seeped into the fabric our political and social life. Politics/politicians can play a huge role in either perpetuating or upsetting this stereotype. Politicians, however, have become complicit in its perpetuation. About three years ago, the NDC Women’s Organizer, Madam Benyiwa Doe was said to have waded into this growing stereotype when she branded Hon. Balado Manu as someone who had huge difficulties understanding simple issues.

But instances like this mirror just the tip of the huge iceberg. I will not be surprised that in the privacy of our homes people will even say worse things. We accuse others of being racist, but we practice the worst form of discrimination. If politicians or political parties cannot lead this crusade of changing this stereotype, the masses can do little, especially in a country where illiteracy is so rife and the people take what their leaders say or do as the gospel truth.

There is no problem with making some attempt(s) to facilitate some regional balance in the activities of a political party, but it is an insult to a group of people when, in our attempt to do this, we side-step genuineness and promote our selfish agenda. I think it would not be politically unwise if all Northerners rejected all offers of Vice Presidential nominations—especially those that come with selfish motives.

The text for this piece is set to American English

Tyranny in our churches!

Marx once said religion is the opium of the masses

by Godwin Yaw Agboka

Have you ever paused to think about the role of churches in the modern-state? Besides the spiritual activities that take place in our churches, what other social role does the church play? I have observed the activities of Apostle Kwadwo Sarfo’s Kristo Asafo (which, surprisingly, many others discredit), and a few other churches that have empowered many people through various activities in and by those churches. I have also observed other churches that use their platforms to dis-empower, or, even worse, persecute people whose only mistake is that they joined those churches!

I am particularly surprised that in the midst of the increasing number of churches, our society increasingly battles with crime and various forms of immoral activities that threaten to—very soon—engulf the country. Given that these same people on the streets—who commit these crimes—make it to these churches, one would expect that our society will see some change—if not changes—in these forms of behavior.

Unfortunately, many churches are no more interested in messages that will hit the core of these issues. They are more interested in prosperity messages that do not resonate with the realities of our time. If I came to your church and you told me that I should empty my pocket and expect a miracle without telling me to work hard or upgrade myself, you have failed to empower me; instead you rather ended up milking me of the little resources I have, and, perhaps, wasted man hours of my time.

Even beyond the issue of the number of churches is the new wave of preachers of these prosperity messages, who have seen in churches an opportunity to amass what—put together—their entire families could not accomplish/achieve in their life time, even if they worked so hard. An elderly friend of mine used to say he would never join a church that was started after he was born.

From hindsight, it appears he made a lot of sense. It is a source of worry to me that some of these so-called pastors are so young (of course people can receive the calling at a younger age), cannot read, let along interpret scriptures, and their calling is more a function of their economic displacement than a true desire to advance the course of God’s work and to help people.

Thus, if these are the people who lead many of these congregations, what kind of society are we building, since many of the people converge in churches on Sundays and, sometimes, on week days? The church is doing big business now. Today, every church claims to have a training school, many of which have become an avenue for promiscuity, noise-making, and social indoctrination. The kind of training that should characterize these schools, does not take place in the first place because the brains behind these schools are as clueless as those who are being trained.

The modern-day prosperity movement itself can be said to have drawn inspiration from evangelist Oral Roberts’ teachings. Roberts’ disciples have spread his theology and vocabulary. However, rather than inspire hope and emphasize realism and hardwork, many prosperity preachers engage in circumlocutory endeavors that further condemn their followers to perpetual subjugation and abject penury. Here is the catch: don’t give them the tools they will need to be self-reliant so they will perpetually follow you. That is the motto of these churches.

Unfortunately, we live in a society in which the activities of these preachers are unregulated. I am sure that, currently, religious organizations and their leaders constitute the only group of people who enjoy endless freedom. They live in a free-for-all world in which they can do anything. I mean anything, including the most unconventional, bizarre forms of surgical operations! The idea behind this level of freedom is that churches and their leaders have a soft spot and can facilitate social grace, religious upliftment, and inject some moral values in their followers. That is the mistake!

Many of these churches, especially, the upcoming ones have failed in this capacity and do not deserve the kind of unregulated freedom they are enjoying in the country. What is worse, many of the churches springing up are founded on rocky foundations, where, most of the times, the leaders are retaliating against their former churches due to some disagreements.

In the USA, a Republican senator, Charles Grassley of Iowa has recently begun a crusade against these so-called prosperity preachers. Grassley is asking the ministries for financial records on salaries, spending practices, private jets and other perks. The investigation, coupled with a financial scandal at Oral Roberts University that forced out Roberts’ son and heir, Richard, has some wondering whether the prosperity gospel is facing a day of reckoning. The move has been met with resistance from these churches who have vowed to fight the senator, using an IRS clause as cover for their decision. However, what is important is the pervasive nature of the extent of exploitation that is going on in many churches.

It appears the modern church has been characterized by a new wave of corruption that is unheard of in religious circles. Rather than instill hope, they are making poverty widespread. Rather than strengthen families, they are tearing them apart; it looks as if people will tear down as many good livable housing to build these huge churches, multiplying the homeless problem in record numbers.

Currently (I think it’s been a tradition for long), there is another form of tyranny that has taken over some churches. There is a practice in many churches where people who are caught in immoral or criminal activities are suspended. Personally, I don’t care about the suspension, because like all other social groups/groupings, churches also have conventions or policies that regulate their operations. What I find funny is the practice where the leadership of the churches invites those “sinners” in front of the church embarrasses them, as if that will prevent other people from engaging in such acts.

What is the purpose of that public disgrace and what do they want to achieve by their acts? Isn’t the function of that to transform those people? What would the churches lose if they invited those “sinners” before a committee, heard their cases, and suspended them, without necessarily condemning them to perpetual shame? Too many times, many churches have shown that they are more interested in using people to cleanse their churches to give a good public image to themselves instead of God himself.

Do churches deserve the kind of privileges they are enjoying in our society? I hesitate to advocate a position that will gag churches or limit the formation of churches, but I will rush to advocate a legislation that will empower some state institutions, say Parliament, to audit these churches—especially the mushrooms ones—who are milking ordinary Ghanaians. The days of religious intimidations should be over! Anyway, I know I will be branded an anti-Christ!

The text for this piece is set to American English

The African Cup of Nations-Did Hayatou cheat?

Hayatou is a typical 'big man' in Africa

by Kojo Asiedu

The African Cup of Nations has come and gone but the recriminations, rumor mongering and celebrations will continue for some time to come. One of the subtle yet loud “hear-says” going around is that some ‘big men’ at CAF had attempted to influence the outcome of the tournament.

It is no secret that Issa Hayatou the imperious CAF boss has an unshakable iron grip on CAF. After the Ghana-Cameroon match, according to Allafrica.com, “Mrs Janet Ofosuhene, a physical education instructor, who was visibly angry while she was leaving the stadium, accused the CAF Executives of belonging to a conclave that decided, which country should win the African Nations' Cup, and asked why referees were not selected through open balloting but was done in secret."
Sour grapes you might say but every street playing soccer kid in Ghana knows Hayatou is not completely blameless.

Has the ‘big man’ phenomenon eaten too deep into CAF? Has the time come for Hayatou to go before he turns CAF into a laughing stock and a continental disgrace?
What is even more embarrassing is the way the organization side stepped Ivorian star Didier Drogba for Kanoute in awarding the African Player of the year award simply because Drogba was not physically present-and for a good reason.

Should football fans sit and allow a small band of self serving mob to destroy such a beautiful game.

This is sheer abuse of power.

African soccer has been living under a groundless illusion that the game is on an upward ratchet all over the continent but may wake up one day to find out that Hayatou and his French speaking gang have plunged us into a total mess.

What do you think? Should Hayatou be given the sack? Did he really cheat for Cameroon?

Saying my last prayers in class-On Vals day

Kazmierczak was gentle,quiet and bright

by Etse Sikanku

I have began to get used to the idea that anytime I step into a class at Iowa State University it could very well be my last.

This may sound weird but I’m not ashamed to say it--Ever since the Virginia Tech shooting incident I’ve dreamt more than a few times about a gun man storming into one of my classes and shooting everyone dead.

My trepidations have now been heightened by the recent shooting incident at Northern Illinois University on St. Valentine day. As to why the gunman- Steven Kazmierczak-chose such a day of love and romance to execute an act of monstrosity remains a mystery which no one is sure to solve. Can you imagine what the partners of those dead would be going through considering they might very well have scheduled a date for the evening?

The shooting incident on Thursday was the fourth at a US school within a week. On Feb. 8, a woman shot two fellow students to death before committing suicide at Louisiana Technical College in Baton Rouge. In Memphis, Tenn., a 17-year-old stands accused of shooting and seriously wounding a fellow student Monday during a high school gym class, and the 15-year-old victim of a shooting at an Oxnard, Calif., junior high school has been declared brain dead.

Let’s face it people, there can never be any society which would be 100% security proof but the rampant nature of this shootings is too grave an issue to sweep over.

There is a reason this happens so often in the United States of America and not that many other places. When that menacing junior Cho Seung-Hui killed about 33 people at Virginia Tech, he was found to have been diagnosed of mental illness two years earlier. The package which he posted to NBC-dubbed a multimedia manifesto-had claims of neglect, solitude and accusations of suppression. In his own words Cho said “"you forced me into a corner"

That incident is one of the four deadliest shooting incidents in this country. This list includes the Columbine High School gunmen Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who killed 13 people and themselves on April 20, 1999, in Littleton, Colorado, the 1927 Bath School disaster and the 1966 University of Texas massacre. Since Cho’s diabolical act there have several more shooting incidents across the United States where energetic, strong and promising lives were cut short by errant shooters.

Isn’t it a mystery then that the authorities haven’t taken seriously the easy way in which guns are made available to anyone at all in the country? Take Cho and Kazmierczak for instance. It was so easy for them to purchase the items, with Kazmierczak purchasing his just a few days before the incident.

All you have to do is to pass simple processes such as a background check and provide a drivers license. Why should buying a weapon as deadly as a gun be as simple as or even easier than buying alcohol or travelling from one country to the other?

When people apply for visas to the United States for instance they are taken through rigorous background checks even if enough information has been gathered previously. Why should it be easier to purchase a gun than for animals-harmless as they are-to travel from one country to another?

But this is a society which is more disturbed by dog fights than suicidal killers remember.

The gun ownership, control and availability laws in this country are simply obnoxious and deserve a second look. Before our very eyes several promising lives have been lost. It is no understatement to say that an incident such as the ones which occurred at Northern Illinois or Virginia Tech could be repeated anywhere, any day and any of us could be the victims.

Maybe we should consider arming professors with guns in class. Maybe we should have military commandos sit in every class. Others may make arguments about the use of sharp alert and emergency response systems on our campuses.

How efficient is Iowa State’s emergency/alert system?

Or could the answer be traced to the solitary and individualistic way of life of Americans? Even here in ISU some of us have a story or two to tell about how disaffection with the hands off way of life here changed some people's life in a major way.

I meet and chat with a lot of international students and i can tell you i have never known of a more lonely or solitary life than the ones i've seen and heard out here.

Consequently each time I sit in class or any public event at Iowa State, I have decided to say my last prayers as often as possible just in case someone springs up and shoots me dead.

Farfetched you might say but sadly it’s the reality of the day.