Another Response to Curtailing the excuses

N. B. Andrews

May 30, 2015

The original article and its rejoinder point out the serious/urgent need for attitudinal change and a much clearer understanding of the mechanics of our current national morass.

To begin with, what are the real privileges of public office that make "giving them up" such a big deal....especially when the incumbent public servant "knows that he does not know; and he knows everyone knows that he does not know"?

Is this not a sinister state of affairs that can lead to disaster? And disasters abound in our educational system, our "Teaching Hospitals", transport system, governance etc.

The "beautyful ones" in trying to effect change then proceed to follow laid down procedures ìn forwarding their complaints towards meaningful reform.

However time and time again, does the pernicious cynicism of the "homeboyz", not thwart rational enquiry and redress to the disadvantage of everyone including the myopic cynics themselves?

Examples abound but let us remind ourselves of two,

...seasoned officials in our health system who defend the indefensible end up getting poor care or no care when they need it more especially in an emergency.

....the decimation of the public school system and the rise of the money guzzling private schools leading to a two/three tier educational (pre university) system; the ruinous results starkly visible around us- even in the corridors of power.

Indeed, the so called "subsidy" enjoyed by graduates from kindergarten through University is a red herring.

Why?

Because, were their parents not taxpayers?

Does it include the children and wards of cocoa farmers whose produce was expropriated by the State at a predetermined price?

What were the conditions laid down for enjoying the subsidy and have these conditions been flouted by the graduates?

Does the refund/ payback of the subsidy continue in an open ended manner?

A more nuanced approach to this subsidy issue is required.

Where is the evidence that a significant proportion of the remittances are spent frivolously on uncompleted buildings etc? ....eehm anecdotal evidence is of very limited value and is the forte of serial callers.

At the risk of a charge of what "aboutery" from a pedant, it is important to point out that remittances are the bona fide income of the diasporan and his family, duly and legally transferred. Now, contrast that with the behavior of the kleptocrats and politricians when it comes to the public purse.

Perhaps, we could be forgiven for inferring that the "homeboyz" carry out their rent seeking behavior in an attempt to match the economic muscle/largesse of the diasporans and instead end up dancing on the graves of their countrymen.

Finally, are we who live and work in Ghana not simply tired of defending the status quo as if it is not shameful?

How can we find our situation acceptable or even tenable?

Why do we blame the messenger and ironically goad him for not taking "action"?

How come those who in a trenchant manner write about our problems, point out solutions and ask for simple sincerity from our political and public service simpletons as an indispensable ingredient to the solution are rather lectured......sometimes on the need for action, with the subtext that "if you are so smart then..." or better still....."It is not easy you know...."

It is the role of a writer to hold up a mirror so that we can read and see/examine ourselves, each according to his individual experience and conscience; all good writing is provocative.

Sooner or later, the chickens will come home to roost; it is natural law.

Before I forget, the KN quotations- mirabile dictu!

But maybe as a patron asked at my favorite watering hole (before he started imbibing) "are we serious, eh are we serious?"

And his compatriot who had arrived much earlier and already provoked his liver slurred back this reply, "what will you drink? The stuff is mortuary cold".



N.B. ANDREWS

Blebo We-Sakumo

May 30, 2015