An open letter to Martin Amidu

"AN OPEN LETTER TO MARTIN AMIDU"

Dear Sir,

I pray and hope this message reaches you in the best state of affairs. Before I proceed, kindly permit me to remind you of a very profound statement made by the emiment Austrian writer, Karl Kraus. He said : " Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country". Another statement by Barrack Obama would help bring to light the subject of my letter to you. He said: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek".

As a young man and your colleague compatriot from Bawku, I have admired your determination, firmness and true display of patriotrism in your struggles and fight against corruption.

The struggle and fight against curruption, described by Karl Kraus as one that endangers the morals of the society, is a responsibility on every Ghanaian. Thus, we have had notable Ghanaians who continue to be anti-corruption crusaders. However, your case is very unique and much commendable as yours started as struggle against a Government which you were part of. In addition, unlike the mere rhetoric from other anti-corruption crusaders, you have walked the talk by securing judgments from the Superior Court of the land which would ensure that money looted from the state would be returned.

The fight and struggle against corruption and its officials is, you are aware of, a thorny path. This path was best summarised and described by Frank Serpico, the retired NYPD officer who expossed corruption in the Service as : "The fight for Justice against corruption is never easy. It never has been and never will be. It exacts a toll on ourselves, our families, our friends,and especially our children. In the end, I believe, as in my case, the price we pay is well worth holding on to our dignity". It therefore comes to us as no surprise the manner in which the corrupt officials in the NDC Government have employed to neutralise the effect of this great success you have achieved for our great Nation. They have used their rented press, and in the recent case the Al Hajj News Paper, to try and discredit your personality. By doing this, they would have succeeded in deceiving the unsuspecting Ghanaian from believing any statement you make.

Thankfully, we have Ghanaians who discern and are fed up with their subterfuge and chicanery as you chose to put it in your recent release. Further, your works and success at the Supreme Court shows your true nature and Ghanaians appreciate you for that. So be rest assured, your reputation is intact and cannot be tainted by the evil machinations of the corrupt NDC officials nor their rented press. Be resolute and firm and continue to fight for the Nation. It saddens me that Ghanaians have left you to fight this battle alone. Even the founder of your party, which calls to probity and accountability, has been silent in recent times and I wonder whether he is aware of the current state of affairs.

Now, to a more controversial issue which I wish to introduce you to at this moment. I know that you are a politician and a very experienced one for that matter. This means are likely to have some partisanship towards the NDC party which you have worked for throughout your political career. I also know you differ with the NPP in terms of ideology and how certain aspects of our country should be managed. However, I see in you a very honest and a patriotic citizen. A man who has defied all odds to put Ghana first in all his struggles. You have struggled with people you worked with for a long and even disagreed with President Mill's when he requested you to drop certain corrupt senior officials you desired to prosecute. Indeed, you wrote in your recent article, 'Corruption manifests also in lack of integrity and honour in Governance' that: "putting Ghana first before Government or party is the only social democratic solution and salvation for the black star to shine again". It is based on the aforementioned that I wish to make this submission which might sound controversial and impossible upon first thought but necessary upon a deep thought.

Owing to the recent development in Nigeria where the general apathy, corruption and glaring incompetence on the side of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his PDP Government led to defections by so called political god-fathers of Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP and support of Muhammadu Buhari and his APC. Is it possible to replicate this situation in Ghana with you at the fore front? President Rawlings has said time and again that President Mahama 'does not listen' and true to his word, he (President Mahama) said he will request copyright of the song 'yentie obia'. You have struggled to change the status quo since the time of President Mills and what have you received and met in return? Vile propaganda, insults and a carefully calculated plan to tarnish your hard earned reputation. Their ultimate aim is to render you incredible so as to continue their looting of state resources. They have shown no sign of regret nor willingness to repent. I assure you that even if they try to please you now, then be sure it will only last until after the 2016 electrion.

So the matter is as I explained earlier. Despite your political affiliation, you have always put Ghana first in all your struggles. It does not matter if you do not wish to work with the NPP but I know you believe strongly that the NPP is the better option now to rid this country off this corruption and ineptitude.

It is clear you cannot change the corrupt tendencies in this current Government and you cannot influence the selection of incorruptible ministers and appointees. The appointing authorities have also not given you a listening ear but rather have contributed in this corruption and propaganda against you. The option which I see is you openly call for a change of the NDC Government in the 2016 general elections. It will be the best under the circumstances and will help proof to Ghanaians to always rise above bias partisanship whenever the need arises.

Be reminded, as I conclude, by the popular statement of Malcolm X: "By any means Necessary".

Thank you

Kind Regards,

Dr. Issah Imoro ([email protected])