Sarkodie Picks Up the Rod of Righteousness

I will consider him as the true preacher of righteousness for his courage to risk his reputation in a politically biased country where your words are mischievously branded as belonging to one kind of political party or the other. Sarkodie, one of Ghana’s finest hip hop artists, have taken on government in a song titled “Inflation.” The new release is a fire and brimstone message preaching to the president and his officials about the economic health of the country. The song also shows how the economic obsession seems to have hit the music industry.

In his unique style of rapping, Sarkodie begins by referring to Ghana as living in crisis. He specifically pointed out the rise of prices of goods and services in the country and also adding the fluctuating energy and water crisis which are major national concerns to the people of Ghana. The rapper gives a clue to how the economic situation has even affected the practice of religious faith when he asserted that one needs strong determination to pay tithes in the church.

Sarkodie continues to make a retrospective review of the previous governance under John Agyekum Kuffour, John Evans Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama. In a lyrical sermon, Sarkodie refers to Kuffour as not performing to standard. He added that Mills was pro (Akan word meaning corruption or metaphorical meaning incompetent) and used the word tro (a Ga word which has come to mean poor or nothing) to describe Mahama’s administration.

The singer continues to condemn parliament for incompetent work and ripping off the wealth of the nation for nothing. He talks about fuel crisis and charges the president, whom he refers to as educated and eloquent to open up his ears to the alarming signs of the decline of the currency.

Sarkodie does not only talks about politics and the economy. He also hit the ethical standards of the government. He used the word arrogance as a mark of leadership and the response to the nations cry.

In conclusion, Sarkodie flouts over the political factions of NPP and NDC and calls for leadership as our urgent need. He pleads on president Mahama to be vigilant to the crisis because the nation is wrecking down.

Ghana has been struggling about the economy and this seems to have come to the international scene. CNN recently reported on the state of the Ghana's economy in an article captioned “Obama's favored African nation hits the skids.” The article makes reference to the slow pace of growth in the economy and government over expenditure resulting in wider budget deficit.

Ghana is undergoing a very serious economic crisis and this truth is far beyond what propaganda and political twist can reach. The rapid non-stop fall of the Ghana Cedis against the dollar and other international currencies is quite far an evidence of how Ghana is hit by inflation. The president, Mr. Mahama has repeatedly – in most of his speeches – made it clear to Ghanaians that the country is undergoing serious economic crisis and his government is tirelessly working to curb the situation.

The top challenges that require urgent responds in the country include, Inflation, Energy, Fiscal deficit and Unemployment. Many economic apocalyptists have warned Ghana over economic collapse if serious measures are not put in place to reverse the current situation.

As the situation gets worse and the nation continues to sweat under the scorch of the hardship, various social movements have taken up the streets and the social media calling attention to the president to sit up. Some leading opinion leaders in the country including notable social commentators, politicians and religious leaders have publicly expressed their discontentment of the current economic health of the country. Mr. Allan Kyeremateng of the opposition party has fired government for being clueless about the economy. Dr. Mensa Otabil, founder of the International Central Gospel Church, has recently described Ghana’s current economic crisis as paralleling the unsinkable story of the Titanic which had a surprise collapse in the oceans in 1912. The churches top organizational body which is the Christian Council of Churches has confessed that Ghanaians have lost confidence in government. This comment follows the rampant demonstrations embarked by social groups in the country.

In view of the situation, Sarkodie has dared to add his voice through what he does and does best. The popular artist, who has grown to become the favorite of many Ghanaians, including the legend Reggie Rockstone, is undoubtedly one of the finest rappers in the African continent. He has won many entertainment awards both in Ghana and international. In 2012, he won the Best International Act: Africa category at the BET Awards. He was also nominated for four categories of the World Music Awards 2014.

As music creates faster memories in the brain, Sarkodie’s politically tutored song will remain a powerful demonstration against the present economic crisis and incompetent leadership in the country.

Clifford Owusu-Gyamfi, University of Lausanne, Switzerland