Stop the madness

The Deputy CID, Madam Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, was heard in a voice mail message coaching someone to lie in a police report. That went viral in Ghana. Yet President Nana Akuffo-Addo promoted her to head the CID. So I ask, was Madam Tiwaa Addo-Danquah the only person qualified for that vital position?

Unfortunately, there is a pattern of Ghanaians being fired simply because they are NDC members/supporters or do not have a party affiliation. Nana Akuffo-Addo then replaces them with NPP members. Many of these replacements have sketchy backgrounds and/or are guilty of defaming the previous administration.

Prior to the 2016 election, candidate Akuffo-Addo brought in mercenaries from Serbia and elsewhere to teach combat skills to NPP-loyal Ghanaian youth. If he did not win by democratic means, Akuffo-Addo was prepared to seize power through force. In dramatic and patriotic contrast, His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama willingly turned over the reins of power even though the NDC and the Electoral Commission have not to this day released the official voting figures. For the good of his country and the preservation of democracy, President Mahama wanted to avoid war at all costs.

Nana Akuffo-Addo's style of governing mainly consists of borrowing money and partying. Whether due to the latter, narcolepsy, extreme attention deficit, or something chemical, our leader falls deeply asleep during key meetings. As he snoozes, Ghanaians hustle, struggle, and fight for their daily meals.

While it is always worthwhile to criticize a party and its leader about incompetence, corruption, and abuse of power, what prompted this comment was a specific concern: Nana Akuffo-Addo intends to fire the Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Dr. Kwame Akuffo-Annoff. Dr. Akuffo-Annoff has worked at the GBC his entire professional life and has proven uncommonly qualified to guide it. Whether it is about Nana Akuffo-Addo's belief that Dr. Akuffo-Annoff is an NDC member or the Director General's resistance to NPP's crooked ways, removing the GBC's leader would be a travesty. Democracy and a free people depend on an impartial and independent press, dedicated to determining facts and shining a bright light on all that transpires. Squelching a free press is the hallmark of a dictator. So, I ask Nana Akuffo-Addo: Are you there for all Ghanaians or for your family and friends and your autocratic power trip.

Nana Akuffo-Addo, since coming to power, you have refused to fulfill the many promises you solemnly made to the Ghanaian people. Will you start governing instead of hop-scotching all over the globe, borrowing as if it's going out of style and giving away our mineral resources? You have sold Ghana to the lowest bidder. Why, Nana Akuffo-Addo? If you cannot fulfill your promises to Ghanaians, can you at least stop lying about it?

What have Ghanaians done to deserve you? You have no respect for law and order. The youth trained by your mercenaries have attacked countless citizens. Such savagery has no place in the 21st century. You have taken us back towards a barbaric darkness.

It is no wonder that in all corners of this country people are crying out for the return of His Excellency John Mahama. Violence, lying, excessive borrowing, and discrimination are delivering a crushing blow to the welfare of Ghana and the spirit of its citizens. Let Ghanaians have equal opportunity to compete for a job. Please, enough of the firings.