witches camps in Ghana

01-06-11                        NEWS COMMENTARY                PLEASE STOP THIS

ANN: News Commentary today makes a case for the abolition of all witch camps in the

          Country and the need desist from muting all forms inhuman treatment to the

          Perceived witches. The script is written by George Asekere of GBC Radio

          Newsroom in Accra. His script is read by…….

        LIB.FILE: PLEASE STOP THIS                                                      DUR(       )

       CUE IN: In his letter…

       CUE OUT…those they accuse

ANN: Commentary stressed the need to end all forms of inhuman treatment against

          Perceived witches. The writer was George Asekere of GBC Radio Newsroom

          In Accra. His script was read by….

   

         

REPORT

In his letter to the Christians in Ephesus, the apostle Paul is quoted by the Holy Bible as saying; we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Bible scholars, traditionalists, anthropologists and the religious all admit that these forces, jointly called rulers of the darkness of this world, include witchcraft. Indeed, witchcraft comes into mind when a name like Jezebel mentioned in the Bible is recalled. Quaranically scholars have talked about the Jew, Labeed ibn-A’sam, who directed witcraft against the Prophet Mohammed, a saheed hadeeth which was narrated by al-Bukhaari. Writing about witches and wizards, the popular occult grandmaster who is now an apostle of Jesus, Iyke Nathan Uzorma, describes witchcraft as human agent of darkness. Any human being of the metaphysical, psychic, ocultic or esoteric recognition, who in one way or the other, directly or indirectly harm, ruin, control, dominate, manipulate or hypnotize another human being is a witch. Many Ghanaians believe witchcraft is real and can be destructive. This non-empirical, intuitive and stone age-like mentality, which have no justification in the today’s scientific world, are unfortunately the bane behind the inhuman and barbaric treatment that are meted out to people perceived to be witches. It is embarrassing, that in the midst of Christianity and Islam, and the claim that rule of law is supreme in Ghana, as many as over 966 women and six hundred and seven children are detained in three out of the six witch camps in the northern region of Ghana. These are Ngani witches camp in Yendi, the Kukuo witches camp at Bimbila and the famous Gambaga witches camp at Gambaga.  Unfortunately the Ghanaian media have only highlighted the plight of witches in the northern part of the country as though it were a deliberate attempt to paint a dark picture of virtually everything in the north. In a shocking investigative report, titled killing the witches, Manase Azure Awuni, exposed the pathetic story of how some witches were beaten, vilified and locked at homes in the national capital, Accra. The story of the 72-year old woman, who was burnt by fire by five adults in for allegedly being a witch in the industrial city of Tema, also in the national capital, is still fresh in our memories. Beside, the police in Takoradi made public the story of the couple Kwaku Badu and Elizabeth Coomson who kept their nine year old son indoors until his death on the orders of a spiritualist that the boy was possessed by witchcraft. The list is endless with prayer camps seemingly playing a domineering role. Without attempting to endorse the purported acts or operations of witchcraft, it is only fair that in the absence of any authentic proofs all human beings be treated fairly. In many instances perpetrators of these demonic acts against the perceived witches’ claim that the victims confessed to having committed typically witchcraft related acts including killing. In virtually all cases, alleged witches, apart from being beaten mercilessly, are forced to drink unhealthy herbal concoctions to prove their innocence most of which are injurious to their health. In any case there is scientific evidence that some people who profess to be speaking with the devil or hearing voices of others including voices of the dead are simply hallucinating. Science has proved that there are many psychological disorders that manifest on people especially at the menopausal or old age that make sufferers to sometimes  behave in ways that the typically uneducated African may attribute to witchcraft yet there is no correlation between the two. Our elders who are the custodians of culture and wisdom have argued that before the birth of kings there were elders. Yes, but the question is for how long will we continue to walk on the fundamental human rights of these so called witches most of whom are either from very poor homes or are very old in the name of culture? The 1992 constitution makes it clear that no one is guilty unless otherwise proved guilty by a competent court. Article one clause two state that this constitution shall be the supreme law of Ghana and any other law found to be inconsistent with any provision of the constitution shall to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. It is therefore criminal for anyone to hide behind culture and religion to infringe on the right of another under the pretext of witchcraft. Article 41(d) which falls under the directive principles of state policy enjoins every citizen to respect the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of others and generally to refrain from doing acts detrimental to the welfare of other persons. Certainly the rights of some people have been grossly abused, in the name of witchcraft, and the time to end it is now. One is therefore making a passionate appeal to president John Atta Mills personally intervene and ensure the immediate closure of all witch camps in the country. We all own it a duty to pray for the souls of all the innocent people who have died sorrowfully through accusation of witchcraft but can not allow the rest to follow suit. It is true that many of the accused may have committed demonic acts with witchcraft. It is also true that many have been falsefully accused and are suffering for accusations they have no knowledge of. Again under the laws of Ghana, It is advisable to set many suspects free than to convict one innocent person. Unfortunately the pain muted out to the deceased  cannot be reversed and this makes the plight of these so called witches very disturbing. Let us jointly fight for the release of these accused witches bearing in mind that the people who appoint accusing fingers sometimes turnout to be guiltier than those they accuse.

GBC/GIA                                                END

GHANAIANS UNITE FOR PRESIDENT JOHN ATTA MILLS

OMMENTARY ON GHANAIANS UNITE TO GIVE A BEFITTING BURIAL TO LATE PRESIDENT JOHN ATTA MILLS

In the midst of what can best be described as an unprecedented funeral mood in the country, tributes point to one thing and that is, Ghana first. Indeed, the unprecedented death of Prof. John Atta Mills has brought to the fore one crucial and yet often hidden attribute of Ghanians, which is love. Unfortunately this has long been relegated to the background, perhaps, due to political expediency. A critical assessment of tributes that poured in from the length and breadth of the country Ghana clearly portrayed Ghanians as people who see the interest of their nation above all other considerations. In fact, after showering praises on, Prof. Mills, his political opponent, former President J. A. Kufour proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is indeed a true statesman who knows what to do and say in moments like this. At a point Mr. Kufour acknowledged that he is an NPP man but Ghana first. He also indicated his willingness to provide assistance to President Mahama anytime he is called upon. This and other like-minded comments reveal the truth that Ghana can survive with love minus dirty politicking.

Interestingly politicians cannot do without Ghana. Prof. Mills with all the accolade is gone but Ghana lives on. With barely five months to elections, the Mahama administration must work hard to provide the basic necessities for Ghanians by opening up to cross fertilize ideas from all angels after all, no single hand can embrace a baobab tree. Praising Ghana as a shining example in the sub-region is meaningless until our people in deprived communities stop competing with animals for drinking water which is a basic necessity. The statement by former UN General Secretary Kofi Annan that good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development should not be glossed over by the current administration. The new era must ensure that enforcement and investigation are not only effective and efficient but should as a matter of necessity eschew selective treatment, lawlessness and political persecution of perceived enemies. Other burning issues of global significance are the challenges of a peaceful election come December which was dear to the heart of the late President Mills. If the Mahama administration is able to show some semblance of commitment to drastic reduction of poverty, free expression of divergent views and accommodation of wild criticism, it will be certain that even nursed violent agitation will become less attractive and possibly aborted.

Levine and Perkins said it all when they wrote in 1997 that to understand a tree it is necessary to study both the forest of which is a part as well as the cells and issues that are part of the tree. Prof. Mills proved that he came from God, was nurtured in a disciplined family and perhaps led his nation in a democratic manner. It will therefore be untoward to do anything that could disturb the peace of the nation as we mourn and prepare to go to the polls. The questions to ask ourselves are what have we done or can do for our nation before we die? What will be said of us when we die? And most importantly how will we account to God our deeds on earth on judgement day. Prof Atta Mills, good bye till we meet again hopefully at the right hand side of God our creator.

BY: GEORGE ASEKERE, GBC RADIO NEWSROOM, ACCRA.

COMMENTARY ON CURBING ROAD ACCIDENTS

Road accidents always bring pain to victims and their families. Currently in the news is the accident which has claimed more than 35 lives on the Tamale-Bolgatanga truck road over the weekend. When such accidents occur, one is compelled to ask whether the fight against carnage on the roads is being lost. Road accidents in Ghana continue to claim more lives than HIV and AIDS, malaria and other deadly diseases combined. This situation has given the country the tag of being one of the accident prone zones in the sub region. Regrettably though, majority of these fatal accidents can be prevented especially those caused through human errors. In the Central Region alone, 134 people have died from road accidents between January and October this year according to the MTTU. This is only an average of what happens in the country. Unfortunately, as a nation, it appears all efforts to reduce the carnage on our roads are not yielding the desired results. It is true that certain accidents are inevitable and of course that is why we call it accidents. It is also true that most of the accidents are self inflicted. The situation is so serious that today on our roads it is not enough as a driver to be extra careful. This is because another reckless driver can get people involved in an accident. It is a fact that most of the young people who drive are simply under the influence of drugs and alcohol and therefore have no business being behind the wheel. If the work of the doctor is tagged as an essential service, because he deals with lives, then the work of the driver should equally be regarded as essential because their actions also impact on human lives.

A couple of years ago, the GPRTU banned the sale of alcohol at lorry stations, yet the practice goes on with impunity. The net effects are accidents. This makes some people wonder if Ghana is actually committed to ending the needless accidents on the roads, after the formation of committees of enquiries and heated debates in the media on how to reduce such horrific accidents. The MTTU early this year started arresting drivers who use their phones while driving. Those who saw the exercise as cosmetic are being proved right as both commercial and private drivers continue to chat on phones whilst driving. For fear of being tagged ‘too known’, as we call it in Ghana, many passengers prefer to be quiet when the driver is over speeding, doing wrongful overtaking, talking on the phone or stopping to pick a passenger at the wrong place.

Tackling accidents on the road is multi-sector. The DVLA, Police, Road Safety Commission, government and passengers should not relent in their collaborative effort to effectively tackle the needless deaths through road accidents. The hard truth is that some of the vehicles that ply the countries roads right from the nation's capital to the remotest parts are death traps to say the least. Can the DVLA feign ignorance as to how such vehicles pass the test for road worthiness? The barking has only yielded brutal and costly accidents. The time to bite is now. Christmas is just about four weeks away, where we will witness many commercial drivers over speeding, all in an effort to make more money. It is their cocoa season and the wiser ones will want to reap supernormal profits at all costs and by all means. It is not enough to put numerous adverts, painting the picture that over speeding kills as well as construct more speed humps. The road safety rules need to be religiously enforced.

The decision by the Ghana police Service to deploy five thousand personnel on the roads is welcome news. The police must however bear in mind that it will be an indictment on their image if they look on for the wrongs to go on. Major transport companies should ensure that they use at least two drivers to ply long distance roads. Above all passengers should endeavour to speak with one voice when the driver is misbehaving, after all what is wrong is wrong even if everybody says it is right. Accidents are no respecter of ones status and this must be drawn in the consciousness of everybody. Whilst we pray for the souls of those who have perished through road accidents, Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will lead every vehicle on the road bearing in mind the scriptural admonition that by strength shall no man succeed. Indeed we need the intervention of God as we prepare for the yuletide and the New Year. Long live Ghana, long live all drivers.

BY: GEORGE ASEKERE OF GBC RADIO NEWSROOM IN ACCRA .

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ACTIVITIES OF PROPHETS AND PASTORS WHO PRESCRIBE PUNISHMENT AS A MEANS OF EXORCISM

The activities of some men of God are assuming criminal dimensions and these must be of concern to all. In the name of demonic possession, some pastors direct their followers to mete out inhuman atrocities including burning, severe beatings, and the use of hot irons on human beings, all in the name of casting out evil spirits. Unfortunately we live in a society where people fear to challenge or criticise the so-called men of God for reasons no one can scientifically or logically explain. It is true that God has warned of these things in the end times, but should we sit unconcerned for innocent children, old women and the poor in general to suffer at the hands of some people who profess to be men of God? What beats the imagination of many is the unexplained reason why the demon possessed or witches that are usually identified by these questionable pastors are always, the poor or less educated in society. In most of these cases both the victims and their perpetrators appear to lack wisdom. In the Bible, God warned that His people will perish for lack of wisdom. King Solomon asked his son David to seek wisdom and understanding. Although the need for wisdom appears basic, it will be fatalistic or at best pessimistic to assume that all people will seek it in all they do.

This notwithstanding the laws of the land must be seen to be working. Our laws are not are clear when it comes to dealing with issues of inhumane treatment of alleged to witches. The perpetrators should be made to suffer the appropriate punishment for their offence. The clergy has a responsibility to help expose charlatans who tarnish the image of Christianity. The Ministry for the Interior and Human Rights organisations need to keep eagle eyes on the activities of these pastors. After successfully failing in their prophecies and predictions on the rapture or end of the world, Ghanaians will be doing themselves a great disservice by believing every word from these latter day men of God. Once again, elections are here with us and very soon, these pastors who behave as if they are PROs for God will in the name of divine directives be declaring winners and losers of the polls before the EC comes out to officially announce its verdict. These charlatans must bear in mind that whilst many in their congregation will follow them whilst they think they are triumphing, few will stand by them when they are exposed. May God have mercy on us all. Long live Ghana.

BY: GEORGE ASEKERE, GBC - RADIO NEWSROOM, ACCRA.

CURBING ROAD ACCIDENTS

Curbing Road Accidents

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COMMENTARY ON CURBING ROAD ACCIDENTS

Road accidents always bring pain to victims and their families. Currently in the news is the accident which has claimed more than 35 lives on the Tamale-Bolgatanga truck road over the weekend. When such accidents occur, one is compelled to ask whether the fight against carnage on the roads is being lost. Road accidents in Ghana continue to claim more lives than HIV and AIDS, malaria and other deadly diseases combined. This situation has given the country the tag of being one of the accident prone zones in the sub region. Regrettably though, majority of these fatal accidents can be prevented especially those caused through human errors. In the Central Region alone, 134 people have died from road accidents between January and October this year according to the MTTU. This is only an average of what happens in the country. Unfortunately, as a nation, it appears all efforts to reduce the carnage on our roads are not yielding the desired results. It is true that certain accidents are inevitable and of course that is why we call it accidents. It is also true that most of the accidents are self inflicted. The situation is so serious that today on our roads it is not enough as a driver to be extra careful. This is because another reckless driver can get people involved in an accident. It is a fact that most of the young people who drive are simply under the influence of drugs and alcohol and therefore have no business being behind the wheel. If the work of the doctor is tagged as an essential service, because he deals with lives, then the work of the driver should equally be regarded as essential because their actions also impact on human lives.

A couple of years ago, the GPRTU banned the sale of alcohol at lorry stations, yet the practice goes on with impunity. The net effects are accidents. This makes some people wonder if Ghana is actually committed to ending the needless accidents on the roads, after the formation of committees of enquiries and heated debates in the media on how to reduce such horrific accidents. The MTTU early this year started arresting drivers who use their phones while driving. Those who saw the exercise as cosmetic are being proved right as both commercial and private drivers continue to chat on phones whilst driving. For fear of being tagged ‘too known’, as we call it in Ghana, many passengers prefer to be quiet when the driver is over speeding, doing wrongful overtaking, talking on the phone or stopping to pick a passenger at the wrong place.

Tackling accidents on the road is multi-sector. The DVLA, Police, Road Safety Commission, government and passengers should not relent in their collaborative effort to effectively tackle the needless deaths through road accidents. The hard truth is that some of the vehicles that ply the countries roads right from the nation's capital to the remotest parts are death traps to say the least. Can the DVLA feign ignorance as to how such vehicles pass the test for road worthiness? The barking has only yielded brutal and costly accidents. The time to bite is now. Christmas is just about four weeks away, where we will witness many commercial drivers over speeding, all in an effort to make more money. It is their cocoa season and the wiser ones will want to reap supernormal profits at all costs and by all means. It is not enough to put numerous adverts, painting the picture that over speeding kills as well as construct more speed humps. The road safety rules need to be religiously enforced.

The decision by the Ghana police Service to deploy five thousand personnel on the roads is welcome news. The police must however bear in mind that it will be an indictment on their image if they look on for the wrongs to go on. Major transport companies should ensure that they use at least two drivers to ply long distance roads. Above all passengers should endeavour to speak with one voice when the driver is misbehaving, after all what is wrong is wrong even if everybody says it is right. Accidents are no respecter of ones status and this must be drawn in the consciousness of everybody. Whilst we pray for the souls of those who have perished through road accidents, Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will lead every vehicle on the road bearing in mind the scriptural admonition that by strength shall no man succeed. Indeed we need the intervention of God as we prepare for the yuletide and the New Year. Long live Ghana, long live all drivers.

BY: GEORGE ASEKERE OF GBC RADIO NEWSROOM IN ACCRA .

Effects Of Alcoholic Drinks

COMMENTARY ON THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND THE NEED TO STOP TO ALCOHOL ADVERTISEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH BEAUTY AND SUCCESS.

Health experts agree that alcohol do have effect on human beings ranging from headaches to heart failures and abnormal behaviours . It is true that alcohol can make people feel confident, less inhibited and more euphoric. This stimulant effect is the main motivating factor for the increasing popularity in alcohol consumption. Alcohol is credited for its notoriety in inducing depression, sleep disturbances and sometimes make people fall into coma thereby making the drug a dangerous depressant. Alcohol affects the liver, pancreas and the entire cardiovascular system with women at a greater risk. The sad aspect is that a woman who drinks passes on the effects to the unborn child. In Ghana there is ample evidence of broken relationships, disintegration of families and untimely deaths as a result of alcohol. Several lives have also been lost on the roads due to drink driving.

One can therefore comfortably conclude that alcohol presents a fatalistic prospect for the future and at best a pessimistic and deceitful bliss for its users. Unfortunately, Ghanaians on one hand condemn alcohol intake especially among children and at the same time demonstrate pictorially yet falsefully that alcohol is simply a sign of good living. The media continue to associate alcohol with beauty, success, love and worse of it all, an antidote to all sexual disorders with impunity. The National Media Commission, the Advertisers Association of Ghana, the Food and Drugs Board and other state agencies, which are supposed to correct this anomaly, look on helplessly. Are we by this admitting that the monetary gains in these adverts are more important than the potential dangers to society? The laws of Ghana make it criminal for anyone to send a minor to buy alcoholic beverages as well as sell alcohol yet this practice goes on day in day out across the country. May be the time has come for the state to take a second look at how alcohol is dignified in the country. Alcohol affects Ghanaian society everyday, yet the battle against drugs seems to be centred on only cocaine.

The question as to whether one drinks alcohol or not is immaterial since drinking has a trickle down effects on the entire society. This makes it mandatory for all to help wage a relentless war against alcoholism. Many are those who have never taken alcohol before yet have died from alcohol induced lorry accidents. Those who drink in the hope of forgetting their worries must remember that the same problems will resurface after sometime, with additional health hazards. Those who have conditioned their minds to remain alcoholics should stop blaming witches and other unseen spiritual powers as responsible for their actions. They must make conscious efforts to quit or start preparing their wills, if any, because alcohol is a hidden magnet that attracts its cohorts to the grave. A word to the wise is enough.

BY: GEORGE ASEKERE, GBC-RADIO NEWSROOM IN ACCRA.

University Of Ghana Students Demo

 

 

NEWS COMMENTARY ON NUGS-BACKED UNIVERSITY OF GHANA STUDENTS DEMONSTRATION

An African proverb has it that a toad does not run in day time for nothing. If this is anything to go by, then students of the University of Ghana, Legon, may not be on the streets for nothing. They really might have a legitimate case and should be listened to. Over the years demonstrations have always been used to express dissatisfaction over a policy or an action. Today’s demonstration by the students of the University of Ghana should not be seen as a misplaced priority. It is true that a solution to a problem has never been found on the street, rather through dialogue. Reports that all attempts by the students to dialogue with the University of Ghana authorities have not gone through are unfortunate. The action of the students may be seen by many as an act of disrespect because at their last meeting with the Deputy Minister of Education, Mahama Ayariga, they were asked to call off the planned demonstration. It must be emphasised that it is the students who are wearing the shoes and feel how severe the pain is. Based on the University of Ghana calendar, students at the main campus are expected to register by August 5. If they fail to meet this deadline they will not be able to write their end of semester examination in December. This means automatic deferments of their programmes. The sad truth is that any student who cannot pay his or her fees this year may not be able to do so next year because fees at the University of Ghana have always been on the ascendancy. The students therefore have a legitimate case.

A close look at developments at the University of Ghana appears the current management is not listening to divergent views. The current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, on assuming office is reported to have stated that students should not bring their poverty to destroy his policies. This was at a meeting, when a student observed that the decongestion policy will prevent many poor students from studying at the University of Ghana. True to his words, all pleas by the Legon SRC and NUGS to bring a human face to the decongestion policy have fallen on deaf ears. Come next academic year which begins in August the lucky students who will have rooms in the traditional halls of the university will pay four hundred Ghana cedis as hall fees. In addition Level 200 and 300 students in the Humanities and Business School will pay academic facility user fees of four hundred and twenty seven Ghana cedis and four hundred and eighty two Ghana cedis, with those in the physical science paying five hundred and twelve Ghana cedis. The story is worse for those pursuing the Distance Degree programme and those at the Accra City Campus considering the disparity in facilities at their disposal and the fees they pay.

In a statement issued on July 18 and signed by the Acting Registrar, F.K. Yeboah, the University agreed that students can pay 50 percent of academic facility user fees and pay the remaining at the commencement of the second semester. In the absence of no reduction, this is a feasible alternative but the truth is that paying in instalment does not take away the effects of the fee increment on parents. Looking at these figures aside from feeding, photocopying, clothing, one can conclude that not even the best paid Civil Servant in Ghana can afford to cater for two children at the University of Ghana, and also think of building a house let alone buying a car. As for peasant farmers, fishermen and petty traders at Makola, the least said about them, the better.

Students of the University of Ghana have been chained with these sky rocketing fees for far too long, and if there is anything to lose in demonstrating, it is rightly the chains. The University authorities have argued that they have installed CCT Cameras in the school in an effort to curb exam malpractice and these among other things have led to the increases in fees. This is certainly a good move but why is it that the cost cannot be spread over a period of time? In any case how good is good when it can undo the happiness of many. In fact, if this is allowed to go on, chances are that the public funded University of Ghana will soon be an institution for only the rich and this must not be entertained. Management of the University must bear in mind that they have been entrusted to run a public facility and should not run it like their private property. They must be told in clear terms that the University of Ghana is made up of students of single mothers, teachers, fishermen and even orphans who have to travel to farming communities during semester breaks to work on farms and get money for school fees. May God save students of the University of Ghana, as they fight for their legitimate right.

BY: GEORGE ASEKERE, A JOURNALIST