COMMENTARY ON BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION

Bribery and Corruption together is a social problem that has come to stay with us. It is a negative phenomenon and impinges on the conscience of many because of its debilitating effects on development. Bribery and corruption have been cited as the major reason for the overthrow of governments both military and civilian since independence. The Anin Commission appointed by the Kutu Achaempong led National Liberation Council in 1975 defined bribery and corruption as the giving and receiving of a gift or attempts to extort a gift or a valuation consideration whether cash or kind with the object of influencing a person in a position of trust to act in a way favorable to the interest of the giver. Persons in positions of trust act according to set of rules either explicitly stated or understood, so if in the course of exercising such powers any person attempts to influence their conduct with gifts either in cash or kind such a person is indulging in bribery since the intent is to corrupt the official. The Anin Commission further revealed that if the person holding the position of trust demand a gift from possible beneficiaries in order to favor them before performing such functions, the trustee is clearly corrupt. Why should one know someone or have a link with a big man in order to get what one rightfully deserves. Sociologically, bribery and corruption are not synonymous terms. Bribery is narrower, more direct and less subtle.

In fact there cannot be bribe givers without bribe takers, hence the assertion that the giver is as guilty as the receiver. Corruption can and frequently does exist even when there are no personal tempers or guilty confederates. In the assertion of Nye (1967) the use of reward to pervert the judgment of a person in a position of trust also constitutes bribery. Empirically if someone in a high position agrees to help a friend or relative of another person in an equally high position with the hope of reciprocity, that person is corrupt. Whichever way one looks at the phenomenon, bribery is wrong whether it results in the bending of rules or outright violation. The issue of bribery and corruption is so serious that in most organizations the bureaucratic principle which requires the impersonality of inter-personal relation also known as ‘Sine Ire Et Studio’ in Latin meaning, an act without ill-will, is being violated. The principle of first come first serve has no prominence anymore in many places. It is common knowledge that in some organizations today promotions and selection are no longer the preserve of technical competence due to bribery and corruption. Sadly the canker has led to the situation where in some institutions less educated, low ranked in hierarchy sometimes get comparatively higher remuneration than more qualified and higher ranked seniors. The belief that one needs to pay huge sums of money or have a link before one can get a job has saturated the minds of many young graduates seeking for jobs and rightfully so. As for what some bosses do to our young ladies before offering them jobs, only God and the principal actors know. Admittedly many organizations have square pegs in round holes and the output is low productivity, mediocrity and waste of public resources. Why on earth should we have ghost names on our payrolls? Why should one lobby before getting an appointment? Or why should it take some officials over six months and sometimes years to process documents for payment of newly enrolled nurses or appointed teachers when people are being paid to do that as their job description. The fight against bribery and corruption must therefore be taken more seriously bearing in mind that until the root causes are identified and nipped in the bud, we may only be joking. The fight must tackle both the precipitating and perpetuating factors squarely.

The socialization of Ghanaians which make us feel and believe that we have a prescriptive or even a God-given right to depend on brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles and other relatives for all kinds of help play a role in corruption and must be given a second look . Also supervisors of administrative controls and the suppression of moral courage in the name of preserving good social relations should be reconsidered. Religious leaders must intensify the crusade against the pervasive acquisition on the get rich quick syndrome by first discouraging expensive funerals and marriages. Bribery and corruption has the potential of making our nation unattractive to visitors. It kills many psychologically and widens the social class gap making the richer ever richer and the poor ever poorer. Bribe givers and takers as well as those who engage in all sorts of corrupt acts must the reminded that no condition is permanent. They may succeed today but judgment surely awaits us all. A word to the wise, we have long been told is enough.

BY GEORGE ASEKRE OF GBC, RADIO NEWSROOM.

PERSPECTIVES

PERSPECTIVES

I have long wondered the truth or otherwise of the statement-The voice of the people is the voice of God. In any case man was created-at least from the Christian perspective-in the nature of God so may be the voice of the people when equated to the voice of God or even resemblance of His voice may not be out of place. Yes we were created in His image and tasked to act according to his principles, but do our voices truly reflect that of God? I reflect with shock, the incident recorded in the book of Daniel chapter six where some people wrongfully but deliberately accused Daniel to King Darius and succeeded in getting Daniel thrown into the lion’s den. Make no mistake; the God of Daniel rescued him. What will have been your own comment if you lived in the town where Portipha’s wife accused Joseph with convincing evidence of attempted rape on her? Surely the fact is not always the truth. Better still have you ever been falsefully accused before?Whatever your experience,never disregard the adage that the person who wears the shoes feels how it pinches.Nevger act in the name of pleasing the masses at the expense of your senses.Let me share a divine experience Ihad on the 28^th of August this year.But first waite a minute.I have been picking trotro from the Labadi to the University of Ghana-legon. I noticed that most of the vehicles take more than the required number of passengers.The first time I tried to tell the driver to do the right thing, I had a shock of my life with the response that followed.From the drivers mounth,if you cant bear with us get down.Inoticed other passengers were prepared to juntr into the car if I dared got down.,.I insisted oin my right,the ladies in the car as if an arranged thing collective said ah you too,be a gentleman.Gentleman,may be I have to look up the dictionary for that word again as a good student. I was ythe lone voice that day and only God knows what they said in Ga throught the journey..On the 28^th,I decided to bord another trortro to legon from the same station.This time I was poised to be a man and act as such line with how my peers trained me in the village- hit back and do it harder anytime you are hit.Before I left the house, I prayed-Lord give the courage to insult back if they insult me for saying the right thing. What if they are older people?my culture will not permit me to say anything for the child is to be seen and not head.I thought of another strategy-many of killing a cat.I decided to go for a lawyer so I could be bold.I took enough glasses fo red wine and toped it up with whisky and palmwine.Boy I feel I was  rulling the world. I joined the trotro and sat right infront of the driver  with a gum as if I was over fixated at the oral stage as postulate by the neurologist turned psychologist-Sidmund Freud. Lucky on my part the mate add additional two passengers.I said wow, no financial loss for buying the drinlk.Bold as I wads I told the driver masa, the car is full and you adding two people,what happens in the event of an accident. There I noticed the insurance on the wind screen had expired. I said,dear passengers the driver is putting our lives at risk.To my astonishment –I heard beyifo-wizard,nothing will happen, one pointed at  the big cross on my neck and said some you Christians are devils. Aye ka, I said with a broad smile.Two said,leave that guy alone, we dought if he is not touching. As if that was not enough the driverwas over speeding but I was under the influence of alcohol so to be sure other force did not make it seem to me the car was over speededing, I turned and said don’t you thing the driver is speeding too much.That one did not go down well with them so I had no option than to shut up.Within the wtinkle of an eye the brakes failed and the vehicle run into two elctrity poll broke them run into a gutter sausaulted until it hit a nearby  building.All of us remended Jesus. Only God saved me as the driver tried to give myside to the pool.My side damaged more than any other part of the vehicle yet I was the only one who was not rushed to the 37 military hospital-For me it was the Grace not my deeds. On the serious note I could have died-just like that.Im going to legon and come . It could happen to you.Soi let us insist on doing the right thing for right is right even if all are against it.We should also remember to be humble since we can just leave this place anytime it pleases God.Vanity of vanity  is all vanity ans the book of Excllessiats states.For perspectives Im George Asekere reporting.

COMMENTARY ON CONDEMNING ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS IN THE COURSE OF THEIR WORK.

If lots were cast today for the most admired journalist in Ghana, it will surely fall on Ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. This is because Anas succeeded in carrying out his duties without any physical attack. It is possible that the very people who praise Anas today would have been the very first to condemn and call for his head if he had been arrested, attacked or harmed in the course of his duties. Like the Biblical Pharisees, the truth about Ghanaians is that, they will praise you if you win and betray you if you are handicapped. Thank God Anas is safe.

Article 162 Clause 4 of the 1992 constitution states that editors and publishers of newspapers and other institutions of the Mass Media shall not be subject to control or interference by government nor shall they be penalized or harassed for their editorial opinions and views for the content of their publication.

Whilst Ghanaian journalists can freely work without fear of governmental interference and harassments, the same cannot be said of individuals and security agencies. Attacks on journalists in the course of their work are not new at least, to people in the inky fraternity. It is not true that attacks on journalists prevailed only in the era of military rule. Journalists have been attacked even under democratically elected Presidents in Ghana.

Not too long ago, some journalists were attacked, vilified and abused by security men of former President Kufour at his Private residence in Accra. After that incident, a camera man of the state television, GTV, was assaulted in Accra in the course of duty. Before condemnations of that attack could end, another journalist with the State Radio, Radio Ghana, was attacked by uniformed Policemen in Tamale during the district level elections. As if there was a perpetual attempt to frustrate journalists, another group of Policemen on February 8, 2011 attacked and assaulted a reporter and a cameraman of TV3 at Ofankor in Accra when they were lawfully carrying out their duties.

The list is endless. Nobody doubts the crucial role journalists have played in bringing Ghana this far. The sad aspect of the story is that these journalists were attacked whilst trying to expose some wrongs in society in accordance with the laws of Ghana. The GBC and TV3 journalists in particular acted in line with Article 12 section one of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Code of Ethics which states that, a journalist shall obtain information, photographs and illustrations only by straightforward means. Besides, section two of Article 12 of the same GJA Code of Ethics says that, the use of other means can be justified only by overriding considerations of the public interest.

The attacks on these journalists are therefore unjustified, barbaric and must be condemned in no certain terms. In fact they must not be allowed to continue in Ghana where the doors of justice are open. It is high time the Ghana Journalists Association started biting after years of barking. If lawyers jumped in to defend Amina accused of causing fear & panic over the mass sex allegation why can’t the same be extended to journalists? What is our priority as a nation? Has the National Media Commission forgotten that it has a mandate under Article 167(a) of the 1992 constitution to promote and ensure the freedom and independence of the media for mass communication? How long will the Police Administration continue to allow a few irresponsible policemen to continue to frustrate journalists?

Maybe the time has come for media owners to start taking legal action against people who attack their workers after all, it is not wrong for the mountain to go to Mohamed if Mohammed fails to go to the mountain. Enemies of journalists should bear in mind that a war against media practitioners is tantamount to fetching water with a basket. In fact no weapon fashioned against journalists shall prosper here in Ghana.

Yesterday it was GBC, today it is TV3, tomorrow it could be another, so let us all help protect our journalists.

BY: GEORGE ASEKERE OF GBC RADIO NEWS, ACCRA.

Comments

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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