�I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflections. It�s the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles into death��Thomas Paine.
Last Tuesday, July 2, 2013, is a day that would forever be etched in my medulla. It is a day two people I adore and respect met with contrasting fortunes. One gained his freedom after a hard struggle against his oppressors for over 12 moons; while the other surrendered his freedom to the state in mind-boggling circumstances. Incidentally, both gentlemen respond to the name Ken, hence the choice of today�s title.
Kennedy Agyapong is the Osono Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North Constituency. He is not only outspoken, but also a thorn in the flesh of the Zu-za government. But for his eagle eyes which detected the carefully-orchestrated plan by members of the looting brigade to milk this country dry, the smelly and dubious judgment debt payments to Agbesi Woyome and others would never have become public knowledge. The revelation, no doubt, further soiled the already tainted image of those standing under the eagle-headed Umbrella. It also made nonsense of Zu-za�s much touted probity and accountability slogan. After the revelation, Hon. Ken became enemy number one to the Zu-za party. They tried all manner of strategies to get him.
But knowing very well that they were after him, he did his best to avoid the traps they set for him. The tax revenue authorities in particular were used in intimidating him and his two media houses, Oman FM and Net2 TV. After a thorough scrutiny of their books, nothing untoward was found. The Zu-za government waited with bated breath as they prayed for him to slip, so they could show him their �krakye� powers.
Their prayer was answered when, out of anger, Ken made an inflammatory statement in reaction to the mayhem being unleashed on his party people by Nii Lantey�s thugs, during the 2012 biometric registration exercise. He was arrested in a Rambo-style, detained for more than the stipulated 48 hours, and then finally charged with bizarre charges such as attempted terrorism, genocide and treason. But the presiding judge read between the lines and granted him bail.
The first two charges were later dropped, leaving the treason charge to hang on his neck. For close to 14 moons, his counsel engaged in a legal battle with the country�s highly biased A-G�s office. The court finally acquitted and discharged Hon. Ken last Tuesday.
<<Print>>