Open Your Palms

The Minority in Parliament has expectedly demanded a probe into the proposed transactions regarding the controversial aircraft purchase and an accompanying hangar. It is a demand which could not have been made at a better time.

The outrageousness of the increased costs makes such a demand appropriate and we totally associate ourselves with it.

There are many questions concerning the proposed transactions and we demand that all Ghanaians stand up and be counted among those concerned with the manner in which state resources are dissipated.

When the palms of a person being suspected of financial iniquities are bereft of such charges, they would not hesitate to open them upon demand. We therefore demand that government desists from putting any impediments in the way of such a quest by the Minority in Parliament.

We are saddened, as many Ghanaians are, that the aircraft purchase is suffering from a polarised debate on radio stations. While some make sense in their submissions, others are being guided by their political colours as they state their case.

While the actual debate, the one which can alter the direction of the proposed transaction, is going on in the chambers of Parliament by representatives of the people, many Ghanaians are bewildered by the scale of indifference by the ruling party to the real demands of the Ghanaian people.

Our roads have deteriorated badly, especially as we go through the rainy season, with some stretches developing into craters in the nation’s capital.

The education and health sectors are not in the best of shapes. They need urgent attention even as we seek to include expensive accessories to the five aircraft the government seeks to buy.

Those sneering at the proposed transactions, like us, are not against the appropriate retooling of the Ghana Air Force. The Minority in Parliament, we are convinced, is only demanding that the right things are done in the most transparent manner and in the interest of all Ghanaians.

The water has been muddied sufficiently to warrant a probe into the proposed transaction because not doing so will cast a worrying cloud over the purchase, should it take place eventually; and posterity will frown upon all of us.

We do not think the Ghana Air Force would be asking for the installation of the very expensive accessories as presented by the government.

The entertainment component and the cost of the hangar, as being presented to Ghanaians, is so murky and outrageous that the taxpayer who would bear the brunt of it all must be satisfied beyond doubt that there is nothing fishy in the proposed transaction.

For now though, the confusion surrounding the deal is not that which enables the average Ghanaian to understand better what is happening.

The proposed purchase, when subjected to a probe, as being suggested, will enable us all to understand the points being raised and make informed decisions devoid of polarisation and politicisation.

Source: Editorial (daily guide)