Interesting Times...

I�m sure Abusuapanin would be wondering why his nephew is referring to his homeland as Ogyakrom, instead of the usual Asomdwekrom. The answer to the puzzle is very simple: Both Ogyakrom and Asomdwekrom amply describe Kwame Okro�s land of birth. My only fear is that the harsh economic realities facing me and my compatriots may make the former override the latter. Indeed, one cannot be faulted for saying this country is Ogyakrom. Most citizens do not have access to potable water. Despite the erratic nature of electricity supply, the poor Asomdwekromanian is also saddled with the burden of paying exorbitant tariffs on electricity. Not to talk of the stench that greets one in every nook and cranny of the country as a result of refuse, which has littered the various cities. Is it any wonder that Asomdwekrom is reported to be the 4th dirtiest city in Africa, and the 2nd dirtiest in West Africa? With the closure of the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant at Adjen Kotoku, Accra is definitely on its way to becoming the dirtiest city in Africa. Talking about refuse brings to mind this interesting theory postulated by Kwabena Sarpong of the Osono family. He says if grumbling is producing no results, we must go to the Ministries, Parliament and the Flagstaff House and dump our refuse. I�ve since fallen in love with the theory because it amplifies the belief that desperate situations demand desperate actions. But as to whether the theory can be put to practice is another matter altogether. With the Senchi consensus begging for implementation, one can at least be hopeful that the �wahala� the average Asomdwekromanian and the indigenous company are going through will reduce sooner than later. I�m trying to be optimistic because the failure of the Senchi consensus would simply mean that the huge cowries spent on the National Economic Forum have gone down the drain. And that, I tell you, can spell doom for this country. My only disappointment with the Senchi dialogue participants was their failure to look the government in the eyes and call a spade by its real name. What truth do I refer to? They should have been daring enough to tell the Mahama-led government that a man who lives on the benevolence of others cannot afford to spend cowries like an Arabian king. For a country reeling under very severe financial pressure, it is very shocking how we waste precious cowries on frivolities. It is sad to see ministers and deputy ministers, whose only contribution to the economy is propagating voodoo theories, draw large salaries and allowances. Abusuapanin, I�m sure you�ve heard the Columbia-turned-Tema trip by a Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) in the Western Region. The MCE was said to have been given GH�30,000, for a trip to Columbia, but rather decided to go to the Meridian City (Tema) to cool off. As to what he did in Tema only Mawu can tell. He later surfaced to give an amazing account of a seminar he never attended. The obese cat is now out of the bag and we are being told a three-member committee had been formed to investigate a matter whose outcome we all know. By the time the committee finishes its work more than GH�30,000, the amount given it to the MCE, would have been used on frivolities like tea and sitting allowance. Were it to be in a country where such corrupt acts were frowned upon, no such committee would be formed. All they would need is the MCE�s passport to confirm whether he did travel to Columbia. Alternatively, they could easily check from the airline if the MCE was indeed among the passengers who made the trip on the date he claimed to have left Asomdwekrom for Columbia. But here in the land of jokers that is not how things are done. We have to form a committee to investigate the matter so the committee members can also get �nokofio�. Very interesting, isn�t it? After over 100 years of operation as the world�s richest gold-mine, Anglogold Ashanti is said to be closing down soon completely, with over 7000 workers at risk of losing their source of livelihood. When the Minister of Lands was asked whether we have been able to transfer technology to Asomdwekromanians to take over when these mining giants leave the country, his answer was very interesting. Listen to him: �Well, I cannot say we have achieved that. But the President has indicated at the World Economic Forum in Davos that we will do all we can to maximize from minerals going forward.� The question to Mr. Minister is simple: HOW? Mr. Sheep-Turned-Cow was also in the news last week. He was all over the airwaves defending his ministry�s decision to contract an IT company to procure motorcycles. Incidentally, this same IT company is linked to some shady deals, which they are yet to disentangle themselves from. Maybe the motorcycle deal does not stink; but Mr. Sheep-Turned-Cow�s cheeky and evasive answers to questions make one wonder if he does not have anything to hide. After eating the meat to the bone, participants went to Senchi to look for solutions. With create, loot and share theory in action, we are not too far from breaking the bones for the marrow. And when that happens, do not be surprised to hear of one forum at Wenchi and the other at Enchi. After all, Wenchi and Enchi rhyme with Senchi. See you next week for another konkonsa, Deo volente!