Ye ko ye anim !!!

I got this from a friend and it sent me thinking. Read it.

Folks,

The people have spoken, and we must respect the will of the majority. However we know that, especially in our part of the world, the people often cannot always understand the issues that affect them; also the failure of those who purport to lead and to inspire a vision of hope and progress should not be allowed to bring more hardships to our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and children who have no clue of what it is that afflicts them. The NPP has a second opportunity to keep (?) the presidency. It has paid a heavy price for its arrogance and in-fighting. But what is at stake is more than the NPP, and for this reason it should be all hands on deck now -- putting Ghana first and party affiliation (and sentiments against the NPP) aside. Of course there are many reasons why each person voted they way he/she did. But from where I sit and the way I see things, also from what I heard when I was home recently, those calling for change are doing so first and foremost for their own political purposes, taking advantage of the hardships and lack of progress for the great majority of ordinary Ghanaians. They had no message of hope, just a slogan for CHANGE. Unfortunately, the followers (who are voting for the change) cannot fully appreciate the consequences of the change they are voting for, and I believe we all do have a duty to help them to see and think beyond stomach-politics and not to mortgage the future of all our children with stupid slogans that "any change is better than the NPP government".... That is the least we can do. Posterity will not forgive us if we don't tell our people "any change" is definitely NOT better... We should tell our people in plain language how much the world has changed as a result of the so-called sub-prime crisis in the US, oil price that hit US$150/barrel at some point, the global credit crunch, the 'financial tsunami', and the expected impacts of all these on the global economy; Ghana will certainly not be spared of the impacts. US government data shows more than 500,000 jobs were lost in October alone, not to mention job losses triggered by the crisis in Europe , and the repercussions of all these on remittances those in the Diaspora make to support our brothers and sisters back home. It is obvious that there is going to be less and less money for everybody. The plain truth which the NDC dares not tell people for political expediency is that it is going to be extremely difficult for any government, let alone a new government in Africa that needs to establish itself, engage with donors, and build trust and confidence in the now-decimated private sector, to mobilise resources. Donor funds which finance more than half of our national budget have already dried up because donors have to take care of their own backyards, and investors have very little appetite for taking risks in emerging markets as a result of the crisis. So where would the NDC government find support for its programmes? Of course, it would eventually find resources, but the fact is that it would take more time for it to get going and mobilise to deliver on its election promises (??), than it would for the NPP to restructure its policies and programmes to ease the hardship "suffering masses" (the oft-quoted phrase of Atta Mills) – that is, if this is the only reason for the change they are clamouring for. True, progress has not as yet reached many people, but at least we can get a sense of the 'promised land'. Ghana achieved economic growth of more than 6 per cent in the past few years; in 2007 we became the first Sub-Saharan country outside South Africa to issue a Eurobond, thereby augmenting receipts from gold and cocoa exports which have been the mainstay of the economy since the founding of the country; we are also beginning to see a modicum of improvements in social services (education, health, infrastructure development, etc). Clearly some things are beginning to work, though we could do better. So change to what? Isn't a national health insurance scheme with all its initial teething problems better than the previous cash-and-carry system? If there is need for change it should be a CHANGE OF GEARS – to move faster, to bring the benefits of democracy and economic growth to more people. We should not change only to go back the positions we have outgrown – shit bombing, intimidation, mediocrity, backward and nonsensical arguments, etc. – the kind of things they said and did during the campaigns... Folks, we need to find a way to convey the message(s) that: · change just for the sake of change is too dangerous a thing for a country that is slowly but sure beginning to regain its stature; · change that sets the country back would bring more hardships to the very people who are voting for the change; · we should be careful not to throw the baby (i.e., democracy, economic growth, vibrant free press, etc.) away with the bath water (the mistakes, arrogance, perceived corruption, etc., of a few); · the harvest time (as a result of the toil, sacrifices, and hardships of the recent past) is near – just a little bit of patience, instead of having to start all over again; · you don't change a general just at the point where his tactics are beginning to bear good results against the enemy; · you don't leave the crop that is almost ready for harvesting to the invading devouring insects (such as locusts) - rather you do whatever it takes to protect the field; · there are darker days coming with Rawlings lurking in the background (threaten at Ashiaman that when he comes back he will jail Kuffour!!); etc. The campaign should go negative if need be, and scary tactics must be used if possible – some of you would remember the TV adverts of wolves lurking around during the Bush-vs.-Kerry campaign, or the recently famous 'who-would-you-trust 3 a.m. phone call' during the Obama-Clinton race... No more 'good guys' and sophisticated advertising; if your opponent is using very crude tactics you respond appropriately!! By the way, and to tell the truth, I am not an 'NPP faithful'. But what is at stake is more than just a party winning!! The thought of NDC macho men running amok under the directorship of JJ just scares the hell out of me... That is why I am sending you my personal message; I am sure you have your own views. Just spread the word... God help us!