DECONSTRUCTING THE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE FAMOUS FREE SHS POLICY

DECONSTRUCTING THE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE FAMOUS FREE SHS POLICY

By Iddi Muhayu-Deen

1) They say Free SHS has brought about UNBEARABLE CONGESTION in our schools

Fact:

This cannot be true because available data from the Education Ministry and GES reveal that NO school in the whole of Ghana received placement of students beyond the number requested by the Heads or school authorities. As a matter of fact, schools like Vitin SHS and La Presec that made notorious headlines over this matter had received placements less than what the Heads requested for.

Vitin requested for 533 students but only 517 students were placed there. La Presec on the other hand declared 607 vacancies but only 539 students were posted to the school. With this, how can anybody suggest that Free SHS has led to congestion in these schools? If truly there is congestion, Free SHS cannot be the cause and this is logical. Please disabuse your mind on this because facts, they say, do not lie.

2) They say some students in the 3 regions of the north are compelled to sleep 'outside' because their schools lack adequate dormitories to house them and this is blameable on Free SHS

Fact:

This cannot be true because in 'hot seasons' like this, some of these students find it more comfortable to sleep outside with their mattresses for obvious reasons. I had this very experience during my days at Bolgatanga SHS in the upper east region. It is therefore unfair and incorrect to blame this phenomenon on the Free SHS.

3) They say the fees paid by the continuing students (i.e. 2nd and 3rd years) is what is being used to finance the Free SHS for the 1st years and that, government is really not doing anything extraordinary.

Fact:

This is a blatant falsehood. As we speak, government continues to pay the 30% subsides for all continuing students in all government SHSs. The amount (fees) these students paid last year is the same amount they paid this year. Not even one cedi has been added. Again, government, as we all know, is paying, 100%, all the absorbed fees for first years; the first batch of the Free SHS beneficiaries.

4) They say government is shortchanging the schools by allowing the Ghana Buffer Stock Company to supply them with foodstuffs.

Fact:

The Ghana Buffer Stock Company (GBSC) is the government's guarantor of quality and quantity in terms of food supplied to schools and other agencies. The GBSC does not supply food directly to the schools. What happened was that, upon the implementation of Free SHS, government asked the schools to ensure that their existing food suppliers register with the company for purposes of monitoring their activities and providing them with buffer support schemes pursuant to its mandate.

The few schools that failed to oblige to this directive left the company with no option but to get them suppliers. It is also untrue that food supplies to the schools under the supervision of the GBSC haven't been regular because there exists more than enough documentary evidence to the contrary.

5) They say government has only paid 20% of the required fees for the Free SHS beneficiaries.

Fact:

This is not entirely true. The 20% that was paid was based on projected numbers and not actuals. You need not be told that projections are almost always more than actuals. Again, aside the 20% paid, government has also directly paid for most of the items in the fees breakdown like books, uniforms, electricity/water bills and many others without passing through the schools.

So technically, even though you can say government has paid 20% [of projected numbers], in actual fact, over 83% of the approved fees is what has been paid either directly or indirectly. Else, the schools would have closed down in less than a month. As we speak, the term is almost coming to an end. Doesn't this tell you there is more to the 20% being bandit about than what meets the eye?

In conclusion, please do not get it twisted. I am not by this, suggesting for once that everything is well and cozy with the Free SHS. There certainly exits some shortfalls as you would expect in the implementation of every audacious policy. However, our criticism of the policy should be constructive and factual. We owe it a duty to our country to be guided by not only fairness and firmness but also our good CONSCIENCE.

It is gratifying to note that, as we speak, government has just committed over GHc 80 million to tackle the age-long infrastructure and other logistical challenges bedevilling some of the schools. Parliament has also approved a $40m World Bank facility to support Free SHS. So, claims that the implementers of the policy are doing nothing about the challenges CANNOT be true on the face of the records. Cynicism doesn't build a nation. Wishing doom for a life-saving policy like the Free SHS which is securing the future of the youth of our country is the greatest disservice we can do to our motherland.

I am happy the cynics are now making a u'turn after saying it [Free SHS] will collapse after 2020, by which time, they dream to be in power so that they can cancel the policy. Like I said, is good they are now reconsidering their anti-Ghana position. I only hope we are not being misled again. Free SHS has come to stay and let me hear believers say AMEN.

Assalamu Alaik

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#FriendOfFreeSHS
#ForLoveOfGodAndCountry

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MAHAMA TO CANCEL FREE SHS SHOULD HE BECOME PRESIDENT IN 2020

MAHAMA TO CANCEL FREE SHS SHOULD HE BECOME PRESIDENT IN 2020

Ex-President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana's only one-term president has given the strongest indication yet that should he become president again in 2020, his government would CANCEL the Free SHS policy. The policy is undoubtedly, the number one flagship programme of the Akufo-Addo's government and has rightly been adjudged by many educationists as the greatest social intervention in the nation's educational sector since independence.

It is the policy that is helping secure the future of thousands of our younger brothers and sisters who would have prematurely ended their education upon completion of JHS because of financial challenges. It is a life-saving policy that is ultimately going to secure the future of our country because there CANNOT be any substitute for education. Leadership is indeed about choices; whereas President Akufo-Addo thinks investing in Free SHS by whatever means is the way to go, John Mahama thinks otherwise. The former President has articulated his position on this subject over the weekend in Tarkwa after an NDC "unity walk".

Mahama tells us that because the implementation of the policy has been fraught with a myriad of challenges, we should do away with it. This is in spite of the fact that these challenges are not insurmountable. But John Mahama would have none of that, as he maintains that the policy should be CANCELED entirely because of the foregoing infrastructure challenges in particular. As far as Mahama is concerned, if your hand is paining you, you don't take it to a doctor for medical attention, you cut it off. And so, if there's problem with Free SHS implementation, you don't fix it, you cancel the policy. That is the John Mahama model.

Interestingly, the same Mahama (H.E) told us that his government had revolved the infrastructure issues bedeviling second cycle education when they were in power with the construction of some 123 schools. In fact, Hon. Okudjeto Ablakwa is also on record to have said that the NPP's Free SHS became possible because they [the NDC] had put up enough infrastructure in our schools. So, what has changed now? Have all the so called unprecedented infrastructure vanished because a different government is in office? Your guess is as good as mine.

Again, former President Mahama, whilst chiding the current government for "not doing broader consultation before rolling out the policy" stated that, it was not for nothing that the framers of our laws provide that it should take 15 years to fully implement Free SHS policy [I wonder which law he's talking about]. He asked rhetorically that, "why does Akufo-Addo think that he can use one year to implement something our constitution says should be implemented in 15 years?".

No further comment, except to say that the ball is now in our court, whether or not we should vote for John Mahama in 2020 [if he is courageous enough to contest again] and BID FAREWELL to Free SHS or we should trust the NPP to fix the problem and thus secure the future of the nation's youth.

IDDI MUHAYU-DEEN

#ForGodAndCountry

GHANA MOURNS A MEDIA ICON

GHANA MOURNS A MEDIA ICON

Undoubtedly, the name, Kwadwo Asare Baffuor Acheampong, aka KABA, is one name which would forever be associated with the Ghanaian media industry for all the good reasons whether or not the bearer of that name lives. The nation woke up on the beautiful morning of Saturday, November 18 only to be greeted with the shocking news of the demise of this fine media icon, whose enviable virtues and life story, I cannot finish extolling. Simply put, it would forever be told generations that the KABAs came to this world, saw and conquered that which is conquerable for the love of God and country. He paid his dues not only to Asempa fm and the Multimedia Group but to the rest of Ghana and the world at large.

As much as we say, death is inevitable and in the fullness of time, all of us shall taste the agony of death, it is still inexplicable and devastating if you lose somebody you least expect to lose. My good friend and brother, KABA was arguably at the peak of his career in service to his country. He had been to work even at the later part of the week to inter alia, engage his distinguished discussants on the prospects of the 2018 adwuma budget. He showed absolutely no sign of ailment. He came across as someone who was very well and hearty. So, with this in mind, if you were, in less than 48 hours told that this same KABA, had passed on to glory, you certainly would have every reason to be devastated no matter how religious you are.

Perhaps, this development, as sad as it is, should tell us one thing, that, we are nothing but mere mortals, with absolutely no options but to respond to the call of our Maker anytime. My fellow countrymen and women, let’s prepare for that unavoidable call at all times because it can come at anytime whether we are prepared or not; whether we are weak or strong; whether we are rich or poor; whether we are young or old; whether we are famous or infamous; whether we are leaders or followers; whether we have achieved much in life or not and more instructively, whether we are sick or perhaps stronger than Bastie Samir, the conqueror of the Bankus.

Like I said, the life story of KABA can never be told in full. But suffice it to say, he was an embodiment of excellence in our media industry. He used his international award winning platform, “ekosisem” on asempa fm, to tell the story of the Ghanaian as accurately as it ought to be told. He made “ekosisem” the most popular afternoon political talkshow in the country. The only political show in the country that lasts for more than four hours each working day, with the best of scintillating interviews, sound bites, national discourse and all that you need to make your afternoon worthwhile. No wonder you would almost always find political commentators, Ministers of State, students, teachers, drivers, lawyers, media personnel and all the people that matter in our governance system, tune to asempa fm once it was 2pm to listen to the ever sensational KABA on “ekosisem” for all the breaking news in the country. He was recently adjudged the Best Talk Show Host for the year, 2017. 

If you had a genuine concern and needed national attention, you could just walk to KABA, and he would provide you his platform, free of charge, to tell your story whether or not you had officially written to the management of asempa fm before coming. I’ve had a lot of such experience especially in my days as a national student leader. His sense of humility is incredibly legendary. I do not know what would become of our favourite “ekosisem”, now that KABA is gone forever. But you can always trust the Multimedia Group to get us a replacement, though it wouldn’t be easy, considering the niche KABA had carved for himself and the Multimedia brand. Of course, nobody thought after the exit of the Late Komla Dumor to the BBC, the Multimedia Group was ever going to get a perfect replacement for this media colossus, until a Kojo Oppong Nkurumah emerged. As always, I wish them well.

In the meantime, I, with heavy heart, join the rest of the world, to commiserate first of all, with KABA’s immediate family especially his beloved wife and kid, the Multimedia Group, colleagues in the media fraternity and Ghana at large. We have not only lost a colleague, but a brother, a friend and a mentor. KABA, you would forever occupy a special place in our hearts and minds. Stay blessed brother till we meet in afterlife.

IDDI MUHAYU-DEEN

ForGodAndCountry

CALLS FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF KWABENA AGYEPONG ABSOLUTELY MISPLACED AND SUICIDAL FOR THE NPP

CALLS FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF KWABENA AGYEPONG ABSOLUTELY MISPLACED AND SUICIDAL FOR THE NPP

It started like a joke when I heard one of our communicators making calls for the reinstatement of the suspended NPP General Secretary; Kwabena Agyepong on Accra based Oman fm. He was ignored as everybody in the party thought he was doing mischief and therefore his weird call was treated with the necessary disdain for want of logic. It has however now emerged that the gentleman is not into this alone and that, he was only being the conveyer belt of a well orchestrated and sponsored media campaign for this diabolic agenda against the NPP. The development of 23rd October, where some people, calling themselves, concerned NPP group, organized a Press Conference to DEMAND for the immediate reinstatement of Kwabena Agyepong only goes to confirm this agenda I'm talking about. Now we hear of the formation of FREE KWABENA AGYAPONG MOVEMENT. Clearly, these people mean business.

But, I'm prayerfully confident that the almighty Allah I worship; would not make them succeed for the love of country and the NPP. The governing party, cannot, will not, and should not travel on the path of implosion which characterized its affairs in the build-up to the last general elections until the suspension of the "infamous trio" [Kwabena Agyapong, Paul Afoko and Sammy Crabbe]. Only a fool, they say, would sit unconcerned and allow his testicular organs to be stepped on more than once. Again, of course, the first fool, they say, is not a fool properly so called but the second and the third. It is against this backdrop that I find gratifying that, so far, it doesn't appear to me that the leadership of the party is giving audience to these ugly and unmeritorious noises disguised as legitimate calls.

Of course, it is so, because, they [the top hierarchy of the party] know how SUICIDAL any such contemplation would be to the NPP. Recalling Kwabena Agyepong or any of the three "musketeers" would be tantamount to the NPP pressing the SELF-DESTRUCT button. At the time the NPP needed them the most, they betrayed us. Not only that, they did everything to ensure an NPP defeat in the elections; so that, Nana Addo wouldn't get to be President of Ghana. As a matter of fact, Kwabena Agyepong, whom we are being told should be reinstated today, is on record to have dared then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo to be very careful with him, else he [Kwabena Agyepong] wouldn't endorse nor submit his Nomination Form to the Electoral Commission (EC) for the NPP to participate in the 2016 presidential polls.

His hatred and antipathy for Nana Akufo-Addo was so manifest to the extent that he [Kwabena Agyepong], at some point, removed the portrait of the party flag bearer from his office at the NPP headquarters and smashed it on the ground. He felt bigger than the NPP and even when the party suspended Paul Afoko, defiant Kwabena Agyepong disrespected the party's decision and still regarded him [Paul Afoko] as the legitimate National Chairman until he was also suspended. Anytime our internal troubles were coming down to the dislike of the NDC, you would see Kwabena Agyepong or his "twin brother", Paul Afoko, doing something to bring the NPP back on the unenviable trajectory of self-destruction and for that matter negative media headlines. I don't even want to talk about his infamous "Kumasi fufu comment" or sad developments that culminated in the unfortunate demise of my uncle, the late Upper East regional chairman of the party [may almighty Allah continue to bless his innocent soul].

Truth is, if I want to chronicle all the "bad things" Kwabena Agyepong/Paul Afoko did to destroy the NPP's chances of winning the 2016 elections, I would certainly not be able to finish. But all of that notwithstanding, the NPP, after their suspensions, went ahead to win the elections overwhelmingly. This victory, however, didn't come on a silver platter. It took the sacrifices of the rank and file of the party and the leadership, particularly, JOHN BOADU, the National Organizer of the party, who was added additional responsibilities, not only as the Operations Director of the entire campaign but more instructively, as the acting General Secretary of the party. John Boadu was thus, arguably, the busiest national officer in the NPP 2016 campaign taking charge of the national organization of the party, the campaign operations as well as the National Secretariat.

As hardworking as he's always been, John Boadu led this party against all odds, to chalk an unprecedented electoral feat in the elections through his award winning organizational, leadership and administrative skills. Today, the NPP is in power and we are being told to sideline John Boadu and bring back Kwabena Agyepong to take over his former position. We should reward treachery and betrayal at the detriment of hard work. How unconscionable can we be! Even beyond John Boadu, what about the hundreds and thousands of NPP activists and sympathizers whose sweat and sacrifices brought the party to power after Kwabena and Afoko's mess? Over 90% of these hardworking patriots of our party have still not received any recognition or reward for their hard work and sacrifices but they are being very patient because of the love they have for the NPP.

Now, you want to provoke and test their patience by rewarding somebody like Kwabena Agyepong, who deserted the NPP at the time the party needed him the most? What signals are we sending to them, and can the party stand the repercussions of any such egregious move? Is that how the NPP want to insult our intelligence and sensibilities for virtually killing ourselves for the party when it mattered most? Or, is the NPP telling us that it is all about "monkey dey work, gbako dey chop?" Is that the precedence we want to set for ourselves going forward as a party? Like seriously? Of course, I know my NPP is NOT that kind of party and that is why I am very confident that all these ugly noises calling for Kwabena Agyepong’s reinstatement would be treated with all the contempt that it deserves by the party leadership.  

And to the so called friends of Kwabena Agyepong, who told them the NPP can reinstate Kwabena Agyepong without reinstating Paul Afoko? How is that possible when we all know that the two of them did all the “bad things” together to destroy the NPP’s electoral fortunes? Kwabena Agyepong is certainly inseparable from the ills of Paul Afoko. In fact, as some point, Kwabena Agyepong proved to be even more dangerous than Afoko and this, I have confirmed from some National Executives of the party who worked very closely with the duo. So, if the party goes ahead to reinstate Kwabena and leave Afoko, we would only be confirming suspicion that the NPP is an Akan party and that, the Akans can always have their way at the detriment of northerners.

And what would that say about the future of the hardworking Alhaji Dr. Bawumia [His Excellency the Vice President], one of my finest political mentors of all times. I place on record that if such unconscionable thing should happen, I would personally ensure that northerners in the NPP stage a mammoth and sustained protestation against the party and if that would lead to massive defections, then so be it. Discrimination is tantamount to injustice and injustice anywhere, they say, is a monumental threat to justice everywhere and same must be fought with all alacrity even at the peril of one’s life. They are telling us that Kwabena has changed. That, he now loves the NPP more than his life. Why don’t you have a good laugh?

Remember we’ve heard that before. In the build-up to the NPP National Delegates Conference in 2014, which was held in Tamale, we were told Kwabena Agyepong had changed and so, we should vote for him. Not only did some of us support him, we also went all out and campaigned vigorously for him to become the General Secretary. I lost count of the number of articles I wrote to project Kwabena Agyepong, because like many others, I was also of the mistaken belief that he had truly changed as we were told. But we’ve all been LET DOWN after he became the Secretary. In fact, his campaign manager and my good friend and brother, Iddrisu Musah Superior was the first person to desert him when he [Kwabena Agyepong] openly showed biases against the party flag bearer and personified arrogance.

Today, we are being told he has changed again and so, the party should reinstate him. Let me ask, how many times is he going to change? You can fool some of the people some of the time and get away with it. You can also be able to fool all the people some of the time but certainly; you cannot fool all the people all the time. If the NPP can win a competitive election like the 2016’s without Paul Afoko, Sammy Crabbe and Kwabena Agyepong, then surely, the party should be able to govern the country without them. In conclusion, let it be told to the leadership of the NPP that it is well within their right to take any decision on the fate of Kwabena Agyepong and his cohorts but whatever decision they take would be judged by posterity and prosperity.

Assalamu alaik

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

ForGodAndCountry

ALL HAIL JOHN BOADU, THE GENERAL SECRETARY (AG) OF THE NPP

ALL HAIL JOHN BOADU, THE GENERAL SECRETARY (AG) OF THE NPP

When the NPP needed someone to take charge of its national organization for victory 2016, you were there for the party. When the NPP needed a fine communicator to expose the ills of the then John Mahama government and sell its campaign message to the Ghanaian electorates, you were there for the party. When the NPP needed someone to take charge of its entire Campaign Operations for election 2016, you were there for the party.

When the NPP suspended its General Secretary in the midst of seemingly unending crisis and needed someone to fill that big shoe, you were there for the party. When the NPP needed a competent, committed and loyal person to head its administrative secretariat, you were there for the party. When the NPP was only making negative headlines in the media and needed to come out from this quagmire, you provided the way for the party.

When the NPP needed leadership to unite its rank and file for victory 2016, you were there for the party and provided that kind of leadership. When the NPP became unattractive to the discerning/floating voter, you came in and changed this narrative. When the NPP needed peace, you provided them peace. When the NPP needed hope, you provided them hope. And ultimately, when the NPP needed victory in the 2016 elections, you were there for the party.

Today, because of your hard work, which was, of course, complemented by the illustrious works of others, the NPP is in power and H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo is the President of Ghana. And because of this, the Ghanaian dream is being realized as the good people of this country are seeing prosperity everywhere. Prosperity, by way of free SHS, restoration of allowances, removal of taxes, agriculture boost, job creation, stabilization and formalization of the Ghanaian economy among several others.

What can we say but to celebrate you especially on the occasion of your birthday, JOHN BOADU. We wish you the very best in life, particularly in your political career as you seek to lead the NPP as the substantive General Secretary. There is every justification for you to go unopposed, just like your hardworking colleague, Sammi Awuku but anyone who has the balls to contest you, hurray! let them come; after all, the NPP is a democratic party.

But what I cannot understand in respect of the conduct of your critics, is their claim that you don't have the gravitas to lead the NPP as General Secretary, perhaps, because you are not a lawyer, an academic doctor or a professor. How incongruous and pathetic! So John Boadu qualifies to be our General Secretary to lead the party from opposition to government but now that we are in government, the position of general secretary doesn't fit him right? Is that their understanding of SOCIAL JUSTICE which underpins the NPP? Then, God save us.

Well, they are free to say whatever they want to say or do whatever they want to do but I, would on any day, reward hard work, commitment and loyalty and I humbly call on you to do same because that is the principle every progressive mind associates with. And by that, let us support the hardworking tried and tested result-oriented JOHN BOADU as the GENERAL SECRETARY of the NPP to continue his good works for the love of God; the love of country; and the love of party.

Assalamu alaik

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#ForGodAndCountry

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THE RISE AND FALL OF BUKOM BANKU, A LESSON TO ALL

THE RISE AND FALL OF BUKOM BANKU, A LESSON TO ALL

By Iddi Muhayu-Deen

He calls himself, the greatest boxer that ever lived in Ghana. He says he is indispensable. He says he is not only a Ghanaian champion but also the champion of Africa. He says he is African Maywheather and that, no one can beat him in the boxing arena. He says he is the only unstoppable boxer on the continent.

Even almighty Bazooka Azuma Nelson, who became the World Boxing Champion at some point, never bragged like this man, who calls himself, Bukom Banku. In fact, because of the little money and fame he got in boxing, he was messing up with everybody; beating up women and harassing innocent people in society including young girls. I don't know whether to call him a boxer, a joker or maybe a politician of 44.4 yaanom infamy.

But last night, almighty Allah made him realize his 'smoothness level'. That, no man is indispensable after all. That, there can only be one Supreme being. That, humility is the vehicle to glory and stardom. That, vanity and vaingloriousness can only lead man to abyss.

After running his mouth and claiming he was going to stop one Bastie Samir, a relatively unknown Ghanaian boxer, in the 6th round, it turned out that he, Bukom Banku, was rather going to be given a technical knockout. He was beaten to pulp and almost killed in the ring by the young man.

Seeing how helpless and 'useless' Bukom Banku became last night, I bet you, you wouldn't even buy him for a GHc1. I guess poor Banku took a cue from his political mentors and assumed a comfortable lead in the bout; cruising to their kind of victory that we saw in December 2016.

Such is life, isn't it? Learn to humble yourself and you will go far. In the meantime, please join me congratulate my northern brother, Bastie Samir. He has justified why I would on any day, choose "tuo zaafi (tz)" over banku.

Assalamu alaik

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#ForGodAndCountry

LET'S CELEBRATE THE DESERVING; H.E. ALHAJI DR. MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA

LET'S CELEBRATE THE DESERVING; H.E. ALHAJI DR. MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA

By Iddi Muhayu-Deen

The name, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is certainly, one name that CAN NEVER be missing in the social, political and economic narrative of Ghana for obvious reasons. Our story would always be replete with the countless mention of Bawumia for all the good reasons. The economic guru turned political guru, has amply proven that you don't need to be born a politician to be able to make it in politics. He has shown us that whatever the so called consummate politicians can do, the economists and the bankers can do even much better.

Bawumia's emergence in the country's political landscape has drastically changed the face of our body politic. He changed our appreciation of politics from propaganda, pettiness, animosity and vendetta to one of ISSUES, which are communicated with a lot of candour, humility and fineness. Issues that are germane and of great concern to the Ghanaian people. Excellence and charisma, he embodies. Bawumia gives you absolutely no reason to dislike him.

Your dislike or antipathy for Bawumia, if that were the case, would not be because he has wronged you or sat on your happiness, but because you can't beat him in what he does best. And what does he do best? Delivering political, social and economic prosperity to the Ghanaian people through pragmatic and trustworthy leadership. Whilst his detractors are wishing him "evil", he is wishing them well and praying for them. This is what you get in a Bawumia. Vindictiveness is something you CAN NEVER find in the Bawumia lexicon. Such a gem!

I remember the cynicism that greeted the decision by then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP to nominate Bawumia, the Chartered Banker cum economist as his Running Mate. This cynicism, interestingly, was coming from the NPP fold including party kingpins. But today, everybody within and outside NPP, says H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo has been vindicated and that, Bawumia has proven to be the greatest addition to the NPP political tradition in the past decade(s).

Politics, to a very large extent, is about numbers and that is what Bawumia brings to the NPP. Today, when we say the Northern Region (Bawmia's home region) has drastically changed from an NDC stronghold to a SWING REGION (i.e. 50-50 for the two major political parties), then it is because of Bawumia. When we say the NDC cannot win elections in University Campuses and among the intelligentsia but in the prisons and "less endowed communities", then it is because of Bawumia. When we say Ghanaians cannot buy the NDC’s propaganda on the economy, then it is because of Bawumia. Come on! How much more of a blessing can one be to his political party in all departments that Bawumia has not been to the NPP!

In fact, the Bawumia story is not only beautiful to his political party (NPP) but it is much more beautifully manifest in the life of every Ghanaian. He has not only been stupendous in bringing the needed votes to the party but also in delivering on the NPP's campaign promises especially in relation to economic prosperity. The Head of the Economic Management Team in the Akufo-Addo government [Bawumia] is doing exactly what the Ghanaian people expect of him and delivering results.

You would notice by now that the NPP government has made giant strides in implementing all of its "economic campaign promises" within the first year and all of these are being spearheaded by Dr. Bawumia, the economic guru. At the heart of this Bawumia-led economic project which today, is saving the Ghanaian taxpayer, thousands and millions of Ghana cedis, is the digitization and formalization of the Ghanaian economy through the rollout of a paperless regime at the nation's ports, the digital address system, biometric national ID system, network interoperability among several others. His internationally acclaimed Bawumia Model has also to a very large extent, stabilized the Ghanaian economy and brought in much liquidity, by way of investment rather than loans, to the national kitty.

The Bawumia success-story can surely not be told in full. Mr. Vice President, the NPP is proud of your enviable accomplishments. The Ghanaian people are proud of you. I am proud of you. And together, we celebrate you this day and forever. I'm sure we haven't seen your best yet. To conclude, one can say, from all indications that, an association with the Bawumias, is an association with growth; an association with development; and more importantly, an association with prosperity for all. May almighty ALLAH continue to bless the Bawumia family and Ghana at large.

Salamu alaik

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#ForGodAndCountry

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ALHASSAN SUHUYINI, CAUTIONED

ALHASSAN SUHUYINI, CAUTIONED

By Iddi Muhayu-Deen

Following the horrendous gas explosion of Saturday night which has claimed about 7 lives with over 130 people injured and several properties including cars destroyed, the whole nation has been thrown into a state of grief and devastation. People are still counting their incalculable loses. Families and friends have lost loved ones and they are distraught. Everybody is saddened by this sad development.

And in cognizance with the communal spirit underpinning the sociocultural establishment of Ghana, sympathies and messages of condolence are trickling in from all quarters for those who were seriously affected by the disaster at the Atomic Junction. That is the African and for that matter, the Ghanaian spirit; comradeship and camaraderie. We care so much about the plight of one another and that makes us unique in the comity of nations.

But as far as one Alhassan Suhuyini is concerned, to hell with this enviable Ghanaian culture or spirit of care and love. He is so heartless and doesn't even care about human life. Whiles every Ghanaian is sympathizing with the bereaved and mourning, Alhassan Suhuyini thinks this is a nice opportunity to cash in with his usual petty politics. So, he comes in and characteristically, links the unfortunate gas explosion disaster to the birthday to His Excellency Vice President Alhaji Bawumia. How devilish!

As far as this Alhassan Suhuyini guy is concerned, everything must be politicized in this country including natural disasters and human life or the lack of it. That is how reckless and unconscionable this guy has become. And to think that he is a Member of Parliament, makes me go crazy. How did he get to Parliament to start with? So, this guy deserves to be called an honourable man? Something must definitely be wrong with our gods. I just can't come to terms with the fact that this guy is in Parliament making laws for us.

Obviously, he is finding it extremely difficult to balance the propaganda enterprises he was engaged in at Radio Gold with his new status as an MP. I guess that is the graven of his woes. He's had issues with everybody in Parliament including the leadership for both sides. The likes of the celebrated Kwame Sefa Kayi worked at Radio Gold and became a "better human being" afterwards but I doubt same can be said about Alhassan Suhuyini. What has gone wrong, only God knows.

But whatever it is, let me use this opportunity to sound a word of caution to Alhassan Suhuyini that he can no longer have his way. He can no longer continue attacking Nana Addo and Bawumia. They are now the occupants of the two most important positions in the Republic; President and Vice respectively. They are thus, the embodiment of the nation and they carry the authority of the State. Any unwarranted and gratuitous attack on them, is an attack on the Republic and same would be fiercely RESISTED. This, Suhini must be told in unequivocal language. A word to the wise!

Assalamu alaik

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#ForGodAndCountry

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A-PLUS CANNOT DESTROY WHAT WE HAVE ALL SUFFERED TO BUILD

A-PLUS CANNOT DESTROY WHAT WE HAVE ALL SUFFERED TO BUILD

By Iddi Muhayu-Deen

The NPP victory in the 2016 polls was certainly one that did not come on a silver platter. It took the hard work and legendary sacrifices of a lot of people including students, kayayes, teachers, nurses, spare part dealers, masons, artisans, market women, bankers, lawyers, pastors, imams, drivers, chiefs, hairdressers, accountants, musicians and many others to ensure that the then opposition NPP won the elections against all odds.

It took the sacrifices of ordinary Ghanaians who were desirous of seeing a REGIME CHANGE in order that this country would be SALVAGED from the bondage of incompetence, joblessness, hopelessness, corruption and economic servitude that had characterized the John Mahama-led NDC government. It took the sacrifices of thousands and millions of NPP sympathizers including party executives and footsoldiers to deliver victory to the NPP.

So you can see clearly that the victory chalked by the NPP at the last polls was a culmination of the efforts and sacrifices of many stakeholders including ordinary Ghanaians. It was not an Akufo-Addo victory per se; it was not a Bawumia victory; it was not a John Boadu victory; it was not a Mustapha Hamid victory; it was even not an NPP victory. It was a GHANAIAN VICTORY (emphasis mine). It was a victory for the Kayayes who had legitimate issues with the kayaye taxes and the prevailing unbearable cost of living;

it was a victory for students and parents who were desirous of seeing a Free SHS regime; it was a victory for trainee nurses and teachers who were desirous of seeing the restoration of their allowance; it was a victory for the businessmen whose businesses were collapsing because of the debilitating dumsor crisis; it was a victory for the discerning Ghanaians who were fed up with the corrupt practices of the Mahama government and were desirous of a new Ghana; it was a victory for the people of Zongo who were desirous of seeing the roll out of a Zongo Development Fund to have their lives transformed.

It is therefore unconscionable that one man, only one man, a musician, who was part of the over 8 million Ghanaians in the famous 2016 CHANGE bandwagon would think that he was indispensable in the NPP campaign and therefore ought to have his way in the Akufo-Addo government at all times. And that, anybody that attempts to stop him would have his/her reputation destroyed beyond repairs. This man so referenced, A-Plus, he is called, was not the 2016 NPP flagbearer; he was not the Running Mate; he was not a parliamentary candidate; he was not a party executive at any level. He was not a polling agent.

He was an entertainer/musician (I'm not a fun of his music though, likewise my grandmother in Kete-Krachi). A-Plus essentially forgets that the 2016 election was won NOT on the basis of which political party entertained the most or had the best of musicians. A-Plus should be told that Ghanaians were much concerned about the draconian living conditions and the general feeling of hopelessness at the time and that, same influenced their votes against the NDC to usher in an NPP government. A-Plus should be told therefore that he CANNOT shutter the Ghanaian dream.

He cannot destroy what we all suffered to build. He did NOT better than any of our hundreds and thousands of polling agents, youth activists, polling station executives, constituency executives, regional and national officers. Even if he campaigned better than everybody, that doesn't give him the license to destroy the collective struggle of all. A-Plus should count himself lucky that he has been ‘settled’, at least, he is winning lucrative contracts at BOST and making millions of Ghana cedis. What about us? What about you and me?

What about the thousands and millions of Ghanaians including NPP footsoldiers who are yet to find "descent jobs" to do in the Akufo-Addo government? The least we expect from A-Plus is to show gratitude to President Akufo-Addo and his appointees including the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, whom he is seeking to destroy. A-Plus should know that he cannot destroy these two respected individuals of our great party who are very close to the President without destroying the President himself and the NPP government for that matter. A-Plus must be stopped before he stops us. You cannot bite the finger that feeds you.

I wish to use this opportunity to respectfully 'caution' government appointees to be weary of the character called A-Plus. He comes to you for certain favours and if he doesn't get, he goes to town and accuses you of being corrupt through social media. That is his modus operandi. Be warned, my people. Remember, today, he is doing it to Abu Jinapor and Asenso Boakye, tomorrow, it may be you. The sheer incompetence with which he accuses people of corruption is not only sickening but most absurd.

How can an educated person, properly so called, allege that because the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, upon a petition, intervened, with recourse to the Health Minister, in asking the authorities of Korlebu Teaching Hospital to open up a bidding process to allow all parties including UniBank to participate, that makes them corrupt? How can you accuse somebody who is calling for OPENNESS of corruption?

Does A-Plus have any knowledge of our procurement laws? Even if he doesn't have any knowledge in matters of procurement, wouldn't commonsense tell him that one way of fighting corruption in a bidding process is to open up the process for all participants? I just can't ‘think madness’. I'm not also sure that he has faculty problems. That leaves me with only one conclusion, which is MISCHIEF.

I also hold serious grudge with the current CEO of Korlebu, Dr. Anyaa [interestingly, he is also an appointee of the President] who, from all indications, is using A-Plus (his de facto Personal Assistance) to fight his case against the Deputy Chiefs of Staff. Their offense being that, they are seeking to prevent him from violating our procurement laws by singling out only Stanbic Bank (a 100% foreign bank) for the award of the said contract. What a crazy world we live in! I leave Dr. Anyaa to his own conscience because I know he has one.

Now, guess what? After failing to provide any evidence to prove his damning allegations against the respected duo, A-Plus now says he is sorry. He now says Asenso Boakye and Abu Jinapor should forgive him for all the unwarranted career damaging allegations he made against them and making them go through an incalculable trauma. This guy certainly has no shame. If I were them, I would ensure he rots in jail, using due process, of course. People who have no respect for reputation deserve no sympathy. Once again, A-Plus CANNOT destroy what we all laboured to build. The Akufo-Addo government must succeed and would succeed Insha Allah.

Assalamu Alaik

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#ForGodAndCountry

TELLING THE SUCCESS STORY OF THE 2017 HAJJ

TELLING THE SUCCESS STORY OF THE 2017 HAJJ

By Iddi Muhayu-Deen

Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to the holy land of Mecca, is indubitably, one of the greatest pillars upon which Islam is grounded. In fact, it is not only a necessity for every Muslim to embark on Hajj but a mandatory religious requirement providing there exists, the means. Some Islamic scholars would even tell you that Muslims are challenged by their religious faith to, as much as possible, create the necessary means that would take them to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

You go to Hajj and you have all your sins wiped off as thou you are a newly born. This, you can only find in Hajj. That is why you see Muslims exude so much passion when it comes to matters of Hajj. Give a Muslim everything in this World and deny him Hajj and you will become his worst enemy. On the other hand, give a Muslim good Hajj and deny him everything and you will certainly become his best friend in this World. This goes to underscore the unique significance and indispensability of Hajj in the life of a Muslim.

It is however a truism that the annual organization of Hajj in Ghana, has since time immemorial, been fraught with plethora of challenges ranging from non-availability of flights; to deplorable living conditions at the Hajj Village; to the wanton neglect of the ordeal of disgruntled prospective Hajj pilgrims among several issues. Last year for instance, I dare say that, the challenges bedeviling the annual organization of Hajj in our country, reached a crescendo. It was just a not not not, with almost everything going bad.

It was so bad that the prospective Hajj Pilgrims at the time had to come together and formed an Association of Disgruntled Prospective Hajj Pilgrims to champion their cause through their spokespersons, Shehu Alwala Abdi and Mohammed R. Abdul-Rahman. I recall vividly, the association organized press conferences upon press conferences and issued countless statements on their ordeals but the authorities never showed any concern. The then Tanko-led National Hajj Board wouldn't attend to them. President Mahama wouldn't visit and commiserate with them at the Hajj Village either; but of course, he would go to the Tamale airport to play politics with Hajj at that very moment.

Whilst at it, the sad conditions of these disgruntled prospective pilgrims at the Hajj Village were moving from bad to worse at each passing moment with their exasperation growing geometrically. For instance, in their statement of Thursday September 1, 2016, they accused the organizers of the Hajj of deceit and inhumane treatment being meted out to them at the Hajj Village in Accra. "We have been left stranded and wandering about hopelessly at the Hajj Village under very deplorable condition.

Some of those from outside Accra are the most affected because for more than a week, they have been forced to sleep in the open under mosquito-infested canopies at the Hajj Village with a fading hope of catching a flight," the stranded Hajj pilgrims stated in their press statement, which was signed by their spokespersons, Shehu Alwala Abdi and Mohammed R. Abdul-Rahman. They also questioned the basis for scheduling ONLY ELEVEN FLIGHTS when the Hajj Authorities knew the exact number of paid-up members involved and that, the eleven flights would not be able to contain all of them.

The stranded Muslims, in another development, accused the Mahama government of deliberately flying businessmen and women, foreigners as well as NDC footsoldiers under a so called protocol arrangement to Mecca at their expense. This allegation was confirmed when some of these people, numbering 39, who flew earlier were repatriated by the Saudi Authorities because, among other reasons, they had traveled with some huge bags containing items meant for trade rather than religious commitments; a claim, which was confirmed by the then spokesperson of the National Hajj Board.

"It is very despicable how the aged have been left to sleep in the open, when we have toiled to pay our money well in advance in our quest to go and serve Almighty Allah," their press release intimated. There were also media reports confirming that at least two people had lost their lives at the Hajj Village same year. In the final analysis, a total of 452 prospective Hajj Pilgrims who had duly paid the required amount could not make this all important pilgrimage. That’s how bad the situation was under the NDC despite all their propaganda in respect of the organization of Hajj.

Following all of these seemingly intractable challenges confronting the Ghanaian Muslim in his quest to legitimately practice his faith, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, then, as NPP Running Mate in the buildup to the 2016 general elections, made a passionate appeal to Muslims in particular to repose their trust and confidence in the NPP to better their lot. He appealed to them to vote for the NPP because according to him, the NPP was the ONLY party that could change their narrative especially with him, a Muslim, as the Vice President. I remember very well that he was heavily criticized for suggesting that the Presidency needed a fair balance to reflect the two dominant religions in the country; i.e. Christianity and Islam.

But the good news is that, his innocuous wish came to pass eventually and I would want us to, at this juncture, assess the extent to which His Excellency the Vice President has been able to keep “his social contract” with Ghanaian Muslims particularly regarding Hajj, which remains their number one concern. He started by ensuring that a competent and hardworking 11-member Board was appointed to competently steer the affairs of Hajj. The Board is being chaired by Sheik I.C. Quaye with other notable names like Alhaji Farouk Hamza of GRA, Kamal-Deen Abdulai of Nasara fame and aspiring NYO of NPP, Alhaji Sumaila of the office of the Vice President and Alhaji Manaf of the Saudi Embassy in Ghana.

This award winning team, I am happy to report, has not only vindicated the confidence reposed in them but has also delivered what would go in history, as the MOST SUCCESSFUL HAJJ in the history of Ghana. Gone were those days when issues of Hajj occupied the front pages of our newspapers for all the bad reasons during the annual pilgrimage. This year, the narrative has completely changed owing to the illustrious works of the hardworking members of the Hajj Board and His Excellency the Vice President. In fact, the flight carrying the last batch of pilgrims has arrived from Mecca and that effectively means that the 2017 Hajj is over with a lot of people not noticing because the usual negatives associated with the organization of Hajj were conspicuously missing in the year under review.

Even though, the current Hajj Board inherited a colossal debt amounting to GHc31 million, they still managed to chalk this unprecedented feat. For the first time in the history of Ghana, all the paid-up prospective Hajj Pilgrims were successfully airlifted to Mecca without a single soul left behind. The Board maintained the $3,500 which was paid last year and also managed to clear all the backlogs from last year in respect of the paid-up members (452 in all) who couldn’t make it to Mecca except the few who opted for refund. They also supervised major renovation works at the Hajj Village and constructed for the first time, a HAJJ CLINIC to attend to the health needs of prospective pilgrims and their friends and family members. No wonder there hasn’t been a single incident this year.

In all, there were as many as 14 flights, the highest in the country’s history conveying over 6450 pilgrims to and fro Mecca without any issue. I can go on and on and on but still, cannot finish telling the SUCCESS STORY OF THE 2017 HAJJ. The hardworking members of the Hajj Board are certainly deserving of commendations and more importantly, His Excellency the Vice President, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia who has justifiably been VINDICATED. We are very proud of you Mr. Vice President and the Nana Addo-led NPP government for doing this great service to the Ghanaian Muslim and the Islamic faith for that matter. May almighty ALLAH continue to overwhelm you with His bountiful blessings and favours.

Assalamu alaik

Iddi Muhayu-Deen

#ForGodAndCountry

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