G-3 Syndrome?

Try as we did racking our brains to recall what we wanted, neither of us could remember it.

Having failed after trying so hard, we consoled ourselves by saying, after all, we are not young anymore.

As young septuagenarians, my friend Nebuchadnezzar (Nebu) and I agreed that our power of recall is certainly not what it was when we were in our 30s or 40s.

We told ourselves, having hit the biblical three-score-and-ten, our brains are so loaded with information, recall processing is slow!

We also went philosophical in discussing the cliché, “Age is just a number!” We agreed that after the retirement age of 60, one realises slowly that age is not just a number! It is real, physically and mentally!

Relaxing after our conversation, the illusive name suddenly came… “Alexander-the-Great!” I quickly called “Nebu” with the excitement of the naked Archimedes from the bath, as he shouted  “Eureka,” that is, “I have found it!”

Chat

An old lecturer/academic, “Nebu” and I often discuss topical world issues. One of the topics we discussed a few days ago, which led to what I call the “G-3 Syndrome”, was what sent our recall capabilities into overdrive.

Some time ago, workers of Civil Aviation went on a demonstration protesting the sale/encroachment of government lands around the Accra International Airport and the danger such buildings pose to aircraft.

We asked how Ghanaians with power can be so inconsiderate to the point of building on government lands close to the airport, such that air traffic controllers had to protest on grounds of safety.

For my military colleagues, the “G-3” does not refer to our G3 rifle! The coinage is simply “Grab-Grab-Grab (G-3) Syndrome!” We asked ourselves why all these greedy land acquisitions everywhere as if we are going to live forever.

It was at this point that “Nebu” and I tried to recall an earlier article I had written on greed! We finally traced it to the March 11, 2019, issue of the Daily Graphic, titled “Racing towards Self-destruction?”

Part read:

When I saw the video of the losing presidential candidate wiping tears from his eyes, I asked myself why a septuagenarian would cry because he was not elected to serve his country!

Certainly, he wasn’t crying because he loves his country so much and genuinely wants to serve! He wept because his projections of money, perks and power for himself/family/friends/cronies had gone to another person.

Voltaire

The French writer Voltaire (1694-1778) said, “Man is rational in that he can think, not in that he thinks.”

Otherwise, how can human beings build on Airport lands not caring about the danger posed? Has the public good been sacrificed for individual selfishness?

While flaunting pictures of their children attaining degrees in overseas universities, what sense does it make for politicians to send poor young men from deprived areas to commit mayhem and snatch ballot boxes which will lead to their death?

Legacy

At the foot of his grave at the Arlington National Cemetery, US President JF Kennedy’s famous dictum is inscribed. It reads:  “My dear American, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

For African leaders, what have you done for your country and what legacy will you leave? Do you want to be remembered as a visionary, a peacemaker or a violent leader who killed opponents and only succeeded in sending his country so many years back?

For those of us who, years ago, enjoyed the glory of being Ghanaians overseas, it is sad that political violence in Ghana is gradually becoming the norm, with the creation of party militias.

Alexander the Great

Although he died at age 32 only, the Greek General, Alexander the Great, left a legacy for humanity. Before he died, he asked his colleague Generals to do three things.

Firstly, he wanted the best physicians in Macedonia to carry his coffin. Secondly, he wanted his hands outside his coffin with his palms open. Thirdly, he wanted all the gold he had accumulated through conquest to be spread along the route to the cemetery. Asked why he made such an unusual demand, he explained as follows:

First, he wanted doctors to carry his coffin to demonstrate that when death beckons, not even the best doctors can save anyone. Secondly, his wish for his empty palms outside the casket was to remind the living that we came with nothing and will go with nothing.

Finally, sprinkling the gold he had obtained in conquest was to educate humanity that all the world’s gold is useless in the face of death! For politicians who will kill to gain power so as to acquire all the wealth in the world, Alexander the Great’s advice is a lesson.

Do not lead Ghana to the precipice with your greedy and selfish agenda. Remember that in nature there is balance. The children's and unborn grandchildren's monies are stolen at the expense of the education of other children and national development and are cursed beneficiaries of theft for which they will never prosper.

Finally, remember that you were appointed and not anointed by God to lead Ghana.

Summary

Need I say more? Alexander summarised life! We came with nothing and will go with nothing. Apartheid Prime Minister of South Africa (1978 - 1984) PW Botha must feel vindicated in his grave for his insulting description of the black man in Martin Meredith’s book, “The Fate of Africa”, seeing goings-on.

The “G-3 Syndrome” for family/friends/tribe he talked about is evident. Eventually, though, greed has nature’s built-in self-destruct mechanism!  As the veteran writer Enimil Ashon wrote in the Daily Graphic of June 28, 2024, “A word to the wise is in Kenya!” Kenya has moved to nearby Nigeria. Are we learning?  

Leadership, lead by example! Fellow Ghanaians, wake up!

The writer is a former CEO of the African Peace Support Trainers Association, Nairobi, Kenya/Council Chair of Family Health University College, Accra.  
E-mail: dkfrimpong@yahoo.com