Governance with finesse

Caroline Boateng Opinion May - 25 - 2021 , 09:29

In the past week, Ghanaians have got to know that key political elements are sabotaging efforts at ending the pillaging effects of galamsey, directly or indirectly.

At least, Mr Kennedy Agyepong, Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, stated that much, on one of his shows, the Hot Seat.

Additionally, at a Regional Consultative Dialogue on Small-Scale Mining in May 2021, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, in comments before his speech, said the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Abu Jinapor, had paid him a visit before the meeting to urge him to stick to the script.

According to him, most officials gathered at the forum were guilty of the sin of galamsey.

The wise king, interestingly, used his own kind, chiefs, to remonstrate the practice, telling them that any chief that had given out land for galamsey had sinned.

Keeping to the script, I believe that his words apply to elected political leaders; they have sinned, they have shamed Ghanaians and they will definitely be judged.

Backtrack

Since that fortunate statement by Otumfuo, Simon Osei-Mensah has sought to backtrack, claiming that no one could gag Otumfuo.

If he had kept quiet, it would have been better for us all.

He claimed on Adomonline.com that the speech of the Asantehene was prepared by the Manhyia Palace and that there was no way they could influence it.

But we all know that speeches at formal events, apart from informing, are not meant to be disruptive.

Only two deceased leaders in Ghana, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and JJ Rawlings, were clothed with what it took to be disruptive in their public speeches.

Both good orators, the former had his speeches scripted, while the latter often gave unscripted eye-raising speeches, called 'booms' .

Speeches are usually, "what we want you to hear and not see" public relations stunts.

Thus, saying that they could not gag him because they did not prepare his speech falls flat on its face.

Yes, Simon Osei-Mensah, you and Abu Jinapor did not prepare the speech Otumfuo read; yes, it was prepared by the king's administration, but we all know that speech was scripted and mild, hence your subtle pressure for him to stick to it.

Then Simon Osei-Mensah went on to say that their 'urging' was merely a passing comment to save time at the event since Otumfuo had other important things to attend to.

The question is: Is Otumfuo a child for him not to know when to leave a meeting for other engagements?

For crying out loud, he is a most revered king, reigning for more than two decades and counting.

He has superintended over and participated in countless meetings, more than Simon Osei-Mensah and Abu Jinapor in all their political or working lives put together.

Would the revered king not know when to depart a meeting for another engagement?

Then, there was also the issue of the Ashanti Regional Security Liaison Officer, Mr Ayesu Opare-Addo, and the acting National Security Coordinator, Major General (retd) Francis Adu Amanfo and the mazed tales and counter tales by both.

While the former claims that on April 11, 2021, some National Security operatives with orders from Accra came to forcibly remove him from office, handcuffing him, hitting his leg with the butt of a gun and dehumanising him by insisting to be with him in the toilet; the latter says the Regional Liaison Officer's tenure had ended, but he did not want to leave and hence the security operatives from Accra.

Maj. Gen. Adu Amanfo adds that Ayesu Opare-Addo's men rather restrained National Security operatives with handcuffs.

Now I do not know who to believe.

But the issue is, could this not have been done in a better way?

Could Ayesu Opare-Addo not have been removed with finesse?

Did it have to take national security operatives from Accra?

Was there no wise leader in the national security apparatus to think through the impasse between Ayesu Opare-Addo and the appointing authority, to provide the cordial engagement for his exit?

Indeed, we expect much better and more from our leaders. We expect them all to go about their duties with more seriousness than they are exhibiting now.

Governance isn't similar to a boxing bout, with brute and brawn.

Governance is no mean business, because it is buoyed by all the laws, resources, support and commitment of citizens.

Those favoured with the opportunity to govern must, therefore, think through their actions and not make themselves laughing stocks in public.

Writer's E-mail: caroline.boateng@graphic.com.gh