KB Asante: Voice From Afar column

The year 2014 was difficult for most Ghanaians.  But we should not despair.  We should not let down our forebears.  We come from a great stock and we should praise and emulate the famous who graced their generation and helped to make our folk a nation of freedom and justice.  

We, the people alone, can expose and get rid of indolence, inefficiency and corruption in high places.  So long as we bow to the lazy, incompetent and corrupt, however highly elevated, so long will this country continue in its downward path.  

We should instead conspicuously show our appreciation for those who accomplished their allotted task with great competence and devotion to enrich the national heritage.  

I was, therefore, glad that many found time to honour the 90th birthday celebration of Patrick Seddoh, on a hot Tuesday.  Patrick Seddoh belongs to that dying species of competent devoted civil servants who helped the representatives of the people to manage and promote the well-being of the country before and after independence.  

He did not have the opportunity of learning at a British diplomatic mission as some of us did, but he represented Ghana in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa) with consummate skill and courage.  His wife, Charity, was a great companion and showed Ghanaian womanhood at its best: quick understanding, competent execution of national duty and devotion to family and country.

The worst of the Ghanaian character was shown by some special envoys sent from Ghana to assist Seddoh in the execution of policy.  They were, however, only interested in looting money meant to assist the Congo, now Zaire.  Perhaps if they had done their duty as Patrick and Charity Seddoh tried to do, Patrice Lumumba, then Head of Government of Congo and a great Africanist friend of Kwame Nkrumah, would not have been assassinated.  

Back in Ghana, Patrick Seddoh became my deputy at the newly-created African Affairs Secretariat.  The Secretariat which became in fact a Ministry with President Nkrumah as Minister was never properly established as such in accordance with established procedures.  It grew in an ad-hoc fashion while it helped formulate and execute President Nkrumah’s African Policy.

Patrick Seddoh played a leading and effective but quiet role in its evolution and in its work.  As Principal Secretary, I was constantly on the move as the President’s special envoy or on assignments in Ghana such as dealing with complaints about Malians selling maggot-infested fish at Kumasi Market! Patrick Seddoh kept the Secretariat running effectively most of the time.  Such was the influence and power wielded by the Secretariat that some officials wanted to replace its leading officials.   

Therefore, when I left Flagstaff House for Addis Ababa on a special mission before the 1966 coup Patrick Seddoh was not left alone to take over the running of the Secretariat.  Three weeks later, however the coup occurred.  There was then an OAU meeting at Addis Ababa and a delegation had to go to represent Ghana and to ‘explain’ the coup.  

The new regime was not that firmly established and it was not in the interest of the fortune seekers to show their hand.  Patrick Seddoh was, therefore, endorsed as the official head of the Secretariat to lead the Ghana delegation to Addis Ababa.  Seddoh had to explain why the great, popular Nkrumah was overthrown.  He acquitted himself very well.  

He was later sent to France twice as ambassador.  He distinguished himself at UNESCO where he made Ghana proud.  He later worked in the newly-created Ministry of Cocoa Affairs and performed other duties before he retired.

A nation is built by people like Patrick Seddoh and such persons should be acknowledged by public approbation.  It was good that many distinguished Ghanaians confirmed by their presence that they preferred nation-builders to nation-looters.  

The Archbishop Palmer-Buckle himself said the Mass at Christ the King to mark the occasion.  His homily was so exquisitely delivered that despite my bad memory I can up to now recollect the teachings and message.  I was particularly impressed that the Archbishop spent so much time at the reception.  It shows that the Catholic Church honours those whose work reveal the glory of God and not the marauders of state property.

For prosperity, we should not only praise the famous and revere and reward merit and hard work.  We should also expose indolence and inefficiency and condemn corruption.  This is not easy and the public is often confused by the legal wrangles which take place when the evil doers are taken to court.  

I, therefore, like the bold approach by Franklin Cudjoe.  He published “Imani’s 2014 best award and worst public sector leaders in Ghana” .  Patrick Seddoh and other past administrators would be shocked by some of the happenings highlighted.  

The report stated that last year, the Office of the Chief of Staff alone overspent its budget by about GH¢41 million on items that are not “clear to the public”.  How could that be? 

In my time there was no Chief of Staff.  Enoch Okoh was Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service with T.K. Impraim as his deputy and civil servants with specific assignments to assist in the execution of policy.  The President’s office and administrative machinery were well-managed.  Okoh could not spend more than the budget allowed.  

Even when the President gave me specific assignments I could not obtain the necessary foreign exchange if the Bank of Ghana’s allocation had been exceeded.  Governor   of the Bank was polite but firm.  

Is Ghana now a financially lawless state or are some persons laws unto themselves?  Can they and should they be allowed to use your money with such impunity? I feel like going to court to challenge those who so recklessly and lawlessly use the money I pay in direct and indirect taxation.  

Would the legal experts tell me if I have a case.  And what about those who allow the money entrusted to them to be used recklessly and lawlessly?

As we praise the famous so that we promote a high moral sense and self-confidence, let us question those who by reckless financial administration threaten the prosperity we deserve in 2015.