The few drops of tears I shed for mother Ghana on Easter Saturday was worth it after all. The drops of tears shedding was a voluntarily involuntary action. Any time I listen to news on Ghana, watch TV and listen to local gossip on happenings in Ghana, I get sad. This sadness accumulated over time and any time I remember, I still feel like sobbing. One of these remembrance instances led to the involuntary shedding of tears.
On the second day of the biometric registration, I drove from Accra to Tapa-Amanya R. C. Primary registration centre. I joined a long queue but was unanimously given a priority treatment by the agents, registration officials and people around to register. My contribution and deep involvement in multi party democracy in my constituency, ward and branch gained recognition. I did not ask for it; I soberly joined the queue as always but the people took a different decision. A decision I respected and accepted in good faith.
There were instances of misunderstanding in my constituency stemming from refusal to register people on tribal grounds, inability to state house numbers, etc. Some people tried solving these problems by using their positions but they were resisted, others tried by using their high pitch voices but were also resisted. Some of us, went in with soft voices, smooth delivery and well thought of messages and there was mutual agreement that has become precedence that is used in solving subsequent problems.
Why should a whole former Regional Minister for Greater Accra Region be arrested for 'misconduct' in biometric registration? It is absurd! What actually happened? I pray it is not the beginning of a calculated plan to disrupt our growing democracy. In any case, I am hitting my chest in pride that today, a former Minister of a government in power, a sitting Member of Parliament (MP)can be arrested by the police for a so-called misconduct at a registration centre. I do not know when that happened in the past. No body was stabbed nor beaten but he was arrested.
In TAIN, somebody was stabbed and beaten and when arrests were made, people are talking as if the world is coming down tomorrow. The continuous silence of the NDC is suspicious from where I sit. I am surrounded in my family, home town, office, locality and party by two sets of persons; quiet and loud. People, the loud are loud and in fact, empty. The quiet are simply dangerous. They say little and act when they have to act. Former President Kufuor simplified it in an Akan adage that means; when you frighten a coward, you meet the man in him.
Listening to NPP commentators, one wonders if they are objective. To them, the Greater Accra Regional Commander is the best policeman for arresting Hon. Ashitey whilst the Brong Ahafo Regional Commander and his assistant are the worst policemen for superintending the arrest of the NPP Tain Parliamentary candidate and his men. What double standard? Biometric registration is a simple process and one should just go, register and leave. If there are doubts about someone's nationality or residency, let the person register and fill a form in protest. PERIOD! Why fight? Why physically restrain people? Why make noise?
In society, there will always be people who will allow themselves to be used by others to achieve their selfish objectives. It is surprising that in the face of all the campaign and education, people still registered more than once. One man, one registration; one man, one vote. Get as many supporters as possible to register and psyche them up to vote on December 7 and stop the multiple registration campaign. It will disenfranchise people. I have registered and so have my family and friends. Go register and let's vote on December 7 in a peaceful election as always.
I will vote at Tapa-Amanya in the Biakoye Constituency of the Volta Region where I registered. Where will you vote? Where did you register? I registered once and have my card to vote. How many times did you register? If you registered more than once, think again; you may not have a vote.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the process is almost half way through and very soon, all will be. I am beginning to understand and agree that the Register used for election 2008 was bloated. Why? We will talk about it later. THANK YOU.
No comments:
Post a Comment