DOING THE RIGHT THINGS IN GHANA.....

It has now become obvious that doing things the right way in Ghana is far more frustrating than using short cuts. It is even easier to employ fraudulent means to succeed than use orthodox means of doing things. My local Roman Catholic Chapel took close to 33 years to get to its current beautiful state. Some new funky, almost unchristian church however took about 2 years to put up a chapel same size and beauty due to the unorthodox, crook and money extorting methods in the name of miracles. The Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) in its attempt to ease pressure at the Accra office has seeded the examination and renewal of road worthiness certificate to some private companies. Brilliant idea!!! But the implementation is frustrating and opens doors for 'goro boys' to operate more efficiently. My personal experience exposed me to mockery by a police man who later told me his laughter was not at me but at Ghana as a nation. "Masa, I cannot laugh at you. I am laughing at our country. People who do the right things, suffer whilst those who do the wrong things enjoy. I went through what you went through just last week so I understand your frustration" The policeman told me. At the BIVAC examination centre where I visited, the DVLA had posted a payment/rate notice where it was spelt out clearly that my BMW could be examined and certified at GHC 23.00 but I paid GHC 42.00. The car was taken for some so-called examination and brought with a long sheet of paper that read 'FAILED' with the explanation that my hand brakes does not function well. I was asked to go and repair and come back for the certificate. What is the meaning of this? I asked myself. Leaving home that same morning, Tawiah my cousin who was also going to renew the certificate of his old taxi cab, asked me to give him GHC 40.00 and the expired certificate and relax at home but I refused saying it was criminal to do so. He came back that evening with his rickety car well certificated. His brake lights were not working, he didn't have a spare tyre, didn't have a hand brake at all, no side mirrors and a shattered windscreen. I looked at his car, looked again at mine and I said to myself, the policeman was right. People who do the right things are the wrong people. My hand brakes are working perfectly if you ask me. I am still in my frustration thinking how to get this certificate before some police start extorting money from me. I screamed at this policeman who laughed to get me cooled down, I may not be lucky the next time. I am considering corruption and promotion of 'goroism' if this frustration continues. I reflected over recent happenings and I can now understand why people are lambasting H. E. John Evans Atta Mills so much. He is doing what a lot of people are not used to. He did not practice the absolute winner takes all principle where even civil servants who have shown some leaning to some political parties are dismissed when those parties are no longer in power. He professed 'father for all' and practised it. His crime here is that, he has submitted his government, party and state to the opposition to sabotage and leak vital secret information to the opposition for propaganda. That on paper may be the right thing but in practice, it is wrong because the electorate are getting frustrated. His policies are misinterpreted by those who are suppose to interpret them because of their commitment to other political parties. The onus lies on all of us as citizens of Ghana, connected to the opposition or ruling party to show gratitude and patriotism by doing, trying to do and rewarding right. Discourage wrong doing by facilitating right attitude. DVLA should also supervise activities of the private examination companies to ensure that the right things are done to build confidence in customers. This is the only way 'goro boys' can be removed else the current line of operation will only promote 'goroism' and increase accidents on our roads.