In the run-up to the 2012 general elections, Murtala Mohamed, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry was a serial caller in Tamale. He made so much noise and insulted almost everybody in the opposition NPP. He threw respect and caution to the dogs as he went about descending on anyone who criticized the NDC. In those days he seemed unstoppable because he was operating in an environment where such behavior was applauded because the greater number of listeners to radio stations over there, were members of the NDC.
He seized every opportunity that came his way to take Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to the cleaners as if Nana was his co-equal (Apology to ‘Tweaa’ DCE). To him the time had come for a Northerner to be at the helm of affairs. I once heard him telling listeners in those days that if a Northerner became the president, corruption will be a thing of the past because Northerners were upright and were trained from their infancy to avoid corruption and respect the elderly.
Then the NDC came to power and this man with a sharp tongue was appointed as a Deputy Minister of Information. He began appearing on television screens, insulting and kicking like a bull from Nanton. That was when he met his match. Enlightened people who had enough feasibility and respect in relevant quarters took him on and reduced him to nothing. Murtala started to learn how to respect and speak with decorum. Even though once a while he would go back to his days in Tamale, he toned down a bit. Somebody might have advised him to do so for his own good. He realized that indeed if you go to Rome you will have to do what Romans do.
In no time, the man started talking again. After all, no matter how long you take to bath a tiger, it will not eradicate the spots on its skin. He tried desperately to knock the heads of Akans against Northerners as he continuously insinuated anytime he had the opportunity to make his contribution, that it was because John Mahama was a ‘Tani” (Northerner)that was why the NPP people were attacking the NDC. He woefully refused to understand that Alhaji Aliu Mahama, a Northerner partnered Mr. John Kufour for eight years to rule Ghana. In fact the ignorance in him did not make him appreciate the fact that even though Dr. Hilla Limann was a Northerner like John Mahama, the diplomat garnered more votes in the Ashanti region in the 1979 general election to the surprise of all and sundry. Probably Murtala was too young to recognize this fact.
When Murtala was messing around on radio and TV stations, I was expecting those who appointed him to rein him in and remind him that where he lived was different from his Tamale base. They enjoyed his folly until he came out with a revelation which shook the foundation of the party called NDC.
In his latest vituperation he did not even spare the respectable chiefs from the North. He said the cabinet minister he referred to as splashing out ill-gotten and filthy money, also greased the palms of some chiefs and religious clerics as well as opinion leaders in the Northern Region. He said in the tape that some chiefs in the Northern Region are corruptible and hypocrites.
Until Murtala revealed this secret some of us did not know that our chiefs from the North take part in underhand dealings. At least we need to thank Murtala profusely for opening our eyes to what has been happening at the blind side of Ghanaians. May the soul of Tolon Na Yacubu Tali, the late chief of Kumbungu and running mate of Victor Owusu of the Popular Front Party (PFP) fame rest in perfect peace. This was one particular person from the North who was incorruptible unlike those referred to as corruptible by Murtala. Unless the chiefs demand a retraction from this loud and foul-mouth Deputy Minister, I, your irrepressible Earth Angel Gabriel will see to it that Murtala’s accusation is permanently etched in my memory.
The Chiefs Reply To Murtala Mohamed
Listen to the Chiefs, Imams and other opinion leaders from the Northern Region in their counter statement : “As a result of a consultative meeting of the traditional council of all communities of the Northern regions among chiefs, Islamic clerics, opinion leaders and with our greater population, we wish to state unequivocally that the Chiefs, Imams and other opinion leaders in the three regions of Northern Ghana are by no means corrupt as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry seeks to portray to the Ghanaian public.”
“The Chiefs and people of the three Northern Regions have worked tirelessly to sustain the relative peace and stability that we have chalked in the region in recent years and shall not be drawn into any attempt by any individual for political convenience and ambition to ruin the effort of government, the chiefs and people of the three regions. It is most unfortunate that a Member of Parliament, one of our own, who represents our views in parliament and in government, will cast a slur on the image and the conscience of the entire Northern regions.”
“We also wish to state in no uncertain terms that at no point has any Chief, Islamic cleric or opinion leader received as perceived ‘filthy ill-gotten money’ as bribes from ministers of government or from any Member of Parliament under accusation from Hon. Mutarla Mohammed. We wish to also use this medium to implore President Mahama to consider competence, experience and high-mindedness in the appointments of representatives of the Northern regions to serve in government in order to avoid future occurrences of this sacrilegious attack on the societal leadership of the Northern regions”.
I nearly broke a rip through laughter after reading the statement of the chiefs. Ah, so if Murtala had not accused the chiefs, Imams and opinion leaders of being corruptible and hypocrites they will not have come out to advice President Mahama “to consider competence, experience and high-mindedness in the appointments of representatives of the Northern regions to serve in government in order to avoid future occurrences of this sacrilegious attack on the societal leadership of the Northern regions?”. In a matter of one year-eight months, the government of President Mahama will come to an end.
What changes can Mr. Alban Bagbin, Alhaji Seidu Amadu Abubakeri, Ibrahim Dey, Dominic Azuma and Azimbe bring on board to salvage the sinking economy and stem the tide of corruption sweeping across the country? In fact, since when did these chiefs realize that people like Murtala are not suitable for the job? When Murtala was insulting elders in the NPP what advice did they give him? And above all, instead of the chiefs challenging Murtala to substantiate his allegation, they are just telling Ghanaians that they don’t receive filthy and ill-gotten money from politicians. Do we offer bribe openly? If one of them receives bribe will such a person be stupid enough to come out and tell people that he had been bribed? Please give us a break and concentrate your efforts on forcing Murtala to substantiate his serious and damaging allegation.
Since President Mahama held the reins of power as a Northerner himself nothing comfortable has ever come from the North. When the taxpayers’ money was used to establish the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority(SADA) to assuage the suffering of the poor folks there, a Northerner who was put in charge allegedly ended up siphoning the funds. Guinea fowls were made to fly away to Burkina Faso for chicken holiday to return no more and trees were planted at the heat of the harmattan. Asongtaaba which was managed by a Northerner turned out to be Asongambila, allegedly ending up in the private pocket of an individual. GYEEDA has become ‘Gye na di” (Take it and eat)
The Top Secret Boateng Gyan Revealed
The Consolidated Fund is the kitty of the nation where all taxes collected from the citizens are lodged. It is therefore the collective wealth of the people of Ghana irrespective of one’s political leaning. If Mr. Boateng Gyan is complaining that during the 2012 general elections monies meant for NDC polling agents could not reach them because Mr. Prosper Bani, the then Chief of Staff at the Flagstaff House refused to release the money in time, then we are in danger as a country.
What Mr. Boateng Gyan revealed stands to reason that the NDC has been dipping its hands into state coffers to finance the party. One of the officers the NDC elected during their delegates congress, like they used to do, was a national treasurer of the party. What are the duties of a national treasurer of a political party? Always walk to the Flagstaff House and collect money to pay party polling agents? Probably Mr. Gyan wants to tell the good people of this country that it is the Chief of Staff who keeps monies belonging to the NDC at the seat of government.
Where I come from, people like Murtala Mohamed and Yaw Boateng Gyan would have been invited by the chief and taken to a wizards’ camp. The way they were revealing secrets about their party points to one thing: they are possessed by a power deity. Yaw Boateng Gyan and Murtala Mohamed need the services of exorcists. You see, the God of Abraham works in mysterious ways and only He knows when to make people talk the way Murtala and Gyan were doing. At a time when everybody in this country is angry about the way corruption is eating the heart of the nation, Yaw Boateng and Murtala are revealing to Ghanaians how corrupt their party is. We need to thank God for small mercies. Let me go back to my roots and puff a stick of ‘Tusker For Men.’
By Eric Bawah
Via: -Daily Guide
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