OPINION: Ghanaians have suddenly become conspiracy theorists! There’s been considerable rumpus over the United States’ Embassy in Ghana’s secular issued to Americans living here, to “maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security/safety awareness during this politically-sensitive period”, associated with the anticipated August 29 announcement of the Supreme Court’s decision on the legal challenge to Ghana’s election results. This timely and most profound warning has been branded instigative of fear and panic by a cross-section of Ghanaians. Well, after taking some time to subject the full statement of the warning, as it were, to critical analysis, let me proceed to tell those people why their squeamishness is much ado about nothing. First of all, the Embassy “advises US citizens of a potential increase in political tensions and the possibility of isolated violence”. This is quite simple and comprehensive: “potential increase in political tensions” means the political tensions already exist, which is absolutely, true; and can be increased by the verdict, which is also not misplaced. Then, “possibility of isolated violence”, not ‘certainty’, note it clear. In any case, doesn’t all the “Peace after Election Petition verdict” campaigns, and messages aired across airwaves; and the root march jointly embarked on by all security agencies on the 7th of August, go to prove this point? Why would you turn your back to vilify someone who’s come out to say something you’ve proved by your actions all this while? Hypocrisy galore! An excerpt from the second paragraph of the secular goes thus: “U.S. citizens in Ghana should avoid the offices of political parties, Ghana’s Supreme Court, the buildings of other institutions associated with the elections, and all political rallies. We recommend that U.S. citizens in Ghana monitor the local news and avoid all demonstrations, as even those intended to be peaceful may suddenly turn violent”. Now let’s face the truth: which part of this politic motherly advice is evil? In fact, is this not the exact plea that all goodwill institutions in Ghana have been making to us citizens? Where then does the Police’s stern warning that “nobody having nothing to do at the Supreme Court should step there on the 29th” fall? Let me set the records straight: I don’t know the lens through which you viewed this, but there is entirely nothing instigative of fear and panic in this! Then, the Embassy proceeded to give a catalog of websites, social and corporate network pages, and telephone numbers US citizens can contact for help anytime. They further implored those going to live in or travel to Ghana to take time to tell them of their trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), so they can be kept up to date with important safety and security announcements, and also help their friends and family get in touch with them in case of an emergency. Perfect example set! In fact, I’m challenged by the US. Listen, the very first duty of every state, precedent of all, is to protect her citizens in every good way possible; not to protect the interests of another state! That’s what the US is doing. What we see here in Ghana, however, is the very antithesis, and I understand why some people have qualms with the US from this viewpoint. If Ghana Government was this pro-active, 50 of her dear citizens wouldn’t have perished in The Gambia as swiftly as day old chicks hit by ferocious cold, for nothing! We in Ghana, and Africa at large, always wait till we get between the devil and the deep sea; and then run into the devil’s arms, praying God intervenes and whisks us away. This assertion is aptly evidenced by what we did in 2010 during Libya’s uprising aimed at ousting Col. Muammar Al Gaddafi : Ghana Government waited patiently until the killings began in earnest and made for astronomical proportions, before putting a service in place to bring citizens home. Sorry for dear ones who never got here, but what we should understand, once and for all, is that America does not behave that way at all. America is very mature and operates on a higher wavelength. They have strong, workable institutions that always put pro-active measures in place to forestall any gloomy happenings. They don’t even wait to see the heralds! How many of You know that on the occasion of President Obama’s ‘excursion’ to the Cape Coast Castle during His visit to Ghana in July 2009, US soldiers lay patiently in wait under that sea He stood by, in submarines, just in case? Rather than blame the US Embassy and label them devils, take a cue, think big and act big! You may choose to hate America for the right reasons, but you cannot deny their massive contribution to world peace. No matter what! Let me use this section to deal with erroneous notion of some others still, that America thinks and means Ghana harm. LMAO. For what? What do they stand to gain? It is Ghana that has lots to lose, should she be ostracized. And in any case, know this truth, and keep it: If the US were interested in you, they’d have you already! Is America not our first point of call whenever we’re in need? It really amazes me how people go doing all sorts of acts on Facebook, Twitter, and Skype, just to mention a few, and worry about America taking over your country. They know everything about you. Grow up! What the US Embassy has done is right, and their admonitory note is on point. For those of you who unfortunately misconstrued it however, Sarah Stryker, Director of Public Affairs at the Embassy, has done you the favor of explaining everything into detail on Joy 99.7 FM’s #SuperMorningShow, Tuesday August 20 edition. You may well want to read the full text at edition.myjoyonline/pages/news/201308/111735.php. You can also follow @USEmbassyGhana on #Twitter, they’ve undone all the fracas in a couple of tweets. So what’s the panic? That US is going to start violence? Or maybe you fear because it’s coming from ‘Almighty America’, you don’t doubt their intel, huh? Fellow Ghanaians, eat your fufu at noon and liven-up your evenings with your favorite kelewele. And if you have anything to do, pray to God; and leave the US and their citizens alone. Have you any reservations about their foreign policies, fine, but you can’t fault them for alerting their citizens. They do no wrong!!! #BeingHonestWithTheUS #LetsGoGH #TY_Writeups
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 07:41:12 +0000
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