On my first day as a Santacluasian up on the Adisadel hill (14th - TopicsExpress



          

On my first day as a Santacluasian up on the Adisadel hill (14th October 1983) I was introduced to the first school rule “boys should exercise common sense at all times” it was also emphasized that a breach of common sense was a breach of school rules. The gentleman making this assertion was no other than Ralph Kwasi Ayittey (Agbanyo), the headmaster at the time. Little did I know this was a defining moment in my life, thirty one years on and this has been cardinal to many of my actions and inactions. In recent days I have come to wonder if as a result of democracy and partisanship application of common sense and judgment is beginning to elude many a Ghanaian. I have suggested rather humorously that in my view it’s about time Ghana had a department or even ministry of common sense and I will set out to explain why I hold this opinion. Recently seasoned politician and MP Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin asserted that he has evidence some Ghanaian MPs take bribes, this led to considerable fuss. Considering that MPs are elected from the pool of Ghanaians available and that corruption is endemic in the country, should this statement have sent waves? Yes some may argue that Bagbin’s claim should be subject to scrutiny and he should provide evidence and yes they have the right to their views but really is it not better and more sensible to start looking at ways to arrest this situation, than play ostrich and think parliament is squeaky clean? Hon. Ameen Salifu in his contribution to the debate on the state of the nation address made heavy weather of the Queens language to the amusement of many. The gentleman is supposed to have a string of qualifications from some prestigious British Universities I gather. I have been wondering if our political parties do any due diligence checks on claims made by aspiring MPs? It seems to me that from the crop of MPs we currently have this common sense position has eluded many a political party, no wonder we have all manner of people parading as honorables and making a mockery of our democracy. The opposition NPP puts a leading contestant for its chairmanship Paul Afoko on ice claiming there was a petition against his candidature; he is subsequently giving the go ahead to campaign while the cloud hangs above his head and is subsequently cleared of the allegation. The information put out there regarding the all clear seems to defy the processes the party said they were following. I have information that there was communication from Interpol and that led to his exoneration; however that is missing from the statement. Is this a common sense position or one that could bite the NPP in the buttocks later should he win the chairmanship position? Buildings are tumbling like Legos in the countries capital and people die like flies, the mayor of the city is still at post and is always quick to find a scape goat for the failings; the appointing official of this mayor does not also deem it right to fire the bearded one. No one to my knowledge has dragged him to court for negligence and he goes to bed patting himself and his acolytes on the back for a good job done. Will this happen in a country where common sense abounds? The president tries to promote made in Ghana products and singles out one shoe manufacturing company, suddenly the political leanings of the company boss becomes an issue for discussion by some idiots on radio. What happened to job creation and patriotism? Can’t we shed our political coats ever for the sake of national development? Does one need political credentials at all times to make a living in Ghana? A gentleman is incarcerated for fourteen years without trial in a country that supposedly respects human rights and allows the rule of law. He is subsequently freed and granted GHC200000 compensation. Should that be the end of the story? What of all the institutions and individuals who have been complicit in the abuse of his human rights? Should they be left of the hook? Is it nonsensical for one to expect government to be taking a look at the prisons to see if this case is an exception rather than the norm? Do we have to plead before government makes a statement regarding the issue? What an advert for common sense. A budget is submitted to the government by the GFA for the 2014 World Cup, the figures are in contravention of Bank of Ghana directives that all transactions should be quoted in Cedis and no other currency. The government accepts the said budget estimate without requesting for the anomaly to be corrected and the whole country gets into a frenzy trying to debate the merits or otherwise of the amount involved ($20 million), really? If a government ministry cannot follow a directive aimed at stabilizing the Cedi, someone tell me how they can help enforce this directive? Is the current situation turntable or an advert for lack of common sense? Another contract of $360million is agreed to upgrade an existing hospital (Ridge Hospital), while a new hospital better equipped and with a larger capacity is built in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for half the price. The contract is found belatedly to be bloated having cleared the parliament of Ogyakrom. Is this stupidity, lack of common sense or sheer tomfoolery? Hmmmmm this would have been breach of school rules in 1983 and a punishable offence. The accountant generals department issues cheques to institutes of the council for scientific and industrial research (CSIR) for monthly salaries, these are dishonored by banks for lack of funds and subsequently staffs are not paid. Is it rocket science for the Finance Ministry to know if and when they have funds? How do they expect these workers to pay their way through life? Or is this another nonsensical we don’t care attitude? The boss of the Narcotics control board opines that in his view it is about time a look is taken on the legalization of marijuana (weed, wee, ntampe). Is this a moment of madness or an honest opinion based on sound medical evidence? Rather than discuss the merits or otherwise of his statement and whether or not he has made his position untenable, people are busy casting insinuations on his personality. Can this be seen as exercising common sense at all times? To me the jury is out. According to M.M. Kaye “common sense will nearly always stand you in better stead than slavish adherence to conventions.” That our allegiance and party affiliations prevent us from using our brains to make decisions and foster sound critique is worrisome. To me this is an insult to our own existence. Often many of us even very well educated have behaved as though we lack the intellectual ability to make a common sense decision. We have sycophantically tried to defend the indefensible as though we are infallible. We seem to have carved this country into a sculpture where common sense and morals are thrown to the wolves while stupidity, ignorance and boot licking are glorified. Can we as a country continue to sustain same? These are the reasons why in my view this country needs a department of common sense and pretty quickly I dare say. That I was trained to exercise common sense at all times and punished when I faltered on the hill all those years ago is one of the reasons I am proud to be a Santacluasian. In my view Ghana will benefit from a strict application of this sacred school rule. I will always remember to honor those who gilded Adisadel with their fame and that is why today I salute Ralph Kwasi Ayittey (may he rest in peace) for instilling in me the virtue of common sense. Up Santacluasians!
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 08:41:44 +0000

Trending Topics



min-height:30px;"> HUGGIES LITTLE SWIMMERS? SMALL CHECK YOUR PRICE NOW! >>
Home relaxing in bed, my baby Brandall Boling just finished
No se, hoy cumple años una de las personas que más admiró. Es
Also forgot to tell you all, we found out at clinic that there
Triumph Speed Triple 07-09 Single Low Kit GPR Exhaust Systems GPE

Recently Viewed Topics




© 2015