In most cases, nobody
knows whether this sudden attack of peacemaking will yield any result or
whether these self-appointed “peace ambassadors” really do anything useful because
there is no serious monitoring going on, and in any case, this being Ghana,
words have replaced action and so such people know we are interested in what
they say and not what they do, This is why politicians and preachers get away
with so much insincerity and broken promises; they know we are not really going
to check whether they do what they say. This is not to say that people who say
they are going to work for peaceful elections are insincere; not all of them
anyway, but becoming an instant
peacemaker is a trend same as becoming an instant prophet or bishop.
The similarity between
instant peacemakers and instant prophets is an interesting one, especially in
the fact that this trend is mostly an urban phenomenon; you don’t find prophets
and bishops outside the main cities and big towns in Ghana. Indeed, if I may be
bold, I would guess that ninety percent of all prophets live in Accra and
Kumasi with the latter boasting more prophets than you get in the Old Testament.
In Accra, the majority of prophets tend to emerge in places like Awoshie, Kasoa
and Sowutoum; and unlike Nehemiah and Isaiah in the Good book the modern
prophet actually has a sign board and a bank account. I don’t know why we
hardly hear of prophets in places like Cantonments and the Airport Residential
Area; it is just a thought, but obviously the prophesy business is a seriously urban
happening, which is what the election peacemaking is also trending towards.
However, it appears
that a group of unsung heroes and heroines are really burrowing in the
undergrowth, so to speak, in order to unearth the gemstones of peace in
unheralded ways. These civil society groups working at grassroots level outside
the Accra-Kumasi axis neither seek not receive publicity for the work they are
doing. Examples of such real peace champions are among 45
organisations that have received funding support from STAR Ghana, which is
funding agency that pools grant money from the UK, Denmark, USA and the
European Union to support civil society, the media and Parliament initiatives
in Ghana. (For acronym anoraks in our midst STAR stands for Strengthening
Transparency Accountability and Responsiveness!).
STAR funding has
enabled people and organisations outside the glare of publicity to be engaged
in work among communities where they are likely to make an impact. Think of the
Ahenbronoso Care Foundation which is based in the Brong-Ahafo region. This
group is unknown nationally but is set to undertake a creative initiative that could
be popular in the communities where it works. It has proposed to organise debates
among parliamentary candidates in the Nkoranza and Techiman constituencies in
order to create a local “manifesto” of what the people really need on the
ground. Or take Northern Ghana Aid (NOGAID), which is a well known NGO but what
may not be appreciated is the spread of its efforts to promote violence-free
and transparent elections in Pru, East Gonja, Central Gonja, Chereponi, East Gonja, East Mamprusi,
Gushegu, Karaga, Nanumba North, Savelugu/Nanton, Tamale Metropolitan,
Tolon/Kumbungu, West Mamprusi, Yendi Municipal in the Northern and Brong-Ahafo
Regions.
These are just two of such organisations working
across all the ten regions of Ghana in promoting peace during these election times,
but even more importantly enabling communities to participate in the activities
that are designed to produce peace and its benefit. The difference between such
groups working in communities and at grassroots levels and publicity-seeking individuals
does not lie only in the city/ rural divide. Many of the people who go to
newsrooms to announce their readiness to be peace ambassadors propose to do something
for
somebody in a top-down approach, whereas grassroots organisations mobilise
people and communities to do it themselves.
There are hundreds of community based initiatives in
addition to those funded by STAR and other sponsors and they all deserve our
appreciation because a large number of such initiatives are self-funded and
directed from their own resources and enthusiasm. One must also hasten to add
that big set-piece events such as musical concerts, football matches, and other
gala occasions are important means of creating awareness about peace, unity and
other themes essential for our national wellbeing. Prayers by religious groups
also do the same, and for believers, come with the added incentive of inviting God’s
blessings and guidance for Ghana. What we need to be aware of are the
machinations of self-seeking individuals who tend to use every occasion for
their own personal glory and gain in one form or another.
THE SILO IN THE SKY
Last week I wrote about the silo-looking advertising thing
that was being constructed in the middle of a roundabout on the Spintex Road. I
am happy to report that the circular object has now been hoisted far above the
ground from where it will be seen from afar. This happened even before the Diary
came out at the weekend, and it was no doubt due to the pressure exerted by the
media in the course of the week. Newspapers and radio stations that took up the
cause must be applauded, but also commendations are also due to the builders
for yielding to public opinion.
On the last point, I have heard it argued that the
thing was not intended to sit on the ground where it would impede the line of
vision but was always intended to be hoisted to its present position in the
sky. Even if it is true it does not negate the fact that it posed a serious
danger when it was on the ground and a danger is danger whether for a minute,
an hour or one month. If for any reason a company or an individual has to
undertake any activity such as blocking a public road or digging a trench
across the road it has to obtain a permit on presenting a safety plan for the
duration of the obstruction. This is what happens in disciplined and well
organised countries.
It has to said that even hanging in the sky, the
thing, whatever it is, could still pose a danger; one has only to count the
number of advertising boards that fall at the least push. If this thing in the
sky should fall from its current elevation the disaster will be worse that a
billboard crashing from a mere 20 metre height. I am not saying it will fall,
but knowing that safety is not always our first consideration, there is nothing
wrong in advising that all bolts be tightened up there.
I can’t wait to see what is going to be advertised up
there. After all this brouhaha it will be really disappointing if whatever is
going to drape this silo turns out to be genuine Brazilian human hair or pure
water. We will see.
No comments:
Post a Comment