Features
Mr Special Prosecutor: The crooks are hidden in plain sight
Between the late 19th century and the early 20th century, there was a scramble for Africa that led to the partition of the continent and the exploitation of its rich resources like gold, diamonds, bauxite, tin, copper, manganese, cocoa, coffee, and many more.
European countries such as Britain, Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, and others, literally partitioned the continent among themselves without any war. They sat at a conference in Berlin in 1885, and gleefully shared Africa by mutual agreement such that each of the colonial powers was allotted a specific area of jurisdiction with licence to plunder. The only caveat was that none should encroach on another’s portion. It was a mad rush for Africa’s resources and the continent seemed helpless to deal with the problem.
Now, we have our independence, but the scramble continues, not from outside but within. Our own people are scrambling for our meagre resources and sharing them among themselves through widespread corruption in high places. As things stand now, politics and political connections have become the preferred avenue to riches because nobody checks anybody.
Corruption has become so systemic that only God can provoke the pangs of our conscience which seems unfeeling. In fact, our status of corruption now fits into the parameters of notoriety. Gradually, we are speeding towards competing with the most notoriously corrupt nations. A recent skit on social media by a group of Nigerian comedians about corruption might place the issue in the right perspective.
In the sketch, a man asks his son to list four corrupt countries in Africa in descending order. The boy mentions Kenya, Togo, Ghana. At this point, the man looks bewildered because he is expecting Nigeria to take the first position but with three down and only one to go, his beloved country is still missing in action.
He thinks, perhaps, his son is being patriotic, so he is reserving the fourth and last spot for his country so that it does not look so bad as the others. But to the man’s amazement, his son calls out Congo as his final choice. “What about Nigeria?” the man asks. His son has a totally different idea altogether. He thinks that Nigeria is in a class of its own. So, he answers: “Papa, when counting sinners, you don’t count Satan.”
One may also ask: What about Ghana? Our conscience is dead to sin and the dykes that held back the torrents of corruption have been breached. We have earned a badge of dishonour with our own level of deviousness bordering on wickedness. Does the Bible not say that the devil comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy? Is it not what the corrupt officials are doing to us?
It is culturally improper to malign the dead but how could Sir John amass all the assets and properties listed in his will within a matter of just three years? Between March 2017 until his death in July 2020, Sir John, officially known as Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, served as the CEO of the Forestry Commission after his tenure as the General Secretary of the ruling NPP from 2010 to 2014.
Following his death, his will inadvertently surfaced in the public domain, raising eyebrows, and sending shock waves across the country. The disclosure gave Ghanaians a hint about what is really going on behind the veneer of integrity. Within that short span of being in charge of the Forestry Commission, he accumulated such a fortune as would even make General Sanni Abacha envious.
The late CEO’s assets and properties included, at least, 10 plush buildings in top-tier locations of Accra, including a four-storey house demarcated into apartments at East Legon. Six more of the buildings are situated at East Legon, three in other areas like Oyarifa and Ogbojo, while one is at Wonoo, his hometown. Moreover, he had eight vast portions of land spread across Accra as well as two portions of the Achimota Forest with specific dimensions and two other separate portions designated as unspecified.
Sir John’s private vehicles were listed as 13, including three luxurious Lexus saloon cars, Mercedes Benz E 68 Sport AMG, Ford F150, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Pilot, Honda Accord Sport, Honda Accord Touring, Nissan Titan Pick Up V8, Toyota Landcruiser V8 and Toyota Rav 4.
His bank accounts were spread across as many as six local banks and two foreign banks in the US and Canada. He had investment holdings with the National Trust Holding Company and the African Development Bank. He was involved also in joint gold production investments with a certain Francis Owusu on one hand, and three other entities listed as ROTL, FASOH, and MBL
His other businesses included the Afriyie Memorial Hospital at his hometown, Wonoo; a fuel station located at Kentinkrono in the Ashanti Region, 10 fuel tankers, a teak plantation located at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region, farms at Ejura in the Ashanti Region, a rubber plantation located in the Eastern Region, and three stalls at the new Kejetia market, Kumasi. All these in three years? Yes! At least, most of them.
To most watchers, the work of the Office of the Special Prosecutor is not going fast enough. The point is, sometimes, the law seems to be on the side of suspects, even veritable crooks, by the way it offers them the benefit of the doubt.
Legal experts would tell you that the law’s underlying rationale for that benefit is to uphold the moral necessity of protecting the innocent against wrongful convictions. For that cause, the law universally holds that it is better to let the crime of a guilty person go unpunished than to condemn the innocent.
In line with this principle, a thief may be defined, in legal terms, as someone who is not just suspected of stealing, but has been caught in the very act. Thus, you cannot just accuse your roommate of stealing your property, even if he were the only person living with you under the same roof at the time of the theft. You must prove it as well.
That is where the problem lies. Even though sometimes the courts admit circumstantial evidence as credible and helpful to the prosecution, it is not foolproof. A more reliable evidence is always demanded by the courts before they arrive at a decision. I believe this is one reason Ghanaians are not “seeing you in action.”
But, Mr. Special Prosecutor, I am sure you must certainly be gathering vital evidence against the crooks to place you in good stead to successfully prosecute them. But if the process continued like this, it would not move a needle. Let us fast-track things.
We do not have to go far. The suspects have already given you all the evidence you need. They are openly flaunting their ill-gotten wealth right before our very eyes. Mr. Special Prosecutor, the rogues are hidden in plain sight; the crooks are in full view, the nation wreckers are right under your nose!
Thankfully, the law that established the Office of the Special Prosecutor, empowers you, among other things, to take steps to prevent corruption as well as investigate and prosecute specific cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences. The law empowers you to prosecute anyone whose income cannot reasonably account for the acquisition of certain property. Even a casual glance around is enough to reveal a lot of suspects in this category.
Start with the enforcement of assets declaration as stipulated by law. The Akans have a proverb that says, “De3 mmoa adi no, wondi nkɔ; de3 aka no, y3b3bɔ ho ban.” It means: “We might not be able to retrieve the crops that the pests have devoured, but we will protect what remains.”
In order to protect what remains of our depleted resources, we must take immediate steps to seal the cracks. Sir John has given us a clue. The CEOs need to be scrutinised and made to declare their assets before they assume any oversight responsibility.
Besides, all other public servants, including government officials, Parliamentarians, District, Municipal, and Metropolitan Chief Executives, in fact, all politically-exposed persons in both public and private life, must be made to declare all their assets as a condition for eligibility to contest elections.
Talking of DCEs and MCEs, it should not be only Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka, who is being investigated after he was caught in a video demanding refund from assembly members for failing to approve his nomination as the Juaben MCE after he bribed them to do so.
What about the others? It is an open secret that politics in Africa, especially in Ghana and Nigeria, favours the highest bidder. Invite all the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and probe them under oath, I bet all or majority of them breached the rules. They all paid for votes.
The recent NPP regional and district primary elections were also tainted with bribery and corruption allegations. Contestants vied to outspend one another in vote buying. This crime is not new, but it is reaching breaking point. Fortunately, the Special Prosecutor has wide-ranging powers to turn the tide against the saboteurs. In fact, he and his assigns can exercise the powers of a police officer. So, go man go!
Contact: teepeejubilee@yahoo.co.uk
By Tony Prempeh
Features
The Prophet part 4
Antobam woke up with a terrible headache. He checked the time on his mobile phone, 2:30 am. “What! Where is the money?” He asked aloud. “Where are those girls? Why did I drink so much of that whisky? What were those two girls up to?” He sat up on the bed and noticed a bulge close to the pillow.
He lifted the mattress and picked up the newspaper wrappers with the neatly arranged notes. He saw the neatly written record of the value of the notes. No, those girls are not thieves.
“It was my mistake. If I hadn’t drank myself to sleep they would be here in bed with me, giving me the time of my life. Pretty girls, those two. And so loyal and honest. Tomorrow will be different.”
“I will not drink any whisky, and I will show them that I am a real man. Just then he heard the whispers. Very soon it will be time, they seemed to be saying. This is an important day.”
The gold dealer will bring lots of money. Give him some of the liquid to drink, and we will prepare him. He will do very big business, and he will give you anything you ask for. There will be more miracles and testimonies today.
Antobam smiled to himself. “I am going to be a very rich man in only a few days man. Money, power, and women. Wow! Antobam got to the grounds at 5, but there were quite a number of people waiting.
Mr Kwame Dofu was among them. He greeted them all, and they came around to shake his hand. “My brothers and sisters, I assure you that whatever your problem is, you will not go home without a solution.” Shouts of “Amen” “thank” you Osofo and “you are a true man of God” responded.
“Please take your seats, and start talking to the great one about whatever bothers you. Before the service is over, there will be a solution.” He waved Mr Dofu over, and went with him to the wooden structure that serves as a temporary office.
“My brother, I have done quite a lot of work on the issue you came to see me about. I have prepared a special, powerful package for you. Take this, drink it, and go back to your business. I want to see you in two weeks.”
Beaming with smiles, Mr Dofu drank the foul smelling liquid in two gulps, said a big thank you to Antobam and took his leave. “I believe you, Papa Osofo. And I assure you that I will reward you, big time.”
Just when Osofo Antubam finished with Mr Dofu, Mary and Suzzie went over to him. “Good Morning ladies. I am very sorry about yesterday. I drank too much of the stuff you gave me. Today will be different, I assure you.”
“Don’t worry, Osofo. Since you are now setting things up, our main concern now is to help you to put things in place, and to make you comfortable. We are always there to serve you. This morning, Osofo, we want to go and clean up your place, and prepare something nice for you when you close.
And before coming to church, we will pass by the bank and collect the forms. After you have signed them, the account will be open. You can check the payments anytime and, of course, issue cheques whenever you need money.”
“Suzzie and Mary, I am happy I picked the two of you from the very start. Listen, I will take good care of you, okay? Here is some money. Buy whatever you need for the errands you have mentioned.
And here is the key. Please come back as early as you can. You know I need you here.” The service was very lively. The lively singing of praise songs was followed by one and a half hours of testimonies.
Most of them related to money – big sales, new jobs and overdue debts paid. But there were also testimonies about healing. Barren women had taken seed, and, of course, several men who had lost their bedroom authority had regained them, to the delight of their partners.
As he had promised, Antobam preached for only 30 minutes, exhorting the congregation to attend church regularly, pay their tithes and offerings, and strictly follow his ‘directions’ for securing solutions to their problems.
After another round of praises during which the congregation danced to the floor to drop their offering, he closed the service, grabbed the big bowl which was full to the brim with money, and moved to his desk. A long queue was quickly formed at the desk.
Meanwhile, Mary and Suzzie had gone to give Antobam’s place quite a decent look. A new bedsheet and pillows, a secondhand carpet and four plastic chairs placed in the verandah had done the trick.
They also prepared two fish and chicken stews. After all these, they rushed to the National Savings Bank and collected application forms for opening current and savings accounts.
They joined the service a few minutes before the main session closed. Antobam looked round and saw, to his relief, Mary and Suzzie moving towards him. “Hello ladies. What have you been up to?” “Quite a bit, Osofo. We’ve just collected your drink. Here you are. We’ve made a few changes at your place. I think you will like it. You will also have something nice to eat. Now, here are the forms for the savings and current accounts.
If you will sign them, the bank will open the account. From today, we can pay all monies direct into the account.” ‘How can I thank you, ladies?” “You don’t need to thank us,” Suzzie said. “It is our duty to help a man of God succeed.” “Okay, my ladies, please take the offerings and count them as you did yesterday.
You can add the payments made after the consultations. Will it be possible to pay them into the account today?” “Yes,” Mary said. “The bank closes at four. If we leave here at three, we would be there just in time.”
The two friends started counting, as Osofo Antobam gave his clients his directions for solving their problems. On quite a few occasions he closed his eyes as if he was receiving direction from above on what to do.
But as the fetish priest at the Nana Kofi Broni shrine and the dwarfs had assured him, the solutions would certainly be provided. Having heard the huge testimonies earlier in the day, the clients parted with substantial sums of money in expectation.
By Ekow de Heer
Features
The issue of spiritual father in our churches
A student was supposed to go to school as the natural cause of events should be when universities or schools in general opens but this was not the case in a certain young man’s life.
He decided to postpone his trip because apparently he could not get to meet his pastor, his spiritual father. The question is, should this spiritual father die, will the young man’s life come to an end?
Does it mean in such an instance, he is going to curtail his education? This is a worrying trend in a lot of churches where the pastors use this notion of spiritual father to manipulate members especially the youth.
Some unscrupulous pastors utilise this spiritual father concept to have affairs with gullible young ladies in their churches.
Now with homosexuality gradually making inroads into some of the churches, young men are becoming vulnerable to pastors who have hidden homosexual inclinations.
This spiritual father concept is a Biblical concept that runs through both the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. We see it in 2 Kings 4:12 where Gehazi is serving Elisha and also in the New Testament we see Paul relating to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:2 as a Spiritual Father.
In fact, the concept of spiritual father is a good thing if executed according to the word of God since it helps in guiding the younger ones. However, it becomes problematic when it is being executed by unscrupulous wolves in sheepskins as described by Jesus in Mathew 7:15.
I see it as a way that these unscrupulous so-called men of God maintain their hold on the congregants so they do not question their unchristian actions.
One of the things I have observed since I got born again many years ago is that, any pastor who often insists that members recognise that he is their spiritual father is a warning sign that he is doing some wrong things or is about to indulge in some wrong things.
A parent complained about how his daughter was being influenced by a pastor of the church she attends and how worried he was. I am sure there are many parents out there with stories to tell about how their wards are being made to see their pastors almost like their Jesus.
These pastors have managed to make their congregants so loyal to them and to believe in them so much that it is terrifying, as a parent.
The way things are going, an immediate intervention is required otherwise I am not a prophet of doom but I forsee unfortunate instances where parents burst into church auditoriums and star shooting some Pastors out of frustration and anger.
We cannot look on unconcerned as a society and allow unscrupulous fraudsters using the name of God to create problems for families. My recommendation is for a certain amount of regulation in order to bring some sanity in religious practices.
I agree that ordinarily regulating religious practices makes it a bit restrictive in terms of freedom of worship as enshrined in our constitution but given the way things are going, a bit of regulation will not be out of place.
Disgusting stuff are being attributed to some men of God. There are cases of manipulation of young ladies and sometimes married women by so called men of God and it is bringing Christianity and therefore the name of the Lord into disrepute.
Christianity is gradually losing its attractiveness as a result of the negative reportage resulting from disgusting stuff happening in Christian circles. The way some pastors have been manipulating congregants to take money from them leaves much to be desired to the point where they are convincing some of the youth to give out their phones. May God help us.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
