Features
‘Possible’ coup looms in Ghana?
According to Wikipedia, a coup d’etat (French), often shortened to ‘a coup’ in English or ‘overthrow’, is a seizure and removal of a government and its powers.
www.britannica.com also says; a coup d’etat is a sudden, often violent overthrow of an existing government by a small group.
Typically, it is an illegal seizure of power by a political faction, rebel group, military or by a dictator.
According to experts, coups d’etat usually seek only to replace key government personnel rather than forcing sweeping changes to a country’s fundamental social and political ideology.
As a key to success, groups attempting coups, typically seek to gain support of all or parts of a country’s armed forces, police and other military elements.
In his book; Political Order in Changing Societies (published in 1968), Samuel P. Huntington says, there are three generally recognised types of coups. And they are (a) “The breakthrough coup” (b) “The guardian coup” and (c) “The veto coup”.
Samuel Huntington, also a political scientist, says with “The breakthrough coup”, opposing civilian or military organisers overthrow the seated government and install themselves as a nation’s new leaders.
Huntington explains that with “The guardian coup”, typically described as ‘justified’ as being for the “broader good of the nation”, occurs when one elite group seizes power from another elite group.
According to Huntington, in “The veto coup”, a nation’s military steps in to prevent radical political changes.
Of late, readers, the fact of the matter is that, ‘coup-mongering voices’ seem to be spreading from the ‘stock’ of the Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), thus, ‘snowballing’ into a national conversation.
For instance, Brigadier-General (Rtd) Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, a former National Security Adviser and an NDC ‘high-fly-employee’, claims all his efforts to meet President Akufo-Addo to discuss a possibility of a coup in Ghana have proved futile.
Recently speaking on Rainbow Radio (87.5 FM) , Brigadier Nunoo-Mensah said, he and a colleague retired army officer had sought audience to dialogue with President Akufo Addo on the coup in Mali and Burkina Faso and “a possible one in Ghana” but that opportunity has not been possible.
He said, he and his colleague had seen some indicators that could trigger a coup in Ghana, stressing that “the nation must prepare because the signs of coups are clear on the streets.”
The former Chief of Defence Staff said:”Ghana is in danger but our leaders have refused to be on guard to address the hardship Ghanaians are facing.
“Just last year, myself and a former military officer, General Selasi (rtd) tried to see the President so as to bring these to his hearing but we never got the chance to meet the President.
“Up till now, we’ve not had the opportunity to meet him. If we don’t take care, what we fear will happen.”
Some critics of Brigadier Nunoo-Mensah are, however, asking:”Apart from his anxiety to meet the President in person, what useful advice has he got to give the Akufo-Addo led Government?
“If Brigadier Nunoo-Mensah is genuine with his ‘intentions’, can’t he give whatever information at his disposal to the relevant security agencies, looking at his ‘pedigree’ as a high-notch military officer?”
The Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba also says,”the current economic situation in the country could trigger a coup”.
He is quoted as saying: “My current assessment that Ghana may be ripe for a coup partly springs from the knowledge I gained from accompanying my friend, through part of his doctoral research on this topic.”
Speaking at a forum organised by Solidare Ghana, on the nation’s economy, last Monday, February 28, 2022, Professor Atuguba said: “We do not want a coup in this country, yet I fear that if we do not act quickly, we may have one on our hands very soon.”
However, some critics of Professor Atuguba are also asking: “When President John Mahama was mismanaging Ghana’s economy, culminating in ‘dumsor-dumsor’ and destroying all businesses in the country; did it trigger a coup or the NDC was expecting the ‘rotten-Mahama economy’ to trigger a coup that never happened?
“To the extent that the Mahama regime of which Professor Atuguba was a king-pin , had to run to the International Monetary Fund, to seek ‘policy credibility’ because the economy was rendered hopeless; and even that did not trigger a coup?”
Professor Atuguba’s critics further ask: “Why are the coup mongers ’emerging’ from the ‘stock ‘of the NDC?
“Are they in haste to be ‘drafted’ into ‘coup-government’ to do more damage to the economy in this pandemic era?”
And currently, Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor, an NDC apologist, is being prosecuted on a charge of treason felony.
Barker-Vormawor’s arrest and prosecution is in relation to a social media post in which he threatened to stage a coup if the E-levy Bill which is currently under consideration in Parliament is passed into law.
According to the police, Barker-Vormawor’s social media post, “contained a clear statement of intent with a possible will to execute a coup in his declaration of intent to subvert the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.”
And without any provocation from the Ghana Armed Forces, Barker-Vormawor described the Ghana Army as “useless” in his social media post.
Readers, from the foregoing, can anyone of you fathom why the ‘coup-mongering gas’ is gradually but steadily ‘leaking’ from the ‘kitchens’ of the NDC?
Contact email/ WhatsApp of the author:
asmahfrankg@gmail.com (0505556179)
BY G. FRANK ASMAH
Features
The Prophet part 2
“I can see in the spirit, that some of you have been trading for years without seeing any meaningful profits, some young women have been disappointed by men who have either abandoned them and left for foreign lands and forgotten about them, or stopped sending money for the upkeep of their wives and children.
I can see young men who are desperate for visas to travel abroad but have either been duped by visa contractors or refused at the embassies. From tomorrow, I assure you, the visas will be given.
Young women, I have news for you. You will receive telephone calls, and you will hear very good news. Handsome young men with money in their pockets will come and marry you, and take care of you. Traders, you will get big business and big profits from today. From today, you will see that I am a true prophet who has come to deliver you.”
Shouts of “Amen,” “thank you Prophet” and “I receive it” greeted his sermon. After a final prayer, he asked the congregation to come early the following day, and bring others, because there would be many testimonies.
There would also be “special anointing” for great miracles. Although he did not ask for an offering, most of the people came and dropped notes, and coins at the “pulpit.” When they left, Antobam counted the money.
“GH¢900!” he almost shouted, ‘and I did not even ask for an offering. This is fantabulous!’ Going to the Nana Kofi Broni shrine, he told himself, was a very wise move.
He started making plans……He had to choose a few assistants who would carry out his orders……. He had to hire some chairs as soon as possible……He had to find a suitable piece of land and, if possible, build his own church……. He had to start looking for a nice car, befitting the status of a popular preacher …… And, most importantly, he had to select two, three or four nice, young women to take care of his needs, apart from the servants who would cook, wash, iron and do other errands for him.
Abruptly, he told himself, this hungry, scruffy Kukurantumi boy was being transformed into a man of power and money, with some of the most beautiful women in town at his beck and call. Wow!
After a shower and supper, he shut the door to the very small room that served as his bedroom and dropped on the bed. Almost immediately, the shrill sounds, like whispers, began.
This time he did not express any fears. He realised to his great surprise that even though the sounds were not in the form of any language, he could understand them.
Tomorrow there will be testimonies……they will give money……. some rich people are being prepared …….they will bring big money ………. we will give them what they want, and they will bring money ……. big money …….big, big money……the women will also come, a number of them. ‘
He went to sleep smiling and whispering to himself, ‘big, big money, and women!’
He woke up at 5 and took a shower. After a breakfast of tea and several slices of bread he set off. On reaching the venue he saw to his great surprise that the place was full.
Very full, and quite a number of people rushed to embrace him and give him the wonderful news. The excited people narrated the testimonies about big sales, telephone calls from relatives directing them to go to Western Union, and impotent husbands who had miraculously rediscovered their magic powers.
He was truly glad that Nana Kofi Broni’s magic had already started working, but most of his attention was focused on the ladies in the congregation. He noticed to his great delight that some of them were really nice. I must start making my selection, he told himself. Today!
“Give a mighty clap offering to the great, mighty one for his wonders among us!” he started, and the response was very big.
“I said yesterday that you were going to see signs and wonders, and I am very happy that my word has been fulfilled. Even though we have taken allowed one hour for testimonies, many more of you would like to testify.
Tomorrow, I promise you that there will be ample time. I will only preach a short sermon. The rest of the time will be taken up by consultations, after which I will give directions on what to do to ensure that you defeat your enemies, secure your marriage and, most importantly, continue increasing your profits in your business.” His sermon was interspersed with ecstatic shouts of “Amen,” “it is true,” “God bless you” and “I receive it.”
His final word was emphatic; “Big miracles are coming your way. Keep attending church, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.”
By Ekow de Heer
Features
Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives
The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.
He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and mentor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.
Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.
“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”
He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach programme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.
He cited testimony-sharing, mentorship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.
Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.
The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.
He, therefore, called for more volunteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.
Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornography, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.
That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and restore these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA
