A YEAR AFTER ETERNITY -3

...This they did by filing a petition at the Supreme Court. Though the petition was to have their grievances addressed, NPP as they put it, were not necessarily seeking power but would want the truth to be established both for the current and future generations.

This land mark case as sometimes referred to , was broadcast and telecast on radio and television stations respectively across the length and breadth of the country.

Though the Supreme Court has not given its verdict, some politicians are beginning to claim the direction of the judgment. Some interesting developments also took place during the hearing. These included barring of any comment that might preempt actions of the court as well as those which were considered contemptuous of the court. These went to the extent of jailing Ken Korankye, the Managing Editor of the Searchlight for 10 days and Mr. Steven Atubiga for 3 days for certain derogatory comments made. Ghanaians are currently waiting for the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the election petition.

Another thing worth knowing is the case involving Waterville Holdings Ltd, Alfred Woyome and the state. It would surprise President Mills to know that the Supreme Court in a unanimous decision asked Waterville to refund the €25 million it received through false judgment debt to the government of Ghana.

In a same vein, the case involving Ghana and Isofoton SA has taken a different twist. Here, the company has been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay the country $400,000 as a result of a judgment its received in 2011. Thanks to the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Martin Amidu for his relentless effort in ensuring that the truth is put where it belongs.

The above might not be enough to tell our late President in terms of the number of events that have occurred in his absence. Again, fire gutted many places including Kantamanto market, Kumasi central market, among others. These fires have destroyed properties worth millions of Ghana Cedis and have rendered many jobless, taking away their sources of livelihood. This even led to government arranging for some fire experts to fly to Ghana to assist the Ghana National Fire Service investigating into the number of fire cases being recorded in the country.

Moreover, operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) suffered a setback with some transformers getting burnt to compound the already existing difficulties of the company in giving quality services to Ghanaians. Power fluctuation continues to be the order of the day, affecting industries and life in general.

Furthermore, in the world of football, the Black Stars of Ghana were fourth in this year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2013 which was held in South Africa. The team is on the verge of qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Finally, the Black Satellites of Ghana placed third in the just ended Turkey 2013 which saw France lifting the trophy.

Uncountable events have occurred since the demise of Prof. John Evans Atta Mills but the above are a few ones worth mentioning.

Wherever the soul of our late President might be, I want to say;

DUE! DUE NE AMANEHUNU!! W’AKO KO DEN!!!

DA YIE…

ADIEU…

ADEOS…

GOODBYE…

A YEAR AFTER ETERNITY-2

…agree with him ideologically had. The above sometimes described him as meek and weak but following his death, he has been labeled a strong man.

Again, it was only after his death that a lot of politicians became true and principal witnesses, who hailed, lauded and sang appellations to this hero. Some went to the extent of asking their fellow politicians to emulate him( Mills).

Just after his death, messages of condolence, started pouring in from leaders of other countries across the globe. One could not differentiate between the Queen of England and the ordinary man on the streets of Accra as one word was on the lips of both. This word was ‘SHOCK’! For me, this word was over-used as both literates and illiterates used it in describing our President’s demise.

One may ask why I am putting this piece together. It is exactly a year since Ghana lost its President but as a Ghanaian, I am using this medium to tell our late President, some of the events that have occurred in absence. The following are just a few.

First of all, the then Vice President, John Dramani Mahama was sworn-in as the President of the Republic to complete former President Mills’ tenure which had six more months to end. He was to continue from where the late President Mills ended. Aside being the President at the time, Mr. Mahama was elected as the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2012 general elections.

The second event was the death of former Vice President in the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Alhaji Aliu Mahama . On a dull Friday morning, 16th November,2012, Ghanaians had to brace themselves up for weeks of mourning and wailing again. The news of the passing away of its former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama broke and it was unbearable.

His death was equally mind-blowing for the people of Ghana as it seemed a repeated dose within five months for Ghanaians. Though his death was received in the same manner as President Mills’, it was a bigger blow for the New Patriotic Party(NPP) since campaigns and preparations towards the 2012 elections had to be suspended in order to clear that hurdle.

Another event that occurred after President Mills’ death was the collapse of a 6-storey Achimota Melcom Shopping Centre building on Wednesday November 7, 2012 with lives and property destroyed. It was terrible. This worsened the pains Ghanaians have been bearing since July 24, 2012.

One other event that cannot go unmentioned was the 2012 elections. This was keenly contested. It was simply because, President Mahama had only six months to campaign in order to compete with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who has been campaigning since 2010 after he was elected the flag bearer of the NPP. The 2012 elections was eventually won by NDC which was led by John Dramani Mahama but his competitor, Nana Addo, thought otherwise.

Per the provisions of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the winner of the election is to be sworn in as the President of the Republic of Ghana regardless of any questions that might have arisen from the polls. However, the Constitution creates room for anyone who seems not satisfied with the results to challenge the President. According to Article 64(1):

“ The validity of the election of the President may be challenged only by a citizen of Ghana who may present a petition for the purpose to the Supreme Court within twenty-one days after the declaration of the result of the election in respect of which the petition is presented”...

A YEAR AFTER ETERNITY

24th July will forever remain an unforgettable day in the life of every Ghanaian. Time and events as they say, might change but memories would not. Such is the position in which Ghana finds itself.

On this day in 2012,Ghana turned upside down with an unprecedented demise of a sitting president. When it occurred, one could not differentiate between men and women as both could not hold back their tears. Even in traditional settings where it was a taboo for men to openly shed tears, kings and queens alike defied this rule in order to appease their souls for this gargantuan loss and went on and on and on till they could no more.

Consoling any Ghanaian on this day was just impossible. There is only one word that I might possibly use in describing this day. It was a “ Dreadful Tuesday” in the annals Ghana’s politics.

This man whose death became a symbol of unity for the country aside football was the third ‘John’ to ascend to the highest office of the land after Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and Mr. John Agyekum Kufour in the 4th of Republic. His name is Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. Asomdweehene as Ghanaians affectionately called him, changed the face of presidency during his tenure.

On that fateful day, Ghana was standstill. Birds could not fly, movement became somehow stagnated, Radio and TV presenters, DJs among others could not play their favourite hits and numbers but had suddenly become professional mourners, playing and responding dirges of all kind. The African sun was shining no more as if the whole world was experiencing a total eclipse. It was unbearable. Women at labour wards did not want know to anything relating to this sad news as it might worsen their condition. All these pointed to just one thing; the loss of a hero from the land of Gold. Some of us even thought we may possibly negotiate and bargain for his life with the gold and other resources Ghana has but these were not enough to convince “Mr. Death” who had carried our President high on its shoulders.

President Mills’ death changed certain perceptions his political opponents and those who did not...

NO REPEAT BUT VENGEANCE FOR BLACK SATELLITES

There is a saying that “ He who is down fears no fall”. This could be the saying of some soccer-loving fans who are enjoying this year’s Under 20 tournament currently ongoing in Turkey as the Black Satellites of Ghana battle the French junior side for the second time.

When the two countries met at the group stages, the French outwitted the Ghanaian side with a 3-1 win sending clear signals to any other team in the competition.

Coincidentally, both teams managed to sail through and are meeting for the second time but this time around at the semi-finals stage of the tourney tomorrow 10th July, 2013.

One question that lingers on the minds of pundits is,are the French going to repeat the dose or is it a revenge for the Ghanaians?.

What makes this match more dicey is the fact that the Satellite have gained a certain momentum after their streak of defeat in their first two matches. This led to beating of United States in their last group game, Portugal and Chile at the round of 16 and quarter finals respectively.

If the tenacity shown by the sole representative of Africa in the tourney is anything to go by, the French could be given a good ran for their money.

There is nothing more motivating for these guys than beating France and playing in the finals which could go Ghana's way.

Whether a repeat or a revenge,time will surely tell.