Wongbo: The Dead's March

"The nation is dying", "No light at the end of the tunnel", "Mahama where is my light?", "Dark crisis", these were some of the few writings on placards displayed my demonstrators in the just ended Wongbo demonstration; Wongbo, a Ga language, meaning We are dying, as they marched through the principal streets of Accra to lament and voice out their woes as the nation experiences energy crisis which do not seem to have and end.

ORGANISATION

Demonstartors with placards

The Wongbo demonstration which was staged on the 18th of February, 2015 was organised by Ghana's biggest opposition party, the New Patriotic Party to address the current crisis the country was facing especially in the energy sector which has gained a household name, Dumsor. This brought people from all walks of life; teachers, barbers, traders, businessmen, government workers and other professions. Just like the name of the demonstration, Ghanaians decided to join irrespective of their political affiliation joined in this massive march.  The only thing I don't concur to is the display of insults on placards by demonstrators. Sadly, an audio and video of school children calling the president a thief made the waves. I believe the kids were organised by a demonstrator and taught to say that. What then do we teach the younger ones? Politics of Insults? It's bad when we inculcate such a trait into our children. Imagine your child calling you a thief. When we organise a demonstration with insults we would never have our pleas addressed. I blame them not. Our politicians sit on air and throw tantrums at each other. So what do we expect?

But one may ask, "Is this the first time an opposition party has demonstrated against a ruling government because of economic hardships?

PAST DEMONSTRATIONS:

A grandma is suffering

The Wongbo demonstration is not the first of it's in kind especially when it came to addressing issues of economic crisis. Years back, Ghanaians witnessed the Kum me preku, Wahala amongst others. In these demonstrations which were always organised by whoever was in opposition, they seemed to be carrying the solutions to the crisis but also seemed to disappoint the people when brought into power. During the Wahala demonstration, top public figures like Ato Ahwoi and others gave mathematical approaches in curbing the power crisis Ghana found itself in at that time giving all the technical solutions to Ghanaians as a way of winning the hearts and stealing the votes of Ghanaians.

Did any of these demonstrations yield results?

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER?

Interestingly, the New Patriotic Party under the leadership of H.E J.A Kuffour did their very best and cleaned the mess of the previous administration of the New Democratic Congress under the leadership of H.E J.J Rawlings by taking the country into HIPC and beginning new developmental projects. Eventhough they accrued debt before their end of office, Ghanaians could attest to a better livelihood hence earning the praise of the people but as funny as Ghana politics is, no party stays in power for more than two terms. The NDC under the flagbearer ship of the late H.E. J.E.A Mills, in the year 2008, won the elections and ever since been in control of affairs. From thier Wahala demonstration, Ghanaians expected a total revolution or a continuation of the developmental projects carried out by the previous government but sadly enough for the past 6 years and even as I write this, the NDC under the leadership of H.E J.D Mahama has blamed the Kuffuor administration for all the current situation including the power crisis, petroleum funds and all other disabilities in their government. The Wahala Demonstration, as stated earlier, gave ways of curbing the power crisis at that time. 8 years down the lane, the technical power mathematical gurus are in government and what do we see? The worst administration in the history of Ghana and every truthful and honest Ghanaian can attest to the fact. The failure of the NDC government to solve this crisis has led to many companies and firms laying off workers, some shutting down due to under-production leading to less profits. In this situation, firms and companies can not pay their workers. In the home, foods, electrical appliances and other household appliances get destroyed day in day out cause of this power crisis. Markets and homes, factories and warehouses keep getting burnt and all the government does is to blame the citizens' usage of mobile phones as the cause of the power crisis. Isn't that sad? A common mobile phone! not even an air conditioner or electric cooker. A mobile phone. Goodness!!!!! Then the Americas, Europe and Asia should be worse off in the power crisis saga. Shamely enough our youngest president, Mahama, stood before Angela Merkel and said he had been nicknamed Mr. Dumsor. Is this something a leader should be happy announcing? As pissed as I am, Ghanaians had had it up to their throat and took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the government with the opposition, NPP, being the frontiers.

         

 EXPECTATIONS?                    

A mad demonstrator in expectation of the future

Ghanaians are tired and we deserve better. We deserve a transparent and accountable government. Corruption can not be eliminated but it can be reduced. A country deserves the government it has and if we are suffering then we deserve it. Integrity is what we need. When we start working towards a positive mentality of Ghanaianism we would be bringing up the Obamas, the Mandelas, the Nkrumahs, the Luther Kings and many others. The mentality of the Ghanaian youth is corrupt and it's taken all the way into adulthood. We should be patriotic and vote on policies and track records rather than selling our votes for some few cedis. The NPP leading this demonstration means they would fix this situation and not play the game of blames. Ghanaians would be happy if the NPP fixes the situation rather than ride on their backs and fail them when they come into power. Ghanaians expect the current government to sit up and stop giving lame excuses and also stop insulting the intelligence of Ghanaians. Ghanaians expect the best from our leaders. We want to see an independent economy. An economy where we would be able to give loans rather than borrow and misuse. We want a government of intergrity, where corruption would be low and the State of the Nation address would be truthful. We want an educational system where talents and skills are developed. An educational system which would meet the demands of our local economy. We expect a country where government does not interfere with religious missions but rather allow the institutions to work. We have a long way to go. We shall get there. There is no light at the end of the tunnel but we shall see one only if we change our attitude as a people.

We lament because we are suffering. 
Lamenting without purpose is nagging.
I shall not lament if I'm healthy. 
I'll lament because I'm sick.
Purposeless lamentation is what an irresponsible parent will call the suffering child. 
I lament because I am suffering.