One of my favourite Old School tunes is “Let it Be” which was released by the Beatles band in 1970.
Some portions of the lyrics of the song will help put an icing on the cake for this article.
If there is something I thirst for; if there is something I so much desire and cherish: it is excellence! My love for former President Mahama can never be out of toadyism, but purely out of his terrific qualities. Even those who loathe him know this.
President John Dramani Mahama gave an extremely impressive Facebook Live address some few months before the 2020 elections and this was what one of his avowed fault-finders, Francis Otuo-Siriboe wrote about his performance:
“I was one of those who made the system hot for you when in office through my articles and criticism on radio and on online blogs.”
He continued, “Before I touch on my main issue, let me commend you for your excellent performance when you interacted with Ghanaians on social media last Monday. You made the audience as the winners and positioned yourself as one of your audience. Comments about the interaction suggest that you inspired and motivated your audience. You did not take off like an express train with no stop. You invited people’s reaction by taking small pauses during your speech and also allowed your guests to ask you critical and uncomfortable questions. You used your hand gestures beautifully to convey your point and used tone variation to perfection. Ghanaians need more of this wonderful engagement moving forward.”
The following are some of the heartwarming assurances the former president gave to the people of Ghana in his address:
- I will provide the quality leadership Ghanaians are yearning for.
- I will abolish the 50% increase in CST and ensure massive job creation within the ICT and Telecommunications sector.
- We will scrap the dreaded double track system, and return to our track record of massive infrastructure development across sectors.
- Vocational and Technical Education will be FREE.
- We will cancel the licensure examination for teachers.
- We will dualise the Accra-Kumasi, the Accra-Cape Coast and Accra-Aflao roads.
- The Eastern Corridor Road will be given priority because it is a major corridor, which will facilitate movement of goods and services across many regions.
- I commit to a peaceful and ideas-based campaign; devoid of insults.
- I will increase the amount of money given to tertiary students by government as loans, and also pay it as a monthly stipend to students.
- I will reduce the size of ministers, reduce the size of ministries and also reduce the expenditure that Ghanaians spend on the office of the President.
- We will deal more with the issue of corruption in terms of strengthening the institutions that deal with corruption.
I listened to the video of the address of the former President several times, and each time I did, lyrics of “Let it Be” keep playing in my mind. The part that excited me most is:
“And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be.
Walahi, talahi, krom ayeshi! And it is now certain that the economy of the country is about to keel over, given the purported Ghana’s rating of Caa1 (Very high credit risk) by Moody.
You see, reality is like a cold splash of water; and what we are experiencing in this country now is a harsh, cold one. I have an overpowering feeling: and my instincts are screaming at me that Ghanaians should brace themselves for tougher days ahead — Two More to Suffer More.
Francis Otuo Siriboe is not alone. Many more, in their millions have missed President Mahama. A wave of irritation has filled them, and they are now in a fit of temper. They want change. Nothing will please them anymore; nothing will tamp down their ire in 2024, and if they agree, there will be an answer.
The good news is that even though the hardship in the country has left many people broken-hearted, in their hours of darkness, JM continues to whisper words of wisdom and hope. And there will surely be an answer in 2024. My prayer is that: God, let it be!
Anthony Obeng Afrane