Fellow citizens, our democracy is not as secure as we think.
I have come to this realization because of the KOKU ANYIDOHO affair-- his arrest on charges of treason.
Before I get into the substance, let me state the following for the avoidance of doubt.
First, I condemn his remarks and he should not mistake the sympathy he is getting for agreement with his language.
Second, KOKU is a difficult person to sympathize with-- he has made quite a number of reckless statements, dating to when the NDC was in power.
Third, I know there is a lot of hypocrisy at play here. Many of those condemning ANYIDOHO's treatment would be cheering the NDC on if they were in power and did the same thing to an NPP member. And the NPP members defending the government would be outraged if the shoe was on the other foot. This is exactly what happened during the NDC regime when Hon. Kennedy Agyapong was arrested.
Fourth, I am confused by the President's silence on this. He is a human rights activist who has made decisive interventions to deepen our democracy. I cannot believe that he is untroubled by this arrest.
Now, to get to the issue, democracy requires tolerance, the equal application of laws regardless of partisanship and consistency.
Our security forces have become opportunistic, chameleonic partisans playing our politicians like a fiddle for their selfish interests. Based on who is in power, they harass the opposition to curry favour.
Thus they chase the likes of Ken Agyapong when we are in opposition and the likes of KOKU when the NDC is out of power.
If Koku's words would trigger arrest, why did President Rawlings' call for a revolution at the last 31st December revolution anniversary not alarm the security forces?
Any security capo who is troubled by KOKU but not Rawlings would be considered off his game except in Ghana.
Our history is very much alive. It is not only Nkrumah who never dies. UGCC, CPP, UP, our revolutions --true and false, Kolungugu, Nsawam, Teshie--they are all alive for better or for worse.
As Nobel Laureate William Faulkner said, "The past is never dead. It is not even past.". We must kill the bad past, with love, tolerance and generosity.
America's Second President, John Adams had the Seditions Act passed by his supporters without his knowledge to suppress his enemies in 1798. He realized its harmful effects too late and it led to the election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800.
Wise, patriotic leaders must be wary of bad political advice, even from those who mean well.
Let's not make KOKU ANYIDOHO a martyr. He does NOT deserve it and we are better than that.
Long live our democracy.
Long live Ghana.
Source: Arthur K Email: [email protected]
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Well thus politics for u. So now it all clear that there is no freedom of speech.
I can understand where you are coming from you have become the Koku Anyidoho of the NPP.
All that back to the President abi, these same persons would accuse the president of interference. I really like demeanor of the president cos he wants institutions to work and would never intervene for anyone be it npp or ndc. The police are investigating and if they found him culpable, the law would work. " nation wrecker"
Freedom of speech does not mean you can shout, 'FIRE' in a theatre! Do that in the US and see what will happen to you!
@ who cares, if you call restoration of teacher and nurses trainee allowances, the free SHS, the end of dumsor, the inflation down, your gargantuan dents which have paid, mo more teachers crying for their pay, no more civil servants crying for their pay, mo more doctors on strike an abysmal performance then you need to check at any mental hospital near you, then you are really from an underdeveloped area so see nothing good as good. Name one intervention that your ndc brought I'm the 8 us*less years you were in power? What legacy did you leave that you can pain on for the people to vote for you?NPP is in power just a little over a year, but you can never compare ndc 8 years with their 1 year. Come again and mention what ndc brought to Ghana that was beneficial to the nation? Go back to your eastern corridor roads and see the manholes on that stretch and look at the huge money spent on that! I don't blame you to have mouths to talk after Ghanaians have humiliated you and waiting to repeat in 2020, but I lame those appointees who are not coin out with the rot they met but waiting for the Special prosecutor. You can talk and talk, nothing g will change because the 54% one touch victory are satisfied and have vowed to vote again for the NPP whether they deliver all their promises or not, because it is better to live with the NPP than the ndc. Ndc yamutu! Only your diehards like you will vote and that can't bring you back. Ndc is unattractive, your artogance, pride and insults are enough for Ghanaians.
@ ArthurKennedy, 1st of all Koku don't need you or anyone's sympathy. He will rise above this hiccup So far as no one has ever been convicted of TREASON in Ghana Koku too will also be set free. Even Rawlings & his gang are walking free. why don't you focus on the abysmal manner in which your NPP folks are ruling Ghana
I THINK U ARE BEGINNING TO SOUND LIKE A HYPOCRITE OO. THAT ***barred word*** HOLE CALL AMERICA THAT YOU LIVE IN OR HIDING AND YOU THINK THEIR DEMOCRACY IS AT ITS PEAK CAN U MAKE SUCH UTTERANCES WITHOUT BEING PICK UP AND INVESTIGATED. WHY DO U SO CALL MATURED PEOPLE LIKE URSELF HAVE SO MUCH HATRED FOR PEOPLE.KOKU IS BEING INTERROGATED BY THE CID AND BNI, THIS ARE THE VERY INSTITUTIONS WE ENTRUST OUR SECURITY TO AS A NATION.THE PRESIDENT SHLD FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES AND ALLOW THE POLICE TO WORK.LONG LIVE OUR DEMOCRACY; LONG LIVE GHANA
There is no sense to sympathise with a fu.l.lish person like Koku Anyidoho.... He should face the law and defend himself..... If found guilty punished accordingly....