Canes For What?

Cane-holding supporters of the NDC

As I drove to work this morning, I thought about the topic of today's blog. Of course, the first and most obvious thing that came to mind was "blog about what happens at the Supreme Court today". Great idea but I realised my blog was becoming an update for Nana Akufo-Addo's Petition at the Supreme Court. Ah well. 

So as I drove, I went past a school and I saw children with brooms sweeping the compound before assembly and then class. There wasn't a child in sight without a broom, duster or dustbin. Then I thought to myself ah, I will blog about this especially because every Ghanaian in their formative years undergoes some discipline in sanitation but somewhere along the line we become filthy.

And then I ended up at the airport to catch my flight to Kumasi and just before I went on board the plane, I decided to use the bathroom and pay some water bills. I entered the male bathroom and to my surprise, for the first time in Ghana, a public bathroom was neat. I thought to myself, this is worth blogging about. I will title my blog today "Neat Toilets". 

A Historic Swearing In

On 7 January 2013, John Mahama took the oath of allegiance and became the fourth President of the fourth Republic of Ghana. Sounds historic, right? I mean if you are the fourth John to be the fourth president of the fourth Republic that must be of some historical importance. The ceremony was historic alright but not for the reasons I have just mentioned.

For starters, Mahama, who was being sworn in, is currently a respondent to a Petition currently before the Supreme Court of Ghana, which Petition is challenging his election as president. So you can imagine what was running through Mahama's mind as he repeated the oath of allegiance.

The uneasiness at the ceremony itself was self evident. And to crown it, the largest opposition party in Ghana, the New Patriotic Party, boycotted the event purely on the basis of principle: we cannot celebrate what we don't agree with. I agree with that.

Bawumia, the Only Right Choice for Ghana's Economic Development

This may probably be my last blog for this month and I am happy about the subject matter. 

In 2008, when Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was announced as the running mate of Nana Akufo-Addo, my reaction was along the lines of "no way, we don't this man but we'll support him anyway if that is what will win us the election". Many things were said about Dr. Bawumia including "he's a technocrat, we need a politician", "he has no political experience", etc. Other personal statements were made against him but Nana Akufo-Addo like the honourable gentleman he has always been rose to the defence of his chosen running mate and said emphatically "let not the sins of the father be visited upon the son". 

Akufo-Addo Encourages Ghanaians To Register

 I came across this video posted on the YouTube Channel of the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party in Ghana encouraging all Ghanaians to register and vote in the upcoming 2012 elections. He explains that the only way Ghanaians can have better education, a better healthcare system and prosperity is to register and vote. Enjoy the video and make sure you REGISTER!!!

For details on how to register, visit REGISTER TO VOTE