A season Journalist and Media, Culture and Tourism Icon Mr. Kwasi Kyei Darkwah has critiqued the current state of Ghana’s governance focusing on the erosion of integrity and the prevalence of lies, Greed, and Corruption among public officials.
Mr. Darkwah highlighted the sharp contrast between the responsibilities entrusted to those in power and their failure to deliver on their promises to the people. He emphasized the critical need for a more informed and engaged citizenry to hold leaders accountable. Mr. Darkwah began by drawing a parallel between the biblical story of Esau and Jacob and the current state of hunger and desperation in Ghana.
“There is so much hunger that people are selling their birthrights for a porridge-like Esau and Jacob.”
Mr. Kwasi Kyei Darkwah Veteran Broadcaster
Mr. Darkwah used metaphor to illustrate the extent of economic hardship faced by many Ghanaians. He noted that in their desperation, many young people are opting to leave the country in search of menial jobs abroad, rather than pursuing education and skills development at home.
This sense of despair is compounded by the lack of courage among those who could speak out against the injustices. Mr. Darkwah lamented the reluctance of the “wise amongst us to speak up,” despite the widespread anger and frustration.
“There is so much arrogance in those we have elevated into positions of fleeting authority to serve us.”
Mr. Kwasi Kyei Darkwah Veteran Broadcaster
Mr. Darkwah criticized the disdain with which some public officials treat the very people they are supposed to serve. Mr. Darkwah argued on the disconnect between the taxes imposed on the populace and the quality of services provided in return.
Mr. Darkwah quickly pointed out that if citizens are paying more taxes but receiving worse services, they have every right to question the purpose of these taxes.
“Whether you’re going to the hospital, whether you’re going to buy an air ticket, whether you’re going to buy yam in the market, why have we put so many taxes on goods and services in this country, but we haven’t improved service, especially from the public sector to the populace?”
Mr. Kwasi Kyei Darkwah Veteran Broadcaster
Mr. Darkwah’s rhetorical question underscored the deep sense of frustration felt by many Ghanaians.
Kwasi Kyei Darkwah’s critique extended to the duplicity and dishonesty of politicians, both in Ghana and abroad. He referenced a book titled Diplomacy and Duplicity to highlight the lies often told by those in power, not for the sake of national security, but for personal gain. “
“It saddens me that you and I have to tell the young that our politicians lie a lot some by omission and some by commission.”
Mr. Kwasi Kyei Darkwah Veteran Broadcaster
In a particularly poignant moment, Mr. Darkwah recounted the story of a late cartoonist, Ganata, who was coerced into creating a defamatory cartoon of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Ganata, under threat of “gross bodily harm,” produced a cartoon that falsely depicted Nkrumah as worshiping a god named Kankan Nyame. This lie, Kwame revealed, was part of a broader campaign to discredit Nkrumah.”
…So in the same way, people are being threatened in public offices to do evil against the nation, just so the people who have appointed them can benefit.”
Mr. Kwasi Kyei Darkwah Veteran Broadcaster
Mr. Darkwah called for a collective effort to hold politicians accountable, stressing that while individuals may not have the power to fire corrupt officials, the collective will of the people can bring about change. He cited the Welsh government’s ongoing efforts to pass a law banning politicians who lie from public service for life as a model for Ghana to consider. However, he argued that such measures would not be sufficient in Ghana, where corrupt officials often amass wealth through unethical practices.
“We must look at the possibility of enacting something on our law books so that those who lie in high office, those who lie in positions of public authority, actually go to jail.”
Mr. Kwasi Kyei Darkwah Veteran Broadcaster
Accountability and the Consequences in Politics
Moreover, Mr. Darkwah drew a sharp comparison between the medical profession and politics, emphasizing the need for accountability and consequences in public service.
Mr. Darkwah questioned why politicians are often allowed to continue their careers despite committing egregious acts, while other professionals face severe repercussions for similar misconduct.
“Choose the profession where you can practice. Don’t go into the profession where you’re going to harm people,”
Mr. Darkwah also criticized the practice of reinstating politicians who have previously been implicated in wrongdoing. “Even if he has stolen in the previous government when the government he serves, or the party he serves comes back, he gets yet another position again,” he lamented, expressing frustration at the lack of lasting consequences for corrupt officials.
Mr. Darkwah argued that accepting an apology from a dishonest politician is not enough and that they should not be allowed to hold public office again.
“Unless they are leading the desalting of gutters and taking out the dirt from, what’s it called? Water waste under the keen supervision of a no-nonsense Brigadier,”
Mr. Darkwah emphasized that only the most menial tasks should be entrusted to those who have betrayed public trust.
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