Reply to Rodney Assan

Hello Rodney,

Before I delve into business, I would like to apologise profusely for my delay in replying to your letter. Work to be carried out to bring the semester to a close and family affairs prevented me from doing so. I was busily enjoying my lunch of boiled yam with kontomire stew, a brief respite I took from my school work when your letter arrived via digital owl. Much as I hated the interruption of my lunch, I cannot say I was not excited to receive your letter. It’s always nice to have discussions on our nation’s affairs, and as was expected from an esteemed writer like yourself, it was a good read. Now, on to business!

As rightly said by yourself in your letter,

“I think it is essential to keep in mind that the ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people, and if we must put our nation in order, I agree that we must start by educating our people.”

Ignorance about COVID-19 and its implications is akin to a national crisis in my opinion and hence must be dealt with. This is why I was so glad to hear in President Akufo-Addo’s Update Number 5 to the nation that “ten thousand domestically-produced face masks and more money will be delivered to the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), to enhance its capacity to undertake the important work it is already doing.”

After subsequent checks by myself, I found out that the PPEs have been provided.

I also found out that the NCCE has been provided with 50 Isuzu trucks and the sum of Two Million, Five Hundred and Seventeen Thousand Ghana Cedis to facilitate their work on COVID-19 education. This is undoubtedly good news, and I hope the money and other logistics are put to good use in eradicating false notions about COVID-19.

Now I find that you were a bit curious about what drove me to write this statement in my last Ogyakrom Diary Entry;

“However, looking at the track record of the present government, I have some confidence that efforts will be made at fulfilling those promises.”

First of all, no one can say that the Akufo-Addo administration has been perfect. His administration has undertaken some actions that have disappointed many people, including me. However, one cannot deny that his administration has implemented policies that have helped better the livelihoods of Ghanaians. Most prominent among these initiatives is the Free Senior High School policy which has ensured that anyone ranging from a poor public school kid in Mayera, a village in the Bono Region to a privileged international school kid in Cantonments can get a secondary school education. Other policies and initiatives the Akufo-Addo administration have initiated include National Builders Corps (NABCO) which has recruited 100,000 unemployed graduates, One District One Factory which has led to the establishment of 58 factories across the country, Planting for Food and Jobs, rehabilitation of our railway sector (which gladdens my heart very much) and many others.

I must note of course that some of these policies have their deficiencies. However, one cannot dispute that the Akufo-Addo administration have seen through implementation of some of their manifesto promises. This is an indicator (to me at least) that there is the possibility that these 88 new hospitals can be built. President Akufo-Addo has also indicated that construction of the 88 hospitals begin in July.

It is a sad reality that we cannot be completely sure that this promise will be carried through. Hence, as you rightly said, “while optimism is good, let us hold our leaders accountable.” We must, therefore, keep the government on its toes in regard to this promise. Ghana deserves a much better healthcare system, and building these hospitals will go some way towards achieving that goal.

I believe that as right-thinking, educated members of society, we must maintain an interest in our country’s civic affairs and hold our leaders and governments accountable for their promises and work. It, therefore, gladdened my heart to receive your letter. The country needs more people like you! I hope that individuals like yourself will continue in this quest of providing no holds barred commentary on our national affairs. I intend to continue doing so as well. After all, we all want what is best for our motherland, no?

Unfortunately, I have to drop my pen now. I look forward to your thoughts.

Deo Volente!

Yours Faithfully,

Barima Peprah-Agyemang

The House on Capital Junction.