General News of Saturday, 8 May 2010

Source: The Spectator

Anas fever grabs CEOs

Apart from rumours prevailing that some bribe-taking policemen have become morbidly terrified of encountering Anas Aremeyaw Anas in the course of duty, there is also cause to believe that some Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and their administrative underlings have started living under the fear of exposure by the sensational grandmaster of spy-journalism.

Following Spectator's recent revelation that the next exposure by the New Crusading Guide's investigative journalist will be an explosion that cannot be contained, some organisations and establishments, both public and private, are said to be on a permanent red alert and have suspended the recruitment of cleaners, gardeners and other menial workers, for fear that one of them might be the elusive Anas.

Others are reportedly putting their houses in order and giving strict orders concerning strange figures that nose around or try to enquire from staff about lapses and improper conduct of middle and high-ranking officials. Doubtlessly, Anas is making people very busy, as if a terrorist is just about to strike.

The problem is surely one that nags the mind because of the legendary status Anas has earned, and the rumours that he can even change his height dramatically and the way he looks in such a way that even his own mother cannot recognise him. Such a maverick can only be regarded as a mystery figure with the potential of causing an upset that can only be detected long after harm has been done, of course to those who do the wrong things.

Spectator newshounds and troubleshooters have been a bit adventurous lately to ascertain the extent the "Anas mystique" has affected people of all walks of life, especially those who are in responsible positions like chief executives, district and metropolitan chief executives, heads of departments and middle-level employers, some of whom have considerable influence in their workplaces.

The feed-back is that Anas is regarded as a crusader for right causes and doesn't need to be feared, so long as things are done with good sense of propriety, accountability and probity.

One chief executive (name withheld), Spectator interviewed on Monday said, "Anas is like an angel of death to some people because they fear their own males subordinates might turn out to be Anas, recording every detail of wrongdoing of one sort or another. But for some of us who will not even dream of being corrupt, Anas is welcomed on our employment list and, pay voucher. If he likes he can come."

Another CEO who begged to remain anonymous said the exploits of Anas is bound to put the fear of the devil in crime-prone managers, accountants, auditors and CEOs. "To be frank, if Anas is to invade the auditing departments of some organisations or departments, the rot that will be exposed cannot be carted away by even Zoomlion," he said. "I am very sure that some people are getting very panicky because they don't know where Anas is at the moment. And he could well be your newly employed personal assistant."

Asked if he would be surprised to learn that his personal driver is Anas, the fat-bellied CEO exclaimed, "Ei, let me go and look at his face again. It could well be."

Several junior workers of selected workplaces Spectator spoke to, said Anas and his exploits have brought some measure of sanity into corporate affairs, in the sense that wrong doers will now start looking over their shoulders when doing the under-hand deals.

"Of course, some corrupt-officials cannot change because they have chopped and their mouths are now too big to close," one said. Such people are only waiting to be caught, but frankly the presence of Anas isn't going to be a bother to them at all.”

“You see, we need Anas more than the police," another said. "The man is worth 40 detectives. If he has been able to travel to Bangkok, to rebel zones to ashawo houses, to border towns and all, and has taken injections meant for madmen, then what else can't he do? Everybody should do the right thing and then Anas will be jobless."