.... and Kwabena Adjei’s Conspiracy Theory.*]
In a news article published by The Punch Newspaper of Nigeria on May 29, 2013, captioned "market fire outbreaks force traders to embrace Insurance'', the paper stated that about 10 market fire outbreaks occurred in Nigeria in the first quarter of 2013. The affected markets as indicated by the paper included the Ifelodua, Jankara, Alade and Ketu Markets, all in Lagos, Karu market in Abuja, and Mile 12 Mantel market in Lagos among many others.

In all these fire outbreaks, the Goodluck Jonathan government of Nigeria did not tailor the occurrences to arsonists, not even to the Boko Haram, which is known globally as the anti-government militia group in Nigeria. They are looking for realistic causes, and the probable antidotes to these causes.

In Ghana, however, the corrupt, confused and incompetent NDC has resorted to spewing spurious conspiracy theories against its political opponents. We must say, we were not surprised when the national chairman of the NDC, Dr. Kwabena Adjei let loose one of the reckless statements in recent times, after his infamous "there are many ways to kill a cat" statement. This sweeping statement, which sought to accuse the NPP as the ones behind the ongoing fire outbreaks are not only bogus and preposterous, but a mark of desperation from a visionless party and administration.

It is apparently clear, that the NDC is still stuck in its dark days of flimsy “accusation and execution”. Dr, Kwabena Adjei should wake up from his deep slumber and come to the realization that, the era where the lunatic fringe of the so called revolution - led by the founder of their party, Jerry Rawlings - were motivated by hatred and envy to persecute successful individuals on the basis of some flimsy accusations without any shred of evidence, is past and gone.

Fire outbreaks have intermittently occurred even under the Kufour administration, but as discerning as the NPP is, we did not find it politically and morally right to accuse our political opponents as the faces behind those outbreaks. We are inclined to believe that some of these occurrences may be as a result of old rusty electric cables, mouse activities and human negligence among others.

Kwabena Adjei, however, could have done himself and Ghanaians good, if he had attributed his blame to the erratic power supply which has the high tendency to cause fire outbreaks in market places which mostly have rusty wire cables.

On the other hand, the president and commander in-chief of the nation’s security apparatus has waded into this controversy, indicating his suspicion of mafias who do not wish his government well – as engineers of those deadly fire outbreaks. But is it not surprising, that after 4 deadly fire outbreaks, the president will only come out on the fifth time and claim to suspect arsonists who have still not been apprehended and prosecuted?

Where was his security intelligence in the occurrences of the past four fire outbreaks? Does that go to say that we are sleeping as a nation with our doors opened to criminals with lame duck security agencies?

John Mahama stated in his address to the market women that he has invited fire experts from the United States of America to come and analyze the situation at hand, particularly places being gutted by the fire and come out with the probable cause of these fires. This move is a clear indication that John Mahama and his government machinery and the institution in charge do not have the adequate expertise – at this particular point in time – to unravel the causes of these "mysteries" – as they put it.

Is it not therefore presumptuous for John Mahama to have delved into these untidy speculations whiles he awaits experts? Indeed, these capricious statements do not only indict the security services, but the entire government of incompetence and inefficiency.

He who alleges, must prove, says General Mosquito. This, John Mahama and Kwabena Adjei must know. We challenge John Mahama and Kwabena Adjei to name and prosecute those behind these dastardly acts or else Ghanaians will rightly assume they are using these out breaks to divert attention from the untold suffering Ghanaians are going through; the economic hardship, erratic supply of utility services, high increase in crime rate, wanton corruption etc under John Mahama’s administration.

It is also to shift attention from the ongoing court proceedings where the fraudulent electoral machination of the Electoral Commission and the NDC are being stripped naked.

From the depth of our hearts, we deeply sympathize with the victims of these market fire outbreaks. It is our prayer that, there would be no more. However, we challenge the government to engage the masses, particularly, the traders in a serious fire safety education in our home and markets, whiles it also works to avert the current “dumso-dumso” phenomena in our society.

We need peace and stability in our nation; while we wait patiently for the final verdict of the Supreme Court, which we believe, will turn things around, and set the new pace for a new leadership that would bring prosperity to the people.

The battle is still the Lord’s