Opinions of Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Columnist: theheraldghana.com

A new int'l assignment for Kweku Baako and Gabby Asare Otchere Darko

Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr (Left), Gabby Asare Otchere Darko (Right) Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr (Left), Gabby Asare Otchere Darko (Right)

A new international assignment for kweku baako and gabby asare otchere darko
Not too long ago, veteran journalists, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr and Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, went on a fact finding mission to Norway, their mission was simple; to find out if our former President, Jerry John Rawlings, had benefited from $1.7 million transferred by officials of Scancem to officials of the then government, as bribe monies, as well as forage for information about our former President, having stolen state funds and stashed it in Europe.

After what seemed like a useless venture and a waste of state resources, the two came back to the country with nothing, Jerry John Rawlings was clean.
May years on, Mr. Rawlings is yet to be implicated in the bribery allegation that made headlines in the country, all in an attempt to tarnish his image.

It was Shoseki who said that, Truth only reveals itself when one gives up all preconceived ideas. The Panama papers released over the weekend has brought to light, what most people believe happened in the eight-year rule of ex-President, John Agyekum Kufuor. We now know which people plundered our national heritage to enrich their family and friends.

Before I proceed, can those that were engaged in the naive pastime of twisting everything, fabricating silly lies, forging infantile propaganda, cooking and inventing innuendoes, misinformation and fables to about Jerry John Rawlings wealth, including wanting to know which of his friends, were paying his kids school fees in Scotland, to promote their nauseous political interest, needs to apologize to the former President, and bow down their heads in shame.

Mr. Baako and his counterparts swore and prated that, President Rawlings, who came to power on the pinnacle of probity and accountability, had stolen so much and hidden it outside the country.

Even the cacophony and often unreasonable clattering when the man left office, Mr. Baako for example swearing to strip him naked, but the more he is accused, his record abused and disregarded, the more he rises up, like a phoenix.

Not only has Mr. Rawlings been vindicated in this country, as we are yet to point to one property belonging to him, his family or children, but recent expose by Panama Papers, has confirmed the suspicion in the minds of many people that, President John Agyekum Kufuor, came to power for his friends and family.

Mr. Baako, has never hidden his dislike for Mr. Rawlings, neither has he hidden his love for Ghana, so it will serve him and his generation a great deal, if he embarks on another mission, with his diabolical friend, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, to unravel the truth behind the Panama Papers.

Whilst in office, Mr Kufuor, through Gaizel Yazzi, we were told of Mr. Kufuor’s investments that she was supposed to superintend over, but like many things that, we easily rubbish and label the accusers, the woman, we were told had no credibility and that her allegations, must be treated with contempt.

A gullible people, being led by a gullible bunch, we quickly accepted and threw her under the bus. If we had listen to her and assess her accusations devoid of bias, maybe we would have gotten to the truth, without having to wait to be told after more than ten years.

Mr. Baako, led the charge against discrediting the woman, yet when it had to do with Mr. Rawlings, the same Baako, will never give him the benefit of the doubt.

He will find his voice when the issue has to do with Mr. Rawlings, he will spend thousands of Cedis, even to travel outside this country, just to find a scintilla of evidence to expose the man, now the Panama Papers, has thrown a challenge to him, I will be following to see, what his thoughts and comments, will be on the matter.

It is said that, when you point your fore finger at someone, the other four are pointing at you, whiles Mr. Baako, spent his time chasing after shadow, his friend Mr. Kufuor and his family were busy helping themselves with our money.

I am not by this accusing the Kufuors of stealing any money, but it will be instructive to know how the son made those monies.

John kufuor, his elder son, who had earlier filed for bankruptcy, immediately his father, was sworn in as President he became a millionaire.

His other son Chief Kufour was able to form a consortium to buy a hotel, which came to be known as hotel waa-waa. African Regent Hotel is a living testament to the loot that characterized Kufuor’s eight years as reign as president.

The chickens are finally coming home to roost and we are seeing them for what they are and what they did, when we gave them our mandate.

President Rawlings was president for 19 years, these included his days as a military ruler, yet nowhere in the report was his name, or his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings or that of his children were mentioned. This means the man has impeccable record, when it comes to the issue of corruption. He is no saint, but he has managed to live above reproach.

A new assignment for busy body, Kweku Baako Jnr and Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, to go to Panama and find out the extent of John Agyekum Kufuor’s involvement in the latest embarrassment to hit the country.

Anytime one wake up and thinks that he has heard the last of John Kufuor’s corruption reach, news from somewhere brings the person back to reality. The worst of his years as president is yet to come; we are yet to hear the worst of what he did as President.

Mr. Baako and Gabby, must show to Ghanaians that, when they left Ghana for Norway, it was not because the story or fact finding had to do with Rawlings, but it was borne out of genuine concern for their beloved country.

The same passion and patriotism that took them to Norway must also see them want to go to Panama to unravel the scandal unfolding before us.

I rest my case.