When I was in either Form 1 or 2 (can’t remember for sure) in Ghana National College, one of the fearsome seniors we had was Senior Vandyke, a tall lanky guy who was known to sample some herbal delights. Snr Vandyke used to make us write down what we would bring to him for the next term. This contract/promise was signed off at the end of the preceding term.

At the end of one of such term, I filled the form with my promise: “1 Milk Tin of Gari” and duly signed it.

The next term, as early as the first week, Snr Vandyke went round collecting his debts. He got to me and demanded his tin of milk. I promptly denied ever promising him milk. In any case, the most tins of milk I got for the entire term was less than a dozen so how could I promise one whole tin, I told him. “You this boy! You think you are smart, eh? That is why I insist you write it and sign. Paper no lie!”

He quickly promised the affidavit sheet and true to my words, there is was: “1 Milk Tin of Gari”, signed “Nana Damoah”. Vandyke was furious, and didn’t appreciate the fact that I had outwitted him.

The Daily Graphic of 6 February 2012 and indeed most newspapers and news websites had announced, quoting from an official statement, that “workers, transport operators and the general public are to enjoy a 20% reduction in the prices of petroleum products”. This decrease comes on the heels of 15 – 30% increases in December 2011, leading to 10% increase in transportation fares, which had been met with resistance from labour unions.

However, in interviews with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) boss on Monday 6 February, it turned out that the 20% decrease is on the initial 15 – 30% increase. So actually, there has been a 20% reduction on the low side of 15% increase, giving at least 3% reduction.

I love this nation and our way of going round small bushes. I guess I don’t have any moral right to complain – I know the game. So there you have it: your own milk tin of gari.

Enjoy the hydrocarbon soakings and make it a bebe on rocks – with groundnuts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Source: Nana Awere Damoah