THE NEW LEGON OBSERVER

Our perspectiv~

Com ing out of the ing out of the Energy Crisis Energy Crisis

GHANA: THE ELECTRICITY CRISIS OF 2006 &. 2007 Why did it happen and who must be held responsible? Ato Ahwoi and Dr. Joe Oteng-Adjei • 3

00 Budgets Really Matter? Emmanuel Y. Ablo • B

" Let there be ." Nana Akua Anyidoho • 11

What Young People Expect from The New Legon Observer Dr Yaw Perbi • 14

King Bruce: A Memorial Essay Vida Autu Vondee • 16

Letters to the Editor Akosombo Dam As we celebrate 50 years of The energy situation in Ghana has been of What was the cause of the latest crisis? Ghana 's Independence ... , significant concern to all in the last two Ghanaians have learned that there were 29 November, 2007 • 20 decades. Energy crisis and associated three major factors behind the problem: power rationing or load shedding were (1) technical difficulties with the Ghana 2008 African Cup first experienced in 1983. Since then, generating units at the Aboadze Thermal of Nations and the there have been several power·rationing Plant and other sources, including the Energy Crisis exercises as a result of difficult power Osagyefo power barge; Kwame Baah-Nuakoh • 21 • • generation conditions. The energy diffi- (2) unavailability of power from Cote culties have been most pronounced in the The Ghana Dictionary d1voire due to difficulties in their power Project last year, beginning in August 2006. system; (Corruption Revisited) Indeed the country experienced electricity (3) low levels of water in the Akosombo Ebow Daniel . 23 load shedding for more than a year. Aside Dam. This issue of The New Legan from the inconvenience that load Observer begins a discussion of the The Flagbearer Election shedding caused, it was quite embar· energy Situation in view of the wide­ season· 26 rassing for Ghanaians that this last crisis ranging impacts the recent experience occurred during the SOth independence had on Ghanaian livelihoods and life in anniversary celebrations. general. -+ 2 Indeed the recent energy crisis had adverse effects on Founding Members of the various categories of people. The economy in general Ghana Society for Development Dialogue was affected. The crisis had a significant effect on general price levels as businesses were forced to find Emmanuel Ablo Francis Dodoo alternative, higher priced sources of energy. This raised Ernest Aryeetey Djabanor Narh Alfred Teddy Konu Korantema Adi-Oako production costs Significantly, as reflected by the Gobind Nankani Adwoa Steel complaints of several Ghanaian industries. It is estimated William Steel Ivan Addae-Mensah that Ghana lost more than $lbillion dollars of foregone Kofi Anyidoho Ishmael Yamson output during the crisis. A number of companies were Clifford Nii Soi Tagoe Albert Osei reported to have folded up as their costs of production Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey Joseph Atsu Ayee Kweku Appiah Charles Egan rose sharply, and productivity levels dropped . Isabella Quakyi Anthony Matthews Yaw Nsarkoh Tony Oteng-Gyasi There are no estimates yet of the number of workers who Helen Nankani Charles Jebuni lost their jobs in the process, and how this in turn Abena D. Oduro Raymond Atuguba affected the livelihoods of many households, but this is Ken Ofori-Atta Doris Ablo reckoned to be significant. The sector that was worst hit Angela Lamensdorf Ofori-Atta Yaw Saffu by the energy crisis was the manufacturing sector, including textiles and pharmaceuticals. The mining, con­ struction and hospitality industries were quite The New Legan Observer creates a platform for the discussion of broad development policy issues and significantly affected also. Indeed the mining companies matters of public interest. The articles are expected to be were the first to consider importing their own large power current and on relevant themes. It is owned by the generating equipment in order not to disrupt their Ghana Society for Development Dialogue (GSDD). operations. Households suffered from damaged appliances as a The society is a registered company limited by guarantee and is independent of the management of the University result of power surges, as well as from food poisoning of Ghana, Legan . The members of the society come from and the inconvenience of noisy and polluting generators. diverse professional backgrounds and are motivated Hospitals were quite hard hit by the crisis. Newspapers solely by the need to develop a vehicle for the articulation reported sordid stories of patients dying on operating of diverse but well-researched views on Ghana's tables as power supplies were interrupted. development. For many ordinary Ghanaians, it was inconceivable that this could be happening fifty years after independence. Editorial Board They certainly expected more and clearly deserved Chairman: Kofi Anyidoho better. Acting Editor: Ernest Aryeetey Editorial Consultant: Korantema Adi-Dako Economy: Charles Jebuni, Emma nuel Ablo, Abena Odure It is interesting that in the midst of the cnSIS, radio Politics: Yaw Saffu, Atsu Ayee stations became the place for arguments about who was Society, Culture & Education: Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey, to blame. Government officials spent quite long periods Rev. Sam K. Adjepong and Kwesi Yankah defending themselves against attack and sometimes re­ Science and Technology: Ivan Addae-Mensah, Isabella Quakyi directed the blame elsewhere. Other politicians had a International Affairs: Gobind Nankani field day attacking government unceasingly for various acts of omission and commission leading to the crisis. Design Team The politics of identifying which group was responsible is Charles Tachie-Menson, Frederick Mante likely to continue for a long time. But at the same time All correspondence may be addressed to: the crisis led to a number of people and institutions The Acting Editor making useful suggestions about how such crisis can be New Legon Observer averted in future, probably by considering alternative P.O. Box LG 490 energy sources. Today, Ghanaians read more about Legan nuclear energy, solar energy, wind-powered generators, Tel . 512503 Ext. 109 Fax. 512504 bio-fuels, etc., than they did in the past. Many Ghanaians Email: [email protected] have become increasingly conscious of the need to · .... 3

2 nlng in order to they managed to survive it. avoid a similar Interesting research from Bank of situation in the near Ghana is used to supplement this future. Whi le the material. Ebow Daniel provides a planning is taking diversion from the energy problems place, The New with a satirical piece on corruption. .' Legon Observer is • providing an oppor­ The discussion continues in the next tunity for different two or three issues of the journal. Electricity Workers on pylons authors to express Essell Ben Hagan will provide us with their perspectives on why the crisis a very useful analysis of how proper develop energy saving approaches to occurred, how different people were handling of energy cou ld contribute to how they organize their lives, and this affected and how they coped with the economic growth. Ofosu Ahenkorah is quite Impressive. situation, what options remain for will provide very detailed information averting a future crisis. Ato Ahwoi and on what alternatives are available to In the wake of the crisis, government Joe Oteng-Adjei suggest that the Ghana, while Gobind Nankani appears quite committed to finding a crisis was caused by the current provides additional inSights into the solution to the technical problems. government's not paying enough hand ling of the energy question. As Thus in the 2008 budget, it has set attention to the problem early the African football fiesta approaches aside $70 million to indicate its enough. There are clearly other many Ghanaians would like to be commitment to a long-term solution viewpoints on th is matter, and we assured that energy will not prove a to the power crisis. would like readers to express their big embarrassment for Ghanaians, Quite clearly, some lessons must be opinions on the matter. Nana Akua and Kwame Baah-Nuakoh's article drawn from the bad experiences that Anyidoho discusses how Ghanaian which will also appear in one of the the nation has been through. All SOCiety, mainly hou seholds, were subsequent issues wi ll discuss this accept the need for longer term plan- affected by the energy crisis and how question.

POLITICS GHANA: THE ELECTRICITY CRISIS OF 2006 & 2007 Why did it happen and who must be held responsible?

Ato Ahwoi ' and Dr. Joe Oteng-Adjei 2

Introduction distribution facilities must possess Hydro Plants & Thermal Com­ Electricity has become a dominant the ability to carry the generated plementation factor in daily life, an essential input energy to the consumers. Whenever Ghana experienced its first officia l to industrial production and a major the generated energy does not meet load shedding in 1983 when as a form of energy. The utilization of the demand, a shortage is result of the very low inflows into the electrical energy in modern society is experienced. Several factors lead to Volta Lake, the elevation of the closely related to the quality of life. shortages of electric power. These Akosombo Lake reservo ir fell to As a result, the primary purpose of a factors can cause unplanned outages 236ft. That load shedding exercise modern power utility is to supply or power blackouts which may be lasted for about seven months. In electrical energy to consumers at the severe depending on the intensity of 1993, another load shedding lowest possible cost while main­ the factors . However, load programme had to be undertaken taining an acceptable level of service shedding refers to scheduled power due again to the low Akosombo Lake quality and continuity. outages to balance the demand for reservoir level. In 1998, the Volta electricity with the limited supply. River AuthOrity (VRA) and Electricity The demand for electricity must be Load shedding is usually and Company of Ghana (ECG) had to satisfied by the electriC generation must truly be a measure of last embark upon yet another load system, and the transmission and resort. shedding from February to August

Former PNOC Secretary, MinIStry of Energy. . Former DIrector of Power, MIOIstry of EnergV 3 POLITICS

Table 1: Energy Generation in GWh (1997 to 2006)

Hydro Total Thermal Total Total Year Akosombo Koona Hvdro TAPCO TICO Other Thermal Generation 1997 5,711 1,140 6,851 22 13 35 6,886 1998 3,226 677 3,903 1,146 37 1, 183 5,086 1999 4,289 880 5,169 755 755 5,924 2000 5,557 1,052 6,609 344 268 6 12 7,221 2001 5,524 1,085 6,609 740 510 1,250 7,859 2002 4,178 858 5,036 874 1,36 23 2,260 7,296 2003 3,211 675 3,886 1,328 668 19 2,0 15 5,901 2004 4,404 876 5,280 536 223 759 6,039 2005 4,684 945 5,629 831 328 1,159 6,788 2006 4,675 944 5,619 1,416 1,39 2,81 1 8,430 2007 2,804 566 3,370 1,797 1,30 3,103 6,473

Source: VRA-2008 Tariff Adjustment Proposal, Appendix 87, August 2007" due to the same low Akosombo Lake VRA commissioned the first unit in In 1998, VRA entered into a joint reservoir level. 1997 and it produced 22GWh. In venture agreement with eMS Energy . early 1998, the second turbine was of Michigan, USA, ( 10 - 90 equity By this time, it had been established also commissioned and the power holdings) to construct a 2XllOMW that every seven to ten years, very from the two domestic thermal plants single cycle combustion turbine plant low inflows into the Akosombo Lake added up to 1146GWh by the end of also at Aboadze. This VRA-CMS joint reservoir are experienced. Each time 1998. The total domestic electric venture plant, called the Takoradi the Akosombo Lake reservoir was power generation in 1998 was International Company (TIeO), was low, the VRA and ECG proceeded to 5086GWh . Thermal power thus commissioned in 2000. TKO was embark on load shedding as part of accounted for about 23% of energy supposed to be converted into a the measures to force the demand generated in 1998. combined cycle power plant with the for power to be equal to the reduced installation of a 110MW steam supply from the Akosombo hydro­ The rainfall pattern in the Volta Lake generation unit but up to date, this electric power system . area had established that after every 'conversion has not been effected . drought season, noods followed the Table 1 indicates how electric power Realizing that the Volta Lake would next year. In 1999, the Upper East has been generated from the dry up again, in 1995 the National and Northern regions were parti­ Democratic Congress (NDC) different hydro and thermal plants cularly nooded. The Akosombo Lake from 1997 to 2007. government and the VRA embarked reservoir levels rose such that on the construction of a 220MW 5169GWh was generated at the Causes of the Power Shortage single cycle Gas Turbine Thermal Akosombo and Kpong hydro plants Plant using initially, light crude oil but whilst thermal energy generation was On the 26th of August 2006, the VRA which would switch over to natural reduced from 1146GWh to 755GWh. and ECG put out a public gas upon completion of the West In 2000, the VRA's Takoradi Power announcement that due to the low African Gas Pipeline project. The Plant (TAPCO) was converted into a level of the water in the Volta Lake, 2xllOMW gas turbine units were 330MW combined cycle plant with they would be resorting to electriCity constructed at Aboadze in the the addition of a 110MW steam load shedding effective 27th August Western Reg ion . The expected generation plant. 2006. This load shedding exercise by maxi mum energy generation was VRA and ECG officially ended on 30th 761GWh/year for each turbine. The September 2007.

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In the October 2007 issue of the New Commission, in its 2002/2003 annual This plan would have also added African. Magazine, Han Kofi Adda, the report urged the government to 565MW to the system by the end of Minister of Energy in Ghana sought to ensure that VRA does not operate the 2007. None of these projects has • unveil a programme aimed at solving Akosombo Lake reservoir below been implemented and instead of the electricity problems In the 240ft. The Energy CommiSSion Ghana being a net exporter of power country in the med iu m to long term . further proposed to government the by 2008 as Dr Ndoum proposed, the The piece also sought to provide foHowing energy generation expan· nation slept in darkness from August answers to three alleged accusations Slon programme: 2006 to September 2007. from the opposition NDC against the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. The Minister of Year Thermal Generation Addition Energy ascribed the load shedding to (a) J003 the following: 200MW • Technical difficulties with the (b) 2004 200MW generating units at the (c) 2005 to 2007 Aboadze Thermal Plant, JOOMW • Unavailability of power from (d) 2007 to 20 10 100MW each year. Cote d1voire due to diffi­ culties in their power system and If the Energy Commission plan had The NDC also bequeathed to the NPP • Low level of water in the been implemented by end of 2007, government an energy expansion Akosombo Dam. we would have had a 600MW thermal plan titled "Transitional Plan for plant installed. The then Minister of Wholesale Power Supply' dated June The real cause of the power Energy, Dr Paa Kwesi Ndoum at his 2000. Under this plan, a 3XllOMW shortages in Ghana was the ina bility meet the press session on 16th combined cycle plant would have of the government to either have a December 2003, also informed the been commissioned between 2004 robust and comprehensive gene­ nation that Ghana will "become a net and 2008. Th is would have been an ration expansion plan or the fortitude exporter of power in the next five addition to the com missioning of the to implement the plan left to the NPP years" and that government "will 125MW Osagyefo power barge and by the NDC or prepared by its own ensure that we are self sufficient in the 1l0MW steam component of the energy experts, the VRA or the power generation with significant nco plant. Energy Commission . excess power to export into the subregion through the proposed west The country went through the It is evident from Table 1 that from African Power Pool Initiative" . Dr avoidable crippling electriCity criSis 2001 to 2006, average energy Ndoum made these heroic because the NPP government production from hydro sources has statements while proposing that decided not to implement any of the been 5343GWh, a figure which is aforementioned plans. It is therefore higher than the long term energy (a) The TICO project would be not true that the nation went through average of 480OGWh . This was surely expanded by the addition of this electricity crisis because the a deliberate government policy of the 1l0MW steam Akosombo Lake reservoir got overdrafting the Akosombo Lake component by end 2006 depleted. If the government had reservoir at a time when it was (b) The 'Osagyefo' power barge foHowed the advice from the experts common knowledge that the project (125MW) at Effasu­ and done what had to be done, the reservoir was heading towards a Mangyea would be installed depletion of the Akosombo Lake period of low inflows. . and commissioned by end of reservoir should not have led to load 2005 shedding. In anticipation of the low inflows into (c) A 330MW gas fired plant the lake in future, the Energy would be operational by end of 2007. , Hon . Kofi Adda, Ghana: How the Power Shortage was Fought, New Afncan MagaZine, October 2007 Issue, page 44. -+ 6 5

• POLITICS

Government's Solution to the system, the NPP clai ms that this This has been raised by the NPP Electricity Crisis · accusation is false . According to the to 90% capacity, According to NPP government, the NOe, this argument is Short Term Approach (i) They had added 90MW to the hollow. The 550MW Aboadze The government has created the system as a result of having plant was constructed under the impression that it has been able to undertaken the retrofitting of 5 NDC administration with a lot of resolve the power crisis through the of the 6 turbines at the reserve margin to cater for following approaches!: Akosombo power station. The future growth in demand and to (a) Emergency power programme NDC's reaction to this NPP facilitate effective management involving the construction of assertion is that VRA of the Volta Lake. Generating 136MW diesel operated power commenced the retrofitting units are dispatched according to plants. project by refurbishing one the generation cost of the units. (b) Installation of an 80MW diesel unit. Under this phase of the The unit having the least cost is operated plant by a consortium project which started in 1992, loaded first. As the hydro power of mining companies. VRA sough ~ ~o restore the old has the least cost, VRA (c) Installation of an 84MW plant by design to a new condition. At dispatches the hydro units to Ranhill Corp of Malaysia. the end of this phase (1993), cover firm demand . The thermal (d) Installation of a 126MW plant by VRA made the decision to rather units are dispatched during peak the VRA and GECAD by retrofit all the 6 units. All periods when demand exceeds December year 2007. financial and technical contracts the total available capacity of the (e) Importation and distribution of were completed and awarded hydro plants. VRA will dispatch energy saving bulbs. Six million and funds fully secured from the only enough thermal units to light bulbs have been ordered for European Investment Bank etc ensure that the total distribution to the public. This, the during the NDC. The first instantaneous demand is met. government claims will save about turbine was completely retro­ The NPP generated 90% of the 200MW during the peak period. fitted by end 2000. The project capacity at Aboadze because the (f ) Public awareness and education was projected for completion in demand for the system was campaign on energy conser­ 2005. The NPP government increasing over the years and the vation and efficiency. cannot therefore claim credit for hydro system was failing . In the retrofit project. fact, as the percentage of Even though the load shedding capacity available at Aboadze exercise is over, the cost of resolving (ii) It has successfully brought to increased, it should have the problem is very high ; thus Ghana the 125MW Osagyefo prompted the NPP to add new forcing the VRA and ECG to request barge from Italy. The barge was generating units to the system. for over 120% increases in tariffs. acquired by the NDC but it was (iv) In the 2007 budget, it has set The PURC ended up granting the never able to bring it down. It is utilities only an average of 35% tariff true that the NPP brought the aside $70 million to emphasize increase as an interim measure. barge to Ghana in 2001. The its commitment to a long term solution to the power crisis. Until Political Arguments barge is scheduled to come into operation in 2008. However, it is this provision of $70 million in Ever since the power crisis occurred, a sign of great ineptitude to have the 2007 Budget Statement no the blame game has been resorted to such an essential asset of the provision had ever been made in on the political scene and in nation sit there without being the NPP government's Budget Parliament. Whereas the opposition used after 6 years. Statement from 2001 to 2006 for parties including the NDC blame the electriC power generation NPP Government and accuse them of (iii) When the NDC handed over expansion. not having added even one MW of power, the Aboadze plant was electric capacity to the electric power producing at only 17% capacity.

• Hon. Kofi Adda, Ghana: How the Power Shortage was Fought, New African MagaZIne, October 2007 Issue, page 44. -+ 7 6 ,------

POLITICS

(v) Government has been able to supply has increased by 87.7% between 2006 and 2007, provided a source funding for the Bui Dam between 2006 and 2007. subsidy of 4497.7 billion to VALCO as and work is due to start in a resu lt of the VRA being forced to , October 2007. NDC's reaction is that the Sui project is expected So urces of Power Cost of Power Supply (¢/KWh) to be in operation by 2011 and Akosombo & Kpong Hydrc 234 • therefore NPP has added nothing to the system from 2001 to Aboadze Thennal Pl ant I 145 2006. The contract for this Aboadze Thermal Pl ant (TICO) 1425 project was concluded during the VRA ' s 126MW Plant at Tema 2392 power crisis period. The lmport from Cote d'Ivoire 976 electrical energ y was not ready before the crisis. The import of Emergency Powe r Plants ** 1858 having short, medium and long Table 2: Unit Cost of Power Supply Sources for 2007 term generation expansion pians is to ensure that the demand for Source: VRA-2008 Tariff Adjustment Proposal, Appendix B7, August 2007" the power system can be ** capital cost, installation cost and half cost of fuel borne by government and not satisfied at all times, be it short, included in this generation cost. medium or long. Conclusion sell power to VALCO below its cost of (vi) The power crisis has been solved generation. This subsidy is to be because they have added to the The NPP government inherited a funded from the sale of government power system 241MW emer­ comprehensive generation expansion shares in Westel and Ghana Telecom. gency diesel operated power programme from the NDC and also plants. The NDC is of the view was advised to add to the generation Finally, we empathize with President that emergency power does not system by VRA and Energy Kufuor but he has created the offer a permanent solution to a Commission. Until the country got problem for himself. In his almost power crisis. At best, it gives into the electricity crisis, the NPP had seven years at the helm of affairs, he only temporary relief. not added a sing le unit of electricity has appOinted 4 Ministers to a, Emergency power plants are the to the power system. strategic ministry such as the energy least efficient mode of sector. The frequent changes of generating power and the most The NPP's plan to address the ministers to the sector made it expensive generation option. medium term power crisis excludes difficult if not impossible for the the electricity requirements of ministers to even understand the Table 2 shows the cost of electric VALCO. In fact, VRA has allocated a ministry before being changed. The power supply from various meagre 44GWh for VALCO in the year real cause of the power crisis lies at sources in 2007. The unit cost 2008 compared to 1,199GWh used by the door step of the PreSident. of supply from emergency plants VALCO in 2006. The NPP government is over 30% more than that of the Tl(O plant. The current average cost of power supply is ¢ 1346/KWh compared to supply costs of ¢717/KWh and ¢513/KWh in 2006 and 2005 respectively. As a result of selecting the emergency power plant option to solve the electric power crisis, the cost of power

llRA _ 2008 Tanff Adjustment Proposal, page I, August 2007 7 ECONOMY

Do Budgets Really Matter?

Emmanuel Y. Ablo' • •

Introduction are (expected to be) spent on annual budget. In many countries deSignated activities, all with the aim the budget is framed within the Do budgets really matter? This is the of achieving certain outcomes. When context of a medium-term or long­ title of a paper that a colleague and I the intended outcomes are not term national development plan . In at the World Bank wrote in 1998, achieved it means that something is Ghana medium or long-term planning reporting the findings of a survey of wrong with the allocation or spending went out of the window with the public expenditure on primary of funds. Expected outcomes are demise of the CPP Government's education and primary health care in more likely to be achieved where Seven Year National Development selected districts of Uganda. The governments pay close attention to Plan in 1966. Attempts to reinstate survey set out to find out how much both the allocation and spending of such plans have been largely of the budgetary resources allocated budgetary resources . unsuccessful. As a result, for a long to primary schools and primary time the government budget has health care facilities actually reached What is the budget? been heavily influenced by donor (or the schools and health facilities. By common practice all over the donor·inspired) plans. Thus, we have world , the annual government the Growth and Poverty Reduction The survey results for primary budget seeks, in a nutshell, to do Strategy, the Medium Term Expen­ schools were striking. The ma in three things: one, to review diture Framework and other similar finding for primary education was economic developments in general plans. The point to emphasize is that that, on average, less than 30 and assess the success or fai lure of if you do not have your own plan you percent of the funds released for revenue and expenditure plans are likely to be imple·menting non-salary expenses actually reached during the previous year; two, to set someone else's plan . the schools. Somewhere along the out in detail (preferably, in a separate Perspectives on some aspects of way a massive leakage of funds volume) the revenue and expenditure occurred. Similar analysis CQuid not the 2008 Ghana Government estimates for the coming year; and budget be done for primary health care for three, to . lay out the policies that lack of hard data. underpin the revenue and expen ­ The 2008 Government budget was diture plans for the next year. announced on November IS, 2007. The survey results from Uganda give It is very long on words and rather rise to a paradox . On the one hand, Emmanuel Y. Ablo is a former short on data; in all, some 460 the results seem to suggest that Lead Economist at the World pages; a tome. The budget has government budgets do not matter. Bank For, if the proportion of budgetary attracted fulsome praise from some quarters and blistering criticism from resources that reach the intended The budget is more than the other quarters, both reactions, beneficiaries is so small the expected compilation of the revenue and outcomes of public expenditure could expenditure plans of government for perhaps, overblown. This article is intended to be a comment on some not be achieved. On the other hand, a given year. It is the ma in the findings could be interpreted to instrument at the government's of the salient features of the mean that budgets matter. They disposal for maintaining law and economy in general and the budget, in particular. matter because they affect the lives order, building infrastructure, of people, for good or for bad. supporting education, promoting good health, stimulating private Some of the basic economic performance indicators that can be We can square this circle by saying investment and so on. found in the 2008 budget and that, in essence, there are two ends previous budgets are presented in to a budget. At one end funds are The context the table below. Many more allocated for projects and pro­ Exp licitly or implicitly, the govern­ indicators could be presented but for grammes and at the other end funds ment has to give a context to the ' Dr Emmanuel Able IS an Economist and a retired World Bank OffICial -. 9 8 ,------

ECONOMY

this article these six indicators would year. To go from today's average should not have arrived at this point suffice. An attempt is made below to income of about US$480 a year to earlier and gone below 10% by now. put these indicators in perspective US$l,OOO or more within eight years vis-a-vis our own well GDP has to grow by close to 10% a Inflation measures · the rate of • past as as global experience. year. Is that impossible' No. We increase' in prices of goods and have to aim high-and have the will services that different income groups Selected economic indicators to succeed. consume in different proportions relative to income. The poor spend GOP growth The rate of GDP growth is not the greater part of their income on something that the Government can food while the rich spend a tiny The rate of growth of real Gross influence directly, except through is fraction on it. The interesting thing Domestic Product (GDP) is the rate of own spending on goods and services. about inflation is that, except for infants, almost everybody has direct experience of price changes when 2005 2006 2007 2008 they buy one or the other commodity budget or service from day to day. We are all Real GOP growth rate ('!o) 5.8 6.4 63_ 7.0 statisticians when it comes to inflation; hence the general Inflation, end of year ('!o) 14.8 10.5 10.1 6.0-8.0 skepticism about official inflation Govt. revenue) GOP ratio ('!o) 24 .0 22.3 23.0 27.0 figures, not just in Ghana but in many Govt. expenditure) GOP ratio ('!o) 20.6 25.9 26.0 30.0 other countries. Overall budget deficit/GOP ratio ('!o) 2.4 7.8 4.0 4.0 The budget can be a major source of Gross foreign exchange reserves (in inflationary pressure. This is the case when governments spend money months of import cover) 3.5 3.4 3.0 >3.0 they do not have and go on doing so _ as of September; on a massive scale, relying on the _ as of October; central bank to print money. For the budget not to act as the driver of _ excludes funds provided by donors inflation two requirements must be met. First, the government must act increase in the nation's total What is more important is that the responsibly by living within its means, production of goods and services in a Government strives harder to create including loans in prudent amounts. given year, after the effect of inflation a conducive environment for Secondly, the central bank must have on the value of production has been businesses and households to save the authority and the integrity to stripped out. After the economic and invest more. This is where the refuse to print money to finance decline of the 19705 and early 1980s Government budget can play an normal government operations. growth resumed in Ghana in 1984. It important role by paying attention to has been sustained since then. That macroeconomic stability, providing In recent years donor inflows to the is good news. For, it is only sustained incentives, building infrastructure and budget have been on such a scale as economiC growth that will generate developing human resources. to have reduced the temptation for real resources for consu mption, the Government to engage in savIngs and investment-and help Inflation ir~esponsib l e spending. By my count, wean the nation off dependence on the 2008 budget provides for donor donor resources. Virtually every government in the resources totaling GH¢ 1,550 million world claims to be terrified of high (approximately US$1.55 billion). This A GOP growth rate of 5-6% a year is inflation but many are willing to flirt is made up of loans, grants and funds not somethIng to be ~neered at. But with it, as we did in Ghana in the late from HIPC and the Multilateral Debt It falls short of what is required to 1970s when inflation exceeded 100% Relief Initiative (MDRI). With donors, propel Ghana into the ranks of the a year. That inflation has come down responsible fiscal behaviour can be middle Income countries by 2015, by steadily to about 10% a year is some, its own reward-unless you are a which time average income in Ghana achievement, even though in my Mobutu Sese Seko. should be no less than US$l,OOO a book I can find no reason why we

-. 10 9 ECONOMY

Government revenue now in the range of 26-30% of GOP; Foreign exchange reserves the more recent figures are the Government revenue here refers to author's own estimates. Few deve­ Foreign exchange reserves are the tax revenue and non-tax revenue. loping countries can match Ghana's foreign asset holdings that Ghana For 2008 the former is expected to level of domestic-financed expen­ can draw upon to pay for imports of account for a little over 80% of the diture relative to GOP. The high level goods and services, including debt total, with the latter making up the of such spending mirrors the high service. The adequacy or inadequacy balance . Government revenue is a level of domestic revenue mobili­ of reserves is usually measured by measure of Ghana's own efforts to zation in Ghana. the number of months of imports of mobilize domestic resources for the goods and services that the reserves budget. It is a tough job because, all When it comes to expenditure it is would cover, The more import­ over the world, nobody likes to pay more appropriate to look at the sum dependent a country is relative to its taxes and fees. That said, Ghana is of domestic-fi nanced expenditure exports, the greater the cushion it not doing badly. Over the past few and foreign-financed expenditure, needs in the form of foreign years the ratio of Government Defined this way, total budgeted exchange reserves and vice versa. revenue to GOP has been of the expenditure for 2008 is equivalent to Ghana is an import-dependent order of 23%. At this point one may 43.6% of GOP. This is the kind of economy, with export earnings ask : does anyone remember the days expenditure-GDP ratio normally sufficient to pay for only about half of of national penury when the ratio associated with rich countries such as the value of imports of goods and stood at only 8%' That was in 1984. Belgium (44%), Italy (40%) and services. United Kingdom (40%). Given these On the one hand, low-income figures, one is tempted to ask why With regard to foreign exchange countries tend to have low revenue­ first-world levels of expenditure reserves it was not long ago that we to-GOP ratios (10-20%), except relative to GDP co-ex ist with a third ­ were, at best, living from hand to mineral-rich countries which have world state of infrastructure in mouth . Now the reserves are ratios rivaling or even exceeding Ghana. sufficient to cover three months of those of the rich countries. On the imports. This figure by itself means other hand, rich countries tend to The budget deficit very little. It has to be put in the have high ratios (30-40%). Poverty proper context. In this regard, it is and wealth are part of the Just as Ghanaians (and foreigners) worth noting that China's huge explanation for this phenomenon. would like to believe that democracy reserves work out to about only one The efficiency and integrity of the is taking hold in Ghana, so we would month of import cover. Similarly, machinery for tax collection also have like to think that prudent budget Malaysia's reserves cover just about a lot to do with it. management is here to stay, The two months of imports. Why is that size of the budget defiCit (which is so? China's and Malaysia 's annual Ghana's current revenue/GDP ratio of measured in different ways) and the imports are huge (over one trillion about 23% is comparable to that of manner of covering that deficit say a and 100 billion US dollars, res­ Malaysia, Mauritius and South Korea, lot about whether or not a govern­ pectively). Their exports are even Contrast this with Uganda which has ment is being prudent or irres­ bigger. Contrast that with Ghana a ratio of less than 15%, Even more ponsible in handling a nation's where exports are still less than US$4 striking is the fact that the revenue­ finances, Perhaps, prudent budget billion a year while imports are close GDP ratio in China is of the order of management is one of the most to US$7 billion. 10%. Yet China is booming. And the important lessons to have been learnt Malaysian, Mauritian and South during the days of structural What level of foreign exchange Korean economies haye out­ adjustment. reserves Ghana should maintain is of performed the economy of Ghana by some Significance but the more a wide margin. These differences in There is no Single rule of thump that important issue is this; after 50 years revenue-GDP ratio and economic governments can fall back on to of independence why has Ghana performance should give cause for judge the appropriateness of the size failed so miserably to increase pause in the incessant drive to raise of the budget deficit. It can, however, exports on a scale remotely approa­ more revenue in Ghana, be said that the trend in Ghana has ching that of Malaysia? been in the right direction, A deficit Government expenditure below 5% of GOP should not be a Conclusion The ratio of Government expenditure source of great concern, unless the The question we started with to GOP shown in the table above financing options are extremely remains. Do budgets really matter? excludes expenditure financed by limited . In this vein the deficit of You bet they do. Or do they? Ghana's development partners. 7.8% incurred in 2006 has to be seen Domestic-fi nanced expenditure is as an aberration .

10 SOCIETY

"Let there be-e-" Nana Akua Anyidoho •

When the electricity crisis hit us in rates, as urbanization increases and Finally, the distinction between this year of our jubilee, the bulk of as more of the country becomes domestic and other types of the conversations on radio and connected to the power grid through consumers is an artificial one because television was about its detrimental the national electrification program .. our lives are not so compart­ Impact on industries and businesses. mentalized. Households felt the pinch The household consumer came a late Another way in which domestic when breadwinners were laid off third into the minds of social consumers are trivia lized in public work because industries and commentators and policy makers. and policy conversations is in businesses could no longer operate at Our sufferings were only the references to full capacity, or when the price of 'inconveniences' while industrial and com­ buying goods and doing business those of industrial mercial customers rose as the cost of alternative and commercial as 'productive' electricity supply was transferred to consumers were users of the ordinary consumer. spoken of in electricity, terms of the while domes­ All of this is to say that household welfare of the tic consu- consumers are important. Still, unlike national mers are with businesses who are quick to tell economy. One called, well, us exactly how many cedis this crisis bit of evidence consumers. has cost them in lost productivity and of this hierarchy First of all, profits, I doubt that any calculation was the decision, this catego­ has been done of the price tag of at some point in rization does nearly a year of power rationing to the crisis, to allow not take into households. For anybody willing to VALCO's demand to account the fact undertake such an analysis, I want to displace that of the that many house- suggest some cost dimensions that domestic consumer. holds draw electricity one would need to consider. for their livelihoods, since In policy documents, households many people in the informal We can begin with the relatively easy are referred to as 'small' economy have home-based computation of the monetary cost of consumers of electricity in employment. More impor­ damaged household appliances, relation to the other two tantly, the value-laden labeling which are expensive relative to categories of users - the industrial of households as non-productive average income. In spite of the and commercial consumers. The consumers of electricity loses sight of national schedules published In the adjective refers to the quantity of the fact that our use of lights, fridges, newspapers, the actual supplies were electricity that domestic consumers stoves, irons and fans contribute to often erratic. In one of his skits, Individually use, but it should not lead our overall quality of life, which is comic and astute social commentator to the mlsperception that residential valuabJe in and of itself, and is also KSM described hOW, when plunged consumers are an insignIficant part of important for our ability to contribute into darkness, Ghanaians would do the electricity market. As a group, to society. If we cannot conveniently mental calculations to try to domestic users consumed about half cook, preserve our food , keep cool, determine whether they were of all electricity supply in 2004*. In read, watch television and listen to experiencing 'load-shedding' or fact, domestic consumption has the radio, we are living less than 'common light-off'. Not that It stood at an estimated 10-15 percent satisfying lives, and that will affect mattered, since both types of outage per annum over the past twenty our motivation and our capacity to go were erratic, and the result was the years, and IS expected to grow at six out to play whatever roles have been same - damage to electriC gadgets. It percent per year, outstnpping both assigned us in our national life. is only thanks to the fa-ma -Nyame population and economic growth patience of Ghanaians that ECG and

ISSER/RCEER (2005), -Guide to EIectnc Power In Ghana-. .. 12 11 SOClfTY

VRA offices were not inundated with There is also the very real emotional was conspicuously dark, with mere demands for compensation. and psychological cost of trying to pinpricks of light at its edges. That is plan our lives when we are supposed an illustration of statistics that tells us Another clear monetary cost was the to have electriCity and finding that that the continent still consumes additional expense of charcoal, exercise frustrated by deviations from much less electricity than the rest of candles, lamps, inverters, generators the published schedules. How do we the world. For instance, Ghanaians for emergency lighting and for estimate the cost of emotional consume about 358 kilowatt hours of lO cooking. Household budgets swelled energy spent on being stressed and electricity per person , compared to with such unforeseen expenditures, upset? Can I also chip in here the the average American consumption • perhaps displacing other needs. mental health implications of being of approximately 14,000 kilowatt subjected to the noise of generators hours.'1 We are not asking for too The crisis also cost people in terms of everywhere? mUCh, and yet we cannot even meet efficiency. Loss of productivity is not our relatively small demand. only the language of macro­ Finally, one has to factor in the cost economics; it can be evoked when it of a loss of confidence in our ability Part of our problem on the continent takes twice as much time to prepare as a nation to manage our energy is an over-reliance on hydro-electric a meal, get children ready for school, situation. Let us put this recent load­ power. In Ghana, it is becoming clear do homework, or iron clothes. The shedding in some perspective: This is to us that we need to find wastage of time during the power not the first time we have had a alternatives, and we have gone as far crisis was tremendous. It is true that, power crisis. We had similar episodes as talking about nuclear power. While ordinarily, Ghanaians appear to have in the early 1980s and then again in we sort out the big steps we need to too much of it, but it is still frustrating the late 1990s, both occasioned by take, we can take little steps that will to squander one's time walking to a 'unexpected' shortfalls in rain. As ease the burden for domestic shop or office or internet cafe or someone once said, "History repeats consumers, especially for those in the mechanic shop only to find it closed itself because no-one listens". rural communities who can more or operating at diminished capacity easily explore the possibilities of because there is no electricity. Again, for the sake of perspective, we small-scale projects that make use of should recognize that what Ghana is biofuels, wind and solar energy. Health costs can be estimated in a going through is not unique; it is a variety of ways. For instance, there is continent-wide challenge. The The second major problem is the cost of not being able to properly October 2007 edition SSC Focus on management of our energy sector, preserve one's food; the cost to Africa had a cover story on Africa's which has to happen in the context of patients' access to health care when electricity 'problem. On one page was proper policies. The central themes clinics and hospitals are forced to a satellite view of the world at night. of international discussions on operate without adequate power; the Wh ile some parts of the world were Africa 's energy problem are cost to our eyesight from doing work brightly lit up, the continent of Africa privatization and foreign investment. or studying in bad light; and, in the worst case scenario, the cost in lost lives, as in the case of two children burnt alive when an overturned lantern set their room ablaze.

We do not know the effect on our security-there is anecdotal evidence of more crimes committed under -- cover of darkness, but there are no If figures to tell us whether this crisis has really emboldened criminals. One would might well speculate that it would.

ECG Management Support serviCes Contract 2OCM , atec! In ISSERjRCEER (2005), ~ GUlde to ElectrIC Power In Ghana -. UN stabstlCs, qlJOtec! In 88C Focus on Ama, OctDber-Decembef 2007.

.. 13 12 •

SOCIETY

After all, our state·owned utility And to the consumers, I would like to about planning our homes with bodies have not made good names recommend that we become more energy conservation in mind - for for themselves, whether in terms of serious about efficiency and instance, making use of natural air • effiCiency, transparency, or conservation, both to cut down our and light, and not putting up brick reliabilityll, We need to formulate own costs, and to make sure that we boxes with tiny windows that force us long-term energy strategies, and still have energy in the next years as to use fans and air conditioners. And these should include policies on demand continues to rise. Efficiency as insignificant as it might sound, sustainable sources of energy, is a question that people have raised switching off lights when we leave finanCing, distribution, pricing and about the electriCity distribution the room does add up to many drops regulation. system with Its high wastage (as high of water in the dam. as 40%, by some accounts), but Whatever steps are taken, the efficiency should also be part of our Domestic consumers, policy makers ordinary consumer must be kept in conversation as ordinary consumers. and politicians all, history has taught mmd. Energy sector reforms have We need to educate ourselves to buy us these lessons more than once; been critiqued for focusing on profit and use appliances that require less here's hoping the light bulb will finally and cost-recovery, rather than access electriCity, from lights to refrigeration spark in our collective minds. and reliability for consumers, yet to cooking stoves. Apart another way of saying that the from the energy-saving domestic consumer should feature bulbs (delivered more strongly on the radar of policy surprisingly late in the makers. crisis), the message of conservation is not one As an instance, further privatization with whICh we emerged will strengthen the arguments for out of this dark period . • Increasing tariffs (although that debate has turned on the chICken· If anything at all, the and'egg question of whether better load·shedding seemed to servICe justifies higher tariffs, or have had the oPPOsite higher tariffs ensure better service). effect of making people ! We know that higher rates will affect feel more entitled to consumers unequally and we do need electricity, therefore to make sure that we continue to using as much of it as we protect the most economically possibly could when we vulnerable by maintaining and had it. But then again, properly regulating the exemptions the people at the helm of that already eXIst. More money in the the nation did not set a coffers of the utility companies will good example. One TV hopefully also mean wider and more station went around and eqUitable distribution of electriCity. took pictures of ministry While we continue to have a national buildings with lights electrification program that links rural blazing at night. They areas to the national grid, the fact is could also have shown that rural access is still low at around pictures of official 15-17 percent Ll and, as with most meetings where people things, there IS stili inequity between sit for hours in rooms north and south. where the Windows are shut and curtains are That Situation should change. Higher drawn so that fluore­ tariffs also mean that we Will be more scent lights and air demanding as consumers; we Will conditioners can be expect reliable electriCity supply and switched on. We must be less tolerant of outages. think more seriously

Nogen;,ns. 10 their ¥l'\aZlnq1y durable sense oIllumour, renamed thetr natJOnal utility company NEPA, "Never Expect Power AlwayS.- ~entty, NEPA'S suec oc. PHCN. has been chnsteoed -Problem Has Changed Name" (BOC Focus 0fJ A.fr1UJ. October-December 1(0). • ISSERJRCfER (200S), "GuIde to EIectnc Power In Ghana" I 13 I SOCIETY

WHAT YOUNG PEOPLE EXPECT FROM THE NEW LEGON OBSERVER Dr. Yaw Perbi'

I have a letter to the Editor of the who think they are so wise that they New Legan Observer from a young can tell the rest of the nation what to representative of Ghanaian Youth do! called A.G. Youth (l think the "A" stands for "Arise " and "G" for Sorry if I sound like the typical saucy "Ghana "). I have the double-edged youth who thinks puberty is luxury of getting away with everything and that he knows all suggestions and assertions which things' But to appreciate what young may not go down well with older people expect from the New Legon folk-because they are not mine, I 'm Observer (NLO), you must, in the only a messenger-yet I words of St. Augustine, "seek first to simultaneously get to enjoy a bit of understand" us. the glory rubbed off me for statements considered by this august Firstly, Mr. Editor, we are the info audience (in November!) as "h mm generation and there is already too about current affairs and policy phenomenal," "wow," "awesome." much to read. In any case my issues, especially heard on our After all the hand that gives the rose generation reads less while watching airwaves. does not fail to have a bit of the and listening more. By the way could fragrance remaining on it, the you post the Observer's info on a Young People expect the NLO to walk Chinese say. So here goes: website? And please add some the tightrope of being political sound bytes. Ours is a global without being Dear Mr. Editor, information age and a local era of press freedom and media pluralism Aha, Mr. Editor, forgive our na'ivete as Congratulations on the launch of the but much of which is noise. We Young People but we have a couple Ghana Society for Development expect the NLO to be a voice of of questions: Dialogue and its mouthpiece the New reason, not an addition to the Legan Observer. My parents have cacophony. My generation is long on Does something intellectual mean told me quite a bit about the old knowledge but short on wisdom. non-dons should not understand it? Legan Observer with its Kotopiatism May the NLO be Wisdom Inc. If it is not just for self-actualisation or and other "isms" that made die-hard to tickle your own fancies that the dictators loathe it and dire democrats Young people value truth; phoney NLO is being launched then please let love it. adults put us off. We expect that the it be in readable English and NLO will tell the truth-and truth understandable, non-technical jargon. But my first reaction when I heard well-told for that matter. We expect By the way, sometimes I'm not even about the re-Iaunch of the said every screaming headline to be sure my colleagues understand when Observer was: "Oh! Where are followed by a credible story and the our economists make reference to today's dictators?" What is this lives of those who contribute articles the GOP-is that a political party? obsession we have about Sankofa "­ to reflect the values they espouse. going back for things in the past. You adults really confuse us by your Really, does a serious publication Why? The Legon Observer in today's lack of integrity. Again to quote the such as yours have to be boring? Ghana would be totally anachronistic Chinese: "Your life is speaking so Boring to us is anything without

N like a 1907 phonogram in a 2007 loudly I can't hear what you're pictures or colour. You may have to recording studio! saying." get some young blood to make your fonts and type-setting attractive jf In any case who wants to hear from We expect the NLO will exhibit in­ you're ever going to get any of my some "too known" academicians in depth intellect as against merely friends even stealing a glance at your that Ivory Tower on the Legon hill emotional and uninformed remarks paper, let alone buying it over P&P!

I Yaw Perbl is a MedIcal Practitioner -+ 15 14 •

SOCIETY

Just before I go, Mr. Ed itor, cou ld you please ensure that the content of the NLO is as current in its discussions as the news on the front pages of the • Daily Graphic? I mean, let us have well-researched discussion and debate of various current issues not post-mortems of events of the sixties and seventies. Young People in this country are frustrated by the inordinate affection our parents' generation has for dead things in the past, including actual dead bodies and their funerals! In as much as we appreciate the fact that our history should inform our present, young people are much more forward looking and would appreciate it very tank, a well-informed, well­ want to be properly engaged as much if the NLO is more futuristic researched, dispassionate and non­ development partners. than historical. I think there is a partisan powerhouse, better still Historical Society of Ghana, let them lighthouse, when they are caught in Instead of criticising us, mentor us; in do that! While you love to reminisce policy dilemmas and developmental lieu of scorning us, inspire us. the glorious past we like to forecast quagmires. Engage young people now. Trust the brighter future-don't keep me, there are some who are " looking in the rear view mirror, that's My generation is so confused about intelligent, wise and level-headed not where we're going." the so many people wanting to be enough to jaw-jaw with you-we are President and the desperate not all skimpily dressed with our hair lest I forget, if I'm going to like your Presidential Appointees wanting to all over the place or exhuming Ghana Society for Development "surrender all " to be ministers of molasses fumes from Alomo Bitters Dialogue and its NLO any better than State. Why is it koraa that we all or wriggling our waists and shaking the Ghana Academy of Arts and want to be in Government? That is our buttocks on television! Scientists then please let there be why I believe that if the GSDD gets it some real fusion (1 almost used the right, then we won't have umpteen Finally Mr. Editor, if the l egon forbidden Parliament word people all vying for one presidential Observer succeeded it is because it "intercourse") between ca ptains of slot because young people will know "understood its times and knew what industry and academic dons. Then that there are ways of contributing to to say. May we understand our times the debates and alternative views the the body politic without being a and know what to publish. And may NLO will offer will be practical enough politician or being in Government. the term "Legon" not make you so but have a su re-enough sound narrow and University of Ghana­ theoretical grounding. I look forward Sir, in your bid to involve young biased in either the constitution of to governments and multilateral people in the society and the NLO in your members or in your research organisations like the World Bank and particular, please, please, please and reportage. IMF looking to the GSDD as a think don't create a "youth column." We Thank you for making time to listen to what young people expect from the NlO. We don't usually get to have your ears like this, though you claim to believe we are the future leaders of this country.

Yours expectantly, A.G. youth.

, 15 CULTURE

King Bruce: A Memorial Essay Gloria Akutu Vondee

Successful high-level civil servant in encourage a harmonious relationship his day, keen observer of and among people. While encouraging participant in his culture, music lover, group harmony, Bruce also proposes composer and performer, King Bruce awareness and appreciation of each has established himself as a great person's uniqueness or individuality. figure in Ghanaian music. As a Th is concept of individual differences, musician, he articulates the collective which he captures in songs like thoughts, feelings, needs, and hopes "Srotoi y_ mil," "Yooyi" and "Kw_mo of his people, namely, to live in ni okagbi," is based on Go philosophy harmony with self, fam ily and as illustrated in the Go proverbs "Atoo community. hu k_ ebasa_ [The Atoo also has its wing span] and "Soro yoo kla ni soro Bruce was considered an unusual du_ kla " [The deer has a different musician. He entered the music soul and the antelope ·also has a scene at a time when popu lar music different soul] . He firmly believes that was regarded as a "low" profession knowledge of our uniqueness or unfit for his position as a highly individuality will help us aVOid wasted placed civ il servant. He also opportunities or overreaching our­ composed in Ga , his mother tongue, King Bruce selves. Furthermore, such know· when he was adept at the English Adoley Bruce, dealers in fishing nets ledge wi ll enable others to appreciate language and could easily have and lines. He had his elementary us for who we are. composed very well in it-an school education at Wesley School in indication of how much he cherished James Town , Accra, from where he King Bruce was both a successful civil his language and culture. He saw proceeded to Achimota School in servant and musician With a music himself as a typical oral poet who had 1932. He left Ach imota in 1944 with career spanning over 40 years. A the task of communicating with his the equivalent of the G.C. E. "A" Level musical enthusiast growing up in a people as well as acting as their in Economics. He then worked at period when there was a high conscience, vision and teacher. It is various places and in various interest among the Gas in popular these responsibilities that compelled capacities, finally rising to the dance bands such as Excelsoir him to defy protocol by stepping position of Principal Secretary in the Orchestra (the premier Ga dance down from his elitist status in society Ministry of Justice in 1972. He retired orchestra, formed in 1914), the Jazz as a high·ranking civil servant to in 1977. Kings, Accra Orchestra and Accra compose and actively perform Rhythmic, King Bruce began his popular music. King Bruce's themes derive from his music ca reer with the Accra personal experience and cultural and Orchestra, with which he played for Quamla King Kojo Bruce, popularly national sentiments, yet he is able to two years before he founded and led known as King Bruce, was born at translate them beyond an individual the famous Black Beats Band (so Amamomo, James Town of Ga Mashi, experience into a collective one. His named by King Bruce to reflect his on the 3rd of June, 1922. His parents songs deal with many subjects but in African orientation). He is one of the were Charles Kojo Bruce and Mary all of them his preoccupation is to musicians including Tommy

Culled from a 2000 Master of Philosophy thesis submitted to the English Department, UniverSity of Ghana, by the late Glona Akutu Vendee. The extract is edited by Dr. Helen Yitah, with editorial advice by Prof. Kofi Anyidoho, supervisor of the original thesis titled The Highhfe MusiCia n as an Oral Poet: A Case Study of King Bruce's Lyncs. September 2007 marked the 10th Anlverssary of the paSSing away of King Bruce.

16 CULTURE

Gripman, Jerry Hansen and Naa love songs seem to say in unison: worry at all Amanua-who make creative use of true love is enduring, selfless, And you can't stand suffering the Gil language in their com­ tolerant, understanding, and most You have to keep calm • positions, yet his compositions are importantly, sacrifi cial. It is a practica l and watch quietly from afar unique in their striking poetic quality. rather than an idealised view of love. In a society where the majority are Its emphasis is on harmony with the Contemplative detachment is wise non·literate, songs are the most self and with others. Love can both and necessary, for it allows for effective form of publishing poetry. soothe and hurt, but the si nger insight, patience and objectivity. Yet As Kofi Anyidoho explains, "Many of focuses more on the positive side of the singer knows his action is our people do not have eyes to love in order to celebrate the unconventional and therefore likely to witness the poetry of print, but they harmony, peace and joy love can raise qu esti ons. Therefore he do have ears for the power of sounds give. Love entails more than physical painstakingly outlines the rationale and the sense of words" ("Myth maker beauty, as it encompasses poise and for his action. His songs contain and Mythbreaker: The Oral Poet as character-pOliteness, gentleness, expressions of wisdom meant to Ear Witness", 1986). friendliness and good personal serve as guiding principles to help grooming. The love expressed in King humans define their place, goals, The power of Bruce's sounds and the Bruce 's songs is not devoid of aspirations, potentials and limitations sense of his words can best be regrets, but it is expressed without and compel the listener to be critical appreciated with a closer look at his bitterness or anger; rather, the singer of attitudes and va lues. songs. Broadly, King Bruce's songs offers reconciliation and demon· can be put in three thematic strates a positive attitude both in joy The dialogic songs are also categories: love songs, philosophical and in sadness. profoundly philosophical but are songs and dialogic songs. The love discussed separately because of the songs , such as "Lai Momo", "Suumo King Bruce's philosophical songs deal special Circumstance of their Gboo K_mooo Shi" and "Misumoo Bo with issues like survival, peaceful co· composition . They are perceived to Tamo Sh_" deal with romantic existence, contentment, self­ be Bruce's response to alleged songs relationships. They affirm the male assessment and self-awareness. For of innuendo composed against him singer's enduring love for a woman example, " Mika shi dinn" [I am by Jerry Hansen, a one-time member even when he is ignored, watching quietly from afar] of Bruce's Black Beats Band who left disappointed or frustrated . In them, underscores the importance of the band in 1961 over a financial too, the singer adduces reasons for withdrawal from the noise and bustle misunderstanding. Hansen left the his persistence in the relationship. of life in order to contemplate. It Black Beats with nine core members The titles are often suggestive of the views man as a complex being, not to form the Ramblers Band, leaving subject. For instance, in "Sumoo easy to understand. As a result, behind mostly understudies. Gboo K_moo Shi," [Love never dies] peaceful co-existence depends on the singer gently tries to persuade his one's ability to study and to This virtually made the band collapse lady that: understand others : and as Bruce himself said, "the cream of the band had gone and 1 had to Some new love that you Before you can rebuild it from scratch." Some of the may find understand man Ramblers' songs were said to inveigh May shine like a brass bowl And know his behaviour against King Bruce. For instance, Yet when you see the old one Before you can soon after the break Hansen 's newly Your heart will flash understand his problems formed band released their first song, like lightning And why certain things "Mitee momo" (I am already gone). happen the way they do The general public immediately New love may be attractive (gli tter), As long as you don 't concluded that Bruce was the target but old love is like lightning in its want hardship of the song, because, according to force and spontaneity. Indeed, the And you don't want any them, the song taunted him. ThiS

-+ 18 17/ CULTURE

interpretation is pla usible if we consider the lyrics of the song, and the fact that after the break away, as John Collins and Flemming Harrev have stated, "everybody thought the Black Beats Band was finished." In "Mi tee mamo" the singer says he has al ready left and no amount of persuasion from anyone will make him rescind his decision. He challenges the addressee to try maki ng it on his own.

King Bruce was able to re-organise a new Black Beats Band in Oecember of the same year. And immediately after the release of "Mi tee momo," Bruce composed and released two songs in succession. The songs, "Kwemo ni oka gbi" [Be careful you don't dry up] and "Jeee Aaashwe" [It's no joke], were alleged to be in response to "Mi tee momo." In both songs Bruce advocates self­ examination and self-knowledge to enable each person to see his potential and limitations. "Kwemo ni okagbi" vividly captures the theme in unfocused and indecisive, always in a and enable his audience to share in the image of fire and its effects on dilemma and easily distracted, always his art and participate in it emo­ things: drifting. tionally and intellectually. Certain things glow in fire • Certain things die It is not always the case that Kwesi Yankah is right when he Certain things melt in fire philosophical subjects such as these describes highlife music as "nuggets Certain things harden are expressed in simple language. of narrative poetry." King Bruce may Certain things shrink in fire Not only is the language of King be gone, but his music lives on Bruce's songs simple and direct, in Certain things lengthen beca use of beautiful poetry and conformity with his mission to in fire tuneful melody. As the Go proverb communicate effectively, but also in says, "Egbo shi eliU kpoto ko" - he is The song not only demonstrates that some cases, the songs are dead but his tongue is not rotten. His completely devoid of imagery and yet success derives mainly from his high as human beings we have varied the poetry in them cannot be missed. sense of creativity and abi lity to blend potentials and limitations, but it also Even where he employs imagery all influences (traditional and seems to suggest that Hansen does extensively he ensures that meaning Western) into his works. King Bruce is not know what he desires in life or is not obscured by the use of complex an asset not only to Gamei but also to what he can or cannot achieve. He is metaphors and symbolism. His all lovers of music and poetry. His advised to examine himself and to multiple images, rooted in his cu lture highlife songs will remain an find out what exactly his aim is and and yet universal in many ways, are important part of Ghana's highlife what he is capable of doing. Failure drawn from food, transport, legacy. to do so will create problems for him; needlework, zoology and geography anyone who lacks self-knowledge is

18 •

Winner Institutional Investor of the year

Epack Wins African Institutional Investor of the Year (2007)!

The Epack Investment Fund (Epack), managed by Databank Asset Management. has been adjudged the Best Institutional Investor in Africa in 20071 This was awarded by the Africa Investor (Ail Awards on 7th November, 2007 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Ai Awards attra ct the continent's best and brightest contestants and are seen as the international benchmark for excellence in responsible investing in Africa. Epack was short-listed under the category of Institutional Investor together with five o thers namely; Pan Africa Infrastructural Development fund, Public Investment Co-operation, Industrial Development Corporation, Risk Capital Facility, Global Commercial Microfinance Consortium and Peregrine. And of course, Epack emerged the undisputed proud winner !

What has Epack achieved? Since its inception to date, the number of shareholders has risen from just 5 to over 65,000 w hile the value of the Fund has increased from a mere ¢250,000 to over c050 b illion today! Since the beginning of 2007, the share price of Epack has risen by 42.88% (as at 14'" November, 2007) while the average annual return on the fund is over 50%. T he cumulative return o n the fund from inception to date is over 8,000 (8, 133% as at 14th November, 2007). In other words, e 1 million cedis invested in Epack in 1996. would be worth over e80 million today.

Epack. as a pan-African Equity Mutual Fund has investments in 10 countries across Africa (Ghana, Nigeria. Botswana. Kenya. South Africa, Mauritius. Uganda, Zambia, Morocco and Malawi). As a long-term fund. Epack invests in under-valued shares of listed companies across African stock markets. The minimum initial investment is GH¢5.0. Thus, thro ugh Epack. Databank has helped to expand grassroot access to capital markets in Ghana and many parts of Africa. X Databank Epa¢k /Vrica 's # I Mutual FUlld

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19 LETTERS

Letters to the editor As we celebrate SO years of Ghana's independence, '" 29 November, 2007

Sir-I welcome the opportunity In recent months much has been Lamptey's statue can be seen at the provided by the New Legon Observer written and said about encroachment Obetsebi Circle; where else! to engage "a wider public in on the lands forming part of the constructive debate and dialogue"; Weija Dam . Encroachment on the When I drive or walk by these statues and, hopefully, change the course of road in question is a manifestation of I am incensed and deeply offended certain events that do nothing but the same phenomenon: indiscipline, by the sig ht of all the billboards that harm to our nation. In this regard , I which the perpetrators believe they clutter the circles that house the wish to bring to the attention of the can always get away with. It is time statues of our heroes. There are Government and the public a our leaders put a stop to this type of billboards advertising this or that situation that cries out for immediate indiscipline ont" ~nd for aiL alcoholic or nO:1·alcoholic beverage; corrective action. or promoting one or the other Korku Treve product or service. In aU my travels Land earmarked for a major road that Accra in South Africa , Zimbabwe, Great would run parallel to, and on the Britain , the United States of America south side of, the Spintex Road, is Sir-As we celebrate 50 years of and other countries I have never being encroached upon frantically. independence, we have deemed it encountered this kind of display of Houses, factories and other buildings appropriate to erect more statues gross disrespect for a nation 's heroes. are going up right on top of the honouring our national heroes who It just would not be tolerated in other proposed road, apparently with the were in the forefront of the struggle countries. So why are we tolerating connivance of officials of the Lands for independence. A group statue this? Department and certain other high honouring the Big Six (J.B. Danquah, Government officials. Given the Kwame Nkrumah, Ako Adjei, William The billboards show nothing but pressing need to relieve the heavy Ofor i -Alta, Obetsebi Lamptey, Akuffo dishonour for our heroes. They must traffic congestion on the Spintex Addo) adorns the traffic circle leading be removed. to the Kotoka International Airport. Road , this is outrageous, if not Emmanuel Y. Ablo At the Danquah Circle is to be found criminal. Accra a statue of the old man. Obetsebi

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20 •

SPORTS

GHANA 2008 AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS , AND THE ENERGY CRISIS

• Kwame Baah-Nuakoh 7 - Ghana will host the African Cup of the Ohene Djan Stadium into a require adequate levels of lighting to Nations Soccer Tournament from modern football-only 40,000 all­ ensure that the matches are played 20th of January to 22nd February seated stadium. The capacity of the without incidence. 2008. This wi ll be the fourth time the Saba Ya ra Stadium in Kumasi was country wi ll host Africa's most also expanded to just over 40,000, The construction phase of the stadia glorious soccer fiesta, after hosting it but retains its all-purpose nature. coi ncided with the crippling energy in 1963, 1978 and co-hosting it with Two new stadia have been cri sis which recently hit the country. Nigeria in the year 2000. The 25th constru cted at Essipong in the Construction had to be done mostly Edition of the competition will be of Western Region and Tama le, the during the day so as to reduce the special importance as it coincides Northern Regional capital, each with energ y requirements for the work . with the 50th Anniversary a capacity of just over 21,000. Special arrangements had to be celebrations of both the hosts The stadium in Accra is expected to made to ensure that electricity power (Ghana) and the organizers of the play host to a total of nine (9) supply to the construction venues competition, the Confederation of matches, including the opening was uninterrupted even at the African Football (CAF). match and the final match, whi lst expense of domestic consumers who fans in Kumasi will also see the were having their power rationed , Many people expected several stadium being utilized for nine (9) This has raised concern about the problems with the availability of games, incl ud ing the match to possibility that the energy crisis is a power during the competition, but determine 3rd place . The Tamale and potential threat to the tournament. thiS expectation has been lowered Essipong stadia on the other-hand following the ending of the load­ wi ll host seven (7) games each. Energy requirements for a successful shedding exercise. Even before that organization of the competition are happened, the organizers of the In order to ensure that the organizers immense. Each of the four match competition had made significant reap maximum benefits from the sale venues has a different energy arra ngements to forestall any of TV rig hts, a majority of the games requirement depending on the occurrence of a power blackout. This are scheduled to be broadcast to capacity of the stadium . Thus, the article discusses the arrangements audiences in Europe, North and Accra and Kumasi stadia conceivably made with a view to assuring South America as well as Asia. The require more power than the Ghanaians that all is timing of the kick-off Essipong and Tamale stadia. The well with CAN 2008 of each match has height and size of the poles carrying on the energy front. been scheduled such the metal floodlights determine the that the games amount of energy needed to power The four cities that become prime-time them. The energy requirements are have been scheduled viewing for a highest at the Kumasi stadium and to host the 32-game majority of house­ lowest at Essipong. tournament have holds across the seen new edifices African continent To ensure uninterrupted power added to their and worldwide, Thus supply to the various stadia for a landscape in the a greater percentage smooth running of the game, the form of stadium of the matches will Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of Infrastructure. Accra be played in the Ghana 2008 has made arrangements saw the expansion of evening. This will for dedicated power supply lines to

Kwame Baah-Nuakoh IS a lecturer at the Department of EconomICS, UnIversity of Ghana, Legan .... 22

21 SPORTS be hooked up to the four match Essipong Stadium, has virtually the energy demand from the local tourism venues. To light up the Essipong same arrangements for power supply and food industries will increase Stadium for one evening game the for the period of the tournament. considerably and this will have to be electrical systems installed at the met either by an expansion in power stadium will require about 1000 kilo The Kumasi and Accra match venues generation or by a transfer of power watts of electricity power. Thus for the present completely different power from other uses. 7 games expected to be played at that requirements due to the size and match venue, a total of about 7,000 seating capacity of the two stadia. The LOC has estimated that over one kilowatts of power will be required. The power requirements for Kumasi million (1,000,000) foreigners will visit and Accra are about double the power the country on a cumulative basis for The organIzers have therefore requirements for the Essipong and the period of the tournament. To take arranged for the stadium to be Tamale stadia. For example, the Accra care of the increased number of hotel serviced by two (2) 500 kVA stadium will be supplied by four (4) occupants, hotel and guest house transformers supplying a total of one poles of metal highlights with each operators will have to increase their (1) MVA of electricity. The pole carrying sixty-six (66) bulbs with energy demand. transformers are to be supplied power an average power rating of about from new power lines connected from 1000 watts. The fioodlights have their Night clubs and bars are also high tension cables supplying power own automatic control board which expected to see increased patronage to the Essipong township. It therefore determines the number of bulbs that as football fans stay up late at night to became necessary to expand the should be switched on depending on watch matches and/ or celebrate capacity of these high tension cables the level of darkness in the stadium . victories of their respective teams. from 10 MVA to about 20MVA to allow For an evening game, the fioodlights Thus there will be increased demand for the new connections. This implies will have to be utilized on the average for energy coming from food vendors that power supplied from the national for about four (4) hours. and those in the night club business. grid to the tension poles servicing The LOC has also planned to provide Essipong and its surrounding areas To provide the needed energy for the giant screens to telecast live matches has had to be increased. The question stadium, the organizers have in regional and district capitals to then is whether this came at the arranged for two dedicated service ensure that as many Ghanaians as expense of other communities, lines to provide electricity to the possible will have an opportunity to resulting from a transfer of power stadia in Accra and Kumasi. be part of the continental soccer from one area to another, rather than Arrangements are being made for a fiesta . Since a majority of the matches from an expansion in the output of third bulk station to be constructed to will be played in the evening, the the national grid. provide power to the Accra Stadium if increased demand coming from the other two sources fail. The households will also lead to an Apart from the power coming from Aboadze Thermal Plant will also be on increase in demand which will require the national grid the Essipong stadium standby to provide power at a a transfer of power to domestic use has a diesel powered 1200 kVA power relatively more expensive cost for the from industrial use unless there is an generator on stand· by in case the Accra Stadium, since it is powered by expansion in the production capacity power from the national grid fails. The crude oil, whose price on the world of the national electricity grid. generator, which has an automatic market is on the rise . switchi ng mechanism, will however The Ghana 2008 Nations Cup Soccer only light up the fioodlights, corridors The energy requirements for the Tournament presents the country with and a few other areas to allow for Ghana 2008 African Cup of Nations immense requirements in terms of evacuation of the stadium after the will not be limited to only the energy supply. However, current game. Thus it can be said that provision of power supply to the four arrangements made by the organizers adequate power supply arrangements match venues. With anticipated and the Electricity Company of Ghana have been made for the Essipong increases in the number of people should ensure that the tournament stadium. The Tamale Stadium, with a visiting the country during the period passes off without any problems similar seating capacity as the of the competition, it is expected that despite the recent energy crisis.

22 COMMENT THE GHANA DICTIONARY PROJECT (Corruption Revisited)

• • Ebow Daniel

Work proceeds on the Ghana Emil Savundra , Ceylonese, and Askor cannot be shocked enough. Other dictionary project, to capture words, Kassadjian, Armenian , were foreign investigations have reported among phrases and usages that uniquely businessmen whose corrupt relations their findings ministerial indiscretions identify us. We discover, for instance, with local politicians made screaming Of one kind or the other, including that in many contexts that "meet" headlines, even before Indepen­ signing up at State Protocol for might be expected, "interact" is now dence. Savundra was deported subsidized liquor in quantities that preferred. Certainly, attending before investigation could begin. In were not consistent with sobriety at socials just to "meet" people is not England, the law caught up with him, work. That was the Second Republic. "proactive" enough. "Interacting" to be consigned to a long pri'son But it is in the debris of the Third with guests is the better engage­ term, Only a newspaper vendor Republic that we find party ment. This is why we should expect before, one of his local associates functionaries said to have taken a great deal of "interaction" between would later attain such stature of money of the order of One Million US "flag bearers" and the electorate in wealth that he cou ld declare that Dollars from a foreign businessman the coming elections. We can be on false promises, for which sure the media will provide the they went to prison. Among fulsome "reportage". them was the Savundra associate, the same one who DIctionary making comes with thought he had put poverty surprises, we discover. Just behind him for ever. He spoke when we were beginning to too much too soon, as it turned conclude that corruption is the out. peculiar disease of the politician, eVidence now comes from the Corruption is a much older word Parliamentary Public Accounts than we thought. It is the Committee that others are as phenomenon that engages the susceptible. "Beautyful Ones are not yet Born" and "This Earth my PohtiClans are larger than life. This is why it takes the big Mother", novels as beautiful as only Ayi Kwei Armah and Kofi Awonor screen to project their misde­ between him and poverty had come can write, both agonizing how meanours, for all to see. It was, an unbridgeable chasm! Independence had been soured by Indeed, a big screen on which was shown the Jibowu Report in 1956, The frog cannot be properly corruption. On the other hand, confirming allegations that the assets measured for length until fully Dennis Austen, political scientist, could see advantage in corruption, of the Cocoa Purchasing Company stretched out; for that we wait for its claiming it enabled the stranglehold were at the disposal of the CPP, to demise. At the collapse of the First further the latter'S political agenda. Republic, various commissions of of bureaucracy to be cut through to achieve some good, only a little dash Nearly a decade later, the Abraham enquiry confirmed more than what and a long delayed bUilding permit Report, 1964, came to make startling the public suspected. It emerged, for disclosures in the issuing and instance, that there was a comes to hand. Tongue in cheek, we grantmg of import licences by the "surcharge" of 10% on the face value suspect, Denis Austen spoke from the platform of the Ghana Academy MInistry of Trade which now had as of all publi c contracts that was Minister one of those indicted by the disbursed to the partyl of Sciences at the fall of the First Jibowu Report. Republic. Where corruption is concerned, we -+ 24

23 COMMENT

The spectacular approach to In court, Principal Secretary provided other bidders for government containment of corruption helps, but useful education to the public, contracts! only for a while, before the anti­ explaining that the money was no corruption squad is itself sucked in. bribe but the giver's contribution for When the stables have been thrown We have come across reports of how an experiment in "hydroponics " so widely open for the horses to resort was made once to executions which , as he explained to the court, is graze where they may, do we in public, even of bank clerks for the the science of growing tomatoes or seriously want to know how any have balances that did not add up. We other vegetable without the aid of come by their added weight? "Catch had stepped back in time to medieval water. The court was not impressed me, if you can" is the new game in England when hanging petty thieves by PrinCipal Secretary's show of town. It comes with the reinstate­ was a public spectacle. In our case, erudition. It sentenced him to a jail ment of the rule of law. Nobody is it was for a good cause. We were term of three years. guilty until proven guilty. So, we may literally killing corruption, for all to speculate all we can about how the see . Travelling on "asphalt" to more recent times, we Having come to the conclusion that discover that even as the there was no redemption in the forty­ stakes were going up to shoot year old of the population, we even corruption to kill, official contemplated killing off the lot. But pronouncements during va­ in spite of the executions, evidence rious phases of the Structural soon came before CHRAl of property­ Adjustment Programme urged owning children . The parents were civil servants to take to busy in government. Beyond that farming or whatever they and all the way up to 2000, could, to supplement income corruption remained topical, enough that was acknowledged to be for "Zero Tolerance" to strike a chord ina-dequate. In the wake of with the electorate. such "li beralization ", the pharma-cist in a government Parliament has done us a big favour hospital had every excuse to by deciding that its Public Accounts run a private pharmacy at Committee should sit in public. A home. Siphoning drugs from decade and a half into the Fourth the hospital to the home was Republic, this happy development is also predictable. belated. But by acting now, Parliament has struck a blow for From other entries in our "transparency and accountability". It notebook, amazing things has also taken the spotlight on happen that are not regarded as formerly poor have come by the life­ corruption off politicians . corruption. At the STC Bus Station, styles that cannot be reconciled with they never have small change to give life-time public service earnings. But That HIV/AIDS is the punishment the the customer his balance. Everybody it is against the regulations, a foul, to gods visit on perverts was the truth who is pro-cessing papers to go on proceed against any on the basis of until we now know better. Even so, retirement knows also that if they opt mere speculation . After all, it is not we are in denial until a school bursar for the "fast track", the package will the familiar game any more. They confesses to a ¢2 billion theft of come less various unofficial know themselves who should count school money. Records come to hand commissions charged by the handlers themselves lucky for the changed refer also in part to a senior civi l of the processes. While in full time rules. servant in 1966 who was arrested for public office, we are also available as taking a bribe, a whole Principal paid consultants to contractors and Secretary. -+ 25 24 COMMENT

All games and no work will not Ever since encounter with advance the Ghana dictionary "government", the project. There is consensus already Ghanaian character con­ that corruption is a disease. It is sistently reveals a noted that although they have no careless disregard of state immunity, politicians get so excited property, initially for being when they think political advantage thought the white man 's can be gained from namescalling. property. We are none But knowing the health records as the worse off, if govern­ they come up on the big screens at ment loses out to any of various times, the public is by no us, we believe . If it is means taken in by the sanctimonious money, the quantum posturing. must be worth going to prison, on discovery. The It is all so curious how contrary records from colonial times show media is awash with "reportage". dispositions play out among us. We convicted persons who did just that, The incidence is on the rise? On the are capable of engaging land guards, stole big, to return to a hero's other hand, consistent with the even mustering physical violence, to welcome. asphy-xiated condition of the media secure private property. But as staff of the past, under-reporting may of the Administration of State Lands, When this observed phenomenon of have been the case hitherto. A third we are indifferent to protecting careless-to-criminal indifference to possibility is that we are getting everybody's entitlements. It is how government property is embedded in better at catching miscreants. land registration comes to be such a the national psyche, we seem to Obviously, without exposure, there is minefield for "galamsey". Again, think that it takes only a change of no catching. So, we must be making when fully subscribing to the Ten party colours to have it stemmed. It progress, no? Commandments - thou shall not is how it comes about that at the steal and all - we are still quite happy approach of elections, the party that For further progress, we note with stealing government time, stationery has ambitions begins to cry itself the satisfaction of lexicographers that or air time and it gets worse. hoarse about corruption in the land people can be "mobilized" to go on Government vehicles burning fuel demonstrations against corruption. bought by government take us to the And so "Zero Tolerance "! For But reported from one party most unlikely places. assessment, it is instructive that the congress, "check yourself" has also come into the vocabulary. It is the advice that the media too must find useful, as it echoes Plato's "know thyself".

We wonder also at what songs are appropriate for a street demon­ stration against corruption . ROUSing as it is, not "when the saints go marching in ", surely? So, how about "we are all involved '?

"Don't go away" is Larry King.

"Stay tuned" is us!

25 OBSERVER NOTEBOOK

The Flagbearer Election Season

As we go to press, two political K. Safo, Dr. K. of money in the campaign has been parties are poised to elect their C P P Nduom, Prof. A. discussed in the media, withs harply candidates to contest the 2008 B. Akosa, and differing but strongly held opinions election. Two other parties, the NDC lawyer Bright on this issue. Some feel that the and PNC, have already elected their Akwetey are unbridled demonstration of the role candidates. The NDC has elected contesting the of money does not augur well for CPP flag bearer­ democracy, while others look on it as ship. The party one of the prices we have to pay for with the largest developing our fledgling democracy. field of aspiring presidential cadidates is the NPP, with It is the view of The New Legon a field of 17 candidates comprising Observer that on the whole all that is the current Vice President, several happening on the political scene N former ministers of state and a augurs well for the country. We couple of ordinary party · members. would however wish to caution the The candidates are: Vice President candidates not to send the wrong Aliu Mahama, Mr Kwabena Agye­ signals to the general public about Professor J.E.A. Mills, who will be pong, Dr. Arthur Kennedy, Hon . the role of money in contemporary making his third attempt at being Profesor Mike Ocquaye, Han. Nana Ghanaian politics. elected President of Ghana, having Akuffo Addo, Hon. Hackman Owusu­ failed in his two previous bids in 2000 Agyemang, Mr Alan Kyeremateng, It is our hope that all the congresses and 2004. Dr Edward Mahama will be Profesor K. Frimpong·Soateng, Mr will pass off peacefully, WIthout any making an unprecedented fourth Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, violence, intimida­ attempt to lead Ghana on the ticket Mr Boakye-Agyarko, tion or manipulation of the PNC, after ,-____--, Hon . Yaw Osafo-Maafo, of any kind and that unsuccessful Han. Felix Owusu Adje­ at the end of it all attempts in 1996 pong , Han. Papa Owusu the political parties , 2000 and 2004. - Ankomah , Dr. B. Agyei - will give us the best

His candidature Barwuah , Dr. Kwame NPP: DEVELOPMENT IN FREEDOM possible candidate for 2008 is being Addo Kuffuor, Mr Dan who will also be challenged by a Botwe and Hon. K. K. dedicated to con­ series of court Apraku. ducting a clean, free and fair election actions insitituted campaign in 2008, leading to the by the Vice Service whh Hon ..ty Various views have been expressed election of the best possible President Chairman of his by the public on the calibre of for Ghana. party, Hon. John Ndebugre, Member cadidates being fielded by the various of Parliament for Zebilla . parties, their qualities and shortcomings, and their ability to lead The CPP is scheduled to hold its the country. People have expressed congress to elect its presidential both positive and negative views cadidate from 14th to 16th December about the campaign strategies in Kumasi. Six candidates, namely, Mr adopted by various candidates, George Agudey, Dr. F.W.A. Akuffo, Dr. particularly those of the NPP. The role

26 ""-.J

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