Poison in Prison; Mahama’s 3rd term; Okudzeto’s evacuees – Enimil Ashon writes

This “attempted poisoning” business at the Nsawam Prison! I am alarmed because I am concerned about the health of Chairman Wontumi.

But what type of poisoning was it: food, drug, drink? Or did some inmate blow a poisoned powdered substance that went through Wontumi’s nostrils or his mouth? In the first place, does Wontumi have a cell mate? Are prisoners allowed to share food, drink, or medicines with cellmates, or anybody for that matter?

The Ghana Prisons Service has, predictably, promised a “thorough” investigation. The question, however, is: what is being investigated–that someone attempted to poison Wontumi?

I thought the first action by the Service should have been to prove poisoning, and what better and more convincing proof can there be than the word of a medical officer?

First of all, was Wontumi rushed (sent) to the hospital? Is there a medical report? Ghana waits with bated breath for this report. Not unconnected with the poisoning issue is Wontumi’s call for prison reforms. News reports say he has begun to make interventions to improve the living conditions of inmates.

It is said of Krobo Edusei, one-time Minister for the Interior in the First Republic, that having spent time at Nsawam Prisons after the 1966 coup, he told friends that had he known or been ever told about the heat in Ghanaian prisons, he, as Minister, would have installed air-conditioners in all prison cells!!

Second matter arising: President Mahama and a feared third-term attempt.

Are the Minority in Parliament, in particular, and the New Patriotic Party seized of facts that make the President’s word a lie?. More than once, both directly and indirectly, Mahama has given his word that a third term is not on the cards for him.

For an undisclosed reason, however, the opposition is bent on letting everybody believe that they “know” the President is insincere in his protestations; that he, indeed, is eyeing a third term in office. Could it be because of the words of that Bono Region prophet whom Mahama visited recently?

The TV news item reported that the prophet predicted a third term for the President.

Or was it Prophet Roja’s statement on Angel FM and other platforms that he foresaw John Dramani Mahama making a comeback for a third term and claiming victory?

He “prophesied” during a radio interview that John Dramani Mahama would make a comeback to run for and win a third term despite prior statements.

Are these what is informing the conviction of the NPP? Haven’t we, as a people, decided to put no store by the word of these prophets, to the point of even banning them from prophesying on New Year’s Eve?

Since when did Ghanaians resume trust in the word of our prophets? In July 2024, Rev. Kusi Boateng, founder of Power Chapel World Wide Church, prophesied that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia would be crowned President of Ghana in that year’s elections.

To loud applause, he even predicted the exact date on which the results would be declared. Both prophecies turned out false. Rev Kusi Boateng was the former Executive Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees.

Knowing some of our prophets the way Ghanaians do, it is surprising that anybody, let alone a political tradition, would doubt the word of the President (or any human being, for that matter) based on prophecies by “men of God” whom we all, as a nation, have agreed should be ignored because they are stomach-prophets.

My biggest surprise is that the NPP is concerned that Mahama would attempt a third term. If the word of the opposition is to be believed, and Mahama has performed so abysmally, then there should rather be joy in the NPP camp if he “threatens” to attempt a third term. Why? Because, against such “unimpressive” performance, even a mental patient in NPP colours should win against Mahama.

Third Matter Arising: Okudzeto Ablakwa versus Evacuees’ Palava.

The NPP and the Minority in Parliament have questioned the disbursement of the GH¢49.72 million spent to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa between May 27 and September 4. Among others, there have been allegations that some evacuees received less than the announced GH¢5,500 support package.

At the centre of it all is the man better known to Ghanaians for his ORAL crusade.

For a man who won admiration for his pursuit of righteousness over National Cathedral contracts and expenditures, the allegations are surprising, if not shocking.

Some citizens are pointing out the obvious, that the Minority are pursuing an agenda against NDC who made life uncomfortable for them in government.

They have made no secret of their intention not only to pay the Foreign Minister, personally, back in his own coin, but also, as a grand agenda towards 2028, to employ all the tricks deployed by the NDC while in opposition to create disaffection for Akufo-Addo’s government.

I think that for Okudzeto Ablakwa, the way forward should be simple: be as transparent as possible with records regarding charter flight arrangements and expenditure.