Jarreth Merz’s Movie : An African Election

ADDRESSING THE FLAWS OF ORGANIZING ELECTIONS IN AFRICA By Ben Ofosu Appiah

After watching Jarreth Merz’s internationally acclaimed movie, An African Election, and all the commentary and interviews about it, I realized how close we were to violence in 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections. One interview that caught my attention was the one conducted by Paul Adom Otchere of Metro TV. The interviewer made a lot out of having cameras in the EC strong room and I ask myself: What’s the fuss about having cameras in the EC strong room?

Jarreth Merz did a great job by filming the EC strong room during the 2008 elections for his acclaimed movie; “An African Election”.

Ghana’s Poor Reap None of The New Riches:

By Ben Ofosu-Appiah. , Tokyo, Japan.

From Poverty to Middle Income Status A Boulevard of Broken Promises

Africa’s long suffering people are all too frequently caught in the crossfire of rampaging wars, millions afflicted with diseases, preyed upon by greedy despots and prevented by corrupt leaders and bureaucracies in a kleptocracy from obtaining basic schooling, medical attention, and any semblance of economic opportunities.

A look at the socio-political and economic environment in Ghana today reveals a horrifying picture. There is massive corruption, staggering poverty, unemployment, poor education, deteriorating infrastructure, and general degree of hopelessness among the youth who feel very disappointed and let down by their political leaders. According to the 2007 World Bank Human Development Index, almost half of the national population live below the poverty line surviving on less than a dollar per day. And as many as over 75% live on less than $2.oo a day. The economic conditions felt by the ordinary Ghanaian are poorer than ever.

The NDC Is Not NDC Without It’s Core Values: Probity And Accountability

By Ben Ofosu-Appiah, Tokyo, JAPAN

With the NDC delegates conference in Sunyani over and the endorsement of  Attah Mills peace is supposed to return to the party and all factions are supposed to join hands, close ranks and work together in unity. However it is easier said than done and it looks like it is not going to be easy to mend fences.  The refusal of Nana Konadu to concede defeat, congratulate the winner, raise his hand, give a concession speech and pledge support to Mills for the 2012 campaign is something that is going to hurt the NDC as 2012 approaches. Nana Konadu should have been graceful in defeat and Mills humble in victory.

The NDC At The Crossroads: Unattractive And Just Another Political Party Without Rawlings

By Ben Ofosu-Appiah, Tokyo, JAPAN

With the NDC delegates conference in Sunyani over and the endorsement of  Attah Mills peace is supposed to return to the party and all factions are supposed to join hands, close ranks and work together in unity. However it is easier said than done and it looks like it is not going to be easy to mend fences.  The refusal of Nana Konadu to concede defeat, congratulate the winner, raise his hand, give a concession speech and pledge support to Mills for the 2012 campaign is something that is going to hurt the NDC as 2012 approaches. Nana Konadu should have been graceful in defeat and Mills humble in victory.

Government Must Tackle Seriously This Outrageous Interest Rates

By Ben Ofosu-Appiah

“Deposit your money with a commercial bank in Ghana and the interest you earn on it can be as low as 7%. Borrow money from a commercial bank in Ghana and you will be faced with an interest rate of 30% or higher.” This was how a friend recently put it. Why are interest rates in Ghana so outrageously high and the Bank of Ghana and the government not doing anything about it?