#fiction.
A reply to a published letter in the news by Ghana's ace satirist Kwaku Sintim Misa to an imaginary foot soldier of a political party.
Theme: Call for peace in the 2012 elections.
Hello KSM,
Its indeed being long, I'm doing very
well except that I can't make time to watch your show these days because
of my busy schedules. Don't ask me if I'm busy addressing foot
soldiers? Indeed, I received your letter with much excitement knowing
that at least you make time out of your comic schedules to monitor what
goes on within the political space especially with the recent call I
made to members of my party's youth wing.
KSM, it will interest
you to know that after your letter, I went for the tapes to listen
thoroughly to the things I said, I realized that what I spewed out
smacked of violence and could be destructive to this country and my
party, I guess my emotions carried me away but trust me; anytime I
listen to the tapes again, I become even more remorseful. I took with
particular interest the part of your letter which admonished me to
“understand the importance of inspiring hope without planting seeds of
agitation” and especially when you requested that I master the ability
to ignite unconditional optimism amongst the youth wing of my party. Bra
Kweku ei! I must confess that I haven't heard such refreshing
exhortations in a long time. But do you have to blame me fully? Each
time I tune in my radio in the morning, what do I hear? Party
communicators at the throat of each other, senior politicians making
ethnocentric and violent calls, government officials using abusive
languages and worse of all serial callers some of whom I've worked
closely with, casting silly aspersions on the character of our national
leaders.
KSM, did you say your heart was broken after you heard my
reference to Rwanda? Masa, stop!!! “Kpa kwraa” don't even worry about
sponsoring foot soldiers to go to Rwanda. The movie, HOTEL RWANDA tells
the story enough. I managed to send the copy of the movie to a few young
friends in the party who had no seen it. Indeed, human beings can
degenerate into the lowest state of inhumanity. I feel even more ashamed
over my pronouncements and I think that every leader or young
politician who has either consciously or otherwise made similar
unwarranted calls should give it a second thought.
I'm worried
about recent happenings; where pockets of violence have been recorded in
about seven regions in the country. It's a cause for alarm especially
when in about six months; we are going to the polls. Please join me to
call on the security forces to be more responsive and alert as well as
the good people of this country to exercise some restraint. I would very
much want you to know, KSM, that my interest in this year's election
has not waivered a bit, especially when I'm of the conviction that my
party and my presidential candidate have the best programs and policies
to make this country even better. However, NEVER should violence be an
option. I think every young Ghanaian must understand that elections are
not necessarily about violence or who can yell insults the fastest. It's
merely a contest of ideas and we must say No to politicians who tickle
our energies by charging us to go and fight for them to win power
irrespective of which part of the political divide they belong to. The
truth is, I'm just 26 and I don't want to die this young; neither do I
want any Ghanaian to die. Ghana needs us after this election. Indeed,
KSM, I hope God forgives anybody who plants the seed of violence in this
country. We are a peace loving people. And we must even GET UNITED NOW
for Peace irrespective of our divergent ideologies and opinions. I'm
committed to a new campaign for peace and unity and responsible
youthfulness where our energies would be channeled productively to
ensure national progress. This must be a clarion call to all young
leaders and political actors in this country. Indeed, GHANA FIRST!!!
Finally,
KSM, it would interest you to know that Methodist Hymn 899 is my all
time favourite and every young citizen must ponder over these words of
Rudyard Kipling, (1865 – 1936)
Land of our Birth, we pledge to thee
Our love and toil in the years to be;
When we are grown, and take our place,
As men and women with our race.
God Bless you KSM and it was good hearing from you.
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