In American politics who is without blemish?

These are interesting times both in the United States and in Ghana. This is because both countries have just organized successful and both—winners of the presidential elections—have the arduous task of making political appointments. Suddenly, there are tons of congratulatory messages from all manner of people and organizations which tend to send the subtle message of “remember me in thy kingdom”.

In the United States, President-elect Obama appeared to have no problem coming up with nominations for certain offices. These nominees were largely hailed by the hundreds of political analysts who, for a moment, sounded like the country was occupied by angelic hosts singing alleluia to the King of kings.

Just as in the days of Ezekiel there suddenly appears a whole valley not of dry bones or should I say skeletons being uncovered from the political closets of some of these appointees.

Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff – described by the Washington Post as being “extremely comfortable with profanity”, an attribute which reportedly made Nancy Pelosi remark that the economic stimulus plan could be paid for if we "put a quarter in a jar every time Rahm uses a swear word."

Hilary Clinton, Secretary of State – accused of possible conflict of interest in dealing with some foreign nations because of her husband’s charitable organization and questions about who are funding his work

Bill Richardson, Secretary of Commerce – threw in the towel following investigations involving a pay-for-play deal in his state of New Mexico.

Attorney General, Eric Holder – a former deputy Attorney General in the Clinton administration; he will have to answer for his involvement in the ‘last minute Kufuor-like’ pardon granted by President Clinton to a financier of the Democratic Party, Mark Rich who had been charged with federal tax evasion. There are also concerns about his involvement in a case involving an Elian Gonzalez and his work with a law firm.

Deputy Defense Secretary, William Lynn – contrary to expectations Obama nominated a lobbyist for one of the biggest defense contracting companies to serve as deputy to Robert Gates. Lynn is senior vice president of the company, Raytheon, which is said to have billions of dollars in contracts of the defense department and will be involved in the budget and acquisitions and the day-to-day administration of the defense department.

CIA Director, Leon Panetta – his skeleton is that he lacks the experience necessary for a specialized position as the head of an intelligence agency

Timothy Geithner, Treasury Secretary- for someone who will be responsible for overseeing the IRS he has to contend with answering how he failed to pay about $42,700 in back taxes and penalties and only paying more than half of the amount after he learnt that he was being considered for the position. He is also accused of keeping his former housekeeper even when her immigration status elapsed.

Perhaps, the most interesting twist given to all of these concerns is the alleged attempt by the governor of Illinois, Obama’s home state to sell off the senate seat which became vacant as a result of Obama’s election. This probably has been the most embarrassing for the newly-elected President because it involves his home state and his previously held seat.

In spite of these concerns, however, the ever-defiant Governor Rod Blagojevich has gone ahead to appoint Roland Burris for that position.

This is one country that values record-keeping and no matter how long ago it takes, your sins will definitely catch up with you one day. Many people have fallen from grace because of acts they indulged in years ago. This is what makes America the leveler of men. From Chief Executive Officers, Senators, Mayors and Governors at best a near clean sheet or at worst a public admission of wrongdoing and an apology is the only way to go.

The irony of this strong system of accountability is that some people still get to slip through the system and Governor Blagojevich may yet be one of them especially in a country where political appointments understand the language of quid pro quo or “something for something”.

It appears that questions would keep flying about appointees, but the truth is that, most of them will scale through the congressional hearings. The question, therefore, is no longer who is without blemish but whose blemish can be politically tolerated?

A tale of two former first ladies

Ghanaians have decided that Prof. Mills should be their next president. Thankfully we also have another former president in the making. President Kufuor will now join Ex-President Rawlings in that ‘hall of fame’. Whether you agree with me or not, both personalities have paid their due to this country and we must be grateful to them.

The country is also now going to have two former first ladies—Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and Theresa Kufuor.

One thing was made clear during the electioneering campaign and even now the point has taken on a more compelling significance that most Ghanaians will want to see a new administration devoid of any ‘interference’ from former President Rawlings — something, I believe, he will live up to perfectly. As President Kufuor joins him, this country must be the richer in tapping the wisdom of these two fine personalities.

I am, however, more concerned about two former first ladies. Both of them during their tenure as first ladies embarked on programs that largely worked to improve the lot of women and children. Fortunately these are programs that can still be pursued if they chose to do so.

In the United States, former first ladies have embarked on their own programs or pursued active political life as Mrs. Hilary Clinton is doing; I can imagine that Mrs. Laura Bush may want to continue writing books or do something she is passionate about. What I cannot see any two of these ladies doing is imposing their programs either overtly or covertly on Mrs. Obama who has indicated that she would like to spend more time with her daughters among other things.

Reading through the lines of Nana Konadu Rawlings’ New Year message which was published in the media I am tempted (albeit fairly) to imagine that with an NDC win she may want to re-engage in active public life by resurrecting the red berets. I have no qualms about bringing the red berets back to life; after all, it is in the interest of women and children BUT it is important to remind her of a number of things.

* In an attempt to carry out her legitimate duty of working with women I hope that the 31st DWM does not become more powerful than the official ministry mandated to work for women and children (I hope you know what I am talking about)

* It is important for her to allow our new first lady, Naadu Mills together with her next in line, Lordina Mahama, to decide what they want to do that is if they so choose to execute any special projects.

* I must indicate to her, without attempting to be personal, that as a woman equally interested in the welfare of all women and children, I will not be silent if the DWM’s activities are made to overshadow what the Ministry of Women and Children (if it stays as such) does for all women and children of Ghana or whatever enterprise the First Lady chooses to embark on unless she decides to adopt the red berets in which case I will redirect my energies to some other venture.

Whatever paths the two former first ladies separately pursue I hope that it will be truly and sincerely geared towards the welfare of women and children without getting into the pettiness often associated with rivalry.

To Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and Theresa Kufuor I say kudos for playing your respective roles to my admiration, although I have my reservations which I will not burden readers with; however, please, if you choose to continue working for women and children just remember that Nana Konadu, you already bear the title of ‘former’ first lady and Theresa Kufuor, you will cease to be first lady as of January 7, 2009.

Re-Does Ghana Exist?

After the December 7 elections, I came across this thought-provoking article, Does Ghana exist, written by Oluniyi David Ajao. His analysis on the coverage or lack of it by the international media caught my attention immediately because this subject of international reportage of Africa has always been an area of interest moreso ever since I set foot in this country.

Having read that article, I decided to give America’s topmost news organization, CNN, a very ‘close marking’ to see what they would put out about Ghana’s elections if they decided to put out anything at all. I found two news stories, one of which was filed by the Associated Press (AP). I was not surprised that Ghana deserved two stories but Zimbabwe deserved much more considering the fact that good news is no news to the media.

The coup in Guinea a couple of days ago following the death of Lasana Conte confirmed this further. On the Yahoo news page, maintained by the Associated Press, the news of the coup gained a ‘permanent post’ status just as it did on CNN. It was a story for CNN International or Inside Africa, where most African stories will end up, but for CNN world which is targeted at the American audience. Ever since the coup occurred, news about Guinea receives constant update and is given the “place of pride” on the network’s internet page.

When it comes to Ghana’s elections, not so much prominence but at least there was some mention. Okay so what did CNN say about Ghana’s elections? I will reproduce portions of the two reports.

Queues form outside polling stations for Ghanaian election
ACCRA, Ghana (AP) -- Voters slept on the concrete sidewalks outside polling stations seeking to be the first to cast their ballot in Ghana's historic election Sunday, a vote that could solidify its place as one of the few mature democracies in Africa.

As the polls opened, they waited their turn patiently, their ID cards tucked into the folds of their colorful cloth. In the courtyard of a school, one man dragged himself to the voting booth on a walker, his ballot card in his mouth.

Voters in this coastal African nation are acutely aware of the responsibility they bear as they cast their ballot to elect their next president.

"The whole world is watching Ghana because Ghana is enlightened," said Beatrice Mantey, a retired schoolteacher who had sent her niece overnight to save her a place in line. "No matter who wins, Ghana has already won -- because whoever wins we will accept it," she said.
Flanked on one side by Togo, a nation ruled for 41 years by the same family, and on the other by Ivory Coast, a fractured state only now emerging from civil war, Ghana is a rare example of democracy.

Ghana presidential runoff set for December 28

(CNN) -- A presidential runoff election in Ghana will be held December 28, the nation's electoral commission announced Wednesday.
Voters went to the polls across Ghana on Sunday to choose a successor to President John Kufuor, who is stepping down after two terms.

"The significance of this election is that Ghana is going to tell the world, 'We understand the need for democracy and we can do it. We can get it right,"' said Akwasi Osei, a Ghanaian who is now a political science professor at Delaware State University.

With Ghana averaging 6 percent growth, roughly three times the global average, the ruling NPP Party is campaigning on a platform of continuity.

They point to the fact that during Kufuor's two terms in office Ghana has become an economic success story. Foreign investment has grown 2000 percent, while exports shot up from $1.6 billion in 2001 to $4.2 billion now.

Yet for all the statistics indicating success, many here say they have little to show for what economists quantify as progress. Much of the country has no electricity and even in the capital, the poor relieve themselves on the white sand beach because they have no latrines.

Regardless of who wins, Ghanaians are keenly aware of the example they set. Ever since 1957 when it became the first nation in Africa to declare independence from its colonial ruler, Ghana has had the weight of history on its shoulders. For Ghanaians, it's important that the election goes off without the all-too-common hooliganism, ballot stuffing and violence that continues to plague African elections.

Both news reports are undoubtedly about Ghana’s elections. They both carry some concerns about why Ghana cannot afford to lose out if it is to maintain its image as a country that serves as a “rare example of democracy in Africa”.

AP: I am not surprised that the AP decided to start off its story portraying the Ghanaian voter as not being enlightened enough to keep their voter identification cards in places other than the folds of our colourful cloth. It even goes further to describe how someone had his card in his mouth.

CNN: Typical representation of Africa by the international media is not lost out on CNN’s news report which notes the successes chalked by the Kufuor administration but does not fail to add that for all the statistics “much of the country has no electricity and even in the capital, the poor relieve themselves on the white sand beach because they have no latrines”.

Stereotypical news reporting or journalism is what the international media is noted for especially when it comes to the way they report about Africa. There is never a time when positive news about an African country is reported without referring to a war that once broke out in the country or other references to ethnic, ancestral, and primitive links to the story.

It is as though Africa must in every case have some negative label to its news. It seems very out of place to talk about elections and somehow link it to people in the capital (which is seen as the place where civilization should be the norm) relieving themselves on white sands.

Is it possible that stories about Ghana’s elections can be devoid of any label that has no direct bearing on the elections and what Ghanaians have achieved for their country and for Africa? While looking out for what CNN will carry about the run-off elections, I will attempt to answer Oluniyi’s question that: yes Ghana exists but I am not sure how it exists in the minds of the international media.
For now CNN has made it clear what it will be looking out for by reminding Ghanaians that “it's important that the election goes off without the all-too-common hooliganism, ballot stuffing and violence that continues to plague African elections”.