WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED FOR A PEACEFUL ELECTION 2012?

In exactly five weeks from now, the country called Ghana will ask her citizens to choose for themselves a leader for the next four years provided all things being equal. Yeah, it is the election that has been tagged as the make or break by many. Many also think that despite Election 2008 was regarded as tough and highly competitive, that of the impending one is on an even higher pedestal. Among the many names assigned this election, that which remains on the lips of many and even in the recesses of their memories and that which promises to go into history is that of the All-Die-Be-Die mantra. Indeed, it is an all-die-be-die election but we are in a position now than ever to make it the most peaceful election in our democratic dispensation. Firstly, as expected in any worthy election there must be a sense of competition. A healthy competition is that which all worthy societies wish for and progressively attempts to seek during such elections. However, that of the December 7th, 2012 elections in Ghana is fast promising to fall below this standard. Will it? However, natural occurrences seem to be working against this from happening. The NPP presidential candidate is credited for that infamous mantra of all-die-be-die. He and his party executives have tried on almost all fronts to tell the good people of Ghana that that expression is just a wake-up call; a clarion one on their supporters for surveillance before and during the elections. This certainly was condemned in no uncertain terms by many well-meaning Ghanaians and civil groups. But hey! Wait a second. Has the NPP stopped propagating such a mantra: militancy, anger, acrimony? To be fair to the loyalists of the NPP, my best answer is NO! Yes, no! To even make matters worse for the major opposition party, the NPP, is the highly individualistic perspective from which the lenses of the glasses of the flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo seems to be viewing. As should be expected in an election, the main opposition would like to win back power but the condition of Nana Addo raises the stakes even higher and tighter. Here is an astute politician with the dream of reliving the days of his father at the presidency. Unfortunately, his attempt at the presidency has not been successful until today. The greatest enemy, now, for him is his age. At 68, he has to win the impending election or forget it. This is because should he lose this election, he will be 72 at the time of the next elections in 2016 and it will be very suicidal for his party to bring him back as their presidential candidate. This is, indeed, the basis of the all-die-be-die nature of the election from the NPP’s standard-bearer’s point of view. For PR gimmicks, one does not expect the NPP to accept this stance publicly. But the grand question is whether the NPP will allow the egoistic obsession of an individual to ruin the fortunes of the whole party in impending elections and throw the country into doom? Or will they stand up to reality and assert that should we lose, there is still another day; even if not with Nana Addo, it will certainly be one of us? This is their dilemma. For me, this is not a dilemma at all. It is a straight forward issue that must be answered without shivering by the party hierarchy and her loyalists. Oh yeah! The National Democratic Party (NDP) led by Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings had even drawn the National Democratic Congress (NDC) into the web of the all-die-be-die nature of the elections. Yes, it did. It is a fact that the NDP was in the election to destruct the chances of the NDC. From that perspective, the NDC were all up in arms to fight back. Certainly, this increased the tension characterising the campaigns to the election. Fortunately (yes fortunately, not only for the NDC but for the whole country in the name of reduction of the tension), the NDP was disqualified. It might be difficulty to understand why the simple filling of forms might be the toughest thing for a political party to do. How possible? How then can they muster the courage to tell you and I that they are in to govern? But again, is this not a possible manifestation of the invisible hand at work in the affairs of our country? This is possible because it will calm tension within the NDC which hitherto would have been more aggressive to counter the NPP knowing that NDP is on its (NDC) heels. But now that NDP is out of the race (at least for now until the ruling by the Supreme Court on the issue as brought before it by the NDP), the NDC is calmer and certainly this will reduce the overall aggression they will take into the elections. The political temperature and tempers in the country started rising towards the 2012 elections immediately after the late president was sworn in as president of Ghana. This continued until a man acclaimed by all: both young and old, rich and poor, literate and illiterates, Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians, indeed, people of all races, as a gentle, calm and peace-loving, the late Prof. J.E.A. Mills gave up his spirit to do what has now been christened as ‘to perform celestial duties’. Has the peace-loving man not paid the ultimate price for us? Then, the disqualification of the NDP comes in afterwards. These are two paramount and high pitch sounding signals that we must protect the peace we have as a country. Let not destroy the little that has been built. Just imagine how we have struggled to get this far. How do we begin all over again? Let this ring through your mind as the election approaches. What else do we need in order to control ourselves so as to ensure a peaceful election after all that nature has worked for us (some though sorrowful) through highly non-understandable angles? As the D-day approaches, we keep our fingers crossed and expect each and every one of us to do our best in the supreme interest of the country and our own existence as humans and behave as expected. The best candidate ought to win and transform the fortunes of our people. Remember in all things you can make the world better with the power of your thought. Think about it! Lawer Egbenya (laweregbenya@gmail.com, www.danielegbenya.blogspot.com).

THE ‘IMPARTIAL’ RULING OF A ‘PARTIAL’ JUDGE

To Daniel, God is the upright judge. Certainly, there is none that holds the truth and nothing but the absolute truth resides with Him alone. Unfortunately, humans, in our mortal existence are confronted with diverse issues that require determination of the truthfulness or otherwise. In all these circumstances, we pretend to seek for nothing but the truth. More often than not humans massage the truth mostly in an attempt to project a particular course or aim! Democracy, today, is touted as the best form of government by many. To me, this goes to confirm that school of thought that in the midst of the worst things, the worse is always the best. One understands this assertion especially when s/he takes into cognisance the woes of some countries which are rated highly on the democratic pedestal. Oh yeah, I hope you know democracy is not just the ‘peaceful’ change of government through the ballot box. It goes far beyond that. For me, anytime I hear democracy being nicknamed as “The Best” form of government, only three understandings come to mind: development, development and development. But is that what we see in Ghana and in many other places where the foundation of democracy is hyped as being firmly rooted? Has democracy not been reduced to the mere media freedom which in most instances warrants the doling out of largesse to the so-called senior journalists who will splashed the front pages of their tabloid newspapers lauding the democratic tendency and perceived development-oriented agenda of their pay masters? Oh yeah and we have those we call human rights advocates! Hahahahaaaa. Advocates, indeed! They only remember they are advocates when the rights of some sections of the populace are trampled upon. One wonders why transparency, justice and accountability to one’s people can’t be found in our national transactions. I hope you know that the mere trumpeting of these ‘cliché’ by some individuals does not convince you to think that they are better at respecting and projecting these principles than the culprits who have dumped these essential prerequisites in any meaningful leadership engagement. Despite it is not over yet, the date Wednesday, 19th September, 2012 marked not only a significant but a memorable day in the democratic dispensation of Ghana. The brouhaha about the creation of forty five constituencies by the Electoral Commission which will be used in the impending national presidential and parliamentary elections had what is generally christened the Series of EC’s Legal Battles. The adrenaline levels of many especially those for the creation increased to unimaginable levels taken into consideration rulings of the courts in recent past. My oh my! In the morning of the above date, many politicians, political watchers and lovers of politics were in a dilemma as to what will be the outcome of the nation’s highest court’s, the Supreme Court, ruling. To many, the fate of the December, 7th elections this year especially with reference to the audacity to be felt by the EC rests on this day’s ruling. Another intriguing aspect of the whole “show” was when another lawyer who was for the creation filed another case at the Supreme Court in the morning of the same day asking the Court not to hear the case in which opponents of the creation of the constituencies are asking for an injunction to be placed on parliament preventing it from sitting and subsequently passing the constitutional instrument (CI) creating the constituencies, CI 78. No sooner than later, the judge was ready with his ruling on which political watchers tag as the fate of the “All-Die-Be-Die” elections. Injunction or no injunction remained the questions on the lips of many. He finally pronounced his ruling and as common sense and perhaps precedence will have it, a country which is praised for its stable democracy must not be seen trembling with the foundation of what she is praised for. He threw away the application for the injunction. This is a matter in which everyone accepts that the EC is constitutionally mandated to do so. The issue of the duration to the elections being short is the most talked about by those against the creation. Certainly, this is a fact. Interestingly though, the chief organiser of the election, EC, says that’s no challenge. This is what baffles me. Is it that the main opposition, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) benefited from the creation of the thirty constituencies which was done when it was in power and hence are suspicious the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) will do same? To even make matters more intriguing, those against the creation are seen vigorously campaigning as parliamentary candidates in the yet-to-be created constituencies. What a world we live in! Another source of the confusion is that despite the NPP says the time limit to the elections is short and hence it will be too much of a challenge to organise parliamentary primaries to elect candidates in the to-be-created constituencies, their candidates in some of the existing constituencies are now being elected. What a world we live in! I can’t also forget that claim that there is not much money to be used on the new law-makers should the constituencies be created. Yeah, that’s explicit. It’s a fact. The issue of unemployment, lack of potable drinking water, diseases and the gulf of difficulties which have entangled us as a nation are still with us today but what do we see! Ain’t we in this state before we, as a people, have legalised the payment of unimaginable and unthinkable amounts to be chopped by few in power and also use gargantuan amounts to pay peanuts which have accumulated over the years, the so called judgement debts? Do you remember the most used word in Ghana in the year 2009 – Ex gratia? What about the on-going astronomical salary increment of the current MPs? Certainly, our democracy needs a reform. We need democracy but it must be adjusted to suit our existence as a people; one that is geared towards bettering the generality of the people and not those in power and their cohorts at any particular time. The main question now is will the partial judge be impartial in the determination of the substantive case which seeks to prevent the EC from embarking on the creation of the proposed constituencies come next month? We are in the hands of time! Let’s work for the betterment of humanity at all times for remember your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it! Lawer Egbenya. (laweregbenya@gmail.com, www.modernghana.com/author/laweregbenya)

CHANGE WE NEED

It is said that change is the only constant parameter in the universe; anything else under goes one form of transformation or the other at a point in time. This change, in almost all cases, is a must and a necessity that must be attained. Intriguing as it maybe, some people don’t think about the essence of change; the relevance of change is not in their psyche. To them, the status quo is always the best. A prominent mark of the adherents of the status quo is the ability of not thinking about change; they do not think about envisaging how the other option would be should they consider doing it. You know what? Sometimes, we must undergo some life experiences at a stage in life because once that is done, our psyche about the need for change is more than bound to change. One critical example that comes to mind is the European weather. Certainly, this experience will be better felt and understood in some countries like Norway as against places like Spain. Whilst a fairly nice weather condition prevail all-year-round in the latter, talk of the scenario in the former and the word ‘change’ would hurriedly be on your lips to be spewed out. All the four European seasons are well defined and felt in their highly marked characteristics. As summer gives way to autumn, the broad smiles on the faces of many inhabitants greet you. Conversely, as autumn says goodbye to winter despite the much skiing escapades that many people will undergo, the once lively faces of many will assume opposite description. Then, the call for change starts dripping from the lips of many. The intensity of the cold sometimes makes one’s lips and ears hurt so much to the point that one feels as if those body parts have been cut off with a sharp cutting edge. Also, the once green, broad and lively leaves of trees and grasses which later turned yellowish and smell of love in autumn are nowhere to behold. Everything is dried up. Certainly, these situations will urge you to call for change contrary to others in other places with much nice weather conditions. Talking about change, I remember some of the so called age-old practices in Ghana. I accept tradition not as a religion but as a way of life and that this must be cherished and preserved. Again, I share in the belief that a spice of tradition with ‘relevant modernity or westernisation’ will be a perfect match. Despite my admiration for tradition, some form of our traditional practices cannot stand the test of time. Yes, they can’t! For instance, what’s the building of camps for people who we deem posses witchcraft for? Sometime last year and early part of this month, I watched and read news items on this subject which showed the horrifying, agonising and dehumanising condition in which these supposed witches live. I hate witches. Yes, I do. Since the day I touched this planet called earth, I have been made aware of the attack of witches upon my life but glory to God am still alive and kicking. Even as I write this piece, I still have snippets of misfortunes in my life which people ascribe the machinations of witchcraft to. Certainly, a person like me would abhor such people. However, the witch camps in Ghana pose a lot of mind-numbing questions which necessitate a change in action. For example, why is it that all the people in these camps are women? Does it mean that men do not posses witchcraft? Why is it that almost all these camps are in the northern part of the country? Does it mean that the building of such camps is only a tradition by some tribes in the northern part of the country? What then happens to members of those tribes who posses witchcraft but reside in the southern part of the country? Has anybody sat down to think about the future of the mostly young girls who accompany the supposed witches who are ousted from their places of abode to serve as helps to these alleged witches in the camps? These are some of the reasons why I think we need to change. Folk, wait a minute! Do you agree that there are a lot of power broker politicians, captains of industry, CEOs of multi (national and billion) companies, entertainment superstars and many rich people who are from the north? Have any of their mothers ever been sent to any of these camps? Or is it the case that none of these people’s mothers practise witchcraft? Please, I am not for a moment suggesting that they do. Not at all! But what do you think will happen if one of these influential people in Ghana have his/her mum in any of these unreachable and forgotten parts of the country? Time and again, I have heard the saying that a woman becomes a witch when life begins to take its toll on her; when wrinkles begin to take over her once crème de la crème face; when her identity is now but what the Ewes called “kesekaba”. Is it that we as a people have now accepted this as a well-thought out and scientifically researched finding? If so, why does it only seems to be applied to aged mothers of the poor ones in society? Why not those of the rich ones too? Or is the application to poor aged women one of the conditions under which this ‘research finding’ holds? Shockingly, the number of inmates in these camps is on the surge. It is estimated that not less than 3000 old women and their granddaughters (in most cases) live in these camps. It is always a Christmas time for them should a day go by and they are able to manage with just a piece of food and a cup of water since in most instances they go without food and water. Potable water to them is akin to the possession of the most expensive jewellery. Talk of electricity? They do not know what that is. Sometimes, I tend to think that if these alleged witches are treated in this manner, won’t they be angered and cause more havoc? Witchcraft must not be allowed in human existence. However, we must treat alleged witches and wizards with a sense of our collective humane feeling. The Ministries of Local Government and Rural Development; and Women and Children’s Affairs must take active steps in closing down these camps. Again, influential people from communities where these camps still exist must initiate talks with their people and integrate these alleged witches into our society as well as assist the young girls to get to school. How about the so called human rights groups and other civic societies in the country? I guess the rights groups ain’t telling us that it is only the rights of the most powerful politicians that matter. Also, the unnecessary and uncivilised disturbances that marked the maiden biometric voter’s registration in the country which in most cases have been laid at the footstep of politicians cannot be accepted as our way of doing things. For me, the much frustration and weariness that prospective registrants went through could have been highly minimised. Apart from the fact that breakup of machines can slow the process, the lack of efficiency on the part of the registration officials is a major contributing factor. For example, most prospective registrants claim that the registration officials were not on top of their duties. How do you blame these officials most of whom only saw a computer when they got to Senior High School? Even here, they did not use it since in most instances the few ones around are used for demonstration purposes by instructors and in some cases by the more fortunate ones who have some little knowledge in computing. Certainly, such an official will engage in the “Jack where are you?” style of typing. As a result, much time which would have been used for other productive engagements by these prospective registrants would be wasted in the registration process. While most of our compatriots during their formative years in school learn how to type on computer and play with many other technological equipment, we are busily learning how to write in “My first, second, third Copy Books”! Who knows, we may even be heading towards “My infinite copy books”! So while we glory in our stylish handwritings, our compatriots worship their typing speed and dexterity on the computer. Which is better? Remember, we may not all be artists and calligraphers but we may all have to use the computer at a point in time. Now, they have moved from typing on computer to touching screens of tablets while we still hold on to our number of copy books as we pretend to be introducing our kids in basic schools to computer. Certainly, we need change! Remember, your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it. Lawer Egbenya (laweregbenya@gmail.com).

B-day reflection

The entry into this world had its unique feature associated with it. It has since been a life of mixed feelings. It has been a past about the future. The confidence into the future is one of bettering humanity anchored on the fervent belief that He who has been faithful to me so far will still be faithful till the end.

A NOTE TO A GREAT FRIEND ON HIS WEDDING DAY

Hi boss, in some few hours time, you will hear that sweet symphony of words in your ears: “You may kiss your bride”. This is a moment that I will forever miss in my life. I wish I am around you to do any and everything possible, maybe, including shining your shoe to ensure the success of your wedding. I know you will not want me to do most of the things but at least I will have the honour of seeing how you will turn your tongue as your lips flicks around with her shining lips because my camera will be fixed on you both.

You will be doing that which remains the biggest and greatest point on the agenda of many souls out there. That which remained the dream of many is right before your very eyes. You are not dreaming, bro.. It is a dream fulfilled this day! Cheers!!! I once saw this inscription in an elder cousin’s photo album: when you are looking for a wife, open your eyes wide and when you see one, close your eyes to all others. This, to me, is one of the cardinal principles in building and sustaining any worthy relationship. I know and believe with conviction that you have applied this principle in your search process. Its application, to me, has been excellent for you. And hey! The result? Perfect. Your eyes have found one of the most elegant, pretty, industrious, faithful, virtuous girls a gentleman can find. Boss, congrats, on your choice! I doff my hat. It is now time to close your eyes. The looking expedition is over. You’ve got to close your eyes to all other ladies. That’s a major commandment you can’t play around with at your current level of achievement. This day should and must be the greatest and happiest day in your life because for the other two prominent celebrations in and about your life (birth and death), you virtually don’t know what go on. But hey! You’ve got to be cautious about holding firmly to this commandment. A little negligence of this highly esteemed commandment has the potency to ruin this day and your life for good, bro.. Arise and continue to be counted as one of the greatest dudes in our generation as you are doing this day! Joshua, you remember I always say that you and Roselyn are an example for those of us who are yet to get to your stage. You have proved yourself as such. In some few hours, you will be setting another higher standard. You cannot fail me on this. The price is too high. Love her as you understand the letters of the word LOVE. Honour her, and let the thought and sight of her whether in her absence or presence only reminds you of the vow you will be taking in some few hours. May you live to your marital creed of loving her till death do you both apart. Kabila, as I affectionately call you, have the best of the time as you take the girl of your dream, the love of your life, that girl who you have never stopped talking about to me, that girl who you have never refused to use the opportunity to celebrate her, to the altar. I wish you the very best in your marital life. May the blessings of the Lord Almighty that goes with this highly honoured institution be the portion of you and Sefakor. As we say in GH., take the lid and I will bring the saucepan which to wit is take the lead and I will follow you soonest, big bro! Lawer (laweregbenya@gmail.com).

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN HIM?

It has always been a great joy and an unimaginable ecstasy when one has the opportunity to meet a great and widely celebrated individual. It becomes even more thrilling if the highly celebrated individual is your superstar too. What a great feeling that characterises such moments in a person’s life! Yeah, that was my feeling too when I had that encounter with my superstar. Am sure you will wish for same if you know who I am talking about. Come along!

Speeches by such individuals are unforgettable. Some of these speeches have changed the lives of many millions and in some cases billions worldwide. The greatest revolutions in human existence took place through the power of such speeches from those noble men and women. Your best melodies have been composed by a form of word usage uttered by the lips. Above all, your very existence is a sufficient proof that speech becomes reality for He spoke and you and I came into being.

Standing on the Old Polo Grounds exactly fifty five years ago, the man, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah declared Ghana as an independent country. Dressed in fugu (also called batakari, a dress that is today known as Ghana’s political attire in political cycles after a slight change in its combination with another dress and popularisation by Jerry John Rawlings), the first president of Ghana asserted, “... today, from now on, there is a new Africa in the world, that new Africa is ready to fight his own battle and show that after all the Black man is capable of managing his own affairs”. Certainly, the zealous youth, farmers and fishermen, security service men and women, civil servants, traditional rulers, men and women from all walks of life who throng the grounds greeted this heavily packed statement from the country’s ever finest leader of all times with thunderous applauds and shouts that lasted several minutes.

Having gone back to the United States after witnessing the declaration of the first Black African country as an independent state (except Ethiopia that was not colonised), Martin Luther King Jr., got fired up. He averred that the site of the declaration of the birth of a new nation gave him more hope of a better world and that he then sees that certainly there will come a day when the Black race that has been discriminated against severely, will gain freedom. Certainly, the Freedom March of 1963 which witnessed yet another great speech of all times (“I have a Dream”) gained so much momentum after the 1957 event in Ghana. This undoubtedly translated into reality not just in 1963 but also in 2009 (induction into office) when the first African American became the president of the once highly racist country in the world, the United States of America. That is the power of a speech.

The deeds of this great leader of Ghana has been told over and over again. Unfortunately, we as a people have failed to tap much of that which he has left behind for us after some section of the Ghanaian people have helped in his demise from this earth (yes, they did!). Being full of flesh and blood, he had much negatives but certainly his positives far outweigh the negatives. Let’s leave that for another day. Thanks, for your cooperation.
Comrade, have you been able to meet that superstar of yours the other time you were so anxious and joyous and even tagged it “The last chance”? For me, I did. I met The Man, The Man of the People, The Man who was later recognised as thinking far above and beyond the potentials of his comrades (yes, he did!), The Man who called for a continental unity that was only later to be dabbed by Europe 30 years after his proposal to his people, The Man who the most widely listened to, viewed and read news network in the world – BBC – voted as the greatest African of the Millennium. Yes, Kwame Nkrumah. Yes, I met him not once, not twice but many times. How great it was! Comrade, I wish you did same. Today, there are two of such instances which are so vivid on my mind.

In that memorable speech above, Dr. Nkrumah made us believe that we, the Black people, are capable of managing our own affairs. Unfortunately, we have paid death ears to it since some people have wrongfully but willingly misinterpreted it as he considering us as an island. No, he didn’t. He advocated that we take charge of our own activities before negotiating with others at a comparative and competitive level.

One of the greatest reason for which my homeland, Ghana, is known worldwide is football. For most places on earth today, immediately a Ghanaian tells someone of a different country of his or her identity, the next highly probable thing that that individual will talk about is the exploit of Ghana in football. We have achieved tremendous feats in this arena of human engagement. Congrats, my country men and women. But wait a minute! Our senior national team, the Black Stars, which derives its name, power and strength, from the fact that we are the beacon of the Black people, had won the covetous African trophy on four different occasions; 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982. Worldwide, the Satellites of Ghana won the FIFA U-20 trophy in 2009. These are two of the most heroic events in the annals of Ghana football. As destiny will want us believe, on these two fronts, the leaders of Ghana’s football entourage are Ghanaians. Yes, all the coaches in the above mentioned games are Ghanaians. Even during times when we all including our opponents thought we will annex the trophy after those earlier feats as mentioned, we disappointed ourselves and in some cases failed abysmally. There are uncountable number of times but again the most current one is the 2012 AFCON tourney which ended less than a month ago.

In all these instances, we have proved that the man whose soul feverishly craves for Ghana had it right in that powerful and explicit statement on the day of declaring our national birth. We tend to look down on the ability of our people as we ascribe unimaginable and astronomical powers to the potentials of others. We treat our people as if they don’t deserve doing the job they do but consider their colleagues non- Ghanaian (and non-African) as the one to deliver the goods.

I have just watched the annual Independence Day celebration online. We are here today again as we have done every 6th of March remembering our birth as the first son of Africa. We have the opportunity again to correct the mistakes of the years gone by. We have to believe in ourselves and take up the power inherent in that creed that sums up the spirit of a people and aver to our spirits, souls and flesh that yes, we can. Humans need one another but this should be done on the basis of mutual respect and acknowledgment and living the ideals and ideas of all parties involve; not stampeding one party as the other is always the winner due to the presence or absence of melanin, the Black coloured skin pigment.

Fellow Ghanaians (Africans), let the power inherent in that Independence Declaration be shown to the world that we are not an inferior race of people but that all humans need the efforts of one another to make the world a better place.

Comrade, don’t forget, your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it.

Lawer Egbenya
(laweregbenya@gmail.com, laweregbenya.wordpress.com,
modernghana.com/author/l laweregbenya, danielegbenya.blogspot.com).

HISTORY IS ON THE MOVE

Success is so delightful that when you are tagged to achieve it in a worthy task, you tend to feel so pleased and blissful even though you are yet to pay the bill (perform the task). Yeah, the deeds of yesterday and years are great in predicting the happenings of today and tomorrow’s events. That’s the beauty of life but hey it isn’t that simple always. I dare say it is even much difficult to hold unto that cliché in today’s occurrences in an individual’s life not to attempt considering it on a global arena.

It all started when the roll call for the participating nations for the most admirable and splendid sport on the great continent of Africa was made. Names such as those of the Continent’s giants like the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Indomitable Lions of my super hero Samuel Eto’o’s Cameroun could not be heard. Hmmmm! The Continent’s economic super power, South Africa, could not be spared. It became even ironical that the country that has won the prestigious tournament more than any other nation, won it back to back, confirmed the slogan ‘host and win’ not only that but the defending champions prior to the Orange AFCON, 2012 to be held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, the great Pharaohs of Egypt would not be at the tournament. “What a blow to the game”, were the words on the lips of many. Certainly, if the powerhouses of the Continent’s football would not be at the tournament, then there is no need to spend precious moments watching the whole tournament, I guess were the initial thought of many including lovers and pundits of the game.

In this situation, the football pundits had it pretty easy to use their ‘magic’. Hmmm! There they went! The tourney’s pre-favourites are Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire. Sure, you cannot begrudge them for history, we mostly believe, is on the sides of these giants. A third potential winner was Senegal. Again, FIFA rankings for some time now would surely give another impetus to the credibility of the predictions of the pundits. In all these, I shared in their predictions. Yes, I did but I was always of the view that the opposite may happen based on the simple reason that the other thirteen nations most of which were tagged underdogs were the same ones which beat and in fact humiliated the super powers and cut off their journeys to the tourney. With this as the basis, it seems pretty easy for people to soften their stance on the issue of underdogs, but hey they did not. Hmmm! Time will tell.

Sooner than later, the fiesta kicked start on the 21st of January, 2012. Yeah, I remember what Ghana’s key striker, Asamoah Gyan (Baby Jet) said at this time. He said the championship will produce some huge surprises. Not a seer so no one listened to him. So there we go when the first blast of the whistle went indicating the commencement of African’s largest sports event.

It was a great and nice match to be watched but again the big names of the game on the Continent were not playing on that day, so less talk was made about the quality of play. Then followed the second match, the third and hey people were being drawn into the game as the tournament progresses. One sees snippets of information on all social networks and both local and global media networks about the game. Then it turned to be so captivating. Great soccer talents, of the Continent which has produced some of the best world known footballers, were at work again.

The surprises could not be held back but kept happening at each stage of the tournament. The first match of a co-favourite, Ghana, despite winning with a lone goal against a generally perceived underdog, was a tough game for them. Hey! Yeah Zambia scored Senegal and the Senegalese had nothing to show off after the group stages than to pack their bag and baggage and heard towards Dakar, their capital city. What a day that was! But wait a little, more to come. And they did!

Indeed, there were a plethora of surprises as predicted. Despite not doing too well to the satisfaction of most of their supporters, the Black Stars of Ghana managed to reach the semi final. Then, we were hoping to end the thirty years of trophy draught but our hope and joy were dashed when we played our best match at the tournament only to end up losing by a lone goal to the Chipolopolo boys of Zambia. That was a great performance by the pre-tournament’s favourite but they seemed to have ‘enjoyed’ the game to the extent that they had forgotten how they dreaded the Zambians prior to the match. And yes, the Baby Jet missed another penalty kick which had the potential of seeing Ghana to the finals. Come and see! You remember he missed a penalty at the 2010 world cup that if scored would have seen Ghana at the semis? Insults upon insults were poured on him. This was attributed to his inability to return to Ghana with his teammates after they were kicked from the championship but had to be sent back to his club base courtesy a private jet sponsored by his club, Al-Ain of UAE. The woes of the Stars started from there and then only to lose third place to Mali who they beat in the group stage.

The greatest performance itself was shown about 24 hours after that – the grand finale. It was a match that Cote D’Ivoire was highly tipped to win having been a favourite for the trophy and attested to that by winning all their matches throughout the tournament, never conceding a goal at the tournament and with the galaxy of stars they have. Conversely, the tone of the game was set right from its beginning with Zambia showing that she would do everything possible to lift the trophy for the first time. Great skills and talents were displayed on the ball but none was able to score in both regular and extra time. Penalty shoot out which was kicked excellently with each side scoring their first seven kicks in a row. The Chipolopolo boys of Zambia, aka the Copper bullets, finally came out victorious.

Certainly, I cannot forget how the penalty missed by Didier Drogba, the captain of the Ivorian side and the Chelsea top striker, in the second half of the finals. Yes, he missed a glorious opportunity to lift the trophy as he captains the team. A friend of European descent who watched the match told me it has been one of the best final matches he has watched across the whole world ever. What a match! The tournament certainly had lived above expectation. It was one of a class. The less talked about side, the Copper bullets of Zambia were so exceptional throughout the fiesta especially in the final game. Again, the excellent leadership style of their captain, Christopher Katongo, coupled with their sense of team work not forgetting hard work delivered the highly covetous trophy into their hands.

Great achievements today are on the side of the so-called underdogs. The so-called big names and powers of the days and years before cannot claim to be the giants of today again. History is on the move. Your determination and dexterity in your current task should spur you on to make it great today. Success is on your side. Stay focus and hey! I promise you, you will make it. Just like the Zambians who at the commencement of the tournament were only hoping to perform well to the memory of their entire football team (except one, Kalusha Bwalya, who used a different flight) who died along the coast of Gabon on 28th April, 1993 on a national duty, you may not know to what extent you will get to but trust me do your best and you will get there!

Some friends of mine could not held back their shock about how top strikers like Drogba and Gyan missed penalty when it mattered most. This they cautioned football funs to be aware of “Drogyan” virus, the newly discovered football virus that is breaking hearts!

Remember, folk, your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it!

Lawer Egbenya
(laweregbenya@gmail.com, www.laweregbenya.wordpress.com
www.danielegbenya.blogspot.com).