I have asked times without number, "what is Ghanaian?" Unsatisfactory with the answers I got, I decided to stop asking. But now the question has come haunting me again.
The house of legislation has seen a facelift. I saw a picture of the renewed parliament and chale, edey bii k3k3! I beg don't tag me with any political party yet. I don't blame anyone who does that though because you hear members in the opposition vehemently speaking against the refurbishment and as for members in government, your guess is good as mine. That's what we do in our politics, isn't it?
I monitored keenly media discussions concerning the project and obviously some issues are up to be discussed.
Did I hear GHC16 million or GHC60 million for the work done? Any which way, the money is big ooo! Ebei! In this our ecomini, ei, economy?
Now the cracker of all, I ask, is it Chinese furniture or furniture from China. As for the former, tweeaa, we all know that they don't last. But the latter, a little care may make it last a bit longer. And some wood workers are crying now claiming they could have refurbished the place at a cheaper cost with much quality products. So Ghanaian products are the best, eh? Hmm!
That may not be true but I find Hon. Alfred Kwame Agbesi, the Deputy majority leader's response to the cries of the wood workers worrisome. He is quoted as asking rhetorically, "We needed over 300 chairs and 300 tables before resuming sitting and now which furniture company in Ghana would have given us this quantity of furniture within this short time?” Oh Gosh!
Hearing this from no mean a person than such an astute legislator from the ruling party confirms not only the fact that government is seriously unwilling to resource our local producers but also a confirmation of our archaic mentality of not believing in our own.
I hope none of the legislators can say that the thought of refurbishing the House was conceived just a day before they went on recess, went through all the procurement process that day and contracted the Chinese firm that day to work within three months. If that is not the case, then why is the senior legislator spewing forth such pure dehumanising description of our wood workers.
But lest I forget, erm, did I hear a presidential staffer, Samuel George say the President is disappointed in the leadership of the house for contracting the Chinese to do the work? Eei! Hypocrisy shall never end. Do you remember STX?
But do I blame this government? A big fat no! You recall how the Chief of Staff in the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Kwadjo Mpianim rubbished any calls on him to provide the cost of the construction of the Jubilee House, ei, Flagstaff House?
What did well-meaning Ghanaians not talk about when the Indians were building our seat of government? Tweeaa, yentie obiaa.
I believe that in this modern world of globalisation, there is barely anything that is wholly indigenous to any country. The best thing to do is to glocalise.
That is why I dare people to show me that thing they call Ghanaian or show me how parliament can be made to look whole Ghanaian. I guess that will mean among other things the MPs sitting on stools, puttin on Kente or Fugu always and avoiding the use of computers.
The debate must continue but now I'm tired because both the executive and the legislature are confused. Wait... Just a second! Is the 'Chinese looking' parliament the reason for the confusion between the Honourable Speaker and the Chief Justice? Hehe... Let me leave that for another day!
By Sir Joe
