Nana Yaa Ofori-Atta writes…What in the name of…

I have not seen the Black Panther film and I don’t plan to.  Who needs Hollywood’s stylised fiction about a non-existent African country when there are 54 to 56 (give or take) real gripping national stories on this continent to marvel at? There are many many moments when in spite of the plenty deep-seated gripes I harbour, fester and share about conditions and issues in this our homeland, that I am deeply grateful to be a Ghanaian, living today and at home.

Hallelujah

Burundi’s soccer-loving President, Pierre Nkurunziza is born again.  A minor detail in a country where 80 percent of the population is believed to be Catholic. The Church there, depending on which side you approach has been seen as the font of fermenting civil unrest against government or advancing the cause of human rights.  Nkurunziza, the son of a member of parliament who was a provincial governor with royal links, has abbreviated himself, his credibility and the image of African leaders in the 21st century, even further.  Ghana is talking trade not aid, this brother is talking forever.

The National Council for the Defence of Democracy, the political party in the de facto brutish one-party state he has squatted on since 2005, has declared and deified Nkrunizinza.  Why not? The man was a teacher, one-time lecturer, a political activist who was once condemned to death in absentia, in 2014 he banned jogging, for security reasons. Nkurunziza has been named the ‘Eternal Supreme Guide’. No one is allowed to disagree with him. Even our own Osagyefuo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, our first Prime Minister, President and for some, a living god, had his critics. Nkrumah also wielded to devastating effect, a Preventive Detention Act, in case you had contrary ideas and attitude.  And that was 50 plus years, 4 coups and republics later.  We have mercifully and quite rightfully moved on. Amen.

Source:Myjoyonline