I recently had cause to caution some colleagues to desist from doing things that would make them experience my Ga side.
They brushed it aside with the retort that I should stop the joke. One of them said, the way I carry myself, there is no way I can be furious. That made me tell them a story about how someone supposedly asked my wife if ‘he knows how to speak?’ And my wife had just one word for an answer to that individual- Mɛnɛ…? Meaning ‘That one…?’
If you do not know, I put it to you that no matter how gentle or lady-like a Ga man or woman seems, there is a side that if provoked can lead to unpleasant consequences. We Gas know this, so when we see the signals, we cease and desist from pressing on with the causal factors.
In my article titled ‘Is this the other side of IGP Dampare?’ which was published on 9th June, 2022, I wrote this about myself.
“I have three personality traits, all borne out of my names – Eric, Nii Ashong and Tawiah.
According to www.wellfamily.com, Eric is an Old Norse name derived from the Norse word “Eirikr” which means “sole ruler” or “ever powerful.” Applied to me, this is not familiar, unless you have contrary evidence to controvert my supposition. Simply put, prove me wrong, if you can.
“When people hear the name Eric, they perceive you as someone who is full of life, uplifting, inspiring, and even charming. You are the life of the party with your lively, intelligent and witty personality. Others will find you as strikingly attractive.” – www.myfirstname.rocks. Yes! This is me. Any disagreements?
Nii Ashong means I am the seventh boy of my parents. This reflects my calm nature which usually pops up at church and other solemn occasions. At church, some even wonder if I am dumb.
Tawiah? That means, I was born after twins. The personality trait this name comes with is my no- nonsense self. Our nickname is, ‘Apiagyei Busum’. Ordinarily, I will not trouble you. If you dare, the ‘Busum’ –deity in the name will come at you. If you happen to see me not yielding easily to calls for calm under any circumstance, it is not my fault. It comes with the name. Indeed, as humans, it is normal for everyone to have two sides. The regular Joe and the angry one.”
In another article titled ‘Spousal Salaries: My beautiful Rebecca is too decent to disappoint’ published on 21st July, 2021, I said this about Ga women.
“I am Ga. Indeed, Ga-Dangme. I trace my paternal roots to Osu-Alata and Ningo-Prampram. My maternal root ends at Mantse Agbonaa- James Town, British-Accra.
So, I know Ga women like the back of my hand. They come in three types – aggressive, in-between and the very soft-tempered. I have experienced all three through my wife, mother and two particular cousins – Aakai and Aatsoo.
The aggressive type, they won’t come for your troubles oo. But if you dare them, you will regret it forever. The in-between, hmmm, they can let it go if they are not in the mood. The very soft, soft like fish bone. Their slogan is, ‘Ajɔ’ – Let it be. If they are beautiful, like our First Lady, we call them, ‘Awula Naa’ – Lady.”
Against this backdrop, I dare say that Shirley Naa Ayorkor Botchwey belongs to category one. Their other descriptor is ‘Shɛyii’. That’s because they usually have loud voices.
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The Ayorkor Botchwey I know
My year group mates from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ-UniMac) tell me she was one of us, albeit she offered Public Relations while I pursued Journalism. Somehow, I have no vivid recollection of her during the two years that we spent on campus. That for me is significant. It means she managed to keep a low profile during this period- the other side.
My checks from Wikipedia revealed that “Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey was born in Accra on 8 February 1963. She had her secondary education at St. Mary’s Girls’ Senior High School at Korle-Gonno. She is a product of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), the Pitman’s Central College, University of London and University of Westminster both in the United Kingdom (UK).
She holds an Executive MBA, (Project Management option), MA in Public Communication, Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB), a Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising as well as a certificate in Marketing Management.”
Public communication
It is obvious from her academic credentials that after we left GIJ, Naa Ayorkor pursued further studies to the extent of acquiring a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Public Communication.
This presupposes that as a master of the art of public communication, she is abreast with the dos and don’ts. If I am not mistaking, shouting and public expression of frustration is part of the don’ts. Also, as someone who holds an Executive MBA, she would have taken a course in emotional intelligence. If that is the case, the need to know when, where and how to express anger would have been drummed home during lectures.
However, it seems to me that despite the fine profile aforementioned, the Ga in my sister does not allow her to be the diplomat’s diplomat that she is supposed to be. Otherwise, why would a minister of cabinet status- Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, choose to go to a passport processing centre to shout her frustrations at supposed hangers around- ‘Goro Boys’, and staff of the Passport Office, when all that was needed was enhanced efficiency in the processing of passport. Such a development as has happened with the acquisition of drivers’ license, automatically eliminates these illicit intermediaries.
Instead, with raised voice, she lamented thus, “This cannot continue. There are outsiders, known as ‘Goro boys,’ who are colluding with some of our staff members to manipulate the system and exploit innocent individuals. This must stop. The blame is often placed on politicians, but it is some civil servants who engage in these corrupt practices. We are implementing digitalization efforts and providing an online system, but even that is being manipulated.”
How shouting can solve such a problem, is what beats my imagination. No wonder she received severe public bashing. Seven months later, Naa Ayorkor is at it again. This time round, not even the presence in town, of her visiting counterpart from Kenya, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, could put the Ga factor in check.
What happened? Her ministry introduced new application fees for passports effective 1st April, 2024, which a section of Ghanaians found astronomical. Per the newly implemented fees, applicants will pay GHC500 for a 32-page standard and GHC644 for a 48-page standard booklet. In the same vein, applicants opting for the 32-page expedited service will pay GHC700 and GHC800 for the 48-page expedited service.
This engendered widespread condemnation of the increment, with critics citing insensitivity to the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian who may want to access a passport to seek greener pastures elsewhere. Unable to appreciate why every Tom, Dick and Harry was complaining about the new fees, my Ga sister decided to become an Akwapim all of a sudden- beg even as she speaks her mind to you in the strongest terms.
“The passport applicant pays GHC100, the state absorbs GHC300. It cannot be the case that it will continue, because it is affecting even our operations. And Ghanaians are complaining that it takes long to get a passport and all of that. If government is subsidizing passports heavily, it is difficult to provide any good service to Ghanaians. I am asking humbly, Ghanaians, that please if you do not have need for a passport and because you cannot afford, please, humbly, I am asking you not to go for a passport,” she urged.
How does a master of public communication say this and hope that everyone will clap for her? Some say it is the arrogance of power. I am unable to disagree because the first part of the above quote should have sufficed- “The passport applicant pays GHC100, the state absorbs GHC300. It cannot be the case that it will continue, because it is affecting even our operations. And Ghanaians are complaining that it takes long to get a passport and all of that. If government is subsidizing passports heavily, it is difficult to provide any good service to Ghanaians.” Simple! But…
The prospects of Naa Ayorkor becoming Commonwealth Secretary General
When news about her bid to become the next Commonwealth Secretary General broke in March 2024, I was the only one who was nonchalant about it among my colleagues.
This is how her Ministry announced the giant step on their website- “Ghana’s Foreign Minister bids for the position of the Secretary General of the Commonwealth at elections to be held during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in SAMOA, in October 2024.”
During the debate that ensued, I made the point that I do not think she has what it takes to occupy that position. A counter argument was made that under the circumstances, she is the most qualified Ghanaian candidate. I disagreed.
My contention is that, there are career diplomats who will be more suited for the position per their personal dispositions. I contended further that this is a position that requires more than academic qualifications or work experience and referred to instances when as a member of an interview panel, I have had to agree with the rest of the panel that although candidate A ticks all the boxes, candidate B is more suitable for the position. They call it best fit.
I shudder to think how my sister would react if as Secretary General of Commonwealth, she visits London and aggrieved Ghanaians confront her with a concern. Placard wielding and all.
It’s time to go
My dear sister, Naa Ayorkor Botchwey, as I have alluded to above, it is not easy for any ordinary Ga to countenance what you and I call ‘kwakwantiasane’ (Nonsense). However, when you find yourself in Public Service where your salary is paid from taxes and tolls contributed by the ordinary worker, head porter, tomato seller and street hawker, please think thrice about how you speak with them if they react to your policies in a manner that infuriates you.
Always remember, that your boss, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo begged these ordinary people to give him a job as President. He invited you to help him serve them because he cannot do it alone. Your duty is therefore to endeavour at all times to serve the interest of the ordinary Ghanaian.
Our Akan brothers and sisters have a proverb – “Atiyie ma awerefi” – loosely translated ‘Good living begets forgetfulness.’ Fortunately, your boss’ tenure expires in eight months. That means, on 6th January, 2025 you cease to be Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. I know you are aware, the reason for which you look forward to assuming the role of Secretary General of Commonwealth.
Incase you have forgotten how hard President Akufo-Addo fought to get a job before he could give you one, just look at how Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is striving hard to extricate himself from the ruling government’s shortfalls just to win our votes. Then you turn round, shout at us and say if we can’t afford, we should not apply for a passport? Because we complained about your new fees?
If your date of birth as provided by Wikipedia is anything to go by, then you must be 61 years old. You are not getting any younger. Very soon, no matter how rich you become, you will need human beings apart from your children and relatives to help you get by.
Thus, after touring the globe and making all the money, if you decide to spend your last days on earth in Ghana, when you are old and feeble, some of the people that you shouted at, disrespected and treated as ‘nobodies’ will be needed to drive you around, serve as your househelps, offer you medical treatment etc. In that vulnerable state, how would you want them to treat you?
Please, from a Ga brother to a sister, from a member of the GIJ 1997 year group to a fellow alumnus, between now and 6th January, 2025 whenever you find anything done by Ghanaians annoying and feel like telling us off, please remember who pays your salary and fringe benefits- without which you become an ordinary citizen like us.
Under such circumstances, you must let the lessons learnt from your Master of Public Communication and Executive Master of Business Administration programmes hold sway over your Ga tendencies. It is possible!
Wɔ baakpe ekoŋŋ- That’s good bye in Ga
Let God Lead. Follow Him directly, not through any human.
The writer is the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Columnist of the Year- 2022. He is the author of two books whose contents share knowledge on how anyone desirous of writing like him can do so. Eric can be reached via email [email protected]