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| Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, MP, Lower Manya Krobo constituency |
The Member
of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo, Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi has been
trending in the media since yesterday. He seems to have taken over the social
media space, displacing the likes of Yvonne Nelson and David Oscar who have
been top of mind just the days before, thanks to the dumsor debate.
For
most part of yesterday, social media particularly facebook was awash with vituperative
comments targeted at the MP for chiding the suffering public and ostensibly
remarking that “the effects of dumsor are exaggerated by people who
cannot afford to buy fridges or air conditioners in their homes”. This statement
opened the flood gate of unsavoury remarks and attacks on him in a manner that
gave a clear indication of how frustrated Ghanaians are in the face of the
energy crisis. (http://www.ghana-news.adomonline.com/politics/2015/May-11th/only-poor-persons-are-complaining-about-dumsor-ndc-mp.php#sthash.nmY0er3e.dpuf)
I
want to admit that though I have read the story online, I am yet to listen to
the tape and assess the statement contextually, for which reason I am being measured
in my condemnation.
If
indeed my MP made the statement as he’s been quoted and with the intent as
understood by the average Ghanaian, then that’s very very insensitive and
unfortunate and particularly so when one considers his status as a leader- an
incumbent MP, one time Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Deputy Defence
Minister and until quite recently the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
in the same ruling government which should long have found an antidote to the
deadly power crisis.
I
will be one of the first people to tell him in the face that his comment was a
bit of a display of indiscretion and indifference towards the plight of the
masses because clearly one does not need to own any of those gadgets he mentioned
to feel the burning heat arising out of dumsor. In fact, I don’t own a tea
kettle let alone fridge and “air korn” and yet I am painfully feeling the dumsor
pinch in all its forms.
You
will however agree with me also that fairness demands and it is only
appropriate that we condemn him based on what he actually said (and can confirm
that indeed he did say) instead of merely hinging our criticism and argument on
what the media reports.
One
thing we should as well be doing- if our argument should hold- is to analyse
his statement or quote in the context as used and not in isolation because the
two may give different meaning and MAY not be the same. He could easily have been
misunderstood or misrepresented and we must make room for that.
Admittedly
most of our media houses here in Ghana thrive on sensationalism for which reason
I won’t necessarily take a media report as the truth, (the whole truth and
nothing but the truth) and completely rule out the possibility of some reporter
mistakenly or wilfully adding his bit to change the import of the statement. Let
us convince ourselves, possibly with evidence that he made such a remark as
reported and then we can justifiably call for his head.
Meanwhile
can someone close to him whisper some advice into his ears to be more strategic
with his media appearances? I noticed with restlessness over the past few weeks
and month that he’s taken to a more aggressive show-up on radio talk shows, turning
himself literally into what has come to be known as “party/political
communicator”.
Listening
to him on some occasions, it is my opinion that for several reasons (which are
better discussed in privacy on the basis that I am one of his constituents) he shouldn't become too popular and regular a commentator (social commentator, if
you like) because that comes with its own price, one of which we are
experiencing now.
I
took the pain to write this because I have been affected by association. Many
were those who called to ask why you will make such a statement. There were
those who bundled us together as Krobos and told us their piece of mind. Much
the same way I was linked today (albeit indirectly), I will be linked when you
make us proud and that is what I look forward to again.
LET
THE READER MAKE MEANING OF THIS PIECE.
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| Hon Terlabi, MP, Lower Manya Krobo |
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| MP in kente cloth (extreme right) together with the President (middle) at an event |
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