AGGRIEVED WIDOWER PETITIONS HEALTH MINISTER

The couple on the day of their marriage 

In furtherance of his desire to get to the root cause of the death of his expectant wife and child at the Madina (Kekle) Polyclinic, Bernard Otu, the aggrieved widower has petitioned the Minister of Health.

He is asking for thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of his 38-year-old wife and unborn baby through childbirth at the facility.

Mr Otus is also seeking, among other things, an inquiry into what he described as professional negligence as well as the lack of customer care and fellow feeling which resulted in the irreplaceable loss of two lives.

The three-paged petition, dated January 4, 2016 and addressed to the Health Minister has since been served with copies to other supervisory/regulatory institutions such as the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NWC), Medical and Dental Council (MDC),  and the Ghana Medical Association (GMA).

Mr. Otu indicated that another of his motivation in pursuing the case was the need for a restructuring of the systems and a proper supervision to save more lives in our quest, as a nation, to reduce the incidence of maternal, perinatal and infant mortality.

Post mortem

A post mortem report from the Police Hospital, dated June 24, 2015, stamped and signed by one Dr. L. Edusei indicated that Cynthia died of “breeched presentation” explained by medical experts as a childbirth in which the baby exits the pelvis with the buttocks, feet or any other part of the body as opposed to the normal head-first presentation.

Per the report, she was also found to have suffered a “uterine rupture”, also explained as tear or explosion of the uterus. These followed an induced labour and nearly 24 hours of labour characterized by profuse bleeding.

Background

Cynthia Nuworsu, the deceased 

Cynthia Nuworsu , a trader and a mother of four, underwent an induction of labour at the Polyclinic on Wednesday June 17 2015 and died in the process the following day, still undelivered.

According to the grieving husband, his demands to have access to the wife and later for a referral to a hospital in the course of the prolonged labour were all ignored until his wife eventually passed away.  

The corpse was later transferred to the Police hospital and subsequently buried at Dzodze in the Volta Region together with the remains of the foetus.

Invitation by national security

Reliable information indicates that the National Security has invited the officers of the Madina Police Station where the case was first reported. 

The Chief of Madina, Serikie Baba Amadu Seidu, who at a point was commissioned by the officers of the Polyclinic to arbitrate the case between them and the widower has also been invited. 

Medical and Dental Council invite

A meeting was held in Accra on Tuesday between officials of the Medical and Dental Council and the widower, at the instance of the former.

According to Mr. Otu, he has been directed by the Registrar of the Council, Dr. Eli Atikpui, to submit an official complaint, attached with what the registrar described as a statutory declaration to enable the council take the necessary actions. He is yet to submit the complaints as requested.

Nana Aba Anamoah supports

Nana Aba Anamoah presenting the cash to the widower

In a related development, Nana Aba Anamoah, a broadcast journalist with GHOne Television (and formerly of TV3) has donated an amount of Thousand Ghana cedis (GHC1000.00) to support the husband and children of the deceased.

Presenting the cash to the widower in the studios of Starr FM last Tuesday shortly after their interview session on the Morning Starr, Nana Aba who was sitting in for Nii Ardey Clegg, the regular host, said “This is my personal contribution to keep you and your children going in this moment of grief. I hope other individuals and institutions will do same to help sooth your sorrow”.

Mr. Otu who received the cash with mixed feeling said “This gesture is unexpected; it means so much to me and I know God will reward you for this gesture”.

Story by Henking A. Adjase-Kodjo and Seth J. Bokpe 

Henking is a journalist (an activist writer) and a blogger and can be reached via klonobi2007@gmail.com. You can follow him on twitter with the handle @henkingklonobi. Don't hesitate to leave the writer a comment on the story read.

The story as captured in page 3 of the Mirror of  Feb 5-11, 2016

NB: A copy of the petition is reproduced below

Post Office Box OK 155

Odumase-Krobo

January 4, 2016

The Minster

Ministry of Health

Accra

Attn: Hon Alex Segbefia

PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE AT THE MADINA (KEKLE) POLYCLINIC AND THE RESULTANT DEATH OF MY EXPECTANT WIFE

Dear Sir,

After thorough reflection and consultations, I have decided to petition your outfit (and the other supervisory institutions) as the first in the series of steps I intend to take on the issue of the death of my expectant wife at the Madina (Kekle) Polyclinic.

It is my conviction that the process leading to her death and the condition in which she passed away smack of professional negligence (a threat to the public) which should not pass without attention and investigation as is in the interest of the public.

Background

My 38 year old wife, Cynthia Nuworsu died, of a raptured uterus and similar complications after an induced and an unreasonably long period of painful labour. On that fateful day, Wednesday June 17, 2015, Cynthia who was going about her normal activities, was called from the hospital- having been put on a waiting list to be delivered of her baby- and admitted in the clinic, where she’s had her antenatal care all this while.

Between her arrival around 5pm on June 17 and death in the afternoon of on June 18 June, 2015, it became obvious that complications had set in (in the delivery process) beyond the capacity of the polyclinic (said to have no operating theatre) and needed to be referred to a better equipped hospital but the medical would not give any credible information on how she was faring. They will neither give me access to her nor grant my requests to have her transferred immediately. All they kept telling me in a rather rude tone was “you are not a Doctor and can’t dictate to us”.

All this while, I could hear my wife’s loud screams, which intensified in equal measure to the aggravated pain and discomfort, arising out of the induced and prolong period of labour.

In short, I was prevented from seeing her and my wish/request to have her referred got ignored until I was grudgingly informed of her passing by the Ag. Medical Officer, Dr. Selorm Botchwey, around 4:30pm, nearly 24 hours after her labour was induced.

The corpse which still had the baby stuck in the tommy was handed over to me around 6pm with a note for a post mortem at the 37 Military Hospitals. Autopsy at the Police Hospital (during which the foetus was removed) later revealed that she died of a ruptured uterus and breech presentation.

The deceased together with the foetus were subsequently buried on Saturday August 8, 2015 at Dzodje in the Volta Region.

Justification for the petition/call for investigation and intended action

Loss of two precious lives: The quantum of loss I have suffered is enormous; at least one life (either the mother or the baby) could and should have been saved; and a little act of professionalism on the part of the medical officers would have achieved that. And isn’t it amazing that even at the time of her death, after nearly 24 hours of labour, the baby was still stuck in the womb?

Indiscretion/professional negligence: Why should an expectant mother be subjected to this long period of labour at a facility that has no operating theatre to take care of likely/resultant complications. And why won’t my insistence on her transfer be enough push for referral to a more advanced medical facility?  This is certainly a clear act of indiscretion and or incompetence which must not go unchecked, if more lived should be saved. Surprising shocking mind-blowing

Lack of customer care and fellow feeling: The arrogance on the part of the medical staff on duty was, to put it mildly, startling and dreadful. It is expected that in this day and age when customer care has virtually become a way of life for any well-managed staff/corporate institution, a husband whose wife is in labour would receive a warm embrace that would be soothing enough to rest his mind during that period of uncertainty. What did I experience- pure pride and a rather haughty manner and feeling of superiority over me which turned hostile what should rather have been a friendly environment. Given their deep-seated attitude (which must be their way of life), when they should be learning from this unfortunate situation, there is the high possibility that another person may be subjected to similar treatment that would lead to the irreversible loss of more precious lives, if swift measures are not taken.

Financial loss: Aside the loss of human lives (my hard-working wife in particular), that has rendered my four children motherless, I have suffered huge financial loss that has virtual grounded what was a thriving transport business on which our very survival was hinged. Life has not been the same.

Need to save more lives: My key motivation in seeking your intervention is the need to act to save more lives. I want to believe that a lot more people have gone through similar experience in silence, not only at the Madina Polyclinic but in our various hospitals (government hospitals in particular) and a lot more will have to be at the receiving end of this ill-treatment unless something drastic was done.

It remains my wish that you personally step into this issue and cause the right thing to be done because it is in largely in the interest of the citizenry so to do.

I count on your swift response

Yours sincerely

Bernard Otu

……………....

Tel: 0244 543 179 / 0270543179

Cc: Director General, Ghana Health Service, Accra

Director, Ghana Medical Association, Accra

Greater Accra Regional Director, Ghana Health Service, Accra

Director, Ghana Health Service, La-Nkwantanan

Deputy Medical Director, Madina (Kekle) Polyclinic

The Konor (Paramount Chief), Manya Krobo

Kloma Gbi

The Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana, Accra

The President, Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, Accra

The Registrar, Medical and Dental Council, Accra

NB: Copies updated with the last three recipients

GIVING CHIEFTAINCY A BAD NAME (Part II); Will the Akwapems also disappoint mother Ghana?

The late Okuapemhene Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III (Picture source: Online library)

The President, HE John. D. Mahama in a handshake with the late Okuapemhene, 

When on Monday August 3, 2015 news officially broke about the passing of Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, Paramount Chief of the Akwapem Traditional Area, a chain of questions came to mind. Will the Akwapems also disappoint mother Ghana and take to open confrontation or street fight to select a successor who will take over the traditional leadership of the area or they will prove themselves more united and advanced; and use the opportunity to demonstrate to Ghanaians that indeed Okuapeman is the home of discipline, fellow-feeling, orderliness, and respect for authority and due process. By that, at least, they will also show that they have picked useful lessons from the sad but avoidable succession disputes that have devastated other traditional areas across the country.

I dare say that if the police should put together and publish a list stating the causes of violent communal clashes and protracted disputes, chieftaincy will be in the highest category, if not topmost. Ask me in my sleep to recite the names of traditional areas that have literally been shattered by needless succession disputes and I will put up a good show; I will give you ten times the number you request.

Sadly, I have been casting my mind around to point out good examples of areas that have gone through seamless and peaceful processes to fill vacant paramount stools but I can’t seem to find any readily. Yes, it is quite an exercise. May be we should put together a list of the good and bad examples, only then will we realize how bad the situation is.  

Once a stool or skin becomes vacant, greed and self-interest take the better part of the kingmakers/elders (the very people who should know better) and we see them slapping truth in the face, side-stepping custom, tradition and laid down process which end up creating confusion on which and from which they gladly feed at the expense of peace and development of their communities.

The bad Yilo Krobo example

Here in my backyard, in the Yilo Krobo traditional area, blood ties have virtually been severed over matters of succession/chieftaincy, turning kith and kin into arch enemies because the elders (kingmakers) will not speak or stand by the truth and do the right thing to select or endorse the most deserving candidate to continue the work of the late Paramount Chief, (Konor) Kpetekple Nene Narh Dautey Ologo IV who passed away in 2009.

One gate has taken over the palace and installed a “new Konor” to the annoyance of the others who have pitched camp just across the entrance to the palace, seething with anger and waiting for the least opportunity (on the blind side of the police) to stage a show and eject the former.  

The people of Manya Krobo (next door neighbours to the Yilos) were down a similar lane following  the death of Oklemekuku Nene Azu Mate-Kole such that eight year after his passing, the stool remained vacant characterized by acrimony and clear division that visibly stagnated the development of the area. Believe it or not, the ghost of that disagreement and infighting is still hounding the Manya Krobo state, seventeen good years after the stool was eventually filled (in 1998). Tell me why this should not be an example for the people of Yilo to learn from.

Who is the real  and legitimate Ga Matse?

Isn’t it amazing (and disgraceful, if you like) that there is only one Ga Paramount stool/Traditional Council with “two Ga Matseme”? We were recently told (in the Monday August 3, 2015 edition of the Daily Graphic newspaper) of the installation of a “new” Ga Matse, King Dr. Tackie Teiku Tsuru II, whose installation had the backing of “the kingmaker” and Dzasetse of the Ga state, Nii Dr. Kwei. Do we have a sole kingmaker or kingmakers; or maybe the Ga state operates a structure or setup different from the other Ga-Dangme tribes.   

We also know of another Ga Matse in the person of Nii Adama Latse II who is also backed by the Ga Traditional Council and whose name is said to have already been gazzeted in the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs as well as the national register of chiefs. Is that to say he went through the due and complete process of installation and had the support of all (emphasis on all) who should consent to his enthronement, including the “sole kingmaker” who has since taken side with the new Matse, King Teiku Tsuru, the rival camp?

Before then, there was another Ga Matse, King Tackie Tawiah II who at a point ruled concurrently with Nii Adama Latse. He however passed away in silence and many were hoping that could open up an opportunity for the system to be sanitized. But what do we see, claim upon claims that are only stirring the muddy water, creating unnecessary tension and holding back the development of the traditional area and worse of it all tainting the bigger image of an otherwise revered institution, chieftaincy.

Widespread chieftaincy clashes

We all saw the Abudus and Andanis of Dagbon take on each other in a recurrent strife with the resultant loss of lives and destruction of properties. The Bolga area has had to literally come to a standstill due to the rumpus over succession. The Kumawu, Tuobodom, Kade, Nungua, Akyem Swedru, Yeji, Wa, Nadowli, Suhyen, Abease, Senchi, Buipe, Nakpanduri, Brekum, and Akyem Kotoku areas all took turn to give Ghanaians needless headache over one form of chieftaincy dispute or the other. The violence that rocked Afloa, Bunkpurugu, Bimbilla etc. and attendant fatalities left many with nagging questions if chieftaincy is doing us more harm than good in its current form and practice.

We have come to a point where we simply can’t wait any further to put in pragmatic measures to stem the tide and that is why all who have a role to play in bringing to fruition the ongoing project by the National House of Chief to codify the lines of succession to all stools and skins must embrace it and give it urgent attention to save mother Ghana the shame and pain.

Over to you, the people of Akwapem

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo of the NPP in a handshake with the late Okuapemhene

Very soon, the process to find a successor to the late Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, will commence and that would be even before we get to implementing what comes out of this codification exercise; the Akwapems thus can chose to distinguish themselves and be the streak of light in the midst of the darkness that is spreading across the country. Some of us can and will support in prayers but the decision to move Okuapeman forward or turn it upside down like the others did is largely in the hands of the Akwapems. We hope for the best.

The writer is a journalist (activist writer) and a culture enthusiast. Read Part I of this article on thekroboquill.blogspot.com (http://thekroboquill.blogspot.com/2015/05/giving-chieftaincy-bad-name-yilo-krobo.html) or contact him through klonobi2007@gmail.com. Follow him on twitter via @henkingklonobi

GREETINGS FROM ABROAD, THE AKUA DONKOR COMEDY

"Her Excellency" Akua Donkor sitting (L-R, 1st on the second roll) behind Dr. Spio Gabrah

Until now, it never crossed my mind I could ever be drawn towards partisan politics and be that interested in the presidential race. Sincerely, I am surprised that I am getting interested. Now, it has even gone beyond interest to decision to join the presidential race come 2016. The attractions are just becoming too big to ignore. 

Undeniably, my chances at occupying the flagstaff house are bleak; my defeat in 2016 is as certain and can be predicted much the same way you are able to forecast night following day. If I am not lucky, I may not even pull parity with the Arthur Kennedy records in the history of partisan politics and local elections but that will not deter me. My target now may not necessarily be the presidential seat as you are thinking; I have my own priorities.

At least, joining the race will shoot me from obscurity to national prominence and I will enjoy the accompanying fame and privileges. I will become an expert on most (if not all) national issues, — an expert whose opinion and comments the news-hungry media will stampede one another for.

Top of it all, I will be guaranteed a seat in the midst of topmost dignitaries at state/national events and will enjoy the protocol that comes with it. Don’t forget that by that singular political decision of contesting, my slot on presidential trips is locked because I would then be “wielding more power than most of this ministers” who are now doing “paapaaa” here and there. 

From that point, my monotonous Accra-Odumase Krobo trips will change to Accra-Milan, Accra-Johannesburg, Accra-Amsterdam, Accra-Lagos etc. and give me the much needed exposure and international experience by way of presidential excursions. If this is what the decision to contest in the presidential race comes with, I am interested and I am going for it. Don’t ask me of my background/expertise and what the justification is for those special treats I hope to enjoy. If you have any such question, ask Her Excellency Akua Donkor, State Protocol/Presidency or, maybe you may want to find out from the John Dramani Mahama himself.

THE STATE-SPONSORED AKUA DONKOR EXCURSION

Delegations for presidential trips are composed based largely on the nature of the assignment at stake and because this comes with huge expenses and, if you like, security concerns, it is carefully done; you must be trusted and or relevant to the business or high level trip to be included. Strictly speaking, they (such trips) are not for sightseeing, unless the few that are so purposed. But once in a while, we are slapped with comedies on how state-sponsored presidential trips are turned into excursions.

The President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, was with the Pope (Italy) recently to make some business out of an Expo in the city of Milan which is said to be the second most populous in Italy. Among the business opportunities this big event, which attracted over 150 countries, presented, the President and his team were to learn of new technologies in agro-processing, expected to be replicated here in Ghana on their return as we strive to make more gains from our agricultural sector.

You will expect that the team will be a tight one (the best of teams) with people who could make the best of the event like experts in the sector as well as industry players, who will return to pollinate others and get the knowledge spreading to help us make the most of our rather under-utilised agric potential.

Admittedly, one or two people who are justifiably relevant to the assignment like the Trade Minister, Hon Dr. Ekow Spio Gabrah; Food and Agric Minister, Fifi Kwetey, among others, joined in the trip but same were those who clearly were miscellaneous and a needless burden on the state coffers.

Another round of comedy in 2016?

One of those is the Founder and Leader of the Ghana Freedom Party, “Her Excellency” Akua Donkor.  What was she doing in the team and by what criteria was she selected? That she founded a political party that once joined the race to the flagstaff house? That she is a farmer and or the leader of farmers in Ghana? Or that she is multilingual (interpreter) needed to interpret Italian, English and the other international languages that were used at the event? Could it be that she was included just so we will be seen to be moving towards the inclusive government concept many are calling for? Which other party was represented, if that was the basis?  I think I even saw her in the team that graced the swearing in of Nigeria’s President, Muhamadu Buhari.

Given her literacy level and particularly her rather “weird” way of reasoning (bluntly put) on serious national issues which give her out as someone who is unable to appreciate weightier matters, she certainly should not be one of those to front international engagement for a country like Ghana, unless this is our best foot forward.

CONCERT PARTY

Well I listen to Akua Donkor for purposes of comic relief; she has made quite a significant and enviable stride in the area of political comedy and entertainment, in a rather short period since she emerged on the scene and so unless she was added and state-sponsored (air ticket, allowance, accommodation etc.) for same droll and funny reason (at a time when we should be cutting down on wastage), our priorities are regrettably turned upside down and will for a long time, hold us stagnant at the point where our equals have long passed.

I have spoken my mind; let the discerning reader make meaning of this piece. The writer is a journalist (an activist writer) and a blogger and can be reached via klonobi2007@gmail.com. You can follow him on twitter with the handle @henkingklonobi 

NB: All pictures used in this story were sourced from the net

The story as captured in page 34 of  the July 27, 2015 edition of the Daily Graphic newspaper

OOOOOOOH ASAMOAH GYAN !!!

Efe namͻ tai shi e kwƐ?

From my own small corner, I have watched with dropping jaws the sensational Asamoah Gyan, captain of the senior national team, the Black Stars bask in his popularity. The man is talented and hard-working and so he is expected to eat from his toil and enjoy the fame that comes with it.

His stardom and recognition in football circles aside, the young man seems to have gained additional popularity for causing a stir and riding on it to add some more layers to his increasing fame without much thought about what the ripples could be or, indeed, are on his reputation. What is of interest to me now is the stunning impunity with which he seems to react to the boos that swirl in response to issues around his personality.

The decision to appear in this shirt is just too bad

The last public evidence of this seeming overconfidence and “I don’t care” attitude was his showoff, amidst all this controversies, in a branded shirt with a mischievously teasing inscription “Efe bo tai shi e kwƐ? ”, literally meaning “You are irritated but you simply can’t avoid watching”, as captured in page 46 of the Saturday July 11, 2015 edition of the Daily Graphic newspaper.

The name Asamoah Gyan now means too many things to different people. The brand, image, reputation or perception out there is mixed. There is the Asamoah Gyan who, in 2010, drew a dagger into the hearts of Ghanaians when he missed (or rather wasted) the all-important penalty kick against Uruguay that would have pushed his success-hungry side to a debut semi-final berth in the history of World Cups. The disaffection this single event created for him was just too big, virtually neutralising the many good things he has been doing on the quite including (one that personally touches my heart), the adoption of those Okwampa Bawjiase-based motherless triplets.

As a player, missing a penalty kick is just natural and so, though painful, it was relatively easier forgiving him, after all “Pa ya lͻ lƐ e yua did)”, as the Krobos would put it, loosely translated to mean “The person who fills the pot with water is he who often breaks it”. Believe it or not, that event pitched him against the angry Ghanaian population though it also contributed a great deal in making him a house hold name in Ghana and spreading it further beyond borders.

The missing duo, Janet and Castro

It was this same Asamoah Gyan who was blown by the Castro-Janet Bandu whirlwind into a never dying fire and controversy. As a lead figure and a joint organiser of that infamous Ada rendezvous that led to the mysterious disappearance (death?) of the duo, Gyan could not escape criticism, accusation and plain insults particularly because of the myth surrounding it. Castro and the friend remain unaccounted for till date; many are those who are still holding him (Gyan) accountable for the “spilled blood” and will miss no opportunity to demand it from him especially because of the deep-seated feeling (entrenched by his silence) that he has something to hide with respect to the facts.

How about the ‘decision’ by the Gyans to go masculine on Daniel Kenu, a journalist who in his line of duty found an opportunity of coming face-to-face with “the Gyan” to revisit the Castro issue and scoop some more fact? Doubtless, this chain of events did more harm than good to the man, Asamoah.

While this issue was hibernating, he made a quick return into the news again, this time with the accusation (against him) that his zip went wide open on the hunt for short-lived sexual pleasure (in a young girl who is threatening to spill into the public a documentary evidence of the act), resulting in a pregnancy that has since turned a hot cake for public/media consumption. He is said to have admitted “knowing” the lady in question but denied paternity of the foetus and called for a test. This can only subtract from your reputation.

Elsewhere, this could have caused him his captain band like John Terry of England. He may quickly want to hinge his argument on the fact that Terry’s was an affair with the ex of his own team mate while his was a lady away from his profession, but it only tells him what a seemingly private and distant act could stream into your professional life and wreak havoc. 

For someone his stature and who is at the center of all these controversial controversies which are still making waves in the media landscape, the least he should be doing is giving the impression that he is not pinched by what is happening and the attendant criticisms, and that his critics (the public) can go and hug a wet transformer, if they so desire.

Too bad a decision, if you ask me

Strangely, that is what he is doing (the impression I get), otherwise, what was he doing in that ““Efe bo tai shi e kwƐ” shirt? Who was he taunting or teasing with that inscription? Ghanaians who are sad that their number one footballer is making too many negative headlines and dragging the senior national team along with him into disrepute or the “bereaved” families and friends of Castro and Janet who are still grieving over the disappearance of their own, or perhaps he found a target in his “partner”, Sarah Kwablah, who is on the way to giving birth to an “illegitimate” child (if the paternity test exonerates him,, Gyan). The decision to spot that shirt was just bad and below him; it couldn't have been coincidence too, not when all three of them as appeared in the picture, (including his brother, Baafoe Gyan and manager, Simon Addo) were in same shirt with same inscription. It must have been specially designed and branded for the purpose.

You see my reasoning? And since he won’t have the chance to explain his actions to me and the many Ghanaians (or his fans), that is even the more reason why he should be mindful of what he does, unless of course that is his way of staying top of mind.

In this man, Stephen Appiah you'll find an example

Many captained the team and many were those who were similarly great at the national and international levels but passed with little or no controversy. Right here in our backyard, we find an example in Stephen Appiah. Even in his retirement, he evokes a lot of respect, arising out of his humility, dignity, exemplary leadership, and carefully couched image, brand and reputation. The PR that came with his testimonial match and the array of high profiled leaders who honoured his invitation could only be an endorsement of his refined brand and aura.

The many high profiled dignitaries who grace Appiah's testimonial match

When he (Asamoah) steps off the pitch, and the spotlight is taken off him, how does he want to be remembered? Image is key and being a well-paid footballer should not put him in a bracket/world of his own where he doesn’t care about what others feel.

Coming from a PR background with a little knowledge in brand and reputation management, I see some things lacking that must be given urgent attention. I am of the view that his manager(s) and or the PR team can give more thought to what he does and says to help rework his image beyond the realm of football. Once again, that shirt was just in bad taste and it is something else watching him in it. I am one of his fans, and even when he hangs his boots and comes back to roost, I still want to be.

The writer is a journalist (an activist writer) and a blogger and can be reached via klonobi2007@gmail.com. You can follow him on twitter with the handle @henkingklonobi 

GO SODOMIZE FOR FREE FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS?

Dr. Sulley Ali Gabass (in white shirt) walking away to start his jail term (Pix: Source online)

I was sad, yes very sad. The only people who probably were sadder than I was at that moment were the wife, children and associates of Dr. Sulley Ali Gabass, the senior medical doctor who was sentenced on Monday to a 25-year jail term for defilement (sodomy),  a crime you would least expect a man his status and training committing.

As a doctor of no mean standing, the medical implication of sodomising a 16 year old boy cannot be lost on him, even if he chose to close his eyes on the consequences of his action on himself.

Dr. Gabass, such a decent looking man

When I heard the news of his sentence, I cringed and said to myself, “This must be the work of some supernatural forces”. Witches (or wizards, if you like) must really exist; only they can take away the conscience of a seemingly noble personality like Dr. Gabass to want to stoop to that disgraceful depth without a reflection on what the ripples of the actions could be.

For the next 25 years, the very man on whom his family and the state spent money to train as a medical doctor to heal the sick will waste away in confinement in our stinking, overcrowded and mosquito-infested prisons, leaving his close associates in pain and with a lifetime stigma.

As for his victim, it goes beyond stigma and pain to the feeling of hopelessness at the hands of a dreaded condition such as HIV, which he was diagnosed of in the aftermath of the unhealthy amorous adventure.

What could have moved this man to settle for satisfaction in the anal passage (just to avoid sounding blunt) of his fellow male? What is it that he couldn't find in women and his wife, for that matter, with whom he could have done same or similar thing if they so desired? Is that to say God, the creator of man and of the universe, was not wise enough to have paired man and woman instead of man to man and woman to woman as is now fast becoming the taste of many?.

A PEEP INTO THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

But come to think of it why don’t animals of same sex mate? Why are they not attracted to each other? Even animals of lesser cognition are not stooping that low, so why man endowed higher cognitive ability and common sense?  Even in basic science, we are told like poles repel while unlike poles attract, so why the deviation?

ISSUES OF LAW AND THE LAY MAN’S ANALYSIS

I am not a lawyer (at least not yet) and don’t claim to be one; I am only doing my analysis based on my two-by-four appreciation of the law and understanding of the chain of stories that came with Dr. Gabass’ act of sexual indiscretion.

So on Monday, this nice, decent and fresh-looking man, a senior medical doctor with the Effia Nkwanta hospital was handed the maximum jail term for his type of crime (defilement/sodomy) to among others, punish him for his act of carelessness and to deter persons with who might want to toe same or similar lane. 

I wondered how a man with his kind of expertise (limited as they are in Ghana) should be made to rot in jail but then, I realised the very laws with which we govern our society  (Ghana), would not permit otherwise. In Ghana, our statute books have no provision for non-custodial sentence- so I hear- which otherwise would have allowed for Dr. Gabass to serve mother Ghana “more profitably” even while still serving his sentence.

If a man his age (mid-forties) is to languish in jail for the next twenty five years, by simple arithmetic, he will be retiring while still in prison. In a country with a disgraceful and substandard doctor-to-patient ratio in our hospital, I am tempted to suggest that he is made to serve in the remotest of our villages as a form or part of his punishment, may be under some surveillance or that he works for half or one third the salary he otherwise deserves for some reasonable period? The argument is that “law is law” and must be treated as such, even if seemingly better alternatives are emerging which are not yet covered in law.

Ok so now that he is finally in prison, I am also tempted to suggest that he is turned into a resident doctor in the prison yard to serve his colleague but with restricted movement? May be what we should first do is to convince ourselves that he is first and foremost mentally sound and that together with some deep counseling should turn him into a useful convict. Or as usual, this is a matter of law and it must be applied to the latter without discrimination in order to give meaning to the concept/phrase- equality before the law?

I thought laws were made for man and not man for laws. Is it not time for us to revisit that aspect of the laws to make room for options that will prove more beneficial to the community and mother Ghana, particularly when our never-expanding prisons are bursting with convicts with attendant high cost of feeding and upkeep.

Dr being whisked out of the court yard (Sourced online)

GO SODOMIZE FOR FREE FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS

Another reason why a non-custodial sentence is worth considering in instances like this is that, we are dealing with the same man who was convicted for “sodomy” and yet for the next 25 years he is going to be locked in the dark room with people of his taste, (males) all of whom have had and would have to bottle up their sexual feelings, and yet he is expected to tame the very hormones that caused him to seek, rather perilously,  libidinous ecstasy in that young boy’s “arsehole”, unless of course we agree that all those in there are misfits (criminals, if you like), who should be left to do whatever they wish to themselves.

Or are we going to lock him up with the females whom he seems not to be interested in? Sarcastic but legitimate question, I believe. May be he will have his one-in-one cubicle just so he doesn’t end up visiting his “penile recklessness” on others once more.

I believe in cracking the whip and also in the concept of “equality before the law”.  Much the same way, I also believe in the saying that “laws are made for man and not man for laws” for which reason they must work in the best interest of mankind. At this point, what will best serve the interest of the state- his stay behind bars or a more judicious use of his expertise? Let us toss the options around and see which one proves more forward-looking.

Any regret ?

While we are at it, I pray Dr. Garbass will reflect on his action, show some remorse, sincerely ask God (Allah) for forgiveness and hope for a second chance to do something better with his life.

The writer is a journalist (an activist writer) and a blogger and can be reached via 0266 000 747 or klonobi2007@gmail.com. You can follow him on twitter with the handle @henkingklonobi 

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