In East Palo Alto, California, I almost was baptised with Coke years ago; it might have been my first day of school. I was told to wait in the lounge by a busy friend I was visiting. Shortly later, his coworker Eric arrived with a hanky in hand and a curiously powder-splattered nose. While I waited, Eric kindly enquired whether I would mind having Coke given to me.
Naturally, Coke was welcome. Given my extensive knowledge of Coca-Cola from my time in Ghana, why not provide Coke hospitality while you wait? It would be much better if it included biscuits. However, as soon as I saw two males following in pursuit, their noses streaming with a white substance, I swiftly checked myself and turned my head around.
There was more: one person after another emerged from a side room, each one inhaling a powdered substance. My Ghanaian instincts told me that this was talcum powder, but I was mistaken! Cocaine was the Coke that was being served. Not my Ghana Coke provided in bulletproof bottles, and not a face improvement. Soon after, I was in the 'high' company of people I had just met, and a quick self-introduction in process became more passionate. I was a thirty-year-old young guy.
I would have graduated long ago and been named Ambassador Emeritus for Cocaine Ghana if I had consented to have my nose anointed on that day. Ghana Cocaine? For Africa's best, once known as the Gold Coast, that would be unjust. A name change to the 'Coke Coast' during our March anniversary month would have irreparably damaged our positive reputation. We were almost there, however, as the country was infected by an unknown virus in the same month that massive amounts of gold bars were discovered in vast numbers and large caches of foreign cash on wheels were seized. This was followed by the story of laden port containers that were strangely becoming smaller every day.
In addition, there are two enigmatic aircraft that are suspiciously hovering above our tarmac, including an air ambulance that is said to have crashed at our Kotoka airport. It was believed that Ghana's missing riches were likely on route to safer locations. Or, on our blind side, has the erstwhile Gold Coast been turned into a centre for the illegal gold and cocaine trade? The optics of all this occurring amid a change of administration were unsettling.
The deafening silences that followed each treasure discovery were much worse. Loud silences the day after were troubling in a nation where pure gold one day can be deemed to be phoney gold the next, and "gold bars" turn into "chop bars" the next day. I quickly discovered that polite conversation is forbidden during meals! A reputable lawmaker refused to be duped on April 1, despite the fact that everyone was focused on April Fools' Day.
He sounded a loud whistle in accordance with the security warning, "if you see something, say something." He revealed that two enigmatic planes that had been lounging on our air strip for days were bound for the well-known drug Paradise in Spain. In fact, one aircraft had been designated as a "ambulance," but spectators would not be duped. Ambulances with sirens blasting have become commonplace in our country, rushing by 37 Military Hospital to unload agricultural products at the Malata market.
Cassava is very unwell on board! However, the whistleblower was more than just a lawmaker; he was a senior member of the defence and interior committees, whose duties directly included investigating questionable planes. Most importantly, Rev. Fordjour is one of only two men of God who are certified in parliament. To come out with his suspicion was simply to say: 'In God We Trust, Not Ambulances.'
After hearing the whistle, our beloved President JDM boldly directs pertinent state agencies to "insist immediately and completely on the honourable MP so he provides all necessary information to investigate the allegations and expose any drug dealing." Ghana has zero tolerance for drug trafficking, the president stressed, and the country would not be exploited as a transit or end destination for illegal substances.
In bold, reset the agenda. That was a brilliant move that temporarily calmed everyone. A government spokesperson drastically changes JDM's order the next day. According to the spokesperson, JM's request was made to cast doubt on the whistleblower rather than to conduct an inquiry. Pro-government organisations adopted the new motto, "Prosecute him; arrest the liar." Now, the plaintiff was under suspicion.
Ghana mostly stood and watched as the reverend pastor was booed, jeered, insulted, humiliated, and mistreated, with the exception of the minority caucus that stood up for him. On Wednesday, April 9, everything reached a breaking point. Reverend Fordjour's home in Spintex was overrun by dozens of armed men. It was unclear what the purpose was, but in these strange democratic times, armed guys with hooded faces and AK-47 weapons might be either lawless bandits or real police enforcement.
Those armed guys were definitely not prayer warriors. The scenario quickly devolved into a battleground, with inquisitive bystanders and a visiting minority caucus in near disbelief, while the legislator's traumatised children cried and pondered what would happen to their father. Imagine an impending conflict between armed men and a gospel minister with a cross and a copy of St. James' Bible.
Even when confidence in a public investigation wanes and evidence from a murder scene dissipates at high elevations, problems still remain unsolved as the day of the Crucifixion draws near.
Is drug trafficking centred in Ghana? I hope not. Allow a reset. Ghana stands firmly and decides as a nation to defend our reputation. We have faith in God. Not in Coca-Cola!
