Letters
Alhaji Kromah deserved the sack
It is quite understandable that for you journalists, the world is populated by heroes and villains.Such a state of affairs would make your job a lot easier; unfortunately, the real world is not like that and your attempts to paint it as such will fail. Elizabeth Ohene's article on the sacking of the former Liberian Minister of Information Alhaji Kromah made interesting reading. She was obviously trying to make Alhaji Kromah into some kind of a hero and Commander-in-Chief Samuel Doe into a villain for sacking him.
Alhaji Kromah was a member of the Cabinet, if he felt strongly on a particular matter, the normal thing would have been to discuss and argue the point in cabinet. Whatever decision was taken by the entire cabinet he would then either be bound by it or else he would do the honourable thing and resign from the cabinet.
What was the point in forever complaining in public about the evils of a one party dictatorship and giving the impression that the other members of the government supported such an idea and he was the only one fighting against it?
In this article, headlined 'The Short Reign of an Unusual Minister', there was one very significant statement: 'One got the impression that Alhaji Kromah either was too good to be true, very naive or had perfected the art of double-talk'.
I suggest that you put your finger on the matter Alhaji Kromah was very naive and a man like that had no business being an Information Minister.
Hilary Davies, London
Rawlings in Nicaragua
The report of 'Rawlings in Nicaragua and Cuba' made interesting reading.The issue of a joint statement by the co-ordinator of the Nicaraguan government, Commander Daniel Ortega and the Ghanaian Rawlings, condemning the US as aggressors creating armed conflicts in several parts of the world is nonsense. Their resultant call for respect for the right of the United Nations, underscores and exposes their lack of democratic ideals and their sense of direction knowing very well that they as leaders have denied their countrymen the right to choose their own leaders and governments.
In much the same way as they abhor the US foreign policies so do we as citizens yearn to see them off the helms of national affairs as they came to power by disgusting and detestable means.
It is a deliberate misinformation Rawlings says that Ghanaians have meant to throw dust into your eyes, if found medium of expression in him and his PNDC governments.
Is the PNDC not ashamed that the country's socio-economic status has been at its lowest ebb in its history since this government came into power? Rawlings once blamed the Limann administration for turning the hospitals into graveyards. What has he turned the whole country into? If the PNDC wants to see the country's economy on a sound footing then it should desist from its flirtation with socialist and communist countries.
Practical experience and observations have shown that any country without opposition to its government and without free market economy, always lags behind many developments and advancement, comparatively. The case of Guinea under Sekou Toure should serve as enough lessons to us.
Akwasi Asamoah-Amoakohene,
Bordeaux, France
Towards iron and steel industry in Ghana
Allow me to comment on the interesting feature article on Ghana's iron and steel project published in this magazine on September 17, 1984.Your industrial correspondent's assessment of the Krupps Report was excellent in my view because he took the bull by the horns, as it were, and exposed the weaknesses in the Report which could seriously affect the viability of the project.
As for Dr. R.P. Baffour's accusation of political interference in the assessment of the report, not forgetting the hysterical effusions of the Ghanaian Times on the issue, the less said about it the better.
One point is clear, though; in our enthusiasm to develop this vital industry whose end product would, without doubt, be invaluable to the economy, care ought to be taken to guard against hasty decisions that would eventually prove catastrophic in our overall economic development efforts.
Until a viable source of power is found to run the proposed industry, the Opon Mansi iron and steel project must remain where it is - on paper.
James Banful, Manchester
Wonders of Ada?
I could not believe my eyes when I read in the "People, Places and Events" column (September 17) a story about a three-man delegation of the Ghana Tourist Board travelling to Big Ada to see the performance of a magician (for that's what he is) who conjures "hot cooked rice and stew" (a reflection on the improved food situation?) from the bottom of the Volta River.When other countries are seriously developing infrastructure and permanent cultural set-ups to attract foreign tourists who would bring foreign- exchange into the economy, the moribund Ghana Tourist Board is hooked onto a magician!
The Board may lack the resources to achieve its serious objectives, if it has any at all, but for God's sake the doubting Thomases who may flock to Big Ada to see the supernatural powers, I am sure, would want something more than cooked rice and stew to justify the money spent on the Ghana Tourist Board.
K. Gyasi, Hamburg.
What does this mean?
I am intrigued by the report of the special sub-committee of the National Investigations committee set up a year ago to review cases of AFRC convicts.The decision of Mr Adu Nti says in part that Mr Nti should accept the condition that he stands the risk of being arrested for jumping ball should he decide to come back home and that if he accepted that condition, HE WOULD BE PERMITTED TO RETURN.
Since Flight-Lieutenant Rawlings has always spoken about 'self-exiled" Ghanaians, what is meant by Mr Ni would be PERMITTED TO RETURN.
Is it possible that Ghana sends some of her citizens into enforced exile and would not ALLOW them to come back home unless they meet certain conditions?
Samuel Northwood, Cambridge.
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