Kwasi Nyantakyi: A Victim or A Criminal?

To start with, every Ghanaian should forgive me on this score because I am not a legal luminary and I am not privy to Anas’ video, except for bits and pieces of information in the media. I am simply being “a citizen and not a spectator”. I was surprised and still surprised because of the hullabaloo around the supposed media “order by the President” for Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi to be “arrested” by the security agencies. In fact, I am simply lost for words over this whole saga. For the records, I do not know Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi in person to do any PR job for him but I want to be educated; hence, the issues I am going to raise below:

Firstly, I would like to know whether “Anas’ exposé” has become the benchmark of corruption detection and fight in this country? Is journalism an ethical profession? Is Anas’ modus operandi ethical? Is setting people up in the pursuit of their legitimate duties to get incriminating evidence against them the way to go in fighting corruption in Ghana? How many people can escape hypothetical corruption test in this country? If somebody sets you up to get incriminating evidence against you, what does that make you? A victim or criminal?
I am not by these questions attempting to exonerate Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi or any other person who has been a subject of Anas’ investigations. I think in this country we sometimes give dogs bad names in order to hang them. Due to the incriminating nature of the evidence adduced against such victims of unethical journalism, no one stops to sympathize nor empathize with such people maybe they are remotely related to us or that we find ourselves to be “holier than thou”.

How does one “defraud by false pretences” in this case? It is mindboggling to say least. I am wondering how somebody who has been given a certain amount of money in dollars per the engagement to lead “supposed investors” to the corridors of power be deemed to have defrauded by false pretences. Was the victim given a particular amount to be given to the President and his vice, among others and the money was not delivered or the said contract could not be secured eventually? Per our constitution, I thought bribe givers and takers are both guilty or the constitution says otherwise? I need some education here! Were the supposed investors actually investors? If not, then the whole enterprise becomes a mere conjecture. How on earth is one hounded and prosecuted on the basis of conjecture?

In any case, Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi was lured into the supposed investment meeting and induced with money surreptitiously with the premeditated intent to implicate him. This is obviously unfair and unethical journalism.
I give thumbs up for anyone who champions the fight against corruption and graft in this country and Africa because the twin evil of bribery and corruption cost this country and continent more financial resources than any other canker. However, we must begin to speak against injustice even if it is against our sworn enemy because injustice against one person is an injustice against all.

I am the first to salute gallant journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Manasseh Azure, Kwakye Afreh Nuamah, Kwaku Baako and many others, whose unrelenting quest to fight corruption has saved Ghana billions of cedis if not dollars. That notwithstanding, let us brainstorm as we move ahead in salvaging our motherland from the wicked claws of corrupt private and public officials.

Finally, I understand the President’s stance on corruption and his desire to live above reproach. However, ordering the immediate arrest of Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi is a little curious and farfetched. My reason stems from the fact that in a democratic dispensation, rule of law is the benchmark for all citizens and actions since it is assumed that no one is above the law. If that is the case, then one wonders why if the President’s name and high office have been brought into disrepute, he does not report the matter to the appropriate authority for action but rather gives an order for arrest? Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi might have demanded the money in the name of the President but was the money given in the name of the President? I guess in this situation, attempting to take the money is tantamount to taking it in fact?

Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi must begin to reflect soberly and understand that when a bird remains longer than it should in perching on a tree it calls for the sling stone. Ghana football is only plummeting under your watch in recent years. If you love Ghanaian football and your country, spare us the Mugabism in Ghanaian football. Next, watch your steps and remember to watch your mouth when you are “on heat”. Apologize where necessary and resign honourably to safe Ghana football if there is any honour left after this exposé. A word to the wise is enough!

Writer: (Clement Adjei Sarfo, President, leadershipempowermentint.org, 0274445696)