Norman Goodman Misserial’s
‘ESCAPADES OF KWEKU ATTA, ESQ.,’-An African President
There is uproar in Ogyakrom. One topic has captivated the attention of the people. In radio and television studios, in pulpits, in market places, in palaces and playgrounds, one topic has been in the mouths of the people; the ultimatum given by the President to the union heads of the civil service and local government workers union to get back to work, or face dismissal.
Earlier in the week, the various Heads of the Civil Service and Local Government Workers Union had been given an ultimatum, signed by the Chief of Staff, to return to office and work according to their contract of employment, or be faced with dismissal as their contracts of employment stipulated. These people had led the members of their union to go on strike to lay down tools (pens) over demands that they be given what they called ‘neutrality allowance’. The demand had infuriated many Ogyakromanians, who believed that the workers were just out to exploit a vulnerable government.
The suggestion to call the bluff of the civil servants had been proposed by the Director of Communication, Ralph Bonsu, and the President, never one to miss an opportunity at mischief, had given it a try by authorizing the Chief of Staff to issue the notices. The notices had led to an unprecedented fire storm of debate on all fronts, which the President was enjoying. This evening, he sat listening to a debate on the topic on Municipal TV, one of the popular television stations in Ogyakrom. Debating the issue was Kwesi Anopoma, one of the most virulent critics of the administration, and Kwaku Brago, a once vibrant activist/journalist who, in his waning years, had decided to put off the armour of activism and make peace with political reality. One has to consider one’s pension, seemed to be his operational motto these days, and as far as His Excellency was concerned, it was a good policy. Since assuming power, His Excellency had wisely authorized what amounted to a comfortable under the table stipend for the man, and this had paid off. He was doing a great job tonight, for instance.
Kwesi Anopoma was speaking, his voice rising and falling with the usual passion and love for mob-speak, “I mean, how reckless can one President be? How can you dare and threaten the whole President and Executive Secretary of the Civil Servants Union with dismissal? Is that even lawful? Do they not have a right to make demands for better conditions of service? Do they not have a right to unionize? How can a President who is a whole lawyer threaten union leaders with dismissal for calling for better conditions, eh, Peter?”
Peter Akom Owurako, the host of the ‘Good Evening Ogyakrom’ program on Municipal TV, turned to Kwaku Brago, and asked, “What do you think, Kwaku?”
Kwaku, who has always been a deliberate and careful person in his actions and thoughts, which made him a dangerous person to debate, began slowly, in a quiet, deliberate voice, as different from his vituperative opponent as he could make it.
“Well, Peter, to begin with, we must situate this entire debate properly. What is the genesis for all this? The genesis is that the civil servants say that they deserve to be given an allowance for being civil servants, and not politicians. They call it \Neutrality Allowance’. They say that their compatriots who enter politics as a profession, enjoy greater economic benefits than them, so they should be given an allowance for choosing to remain civil servants and not politicians,” he said.
Peter interposed, “Well, isn’t that reasonable?”
Kweku came back smoothly, “Yes, that is very reasonable. Also very reasonable, is career choices. If you think your career is not economically beneficial, and you have identified a choice that is more lucrative, why don’t you just move to the new career, instead of asking your employer to burden himself with additional costs?”
Peter smiled, “You have a point there. So you are saying that instead of asking for allowances, the workers can change their careers from civil servants, to politicians?”
“Yes,” Kwaku said reasonably. “Just go and do politics. Don’t ask the government to retain you and increase your salaries. That is the first point. The second point is that every employer expects his worker to come to work and produce. If you withdraw your work, the employer has the right to insist that you work, or face dismissal.”
Anopoma started to sputter, but Kweku held up a hand calmly, “Please. I did not interrupt you when you were speaking. Kindly extend me the courtesy. Third, one does not just get up in the morning and declare a strike. There are procedures to be complied with, which means that the strike is illegal. Against that background, government has every right to demand that they return to work or face the sack.”
Listening, His Excellency Nana Sir Obrempong Ewiasewura Kwaku Atta I, Esq., QB, SAG, OBE, KFC, the President of Ogyakrom, rubbed his hands with glee, and started to hit the intercom that brought Ralph Bonsu running into his office.
“Listen, get a car ready now now now. I have decided to send my brother Kwaku a package. Send him a big brown envelope. Send dollars. With our currency, at the rate of depreciation, it might have depreciated more by the time you get to him this evening!”
To be con’t.
