When his report on the works of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining was leaked, many, whiles apparently not entirely shocked by its reputation-damaging content, would have in no way not expected pushback from the powers that be. But to this degree?
It looks like Prof. Frimpong likes talking to the media. His report was reportedly leaked two years after it was officially submitted to his appointer – who shelved it to rot. Following the palpations from government spokespersons, especially the big fishes whose names were highlighted in the report, he had granted a ‘no-remorse’ interview to a leading media house in the country. And just yesterday, after his arrest, he appears on another popular show on another leading media house in the country. Sometimes the media is a refuge, sometimes the media makes one vulnerable.
The Special Prosecutor arrested the former minister on allegations of corruption related to the works of the committee he chaired. Apparently, a whooping amount in the region of 300 million was inappropriately disbursed. Prof. Frimpong was subsequently released on bail.
The onus of today’s discussion is the profile of Prof. Frimpong and how his dealings or tribulations to date make a case for a salient perception that the best brains in the country largely eschew any engagement or involvement in the politics of the nation.
Before serving as Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Frimpong had lived an illustrious life. An enviable gentleman, well travelled, and was renowned for his exploits as a Cardiothoracic surgeon. Prof. Frimpong was Ghana’s first locally based cardiothoracic surgeon. Whiles Ghana was transitioning from a military regime to a democracy in 1992, Prof. Frimpong was setting up the National Cardiothoracic Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Three decades after, the man is under arrest for ‘misusing state’s fund’. Whiles it wouldn’t be unheard of for a man of such calibre to succumb to the ever-enticing nature of Ghana’s politics to chase the money, rarely does such a personality define their individual success or achievement as dependent on politics. In other words, a professional like Prof. Frimpong would still have been celebrated and respected for his achievements even if he didn’t step foot on the patch of politics. Surprisingly, there are many people like him in this country.
Now let’s look at the profile of our politicians. Not to take anything from our politicians, yes, there are many legislators and government officials who are individuals of high merit but the large chunk of politicians who usually grow through the ranks, are career politicians. Many rose through the ranks and would not be able to point to their individual strides without politics. Anybody in the party can be appointed to ‘any office.
Whiles politics is a field that affords people the potential for ground-breaking achievements and enviable careers, by its nature and the far-reaching consequences, it should be a field that people of incredible talents, achievements, expertise, and empathy occupy. Our best brains need to be at the helm of decision-making, law and policy, governance, and bureaucracy. Leadership and innovations transform countries, and Ghana requires immediate transformation.
In his own words, Prof. Frimpong Boateng ‘trained heart surgeons from across Africa, revamped Ghana’s red cross and improved system functions at KTTH’, all without government support, long before politics. Sadly, he ‘feels victimized for doing nothing wrong; And whereas politics is not a field for the meek, it should not continuously haunt the best brains. Ghana needs them, a lot.
Lansah Harruna
GhanaTalksRadio
