Yesterday, I was at the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) in Bolgatanga. I rode behind a motorcycle. No one noticed my arrival.
The situation would have been different if it were a few years ago when I was Regional Minister. I would have emerged out of a V8, the door opened by a police officer with an enticing salute.
All staff around the compound would have run to the vehicle to greet with the broadest of smiles.
Party boys and girls, contractors, relations and friends, students looking for fees, etc. None of these. Just me and my motorcycle rider.
But I met a few of my staff who were very happy to see me again. So, two lessons:
- People just respected my position and not me, Prof. Avea Nsoh.
- Many of the staff I met at the office were still at post but I was long gone.
So, as appointees, we must appreciate those we meet at the office. So, the positions we occupy are just an honour done to us by Ghanaians.
We must never abuse that privilege. We must constantly remember this. And this goes for all persons working for the State of Ghana.
The piece was written on Wednesday, 22 November 2023, by Professor Ephraim Avea Nsoh, a former Principal and Director for Research at Ghana’s University of Education Winneba.
He held public office in Ghana during the John Mahama Administration as Upper East Regional Minister and Upper West Regional Minister.
He is widely regarded “as one of the few incorruptible and humble public officeholders” Ghana and Africa have ever had.
Source: Edward Adeti/Media Without Borders/mwbonline.org
