WHO SPEAKS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMON MAN?

WHO SPEAKS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMON MAN?

“NO POLICE FOR MPs - Answering a question on the floor of parliament from the MP for Binduri, Mr. Stephen Yakubu, as to what plans the Interior Ministry had to provide the lawmakers with security, especially at their homes, Mr. Amidu explained that the Police administration may be able to provide personal security at the residence of MPs when there has been appreciable increase in the number of personnel – credit: Daily Guide Newspaper, Monday, July 05, 2010. Written by Awudu Mahama.”

If the ordinary Ghanaian feels insecure in his home, place of work or when walking a street late at night after a tiring day, why should members of parliament demand to feel secure when the kingmaker of this country; the common man feels insecure himself? At least these members of parliament have some security arrangements in place. The ordinary Ghanaian has nothing of this sort. What is the Ghanaian Parliament doing to curtail the rampant armed robbery menace in the country? It is very unsavoury when members of parliament cry foul when a colleague of theirs falls prey to an armed robbery attempt or some other form of near fatal incident. Is the life of a member of parliament worth more than that of any other Ghanaian citizen?

If security in this country is improved on the whole, will it not benefit both the common man on the street and our honourable members of parliament? Why then should a member of parliament feel the need to insist on increased security for his home when the ordinary Ghanaian goes to bed feels insecure in his own home? When one is in distress, Police personnel find it difficult to go to the aid of the distressed person because street names and street addresses are still a myth in our country today. If you do not live near a landmark, do not bother calling any of the emergency lines for help in your time of need because they will either fail to make it or turn up late when the one in distress is beyond helping.

Armed robbers are having a field day. The newspapers keep reporting horrific tales everyday but the man on the street is yet to see any concrete action in this regard yet a member of parliament feels he’s been given the wrong end of the stick because he does not feel safe in his home. Mr. Member of parliament, are you aware the ordinary Ghanaian has got it much worse than you? It is bad enough that we labour for minimum wage; it is terrible enough that the youth of this country waste away each day without jobs, we endure all these with minimal fuss but when you crave for increased security at home, I say this is the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

Are you more Ghanaian than any of us? I do not mind you having security, it feels me with great trepidation when your knee-jerk-reactions kick in and you begin enquiring of the Interior Ministry, plans to provide lawmakers with security. Shouldn’t all Ghanaian citizens be entitled to security? Is this too much to ask? Couldn’t you have asked questions on plans being made to curtail the armed robbery menace? What happened to service to the people? Who speaks on behalf of the common man? Kindly put the needs of the common man first before yours. That is service to the people, last time I checked, you were put in parliament by the people to serve their needs and not yours.

It is high time you stopped thinking of what affects only yourselves and addressed the problems that saddle many in the country. Being a member of parliament does not make you a prized asset, it makes you a servant of the people so please begin serving the people by asking for security for all in the country regardless of their standing in society. After all, we all are Ghana too.