By Prince HODEDZI
Dear President Elect,
I am sure by now you are overwhelmed by the outpouring congratulations from Dignitaries and Leaders across the world. I suppose mine may not seem significant because I am just a common citizen. A common citizen who is wondering where his next meal would come from.
Therefore, pleasantries are a luxury I can ill afford. My mind is preoccupied with thoughts on how to survive today, tomorrow and the day after. That is my daily battle! It is a restless mind carried on a soul worn by exhaustion.
Mr. President, we are racing against time. A honeymoon is one we cannot afford in this crucial period; in case you needed to be reminded. Unfortunately, the World is not pausing a moment for us to catch up. As the world spins faster, Ghana must keep pace.
With candor, Congratulations are due, not to you, but to the resilient Ghanaian. For surviving, managing to keep their head above the water and enduring the last Eight Years. We have come out of the ashes scathed with bruises because it has been a long period of unending hardship. It is the audacity of hope that has kept us going. The glimmer of a better tomorrow at end of the tunnel has been our fuel.
Mr. President, a new dawn breaks, with Citizens awake and aware. I want to presume you are fully aware of the task at hand before reapplying for this job. Finally, you have been given the nod. But we, the Citizenry, are growing impatient. Our tolerance has worn thin. Our threshold for excuses is at an all-time low. We have learned from our mistakes the hard way.
We have been punished for slumbering through the electoral off-season and only waking up to havoc caused us when the next election is imminent. We have neglected our civic duty of holding our Leaders accountable and speaking truth to power when it matters. But we have realized it is only a fool who does not right his wrongs when given a second chance. Twice bitten once shy.
Mr. President, I can assure you with certainty this is going to be a long ride. Our faces will not be one you cannot identify. Because we will be in your face every day and every time. We have had enough sleep. Rest is for those who have achieved their dreams. We will hold your leg to the fire each passing day. We will breathe down on your neck always. You have made a lot of promises and assurances. Thus, we will hold you to them. Your Words are bonds to us, we will expect fulfillment. Kindly take note, Sir.
Mr. President, I hope you recognize the overwhelming endorsement is not a personal vendetta. This is vengeance against all that we have lost over the period. This is a cry seeking to savage, manage and grow what is left. It is no longer lost on us that we equally deserve better. We know we deserve a functioning health care system. We are aware a progressive and inclusive Educational System is not a privilege; it is our basic right. Good roads with proper road markings which lightens up at night should not be a miracle.
A working environment where citizens can meet their basic needs, where businesses and entrepreneurship thrive and encourages growth, prosperity should be the normal, not the extraordinary. We are not asking you to take us to the moon. We are you asking for basic needs, Sir. When the basics are not met, self-actualization will not go beyond wishes.
Mr. President, a lot has been said. And I do not want to assume you are still unclear what the message is. But for the avoidance of doubt, this is my simple request of you: I want a Ghana where the child of a nobody (like myself) can be become somebody without knowing anybody. Mr. President, you must hit the ground. Time is of the essence.
Sincerely.
>>>the writer is a youth empowerment advocate who serves as head of operations at Codenation 1957(Code57). He can be reached via [email protected] and or 0546346870
