I beg to differ

'A call for action'

“You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it…” — Malcolm X 

America's  incumbent stylish head of state, President Obama was there. So was the former president George W. Bush Jr.   Former New York City mayor, Rudolph Giuliani and of course, the current New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg, and other senior government dignitaries were all in attendance. It was a colourful yet poignant moment for America.

But forlornly, something was amiss – September 11 2001 first responders – the brave emergency workers who helped with the rescue and recovery efforts a decade ago, were all denied entry to the 9/11 National Memorial on the 10th anniversary of the attacks in New York and conspicuously missing in action.

The 90,000 or so fire fighters, police officers, and civilian volunteers who rushed toward the burning twin towers were not invited to be part of the ceremony commemorating this year's September 11 10 anniversary event. How sad.

Family members only were allowed to walk onto the plaza, looked at their loved ones’ names and with grief looked down into the voids while reflecting the pools in the footprints of the two towers.

And, in fact, first responders have never been officially invited to the events. But that doesn’t make it right; many of them are now battling cancer and other diseases.

Protesters on the streets of Malawi's commercial centre, Blantyre. Photo: Reuters

How can all this be summed up? The best of the best of Americans who offered their 'bestest' to their country ten years ago were neglected and denied their rightful place and due recognition.

This is what is called 'politics' and it sulks – and it seems to me that that's the trend everywhere in the world, even in the warm heart of Africa, Malawi. Most of those that gave their best of the best to their country are now long neglected and refused to be recognised by the governors who persistently ignore their noble contributions.

I'm talking about the citizens here, the voters, the first responders who braced the uncompromising and unbecoming frosty May weather to cast their vote to put someone in office.

How sad that those brave Malawians are now being neglected and ignored to the core and when they constitutionally voice out their concerns they are being threatened to be 'smoked out.'

‎Malawians are now living in fear, fear of the unknown and the known. Most are suffering in silence. But is it right that people must fear their own government? I beg to differ.

“When the people fear their government that is tyranny," One great American president Thomas Jefferson once said "and when the government fears its people there is liberty…” this is absolutely true because it is not right for people to fear those that that they employed.

I solemnly believe that voters are like a referee in a game of football whose decisions must be final and not that of the player…imagine if players in a game of football were allowed to make own decisions like whether it should be a penalty or a free-kick? What would happen? Your guess is as good as mine – disaster!

I beg to differ that elected people must have absolute powers over those that elected them. It is not right. Is it?

Now is the time that we as Malawians need to change things, change things for the better of the generations to come.

Together we must act, and fast…

Do I marvel at seeing our democratically elected president threatening the citizens about war? I beg to differ. Is it right for one who was put into power to smoke out those that gave him a ticket to the corridors of power? Again I beg to differ…if anything the opposite can be viable.

I marvel at the idea of what would happen if each one of us as Malawians would be totally committed to our good selves to nation-building day in day out.

What would our country be like? What would our cities be like? How about our communities? What about our malodorous public institutions be like?

What would our schools, our universities, our secondary, primary and nursery schools be like if together as a country double our efforts to work things out? What would happen if our government and its all citizenry priotise quality education system?

What must we do to make Malawi a better place?

I believe that the only way to make mother Malawi a very habitable country is for of us to be proactive in our quest to better our motherland, Malawi, the warm heart of Africa.

Perhaps the question we must all strive to find an answer must be: "What must we do to make a difference as an individual rather than waiting for others to do things while we stand hands akimbo and mouth agape”

Unless otherwise, the naked truth is our country will never develop until such time when we as a country will stop peddling a selfish living.

Our elected leaders must always be sensitive and pay sufficient attention to the quandaries of the citizens.

I believe that the government must listen to listen to what the people are saying and want.

Those entrusted with positions of influence must never think about affluence rather than their influence on the poor, they must not miss the train that can carry them to the land of opportunities which can enable them to deliver quality leadership, and always be willing to make a difference.

They have the opportunity to leave a mark that cannot be erased. As Obama once said: "History will not judge us by what we destroy but what we can build…"

I strongly believe that Malawi has from time to time found it difficult make pleasing progress as a nation not because it cannot but due to the fact that so many people are gluttonous. With the state of the economy and the high unbearable unemployment rate, it is easy to be self-centred.

Please do not let greediness and self-indulgence have any room in our hearts and actions.

We are all leaving a legacy, either intentionally or unintentionally, therefore it would be ideal if we commit ourselves fully make things work to our advantage.

But while developing our country, we must also realise that now we live in a global village and as such we must not just be interested in developing Malawi alone but even the peoples beyond – this sound like a far-fetched dream but in reality impossible is nothing.

We must always remember that there are people around us; all over our households, around us, in our communities and of course in our country and even beyond the borders who are hurting; people whose lives can change if we can do something.

Government officials must always back up their words with tangible actions. As a 47 years old nation we no longer need a lip service for all we can get out of it are nothing but saliva. All we want is action, action and action! Period!

Malawians are not stupid. They have never been at any point in history. They're watching with folded arms but with bleeding hearts waiting for the right time. Remember that lightning makes no sound until it strikes.

The best gift elected leaders can give to the electorates is nothing but a high quality service delivery in their political endeavours.

Our elected leaders must get up every day with a heart to focus on how to make our country a better place and never how better themselves.

The best way to conduct ourselves is never to allow the past to affect the present, and more importantly, we must do things today not in any way ruin tomorrow.

Will fighting with the NGOs solve any problems? Will clamping down on the media help you become a better ruler? Will impeaching the democratically elected vice president help put your house in order? I don't think so.

And the Civil Society's decision pulling out of the so called dialogue talks, which seems to be going nowhere is the best decision under the circumstances.

petermakossah@twitter.com

petermakossah@yahoo.co.uk

Nyasa Times 15 Sep, 2011

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Source: http://www.nyasatimes.com/columns/i-beg-to-differ-%e2%80%98a-call-for-action%e2%80%99/
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