I CHOOSE JM

The slogan, “I Choose JM” is seriously making waves, and whoever created this powerful catchphrase must be commended. This latest buzz phrase is on the lips of many – young and old across the length and breadth of the country.

But it is not enough to choose JM if we really love him. We need to push ourselves further to ensure his victory in the 2016 presidential election for him to realise his vision for our dear nation. And I have an idea. In John:1:41 of the Bible, when Andrew first met Jesus, the first thing he did was to tell his brother Simon about the good news. This is what I call the Andrew Project, and I want the same approach to be used to lead people to JM.

So, aside deciding to choose JM, there is the need for each “chooser of JM” to also be a champion of the Andrew Project by convincing at least 3 people to join the “I Choose JM” excitement, and telling them the good work our friend and president is doing.

It will take a very long time in the history of Ghana for us to have a courageous leader as President Mahama. I was amazed about his bravery regarding his speech on gay rights at the Scottish Parliament recently.

Hear him: “My country is a circular one, made up of Christians, Muslims, and traditional believers. Non of these sects accepts gayism and lesbianism. As a leader, once the people I rule abhor these things, I cannot accept these cultures on the grounds of human rights. Despite our challenges, our nation stands paramount against any other foreign interest.”

What a wow! That notwithstanding, the sad part of it all is that while others outside the shores of Ghana are slapping their hands for the young man from Bole, the “Wisemen” of the land who are expected to applaud this laudable move have lost their voices. God have mercenaries! Eiiii, sorry, God have mercy! Who just whispered that the “nyasafuo” found their voices on the issue of the 2 Gitmo guys but have remained reticent of the importation of mercenaries into the country?

I haven’t said it amounts to double standards oo, yoo. Please let me sit my somewhere and think of myself. If you have any problem please go and look for the Wisemen. You can shout, ” Nyasafuoo eiii, where are you?”

So, you see, what some people are doing in this country is not, not, not. Let’s give honour where honour is due. Let’s be honest with ourselves and show some love and appreciation to the First Gentleman of the land. It should be now! And it is time to demonstrate some loyalty and friendship.

This reminds me of my favourite story of a loyal Japanese dog. He was a dog who lived in Tokyo, a dog who faithfully waited for his owner at the Shibuya train station long after his owner could not come to meet him. He became famous for his loyalty and was adored by scores of people who passed through the station every day.

In 1924, Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo, took Hachiko, a golden brown Akita dog as a pet. During his owner’s life, Hachiko greeted him at the end of each day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return. The professor had suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and died, never returning to the train station where Hachiko was waiting. Each day for the next nine years, nine months and fifteen days, Hachiko awaited Ueno’s return, appearing precisely when the train was due at the station, and anxiously scanned through the disembarking passengers for his master!

My brothers and sisters, it is true that this country is experiencing some temporary economic challenges, but this can never be compared with the misery and pain of war. Let’s therefore reject those who are for violence and embrace those who are for peace.

Ghana is surrounded by francophone countries and the sea. I don’t speak French and I don’t know how to swim like most of you. In case of an outbreak of war in this country, God for bid, some of us will go through terrible moments and untold hardships. Hence, my fervent desire is to see a peaceful Ghana; my spine is tinkling with favorable expectation; the patriotism in me is crying to be unleashed. The loyalty in me wants to break loose. I want to emulate Hachiko the loyal and faithful dog. I choose JM.

We are one people, one nation with a common destiny. There is no need to hate or kill each other because of our political party affiliation this coming General Elections. Life, is after all, for rent, and we cannot deserve more than we get because nothing we have is truly ours.

For your Easter Holidays relaxation let’s enjoy Dido’s “Life is for rent”:

I haven’t ever really found a place that I call home
I never stick around quite long enough to make it
I apologise that once again I’m not in love
But it’s not as if I mind that your heart ain’t exactly breaking

It’s just a thought, only a thought

And if my life is for rent and I don’t learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
‘Cause nothing I have is truly mine

I’ve always thought that I would love to live by the sea
To travel the world alone and live more simply
I have no idea what’s happened to that dream
‘Cause there’s really nothing left here to stop me

It’s just a thought, only a thought

And if my life is for rent and I don’t learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
‘Cause nothing I have is truly mine

While my heart is a shield and I won’t let it down
While I am so afraid to fail so I won’t even try
Well how can I say I’m alive

And if my life is for rent and I don’t learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
‘Cause nothing I have is truly mine

‘Cause nothing I have is truly mine
‘Cause nothing I have is truly mine
‘Cause nothing I have is truly mine