The idea or the art, the act or the thought of presenting gifts in appreciation of, or as a results of satisfaction with performances or of a job well done. If gifts are given voluntarily and in goodwill and not out of compulsion in expectation of certain reciprocal returns. This will in all considerations be good and normal, indeed very natural. There are many provable and anecdotal instances where even animals had shown appreciation for a good done to them by other mamals, including humans. In this respect, giving or receiving of gifts must not in itself generate any concern or any difficulty.
Human behaviour though, has turned otherwise a natural and noble act of appreciation into an informal obligatory, expectant duty in our modern culture. Giving of gifts has now become a formalised entrapment tool to capture or obtain various types of advantages and influences. Gifts giving has become another unwritten, informal means to gain and maintain control for or over decision-makers’ decision-making. Otherwise a little show of appreciation shouldn’t raise any worries and discomforts. In modern day power brokerage, gifts-giving are intended to either directly or indirectly to sway decision-making, there’s no two ways about this.
That is why in most developed countries, in their bid to mitigate the negativity this phenomena brings, authorities and lawmakers have drawn up strict rules and regs which must be adhere to by persons in authority ie, politicians and public officials. In Ghana and in other parts of Africa, giving or receiving of gifts, whether regulated or not, the practice is under massive rampant abuse. The then npp in opposition in 2015/16 made a huge meal of a certain Ford SUV gift to the presidency, for this one would have thought the present presidency would be mindful of that episode and therefore would avoid any actions that may mimic or reminiscent previous time’s case.
The president and his handlers should by now be aware that nobody gives away expensive gifts to politicians just for the big love. Most humans, especially the business entrepreneurs are not that benevolent with a capital B. They are always doing a trade offs for good returns. This must be known by anyone interested in keeping their peace of mind that’s needed for efficient dispensation of duties in public office. The president is better advised to ask his appointees and subordinates to maintain a No Gifts Accepted, a No Gift Allowed culture. Anyone with gifts to make should take them to the numerous charity bodies and donate.
The question being asked now is, who did donate two expensive SUVs to the presidency and why. Has the presidency hinted that they are in need or are short supply of vehicles for official operations. The cost of those two vehicles, couldn’t it have been used to purchase needed hospital equipment like MRI scanner machines for a hospital of choice. What is done may not be undone but for now the advise for the presidency is to name the gifter* the one who donated those vehicles and make a statement to the effect that, that gifter should not expect any favours in return.
Mr. President, tell your appointees and others not to take delight in receiving or collecting gifts. They should avoid gifts from any quarter, no matter how big or small if they are to survive in navigating this treacherous political maze. Mr. President, some of us, we are many. We want you to succeed because your success is ours and Ghana’s too. But Mr. President, there are many too who are about and around you who do the yeser masser things. Mr. President, listen to us with the hash truth. Do not listen to the yeser masser people. We will make or help you succeed. The yeser masser people will spell your doom.
Mawie.
