The Crash

My condolences to the bereaved families.

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A military helicopter crashed in my country recently, killing all 8 people on board.

My first thoughts were “What was going through the minds of those on board as they walked into the helicopter?“ Did they sense it coming? Did any of them feel the need to step back and say they wouldn’t go but couldn’t voice it? Did any of them dream about it the previous day and perhaps confided in a spouse for a short prayer that morning before leaving for work?

Many first heard it on social media and didn’t believe it. It wasn’t the first time fake news was circulating.

But to everyone’s horror, this was no fake news. A true, cold hard story that had to be swallowed with plenty of discomfort.

I scroll the updates on my phone, so many things going on in my mind. Was it really an accident or someone planned it? If someone planned it, what could be their motive? Could it be that someone on board stood a chance of winning some upcoming elections against a key opponent in the party or outside the party?

Could it be because those on board were fighting illegal mining in the country and that was some vendetta meted out by some angry victims of their operation? Could it be negligence on the part of someone? Or a pure accident destined to happen at that time at that place?

If it is ordained by God, why? Why can’t the children of God die peacefully when they’ve lived to the fullest and are ready to go home? If it is from God, where is the glory in such a humiliating way of ending their assignment on earth?

But if it is not from God, will the victims ever get justice? Will we ever get to the bottom of this so that we can save other people from similar scenarios?

I believe citizens should be encouraged to ask questions, to probe, to never forget about this incident after a couple of days, to never forget these individuals after a couple of years. People must probe, no matter what form that probing must take.

By cultivating a citizenry that think critically and demand answers and punish negligence and cover-ups, we ensure a fair and equitable society.

Investigative journalism should be encouraged, investigative units of the police must be well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology that allows them to systematically dig into incidents of this nature and bring out the truth lying at its bottom that no eye seem to see.

Unity is key. God has designed the human race such that we are capable of things that individually, we can never achieve. By uniting security forces of integrity, with private investigative firms, investigative journalists and other seasoned investigative units abroad, we can make substantial progress.

There is also the question of the quality of our education and institutions. A head of state is sick, he is flown abroad for treatment. A minister has toothache, he or she flies abroad for treatment. We need to conduct DNA tests, we fly bodies abroad for testing.

How about investing in our healthcare to elevate them to the standards and possibly above those found abroad. Cuba used to export doctors to our country. We can train and raise millions of doctors and other professionals and export them to neighboring African countries badly in need of health professionals.

It all starts with frustration with the system, questioning our way of life, our systems and our thinking. And going beyond mere talk to demanding answers, demanding change, by not being passive citizens but active ones who rise and make things happens.

Talking is not enough, we can change our attitude. One person’s change can affect another and another and another and before we realize, we have a revolutionized state.

I think we are unrealistic when we expect the government to do everything and seize every opportunity to blame the government for our fate. A lot of the power to govern and make true change lies in the people, individuals who act like there is no government to do anything for them by creating jobs and hiring their fellow humans, by cleaning their communities, by contributing and building schools and hospitals without the support of any government.

If the government realizes that people are rising and doing things for themselves, in order to not be seen as irrelevant in the lives of people and the nation, a sensible government will be pushed to do more to convince the citizenry of its relevance and place, and go the extra mile, to support the efforts of the people.

And together, we can build robust systems for ourselves and our children.

By Benjamin Nambu

From: Ghana

Website: https://www.greatbenji.business.blog

Facebook URL: www.facebook.com/kwesi.nambu