Full Petition of the #OccupyFlagStaffHouse demonstration

• Posted on July 2, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

In its petition to President John Mahama, a group calling itself the Concerned Ghanaians for Responsible Governance (CGRG) has raised concerns about the ever-depreciating value of the Ghanaian cedi, constant increases in taxes, inefficient revenue collection and very poor road networks in the country.

The full petition of the #OccupyFlagStaffHouse below;

Dear President Mahama,

IN THE NAME OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD

“We the People of Ghana, IN EXERCISE of our Sovereignty as a people under Article 1(1) of the 1992 Constitution, and in further exercise of our natural and inalienable right to demand responsible governance, which shall secure for ourselves, and posterity the blessings of liberty, equality of opportunity and prosperity; AND IN SOLEMN declaration and affirmation of our commitment to; Freedom, Justice, Probity and Accountability.

The Principle that all powers of Government spring from the Sovereign Will of the People; The Rule of Law; The protection and preservation of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms, Unity and Stability for our Nation; Do humbly petition your High Office” with the concerns raised  above.

Further in the petition, the CGRG expressed “it is our firm conviction that every Ghanaian deserves to be happy. And we maintain that our collective happiness as a people is inextricably linked to responsible governance.”

“In light of this, we are of the view that in exercise of our sovereignty, we as a people must make a demand for responsible governance regardless of the political party holding the reins to governmental power. It is our intent to make this demand for responsible governance legitimately by exploring all avenues afforded us by law,” the petition pointed out.

Adding, it was for this reason that “we, the undersigned, together with other concerned Ghanaians have put together this petition for your kind consideration.

We have no doubt that this petition will receive the urgent attention it deserves because we trust that your government is a listening government. Furthermore, we believe that having been elected on the back of a firm promise to make our nation a “Better Ghana” you will find sustainable solutions to the challenges outlined in this petition.”

It asserted the issues highlighted have been the grave concerns of ordinary Ghanaians who entrusted their wellbeing in the hands of the ruling government, of which President Mahama is the leader.

The group also recounted the humiliating situation in the camp of the Black Stars in the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

When it became under severe pressure, the government airlifted a whopping $3 million to settle the players’ appearance fees, which many said has brought shame to the country.

Each player was paid a $100,000 as appearance fees and event at that, the Brazilian government also took its share by way of taxation to the tune of $17,000. Each of them was taxed 17 per cent.