A friend of mine has been trying to meet a Deputy Minister for over three months now. Being a young guy with little to no ‘contacts’ yet, he’s had to go about it the old fashioned way, by trying to get the Minister during advertised visiting hours.
These visiting hours are limited to two hours in an entire week, and are supposed to be the only time anyone can have unfettered access to this Minister without prior appointment. Needless to say the esteemed deputy hasn’t been in office even once during those hours the past three months.
My friend has a brilliant idea, which if implemented might revolutionise one particular sector in need of revolutionising, and certainly drag it into the 21st Century. He has been sitting on it for over a year, spent thousands of Ghana cedis on setting it up at the ground level, but now needs some sort of official seal to implement it large scale.
He’s never had the opportunity to meet the Minister, and his staff was scarcely helpful. When an attempt was made to book an official appointment, the answer was that only the Minister can ask to meet someone.
Otherwise, they give you a piece of paper, you write your contact info and intended purpose for the meeting, and you give it to them.
A piece of paper, in 21st century Ghana; they probably toss it into the bin as your back is turned.
What’s the purpose of this long digression? There is a feeling by elected officials in this country that they’re above the common people. Sure people in Government can and should be busy, but you scarcely make a commitment then fail to keep it even once in three consecutive months!
