>Sorry to vanish for so long, people. I hope that everyone had a restful / festive / wild / (insert desired adjective) end-of-year in spite of all the electoral shenanigans. Speaking of which, it looks like we missed a series of interesting lectures over the election period.
Let’s see…
Topic: African Democracy
Lecturers: The Good People of Ghana
Topic: ‘Kill Those NPP Cockroaches!’: a Masterclass in Media Irresponsibility
Lecturers: The presenters of Radio Gold (with assistance from ex-President Rawlings)
Topic: The Art of Not Conceding Defeat When the Writing Is Glowing Fluorescently on the Wall
Lecturer: Nana Akuffo-Addo and the NPP elite
Topic: Diet & Win! – Why No NDC Man Can Become Leader of Ghana without Slimming Down
Lecturer: Presidents Rawlings and John Evans Atta-Mills
Topic: Winning Elections From ‘Beyond the Grave’
Lecturer: President John Evans Atta-Mills
Topic: How to Cover an Election & Cover It Well
Lecturer: Joy FM
Topic: Making Terrible Music in the Name of Promoting Peace
Lecturers: The albeit well-intentioned artists whose peace songs aired on TV during the elections. You know who you are.
Topic: How to Lose the Respect of Your Own Party… & Wipe It in Their Faces After Their Defeat
Lecturer: Ex-President John Kuffuor
Topic: When the People Lie to You
Lecturer: Paa Kwesi Nduom
Topic: The Importance of Being John
Lecturers: Presidents Rawlings, Kuffuor and Atta-Mills (with vice President Mahama)
Topic: ‘To (Muga)be or Not to (Muga)be’: Negative Coverage of Africa in the Face of Good News Worth Reporting
Lecturers: Western Media Outlets
Goshdarnit, they all seemed so interesting too. Oh well: maybe next time around.
Here’s to a happy 2009; a year in which – no doubt – we will have plenty to dissect.
Kobby Ankomah Graham 