STING

CHAPTER 3 [VENGEANCE?]

"It was in 1958 that one Mr Kwesi Forson and his wife Esaba were employed by the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff to serve in the Osu Castle. Those were my parents and Dr Nkrumah was the Prime Minister at the time, as history already tells. At the time they had two sons, my late brothers who were raised in the President's quarters by the best home governors with the best of education. Dr Nkrumah loved my dad who was his personal chauffeur and apparently promised to raise all his children. My mother however was his personal cook and for security purposes, she usually travelled out of town with him to handle his meals especially his indigenous dishes.

My parents served faithfully and remained close household staff even after Dr Nkrumah's recognition as President in 1960. Suddenly in 1966, everything came to a standstill after these same Americans got themselves involved with our governance when the Central Intelligence Agency conspired with General Ankrah and the NLC to take Dr Nkrumah out for speculations that he was doing more to undermine their government's interests.

My mother was with the President in North Vietnam, a few months pregnant with me, when the coup happened in Ghana. My father, together with my brothers were killed by junior soldiers in cold blood when they stood their grounds to remain faithful to the President. My mother who was already a couple of months pregnant, had me the following year in Dr Nkrumah's quarters in Guinea where he served as co-president. She later died mysteriously after being poisoned which caused Osagyefo to live in constant fear of assassination until his demise. I was taken to Zimbabwe per Dr Nkrumah's directives, where I lived for about 3 years until I was secretly brought back to Ghana to be raised by Auntie Vida, the wife of Dr Nkrumah's trusted advisor.

How shall His vengeance be done?
How, when His purpose is clear?
Must he come down from His throne?
Hath He no instruments here?

John Hay's questions to God on vengeance rocked me all the days of my youth, even till today. They were almost engraved in my thoughts and on my lips and I never for a day ceased to ponder over them. All those years I had incubated in me a strong desire to get myself some power. I had heard so many tales from former influential government officials both in Zimbabwe and in Ghana about American involvements and manipulation in African governance and politics and that had stirred so much interest in me.

For my age, I knew too much and sometimes Auntie Vida feared that I may grow up filled with vengeance. I blamed the Americans for the misfortune of my family and I promised to do everything I could to frustrate their hold on the country. Of course, as you already deduced, I cannot be President because the constitution is clear on its Head of State being a citizen by birth. That is why I need you to do this for me.

Politics is a science we all studied at some point but unfortunately it is practised as a game.

Like chess and like a game of cards, you will just watch the game closely and then make your move. All you need to do is to play your part. A lot will ensue, but regardless of what happens, never lose your focus, some of things will be unreasonable but keep your eyes on the prize.