Corruption – Episode 31
Corruption – Episode 31
© Akoto Alexander
Twum Boafo comes back to the ward to meet his wife’s bed empty, at first he thought probably his wife had gone to the washroom to either ease herself or maybe freshen up since they were set to go home. In the ward there was nobody there for Twum Boafo to enquire as to where the wife was, after waiting for about 15minutes and there was still no sign of his wife, he decided to knock on the washroom door but after several knocks and there was no response, he forced himself in only to realise the place was empty. He became shocked and confused as he saw the washroom to be empty so he rushed to the matron’s office to enquire if possibly his wife had moved there to show appreciation to the kind gesture she chanelled towards her but when Twum Boafo got there too he got a different response.
Matron: Ah Twum why are you sweating and panting for breath that way? You entered my office like someone or something is persuing you.
Twum Boafo: Adwoa please has my wife been here?
Matron: Ah Kwame what sort of funny question is this? Have you forgotten where you are standing or is this is one of your new jokes? You know where she should be so why are you coming to ask me that question?
Twum Boafo: Adwoa the truth is that, my wife is not in her ward and there is no one there for me to ask about my wife’s whereabouts.
Matron: (drops her pen) Kwame this is getting serious because I sent Rashida, the nurse you had problem with when you came this hospital the first time to go and deliver the medicine that was prescribed for her and all the medical bills receipts.
Twum Boafo: Adwoa what you mean to say is that, you sent the nurse to give everything you asked me to come for to my wife?
Matron: Exactly my case Kwame.
Twum Boafo: Hmmmmm if what am thinking is the matter on ground then I fear for the worse.
Matron: What are you trying to insinuate Kwame?
Twum Boafo: Adwoa I think my wife has eloped from this hospital.
Matron: You don’t mean it Kwame, please don’t be thinking or saying negative things to yourself. Let us move to the ward, maybe she just took a little stroll on the corridors of the hospital.
Twum Boafo: Well if you say so let us go together, I don’t want to believe what I am thinking. (they walked to the ward to meet the place empty but saw a note under her pillow)
Matron: (takes the note and reads it out) Kwame before you might see this note I would be long gone, I am sorry to have taken a nicodemus leave without a proper farewell. You see I can’t bear the economic hardship coming from you any longer because I deserve the best always. I am sorry things had to end this way but I only saw a better exit which was opened and I made a choice by walking through that door. Don’t bother looking for me because you won’t find me and don’t try going to my family to report because they will rather eat you alive. Thanks for everything you did for me and tell my children that I love them but I have to better my life. At the right time I will bring your ring and the bride price you paid on my head.
Your ex wife.
Twum Boafo: (breaks down with tears) Awwww I am doomed, what am I going to tell Junior and his elder sister? Ah if Akua will break up with me even it shouldn’t be this time of my life when I am in deep crisis. Whom should I turn to now for comfort? How am I going to defend myself should anything happen to. Adwoa my enemies have gotten me this time around and my world has caved in on me.
Matron: Kwame all is not lost my dear, please don’t be down pressed with whatever has happened here. Everything happens for a reason and maybe what has just happened is a blessing in disguise.
Twum Boafo: ( in tears) Adwoa if this is a form of blessing then I wonder how a curse is going to be like?
Matron: Kwame sssssshh!!! Let us go to the cafeteria, whatever the matter is, we can talk about it there. I don’t think you have even taken in anything this morning? My time is already 12pm.
Back at the Presidency:
Hon. Nii Nortey: Danny is Mr President free?
Danny: He was rehearsing on his welcome speech when I left his office but I believe you can see him now.
Hon. Nii Nortey: Thank you very much and how is your wife doing?
Danny: She is very fine honourable, thanks for asking of her.
Hon. Nii Nortey: Don’t mention Danny, you are lucky to have a pretty damsel as your wife so it is very necessary for you to take very good care of her and make sure you don’t give her problems.
Danny: Honourable I have taken your advice in good faith since you are the man with much experience.
Hon. Nii Nortey: Let me rush and go see our man before he leaves his office. (knocks on the president’s office door)
President R. Mensah: Come in Danny, have you received news from Madam Asantewaa concerning the U.N. Delegation?
Hon. Nii Nortey: (enters) Your Excellency, please I am the one. Good afternoon.
President R. Mensah: You are 7minutes late honourable, you should by now know that I am a punctual person when it comes to time management. All the same drop the letter and walk out of my office, I have a lot of things doing and I presume you stated points and facts that won’t make the media and journalist ask questions about your resignation because I won’t get adequate answers for them.
Hon. Nii Nortey: Very well your Excellency, thank you again for the opportunity you gave to me. It was a pleasure serving under you and may God continue to bless you and mother Ghana.
President R. Mensah: May God bless you also in your future endeavours. (phone rings)
Hon. Asantewaa: (on phone) Good afternoon your Excellency, the delegation arrived safely and we are taking a little tour in the capital city before we finally move to the Presidency.
President R. Mensah: Okay that is good, I and the other team members will be waiting for your arrival.
Hon. Asantewaa: Okay sir, in no time you will see us at the Presidency. (calls ends)
Hon. Nii Nortey: (meets the vice president on the corridor)
I greet you your Excellency, I am just coming from your man’s office but it looked like he was resolute on the pronouncement he made last night. I have tendered my letter in as he instructed.
Vice Prez. J. Bugri: Don’t worry everything will be alright in due course, it is difficult but bear in mind that, in life there are ups and down so when things happen to you negatively it won’t be a temporal thing. Let me go and see him in his office before he steps out, I have some documents he has to sign for me. We will talk later when we meet at the Club House.
Hon. Nii Nortey: Okay your Excellency, I am counting on you even though you said I shouldn’t count on you fully.
In a short while the U.N. Delegation arrives at the Presidency and they are received warmly by the vice president then they are ushered into the conference room of the Presidency.
Back at Lovia’s End:
On Phone:
Cindy: Hello sir, good afternoon.
Caller: Hellooooo my dear, how are you doing today?
Cindy: I am very fine sir, thanks for asking.
Caller: Oh c’mon baby girl, hope you slept well last night because I didn’t sleep well last night.
Cindy: My night was very awesome but what happened to you that you weren’t able to sleep well last night?
Caller: You won’t believe me even if I tell you my dear.
Cindy: Try me sir.
Caller: Hmmmmm, you are really putting me in the spotlight but all the same I will try you as you said. Well since we spoke the other time, I have been thinking so much about you. I have been trying to picture you and how you might look because trust me you have a very sweet and succulent voice. I have been imagining the body behind that voice, honestly I can’t simply take my mind off you.
Cindy: Oh really? You have got me blushing already with your words. (signals Lovia to keep mute as she enters the room)
Caller: My dear please kindly send me a text message of the direction to your house so that my driver picks you up for our date.
Cindy: (plays smart) No!!! No!!! Noooo!!! That won’t be a better idea, I will be fine coming with a taxi or uber possibly.
Caller: Why is there a problem with that?
Cindy: Yes sir, I live with a curious and inquisitive aunty. If you send your driver over erh, the kind of interview and quiz my aunty will take him through, he will run and leave me behind.
Caller: But why is it so? Does your aunty see you to be a kid?
Cindy: Oh no, she is a retired service woman and she is only being protective over me because I am staying with her and she doesn’t want anything bad to happen to me which she can’t explain to my parent.
Caller: Oh I understand that one, every responsible mother or parent will do what she is doing. If the taxi or uber is okay with you I am cool with that. First I would love for you to come to my office first so that we go together to the place I have made reservations for us.
Cindy: I am okay with that.
Caller: That is nice, I hope you know whete my office is located?
Cindy: (plays smart) Of course sir, who doesn’t know where that big building is in this country? I know the place very well.
Caller: Okay that is awesome, when you get to the reception, since you don’t have an official appointment with me, your passcode to my office through the receptionist is UPENDI. The moment you say that word, you will be allowed to use my private elevator which leads directly to my office. I will be expecting you by 5pm this evening.
Cindy: I will there on time and won’t keep you waiting sir.
Caller: Okay then I will be waiting for you my dear and do take very good care of yourself. (ends call)
Lovia: Hey who was that baby girl? You look so happy this afternoon, tell me who you were so engrossed on phone with that you gave me a signal to keep mute?
Cindy: Oh that was my uncle ooo, he travelled out the country a very long time ago and he came back recently and he called that he wants to see me this evening.
Lovia: Ah baby girl, I don’t understand something because I am feeling something is not right here. I overheard you saying you were living with an inquisitive aunty who is a retired service woman. My dear what are you hiding from me because your uncle should know your aunty in question?
Cindy: (raises her voice) So has it gotten to the point where you don’t trust me any longer in this room huh? Please if you don’t believe what I told you, you can choose what you want Detective Inspector Bediako or you prefer Anas Aremeyaw Anas?
Lovia: Oh but my dear I meant no harm, if I said anything you didn’t like, please find a place in your heart and forgive me. I am terribly sorry if my words didn’t settle down well with you.
Cindy: Sorry for yourself Lovia, you think you are the only person who is always right. (releases a very loud hiss as she walks to the washroom.
Lovia: (talking to herself) Ah why this sudden change of mood from Cindy to me or she is now fed up with my staying at her end. I have to start preparing to go an join mom and dad at the village, I don’t want to be a liability to anyone in this world.
Back at the Hospital Cafeteria:
Twum Boafo: Adwoa thanks so much again for this wonderful time with you. Your counselling has made me felt a bit better and I am relieved of the pain I was feeling earlier.
Matron: Hey don’t make it look like a big deal, whatever I am doing for you is something you deserve and you always deserve better.
Twum Boafo: But my scare is how junior will digest this news when I broke it to him. I don’t know how I am going face him with this devastating news especially when he was expecting to meet his mom today.
Matron: Okay we can do it this way, how about you guys moving in with me because you are very much aware that I live alone in that big flat and most at times it is very lonely when you don’t get to see or talk with anyone. You guys can think about it and get back to me with your answer my future flat mates. (gives a loud laughter)
Twum Boafo: Hahahahaha you are already addressing us as flat mates even though we have not accepted your offer yet.
Matron: I did so because I walk by faith and not be sight, the other time I called your line but it wasn’t connecting, I was told by the service provider that your phone is off or out of coverage area. Has your phone developed a fault?
Twum Boafo: Adwoa the truth is that, I sold my phone simply because the village has no proper network coverage. To make a simple call you must comb the entire village for reception and because I was in need of money to take care of the house, I sold my phone for 40cedis to a youngman at the village.
Matron: Kwame you know what, I don’t want to laugh, this takeaway is for junior when you get home. I have a spare phone in my office which I will give to you to use for the mean time, I will call my son to send me a better and advanced phone so you can use it. Kwame you deserve the best and so far as I live, I will see to it that you enjoy the good things of life. Now let’s go to my office so you prepare for the house.
Back at the Presidency:
Head of U.N. Delegation: Your Excellency that was a powerful speech you delivered and it was overwhelming. My delegation members were so happy with your delivery as you could see them nodding their heads to affirm it, well one of our key reasons for coming to your peaceful and blessed nation is about your roads, we have been following closely on some bad news that popped up in your country where some great and prominent personalities lost their dear lives due to motor accidents and the bad road network. Myself and some members of my delegation would love to have a brief meeting with your Roads and Transport Minister to outline some detailed innovative ideas on some major roads the U.N. wishes to sponsor your country in doing.
President R. Mensah: It is good to know the U.N. wants to sponsor in the construction of some major roads in my beloved country. For the Roads and Transport Minister you wish to have a meeting with, unfortunately he tendered in his resignation letter a while ago before this meeting commenced. His reason for doing so will be communicated to the good people of this wonderful country by the close of today. The Chief of Staff, Senior Minister and the Deputy Roads and Transport Minister will have the meeting you and your delegation members wish to have with the minister. Once again you are welcome to our ever loving, peaceful and hospitable country, I wish you a happy stay in my country. Akwaaba
Head of U.N. Delegation: Medaase paa Mr omanpayin (thank you very much Mr president)
Everyone in the room releases a loud laughter hearing the white woman speaking twi.
TV Anchor: Cherished viewers today we were not so fortunate to bring live pictures from the presidency to you because we were having some technical issues with our machines after the heavy downpour recently but our abled technicians are on the ground working on it for the problem to be resolved. The good news is my colleague who is the correspondent at the Presidency is on the line to give us updates on what happened at his end. Kofi Dumor please if you can hear me, kindly update us on what took place at the Presidency.
Kofi Dumor: Hello Wendy, good afternoon to you and our cherished viewers. Well talking to you right now the meeting the President and the U.N. Delegation had is over and there were some concerns that were raised. The leader of the U.N. Delegation outlined some projects the U.N. wants to help the government to undertake in the country. The major one is with our bad roads where some of delegation members of U.N. will meet with the Roads and Transport Minister to discuss on how this projects will be turned into reality because they have followed some reportage about our bad roads and the prominent personalities we have lost through motor accidents.
TV Anchor: So Kofi when are they supposed to meet with the minister so they can kickstart the projects?
Kofi Dumor: Well Wendy, another surprise that came up during the meeting was when the President opened up to us that the minister for Roads, Highways and Transport in person of Honourable Nii Nortey Robertson had tendered in his resignation letter minutes before the meeting with the U.N. Delegation commenced.
TV Anchor: Woooow but were you told the reason why the honourable minister resigned because when you visit the social media, most people were complimenting him for the good work he was doing.
Kofi Dumor: Wendy as at now, we the journalist have not been briefed as to what led or informed the minister to take that decision. Some of us tried to contact the minister to hear what he had for we the journalist but his phone is not going through. His deputy, the Senior Minister and the Chief of Staff will be the people to sit down with the U.N. Delegation and discuss on the upcoming project. The director of communication at the Presidency has promised to update us of the content in the resignation letter when the President goes through the letter.
TV Anchor: Okay Kofi then I will leave you as you try to gather enough informations for our viewers and listeners.
Kofi Dumor: Okay Wendy, I am here to give minute details of everything that happens in this busy and powerful office. What ever comes up, our viewers should watch out for more.
What could be the content in Hon. Nii Nortey’s resignation letter?
How would Junior take the news of his mother’s nicodemus exit?
What lies ahead of Cindy in her new found adventure?
To be continued to