Now that we have the context, let’s move on to tear apart Akufo-Addo’s declaration (“I shall protect the public purse”). Rightaway, we can see that his use of “shall” is unmarked, non-binding and expected for case marking. It is conditional, which contrasts with “I will protect the public purse” which, on the other hand, is marked, obligatory, and subject to scrutiny and penalty.
Folks, do you see what I have seen? Akufo-Addo said what he did (whether he even knew the linguistic implications or not) and has gone against his own vow without any let or hindrance. Neither is he bothered about any move to exert any legal force on him.
Apparently, there is no legal force to exert as far as language use is concerned because he made his declaration in the harmless, traditional linguistic vein. Take him on and he will win the case hands down because he didn’t commit himself to that declaration. He made it as legally non-binding. Who is to blame him or hold his hand to the fire?
Any inferences? Yes. Why he chose to make his declaration non-binding is best known to him and his handlers.
One may claim that framing the declaration as non-binding was intentional to free Akufo-Addo from obligation or to throw dust into the eyes of the uninformed Ghanaian incapable of doing a linguistic analysis of the declaration within the context of the auxiliary verbs “shall” and “will” to see the disingenuousness.
Or that the speech writers didn’t know the implications of the modal verbs “shall” and “will” and wrote that declaration the way they did. Should we pardon them? Probably. Interestingly, they focused much attention on browsing the Internet to look for portions of speeches (by George Bush Junior, Nigeria’s Buhari, etc.) to “steal” ideas from and had little time to originate their own authentic speech for Akufo-Addo. Anyhow, they have been saved by the bell.
Those of us with the ability to explicate texts written in English won’t be fooled by such “wagadri” tactics. We will fish out such key instances of duplicity, question them, and feed public discourse with our findings, especially when the profligacy persists vis-à-vis that empty declaration of intent. We seek nothing but honesty in public office.
Folks, I hope you have come along with me and seen what I have so we can be alert as “citizens, not spectators” (Stolen wisecrack!!). Mother Ghana deserves better. Otiloooooorrrr!!
By Dr Michael Jarvis Bokor