HIS EXCELLENCY THE HEAD OF STATE BY Danny Safo NOVEL ANALYSIS

HIS EXCELLENCY THE HEAD OF STATE BY Danny Safo NOVEL ANALYSIS

Author: Danny Safo

Publisher: Macmillan

Year: 1983

INTRODUCTION

The novel His Excellency the Head of State is one of the novels that appear in the Modem

Writers Series. Most of the issues raised in the novel are relevant to the social and political situations found in most societies in Africa today. We hope that students or other readers will enjoy and learn a lot by reading this African novel. We shall start the analysis with a chapter to chapter summary of the novel. We shall then, look at form and content of the novel.

It should be emphasized right at the beginning that the analysis is based on one’s experience and understanding. Therefore, you as a reader of this analysis can think of other issues basing on your experience and understanding. All the same, this is a good guideline.

SUMMARY OF THE BOOK

(The story is centred on Musante)

CHAPTER ONE

COLONEL MUSANTE TAKES OVER THE GOVERNMENT OF KILITANIA THROUGH A MILITARY COUP

It is early morning, before sunrise. The sun rays are greeting the eastern sky and the harmattan wind is blowing. The writer uses descriptive language (imagery) to describe this. He says:

The golden rays of the tropical sun were bursting gracefully out of the eastern sky, like budding flowers at the first sight of light. The cheek chilling, skin sapping, biting harmattan wind of January was whispering conspiratorially to the thirsty leaves of the coconut trees …… (p1)

Then, at six oclock a stunning announcement (though expected by few) is heard over the radio, Colonel Musante, Commander of the First Battalion of the Kilitanian Army, has taken over the government of Kilitania. He makes this announcement himself.

Colonel Musante, through the announcement, suspends the Constitution of Kilitania, dissolves Parliament and dismisses the President and his Ministers. He declares President Bawa a persona non grata (an unwanted person) in Kilitania, By that time, President Bawa is in New York City in the United States attending a conference on Harnessing Solar Energy; thus he3 no longer Kilitanias representative in the conference. All MPs are ordered to report to nealrest police stations for protective custody.

Colonel Musante goes on to tell the nation that the political and economical situation of their country has been deteriorating. He says that there is an insurrection by the Gyama tribe (inthe West part of the Country) who want to establish their own Gyama state. He says that although the actions of this tribe are tantamount to treason but president Bawa had been talking of dialogue instead of taking strong military action. (Emphasis mine). He says the state needsnand not balkanization and weakness.

.He adds that the constant roaming of streets by hooligans and thieves abound which has instigated fear among the citizens is another proof that President Bawa has failed to govern the nation.

He talks of the decision of Bawa’s government to cut the budget saying that it has imposed unimaginable burden to many people except MPs and other governmental officials who have high salaries and extra allowances. He gives examples of the cancellation of the long-time maintenance allowance by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and the withdraw of the free SUPPY 0f electricity to the Armed Forces Personnel as proof of the burdens to the people.

He also talks of the devaluation of the Taku (the national currency) by a Colossal thirty percent in relation to the American dollar (and, thus, other convertible currencies). Colonel Musante cites Professor Issaka Amoro, of the Department of Economics at the University of Kilitania who has argued that although devaluation makes foreign goods expensive and domestic ones cheaper, but domestic goods may not be enough to satisfy the demand of domestic goods by foreign countries. That, the major export of their country, coffee has a gestation period of about five years and its price is fixed in foreign currency. He upholds the Professors ideas such as:

…….the international price of coffee Is determined on the world market and is fixed inthe almighty dollar, the pound sterling, the lira, the yen, the deutschmark or the franc. Can we produce substitutes for the essential commodities that we currently import? (p3}

He says the government under President Bawa had foolishly agreed the ideas of the Harvard Advisory Group and the I.M.F. to devalue the Taku, which cannot be a solution to their countrys economic problems.

He finally says that the duty of soldiers is to protect their nation. He appeals for maximum cooperation from the general public and says names of the members of the Supreme Military

Government will be given and he order workers to go to work as usual and warns out people not to disturb the peace in any way.

He finishes his speech by the words:

May God help us. Long live Kilitania. (p 3)

We are told that among the people who receive the announcement of the coup with joy are some Professors at the University of Kilitania who helped to prepare the colonels speech and hope to be given very lucrative jobs such as the Vice Chancellor in the country’s five universities, the Govemorship of the Central Bank of Kilitania; etc. The other one who is happy with the announcement is Prophet Akaba of the Life-After-Life Church who sees the strong possibility of his church reaping benefit from the coup d’etat, since Colonel Musante is his follower.

Prophet Moses Abraham Akaba founded a Church fifteen years back and now it was very popular in Sago; the capital city. Prophet Akaba had supported President Bawa in the hist general elections by ordering his many followers to vote for him but later there was misunderstanding between the two. His support was also because prophet Akaba and Presiden

Bawa came from the same tribe and the prophets followers admired President Bawa. The prophet is also a famous faith healer.

Colonel Musante had been transferred from his non-military post as the Director of the National Service to Commander of the first Battalion by President Bawa after the victory of the NRP, headed by President Bawa two years back. Six years back, prophet Akabah prophesied to Colonel Musante in a private service that in a near future the colonel woul become His Excellency, the Head of the State of Kilitania. The colonels idea to stage a coup had been there from the day he was appointed to command the Battalion but it had remain dormant until prophet Akabas visionwas told to him. He had taken advantage of that presidents absence to conspire with a few colleagues of his, secured the armoury and talkingOther necessary military measures, and driven to the Broadcasting House with a few of his colleagues, surprised the unsuspecting military guards on duty and made the historic announcement, he who had been trusted much by President Bawa.

Questions:

1. Why does Colonel Musante stage the coup?

2. Who are his supporters and why?

3. What is the role of Prophet Akaba’s prophecy (vision) in the coup?

CHAPTER TWO

WESTERN POWERS ADOPT ANTI-KILITANIA TRADE POLICIES, PRESIDENT MUSANTE SACKS THE GOVERNOR

A month later, the act of disloyalty and treachery (which was a stab in the back) against the government of the National Redemption Party (NRP) was a fait accompli. Many party functionaries and government officials who were detained initially have been released. The new government called the Supreme Military Government (the SMG) is strongly established under Colonel Musante (now General Musante) as President and his fellow military officers as Ministers. But the Ministry of Justice is under a competent private legal practitioner, Mr. Benjamin Odei, while Education is under a veteran educationalist, Dr. Thomas Osae. The General is also, automatically, the Commander in Chief of Armed Forces.

We are told that University students in Sago supported the Military Government from the first day of the coup. Others such as those in the University of Rakka in Rakka (the second largest city after Sago) offered to undertake free service for the new government such as harvesting sugar cane in state-owned farms, etc. We are told that such offers were very surprising as many such places had poor soils for agriculture. The other four Universities also joined in.

The SMG receives a memorandum from the National Union of Kilitanian students demanding the upward revaluation of the Taku and disclaimer of tainted debt contracts. The Government does so. (We are told that the ex-president and the students were not friends. Students abhorred him. They wanted a leader like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana whom they said was active, brilliant, charismatic, dynamic, erudite, flamboyant and visionary).

General Musante summons the Chief Economist of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Flaming (Dr. Kibaki) and the governor of the Central Bank for a discussion on the state of the country’s economy. They tell him that the situation is very bad and about to worsen. Dr. Kibaki tells him that since the country’s repudiation of the external debts there has been no foreign aid from even liberal countries like Sweden.

General Musante asks why should it be so and the Governor tell him that Western countries take a loan as a debt obligation which is a ‘holy’ obligation. He says: “You see, sir, to the western mind, debt is sacrosanct ….0nce you receive money from someone with a promise to repay, you have to honor that contract…. ’ (pp. 8-9)

He says, the other reason is that if Western countries kept quiet then other poor countries like Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Ghana, and Zaire will also follow Kilitania’s example.

Then Dr. Kibaki also adds telling His Excellency that a news item by the BBC has stated thfit the Export Credit Guarantee Department has withdrawn its cover on British exports to Kilitania which means no more exports from Britain to Kilitania which will affect Kilitania because Kilitania is a former British colony and as such depends on import from Britain.

General Musante asks them why they had not told him earlier they have no answer. He tells them to be ready to see him at any time. The meeting is over. In the aftemoon he goes to the Shops and the words of Dr. Kibaki are confirmed. The Shops are almost empty of merchandise “9‘1 the shop owners tell the same story. On his return to his office, General Musante makes up his mind to fire both Dr. Kibaki and the Governor. He thinks the two men have conspired against his government.

He tells the secretary of the SMG about this plan and this secretary tells him that cannot be possible with the chief Economist who is civil servant appointed by the public service Commission which is the only organ with powers to fire him under the General orders. General Musante asks if the General Orders cannot be revised.
Can ’t we revise the general orders of the civil service? After all, we are soldiers, no civilians like you and we don ’t hesitate to take draconian actions ’p. 12) ‘

The Secretary tells him that Dr. Kibaki will go to court if that happens. General Musante ham option but to retain him. The next morning, he tires the Governor. The news over Radio Kilitania is that the Governor has resigned and that the Government has accepted his resignation with regret. Prof. Issaka Amoro of the Department of Economics at the Umvemity of Kilitania replaces him as the new Governor of the Central Bank.

Question:

1. Why does the General fire the Governor?

CHAPTER THREE

GENERAL MUSANTE VISITS PROPHET AKABA. THE PROPHET TELLS HIM THAT THE SOLUTION IS TO ADOPT THE PRINCIPLE OF SELF-RELIANCE

In the evening, General Musante dashes to Prophet Akaba under the cover of darkness and m a Camouflaged car. He had previously sent his friend, a small dealer in used cars, toothank the Prophet for his inspiration and spiritual support following the success in the execution of the Coup. Note that the Prophet is here addressed to as:
His Messianic Holiness, Prophet Moses Abraham Akaba.

We are told that following the announcement of members of the SMG Prophet Akaba sent his followers to research thoroughly on each member and he got enough information.

When General Musante arrives, the Prophet is delighted to see him because he plans to use him for his personal benefit and for the benefit of his church. He says to the General:

“Eh! Who do 1 behold here in my own living room?
His Excellency the Head of State of Kilitania!
Kneel down and let me bless you and call for God’s
constant protection before we move into the Holy Chamber; p 14)

So he prays for him and blesses him and them congratulates him giving him to great African heroes of the past:
“Kantanka, great black hero, the true descendant of the mystical union between Chaka the Zulu and Yaa Asantewa of Ashanti; the great man-at-arms, the metal that cuts through other metals. Congratulations! Congratulations! I ’m proud of you. Come into the Holy Chamber’ (p.15)

They enter the Holy Chamber the most sacred room in his twenty-six roam residence in the exclusive Roman Ridge area of Sago. The Prophet is both a faith healer and the most competent exorcist. Many people, rich and poor, come to him because most of the ‘people of all social standing are very superstitious. No one enters to Holy Chamber because it is where the Prophet consults the supernatural so General Musante feels very honouted. Dangling from the ceiling at the middle of the Chamber is a tablet with the letter of the magic word

Abracadabra.
A
BR
ACA
DABRA

Again other magic words against conflagration are written on a square tablet standing on the central table:

SATOR
AREPO
TENET
OPERA
ROTAS

The Prophet prophesies that General Musante would one day become leader of the whole A&ica. The General doubts it because the great leaders of Africa, like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the like failed. The prophet tells him to have no doubt but only faith in the Lord. He uses foreign expressions like: ‘Aqua horaxit venias carajos’ (p.16)

Then, the General tells the prophet of the economic problems that he has started to encounter in Kilitania alone and wonders what if it was the whole of Africa. The Prophet asks him:
“Aren ’t you a soldier? Did you confer the title “General ”on yourself for nothing? ‘ p.17)

Then, the Prophet tells him that the behaviors of Western nations towards Kilitania leaves Kilitania with only one option, i.e. to adopt the principle of Self-Reliance. The General promises to tell the cabinet when it meets next. Then they start discussing each member of the SMG. The Prophet tells General Musante to have complete confidence in the Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Roma Hesinki but to be careful with Colonel Opango Banda, the Commissioner for Agriculture (who is the only cabinet member with a University degree).

General Musante is both surprised and impressed by the Prophet’s knowledge of each member of the SMG. He later tells the Prophet that he has to leave as he has a lot of matters at hand.

In the living room, he sees Prophetess Akaba, the Prophet’s beautihil wife, talking to Mr. Baah Gyekoka, a building and road contractor, an importer and exporter who is good at gossips. The General greets them and leaves.

We are told that the Prophetess was married to Prophet Akaba before the establishment of the Church of Life-After-Life. Moses Akaba had failed his University Examinations at the University of Kilitania where he had been studying Economics, Political Science and Theology (which had required some exposure to Latin, Greek and Ancient Hebrew). He thus had to re-s1t the exam a year later. It was in the meantime that he had got a job as Economics and Bible Knowledge Master at Asaman Secondary School where the prophetess was then studying in the fifth form (form five). He had befriended her and made her pregnant before she could participate in the West African Examination Council’s ‘0’ Level examinations. He had been faced with a court case and that was when he had learnt to try to convince people to his side. He had successfully persuaded her parents to allow him to marry their daughter.

Then, he had been popular when one of the most brilliant sixth form students in the school had been ill, rushed to a small hospital at Asaman and declared dead, but had regained his consciousness and said he had seen Moses Akaba in his state of unconsciousness in an immaculate white dress telling him that God wanted him to come back to earthly life! This, plus Moses’ ability to use persuasive language and his knowledge of Latin, Greek and Ancient Hebrew won him a big number of followers and he proclaimed himself prophet and started his Life-After-Life Church. He encouraged young members to leave home and school and live Communally working very hard to raise funds while older members had to donate their and precious possessions to the cult.

He got so many converts such that church collection plates were always filled to the brim. Many miracles were performed on his crusade or revival meetings. He called them Divine Intervention’ and these made many to believe him. The anther says:
‘Hundreds were saved or committed to Christ on such occasion’

That was the Prophet who now supported General Musante, one of his converts.

Questions:

1. Why does General Musante go to Prophet Akaba’s residence?

2. What does the Prophet advise him and why?

3. Is Moses Akaba a true prophet?

CHAPTER FOUR

THE PRINCIPLE OF SELF-RELIANCE AND THE OPERATION ‘FEED YOURSELF YOURSELF’ (OF2Y)

This is a short chapter.

We see the SMG accepting and adopting the principle of Self-Reliance stressing the need for an agricultural revolution. Policies and programmers like the ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ and ‘Operation Feed Yourself’ by Nigeria and Ghana respectively, made Kilitania to adopt a similar policy called ‘Operation Feed Yourself Yourself’ or OF2Y. This was through the efforts of Professor Issaka Amoro who published a paper to that effect which paper was hailed as a masterpiece and published by the government as a blue paper (which was unusual for the government).

The government decided to seek for external technical aid for the programme, such as rice production techniques from China and fertilizer production and application from the Tennessee Valley Authority of the USA. This plan worked in a way. The TVA sent a three-man team comprising of an agronomist, an agricultural economist and a chemical engineer. The team suggested the establishment of facilities for the processing of bulk intermediaries into finished fertilizers the intermediaries to be supplied by the proposed fertilizer complex in Lome, Togo. But Prophet Akaba announced that his church together with some people would establish a limited liability company to be known as Kilitania Fertiliser Company for the importation, processing, bagging and sale of fertilizer. After its establishment people came to know that some of its shareholders were General Musante himself; Mr. Samora Gasha, the petty, secondhand car dealer and Professor Issaka Amoro!

The director of the US Agency for International Development was very disappointed, but convinced by his wife, he approved a loan request from the Kilitania Fertilizer Company for two million dollars from the Agency to purchase fertilizer and bagging equipment. The Company went into business.

At the sod-cutting ceremony, Prophet Akaba announced that the fertilizer would be sold at a cost, meaning that the company was a nonprofit making one; established only for the purpose of aiding the country’s agrarian revolution.

The writer says:

The whole nation was extremely grateful for their generosity. (p.25).

Questions:

1. What does the name, ‘Feed yourself yourself‘suggest?

2. Why does Kilitania seek technical help from outside?

CHAPTER FIVE

PROPHET AKABA’S CHURCH HOLDS A CRUSADE IN SAGO: NON SECULARISM

Soon after the commencement of fertilizer production in Kilitania the Life-After-Life Church holds a revival meeting in Sago. The Central Organization of Sports cancels a national championship soccer match between Rakka Hearts of Steel and the Sikabu African Warriors scheduled for the Sago stadium the same Sunday and for which all tickets had already been bought. The Stadium is given to the church for its crusade. The writer says though Kilitanians love soccer very much, no one complained about it.

The church invites everyone and thus the one hundred thousand-seat stadium is filled to maximum capacity by nine in the morning. The Prophet and the Prophetess, General Musante and Felicia, his wife, and other distinguished persons sit on the platform at the centre of the stadium.Whenthe time comes the prophet’s assistant asks for silence and offers a short prayer. The author says it was very silent. He says:

‘There was complete silence one could have heard a pin drop ‘. (p.27)

When the Prophet begins to talk he calls upon the people to sanctify their bodies and souls. He challenges the government for failing to regulate the beverage industry or business and the dress code especially with regard to girls. He says: ‘What is our government doing in this regard? There is no law in this country prohibiting smoking and drinking by children …. Our girls roam the streets of Sago, Rakka, Sikabu Kapo Karso, and other cities and towns in mini-skirts, thus providing unnecessary temptation to the lust and the greed of the men of this nation…’ pp. 28 -29)

He gives an example of a country which has succeeded in this, a great country which he plans to visit shortly. He tells his listeners to believe that there is another life after this life.

He provides them with biblical proof to that effect. He says:
‘… in Ecclesiastes, chapter twelve, verse seven, Solomon, the son of David and King of Israel, states, “… the dust returns to the earth as it began and the spirit returns to God who gave it “. Again, in the Book of Daniel, chapter twelve, verses two to three, we read about the resurrection of the dead and about wise leaders who will shine like the stars forever and ever ’. (p.29).

He tells the people that life aftfer death is proved by the crucification, death and resurrection of Jesus ‘as stated in the first book of Peter, chapter one, verses three to five’. He adds:

‘The New Testament records at least ten appearances of Jesus after His death on Good Friday. T hese appearances are reported by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul in the first letter to the Corinthians. The impressive list of witnesses includes Mary Magdalene, the women at the grave, two Emmaeus disciples, Peter himself the eleven disciples, Thomas, five hundred persons at once, James, eye witnesses to the Ascension, and Paul’. (.30).

He later says a rather long prayer in which he calls upon any person who had a near death experience to share with the rest of the congregation. One man called Maya Aringo, who has been an excellent soccer player in Kilitania comes forward and testifies how the prophet resurrected him from the world of the dead while he was in a hospital in Ghana where he had died of ‘cardio-myopathy’.
So I came back and now I ’m fit as a fiddle. Praise be to God and to his Prophet Akaba ’ .32)

After other witnesses, Prophet Akaba talks briefly of the need to end the exploitation by developed countries. He says General Musante is a dynamic leader who can work on that because he believes in God. General Musante stands up. The writer describes the General. Hesays:
‘The General stood up, beaming with a broad smile, his white teeth shining brightly on hi, blackface. He was average in height, beingfivefeet six inches tall and weighed about one hundred and forty pounds.’ (p. 32)

The writer says, the General was not well educated. That he had only been exposed to elementary education and some subsequent training in Commerce. We are told that the General received intensive training in weaponry after enlisting himself like many others to the country’s Armed Forces. He also undertook some military training in the United Kingdom and the United States which earned him the rank of colonel on his return but he has now promoted himself to the rank of General and is contemplating becoming a Field Marshal!

General Musante speaks of the effects of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and colonial domination and the need to emancipate the economy of their country and Africa in general. He says it is important to fight for the freedom in economic spheres because colonial exploitation is still going on. He calls it “Chopping Kilitania small”. He says:

‘The process of economic enslavement and exploitation continues to this day. The robber barons of the mining industry are dynamiting as dry of valuable minerals. The robber barons of the timber industry are hauling our richly endowed tropicalforests bare of trees; and the robber barons of the banking and commercial sectors are also draining us dry …..
To paraphrase His Excellency the late Julius Nyerere of Tanzania: We are poor because they are rich. To us, foreign aid is a matter of right and not of charity ’p 34)

He criticizes the turn taken by Western donors after the take-over. He says that he has decided together with his cabinet that the government should acquire a fifty-five percent shareholding in all major economic sectors such as the banking and financial sector; and the mining sector. He calls upon all African states to unit and end the balkanization of the continent by some Eur0pean powers which established different ideologies and economic ties such as the Anglophone and Francophone ties. He says the problem is that each African nation wants to maintain and protect its own sovereignty; hence Africa lacks love; love for one another, and the fear of God.

He tells his people that his Government will assist fully the policy of the Life-After-Life Church (by establishing communes) both materially and financially. Each region will have a commune to be known as ‘Salvation Cities’ from which dedicated youth will emerge and Spread the word of unification all over Africa.

He finally assures the Prophet that his government will introduce a dress code to which alI the youth will have to adhere. He is applauded and cheered. Prophet Akaba leads the people into the famous song ‘We Shall Overcome’ of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The huge crowd joins in:

’We shall overcome,
We shall overcome,
We shall overcome some day.
Deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day ‘ P 36)
Them he calls upon people to give their earthly offering to God.

’ ……I ask you to give gladly to the Lord. Offer your silver and your gold, your taku, your
naira, your cedi, shilling, pound, whatever you have to the Lord and your place in the heavenly home will be secure. Don ’t be stingy; at all my beloved in christ’ (p.36)

He directs ushers to collect from those who wish to donate have thousand or more first, then those with one thousand Taku or more and they fill the baskets. He does not collect much from those with less than that, only a little as he is blessing pe0ple and praying for the blind and handicapped who claim to be miraculously healed:

‘I can see! I can see! Yes, yes, I can see! A few minutes ago I was blind in one eye, and could see only dimly with the other. But now I can see clearly Thank you, thank you, Prophet! ‘ (p. 37)

To others, the prophet says:
‘You may not get results today, but that shouldn’t ’t discourage you. God works in mysterious ways ….. ’ P.37)

The worshipping ends at six o’clock in the evening with the singing of Lead Kindly Light. We are told that the national television was “LIVE”. Then, Reverend Lesoma Khana, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Kilitania calls Reverend Kawanga, President of the Methodist Church to inquire about the situation. The moderator asks:

‘Whatever happened to the separation of church and state? ’ (p.37)

They both wonder and the moderator calls the Prophet’s church a ‘lousy cult’. They also wonder why the Roman Catholic Bishop did not protest the arrangement of the crusade for that day while it had been scheduled for the RC Church’s programme to be covered on TV on that Sunday! The moderator says most of the Cabinet members are from denominations other than the Life-After-Life so they should support them. He says he will preach in three weeks’ time and attack the blurring of politics and against the preaching and other‘antics’ of Prophet Akaba whom he calls a false Messiah.
President Kawanga replies: ’
‘You have my fall support, but be diplomatic about it. It’s a delicate affairs you know p.38)

In Prophet Akaba’s house the money collected totals more than five hundred thousand taku. The writer says it is unbelievable:
‘That was almost unbelievable in a country where United Nations Statistics put the income per capital at only eight hundred taku per annum’ p. 38)

Prophet Akaba summons Mr. Okanta, a barrister at law, who after seeing .all thatmoney he is converted and baptized in one of the bathrooms in the prophet’s house. HIS duty is to help the Church in the formation of a tax exempt foundation in which most of the money m hand and the money to be collected in future will be kept. The foundation isto be called the Redemption Foundation.

Questions:

1. What do you think was the aim of the crusade?

2. What is the purpose of the formation of the so-called ‘Redemption Foundation?

CHAPTER SIX

THE SMG DECLARES A WAR ON THE ECONOMY AND ADOPTS THE POLICY OF INFLATIONARY FINANCING

The chapter begins with the establishment of the National Reconstruction Commission (NRC) by the SMG as proposed by General Musante. Its main function is to restructure and improve the country’s economy. Its members enjoy cabinet status and they include General Musante himself as chairman; Professor lssaka Amoro, as Vice Chairman; Dr. Lari Kibaki (the Chief Economist 0f the Minis”? of Finance and Economic Planning); Mr. Tekere Mashiri (a privatebusinessman and one of the richest men in Kilitania); and Dr. Nelly Takida (Head of the Department of Land and Economics in the Faculty of Social Sciences at Knust University ill Sikabu the first and only woman in Kilitania to occupy such an eminent academic position till then).

We are told that Mr. Mashiri was a wealthy businessman who dealt with imports, as Well general wholesale and retail. We are also told that, he avoided politics but he had accepted ml appointment to the NRC because he wanted to save both national and personal businginterests.
Dr. Nelly, we are told, was both beautiful and brilliant. She was nicknamed BB (for Brilliant Beauty) and she took her graduate studies in the United States. A note for her appointment had stated that supreme national interest required that she should not refuse. She had accepted because she thought that such was a super avenue through which she could participate in her Country’s economic management. She was issued with a chauffeur-driven, government-ownedMercedes-Benzes, hence disposing off her rickety old car.

Then, the story takes us to the meeting of the NRC in an office in the citadel (the office complex of the Head of State) where General Musante suggests that they declare aneconomic War’. Some of the members (particularly Mr. Mashiri) are worried of their interests. Mr, Mashiri, for example asks:
‘How will this economic war be fought? Will it involve any substantial sacrifices from the business community? ‘ p.42)

The others tell him that is obvious and that some participants in the business arena, such as small scale operators, should be swept out. They argue that the sweeping out is necessary because there are too many intermediaries between the manufacturer or importer and the final consumer. Dr. Takida, for instance, suggests the removal of the so called Makola women. She uses her profession effectively here. Professional (technical) language is also used here. For instance, talking of the Makola women she says:

‘I’m not saying they should be deprived of the wherewithal of their livelihood… they certainly realize some commercial profit. However, from the angle of social cost benefit analysis, most of them are a liability not an asset to the economy… ’ (p. 43)[the underlining is mine]

She also shows to be a true and honest profession by adding: I ’m sorry to say this since I ’m obviously expected to defend the interests of women, but! Can’t shut my eyes to economic reality’ [the underlining is mine].

The Governor, Professor Amoro, says that the discussion should not focus on sections of the economy but on broad economic policies. He suggests that they should ask themselves on how to finance the OF2Y with regard to the policy of self-reliance that they have chosen to pursue. The Chief Economist, Dr. Kibaki opposes the policy saying it is relevant to such countries as the United States, the Soviet Union, or the People’s Republic of China. He suggests that they rescind the policy because it will be detrimental (fatal, or very disadvantageous) to their country causing their living standards to deteriorate substantially.

The Governor opposes this idea saying it will affect the political position of the SMG. (This shows he is concerned with the status quo and not true problems). The General agrees with him by saying:

‘I agree, Governor. Self-reliance is here to stay.’

Then, the Governor suggests that they can finance the OF2Y through the policy of ‘inflationary’ financing’. Dr. Kibaki and Dr. Takida consider this as a very big risk and a danger to thcif economy which may lead to hyperinflation. General Musante asks Dr. Takida to define inflations because he knows very little about it.
Dr Takida dehnes inflation as the phenomenon of a persistent, rapid and self-sustaining increase in the general price level. She adds:

‘To the late Professor Harry C. Johnson. “Inflation is associated with, and ultimately dependent on. a rate of increase of the money supply significantly in excess of the rate of growth of real output the difference between the two being the rate of inflation ”… p 45)

She explains what the definitions mean and says that inflation is also explained by the classic phrase: “too much money chasing too few goods”. General Musante then asks the Govemot why he wants to increase the money supply given the explanation by Dr. Takida. The Govemot says it is the only option because the government’s sources of revenue cannot be helpful. He (the Governor) asks Dr. Kibaki to describe the tax and revenue structure of the country for them Dr. Kibaki begins:

‘Well, the present tax structure consists of two broad categories… direct and indirect taxes. Direct taxes consist of personal income tax, company tax and mineral tax. Indirect taxes are made up of export duty mainly of coffee, import duty, excise duty, sales tax and purchase tax on motor vehicles. Other minor indirect taxes include licenses, betting tax, royalties, stamp duty, entertainment tax, hotel tax, airport tax, and foreign travel tax and casino tax ‘.

Dr. Kibaki then goes on to explain that the main source of revenue is indirect taxes, especially coffee export duty, import duty, excise duty and purchase tax. He says the government relies mainly on the first two (coffee export duty and import duty) but the problem with the first is that coffee revenues are highly dependent on fluctuation on the world market while with income taxes most businessmen evade them. He also says that there has been high Government consumption of tax revenue, rapid capital expenditure by the Government, decline in domestic tax revenue, downward public savings and a rapid growth in the burden of external dept.

At this juncture, the Governor cuts in and stresses his point of the need for inflationary financing, due to the difficulty in relying to the right sources of revenue. He says some degree of inflation is helpful. He enlists a number of advantages of what he calls ‘some degree of inflation’. For instance he says:

‘….inflation imposes an inflationary tax on holders of money. The real resources that the Government can command through the printing of more money will be available for development… It also helps to redistribute income from workers on fixed wages and salaries to capitalist entrepreneurs… ‘ p.147)

It is then, that Mr. Mashiri, who has been silent before then, adds saying some amount of inflation helps trade because consumers have more money to spend on goods and services.

However Dr. Takida and Dr. Kibaki are doubtful of the suggestions by the Governor. They Warn him of the possibility of a runaway inflation and negative reactions of the people. Dr. Kibaki warns:
“Governor.do you think for a moment that workers on fixed wages and salaries are going to stand by silently like statues and watch their incomes fall in real value as a result 0f inflation? ‘ p.47)

He adds saying that the process of inflation is normally erratic in nature and has more harmful meets that good ones. Dr Kibaki also explains that Kilimia is already suffering from what he calls “imported inflation’. He explains this by saying that the entire developed world is in a state of inflation caused by the United States. He says because the United States undertakes a lot of military 0Iterations abroad, it is buying a lot of goods and services from such countries as Japan, Canada and all Western Europe. He says this has resulted into these countries accumulating excess US Dollars. He says the Central Banks of these countries have been purchasing the excess US Dollars from the holders by printing more of their own currencies hence inflation. He Says because Kilitania is linked with the developed world both financially and economically, the inflation in the developed world is imported to Kilitania. He summarizes the reason for this in a short statement:
‘You know, when they sneeze we catch cold ‘ (p. 48)

He concludes by suggesting:

‘… we should not, add a domestically and deliberately manufactured inflation on to an imported one. The economy of Kilitania will definitely collapse from the combined impac, of the two inflations ’. pp. 48-49)

General Musante directs them to vote for the matter (inflationary financing) two of them vote for it (Professor Amoro and Mr. Mashiri) and two vote against it (Dr. Kibaki and Dr. Takida). General Musante says he will cast his vote the next afternoon and declares the meeting closed, Dr. Takida tells Dr. Kibaki that the Governor will persuade General Musante into voting for the matter.

In the evening, General Musante visits Prophet Akaba and finds him discussing something with Professor Amoro, Mr. Gasha, the petty second hand dealer, and Mr. Baah Gyekoka, the jack of all trades. He asks the Prophet why he tolerates Mr. Gyekoka who is known for gossiping but Prophet Akaba says it is because messengers of God accept and welcome everyone. But the writer says Prophet Akaba used ‘Mr. Gossip’ as a cheap and reliable medium of advertisement.

The Governor tries to convince General Musante to vote for the inflationary financing the next day, and with the persuasion of ‘His Messianic Holiness’ he is convinced.

Prophet Akaba tells him of the establishment of a tax exempt Foundation (i.e. the Redemption Foundation) and the need to expand Mr. Gasha’s ear business and says Professor Amoro has agreed to assist the company in acquisition of foreign exchange from the Central Bank when it is registered. He, thus, asks the General to speed up the registration. The General okays the request. We are told that registration of Gasha Motors gets processed quickly and the officials of the Ministiy of Trade do not bother to check up on the authenticity of the company because the President himself is involved. The company is promoted to the category of those which perform very well.

The next afternoon at the NRC meeting, General Musante votes for the policy of inflationary financing. Dr. Takida is both disappointed and angry saying mandatory wage and price controls will not easily be observed. The Governor says the police and the military will be used. Dr Kibaki cuts in and chuckles:

‘The police, they are more corrupt than Judas!’.

In the evening, President Musante addresses the nation on national radio and television and air9 the above decision.

Questions:

1. What type of a person is Dr. Takida?

2. Why does General Musante say he will cast his vote on the next day?

3. What do you think, is Professor Amoro’s suggestion viable?

CHAPTER SEVEN

PROPHET AKABA VISITS THE UNITED STATES, REVEREND KHAMA ‘ATTACKS’ THE PROPHET’S CHURCH, PROPHET AKABA PLANS TO REVENGE

It is one bright Sunday morning. The Life-After-Life Church members have gathered in thousands to see their Prophet off to New York City where he claims to have been invited by certain important religious leaders. The writer says:
‘He had been invited, his flock had been told, by some prominent religious leaders in that country of a thousand and one conventional religions, sects, cults and religious comma! and women p.54)

General Musante himself is there and as the huge Pan American plane takes off he waves excitedly but envious because he knows he cannot travel that far for fear of being overthrown. It is at the same time where members of the Presbyterian Church are assembling at the Osa Presbyterian Church for Sunday morning worship. Theirs is to be a special Sunday as the Moderator of the Church; Reverend Lesomo Khama is expected to deliver the sermon which is to be beamed in the country over on national television and radio.

The usual preliminaries take place, such as singing, prayers and reading of appropriate sections of the Bible. Then the Moderator begins his sermon:

‘Our text for today’s sermon is taken from Matthew, chapter twenty-four, verses four to fourteen ‘. p. 55)

He starts explaining the biblical text and its relevance to their society. He says many cults are springing up in their country to prove the immortal words of Jesus in the biblical text. He then explains:
‘And let me tell you, fellow members of the religion of healthy-mindedness, how cults come into being. A cult results from the demented mind, the unbalanced mind, of its founder who claims to have contact with powerful extra-terrestrial beings; to be in constant contact with God and the Angels. Sick souls then gather around this psychotic; this self-appointed, self-ordained and self-realized leader, who helps them fill a vacuum within their own sick lives.’ P. 55)

He says that because of the higher rates of urbanization the rate of rural to urban migration has also increased bringing into urban the very young standard seven and secondary school graduates and the inexperienced village people who are all not sufficiently equipped to face the stresses and pressures of city life. He says:
‘They are all sick people, psychologically weak….. And …… the criminals and lunatics mimicking the strategies and tactics of established religions fall greedily on this human horde of confusion; this human horde in transition……They implant in their followers fears ofspiritual punishment and the eternal damnation of Hell…. ‘ p.56)

He says cult leaders accumulate vast sums of money for themselves unlike other true churches which share the money with the community such as by building schools and mission hospitals. He blames them for overworking their followers in communes saying this is stealing people’s time.

He concludes saying:
‘It is such false prophets that our Lord Jesus warned us against. It is up to us to heed His Words or surrender ourselves to the Devil and his advocates. Now let us pray. ’(p.57)

The three-hour television Sunday worship ends at twelve noon. When the moderator gets home he is Surprised to find Father Plus, a Catholic Priest working for the Catholic Standard who Come to get a Signed copy of the Moderator’s sermon for the paper, So he says:
I have been instructed by the Archbishop to get a copy of your sermon this morning to have it published verbatim in the next issue of the Catholic Standard ‘p. 58)

Father plus also praises the Moderator for the sermon saying that the Archbishop himself Impressed and adds:

…….. We certainly need such audacity and such outspokenness, if the public is to be Sap from these cults springing up like mushrooms in the country ‘. (p.58)

The moderator is flattered. He gives him the copy. He is called by Bishop Nelson of‘ Anglican Church in Rakka and later by President Kawanga of the Methodist Church bohi extending their congratulations. Many others too do call and he is very flattered.

Meanwhile the huge Pan-American Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet lands at Kennedy Intemati0 Airport hiieen hours after it took off at Independence Airport in Sago. Pr0phet Akaba is met a the airport by the entire staff of the Kilitanian consulate in New York City and is taken to the Tudor Hotel on Forty-Second Street and First Avenue in Manhattan, near the United Nation Plaza, where a prepaid executive room has been reserved for him.

Prophet Akaba tips the bellman who only shows him his room (since his baggage has carried by the consulate staff) a twenty dollar bill. The bellman is so surprised because heis usually tipped a dollar or two in this era of worldwide inflation. He tells his colleagues of the presence of an extremely rich African in room 711. They are all surprised on learning that he is of religious personage because the types are normally poor.

Prophet Akaba deposits a hundred thousand dollars in cash plus another hundred and fifty thousand dollars in American Express travelers’ cheques in a safe deposit box at the registration desk. The registration and check out clerks are taken aback! We are told that Prophet Akaba obtained all that cash by the way of favouritism by the Central Bank of Kilitania and other means.

Because of the time difference between America and Africa Prophet Akaba also wakes up at about 01. am because of jet lag and cannot fall asleep again. He goes to the lobby and starts reading newspapers of the day. Later at four he receives a telegram from Sago. It says:
‘Church of Life attacked by Moderator in televised sermon today. Copy of sermon coming Tuesday, via Foreign Ministry diplomatic bag to UN Ambassador Signed Okanta. P.61)

Prophet Akaba becomes very furious. He calls lawyer Okanta’s office and confirms the ‘bad’ news. He decides to shorten his visit and rush back home to join the battle. He is so furious that he does not feel to take breakfast. At eight thirty he is picked up by the Kilitanian Consul in New York City to the office of Kilitania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on Forty-Fifth Street and Third Avenue. While there, he does not appear to be as cheerful as expected, so their Excellencies decide to leave him time to rest. He asks them when the diplomatic bag will arrive and they tell him it will the following day. He says there is a parcel for him and he will come in person to pick it up.

On the way back to the Tudor Hotel in the consul’s car, the diplomat asks Prophet Akaba if he wants company, a female to entertain him. He says yes. At the Hotel after the consul has left for his office in the WTC (World Trade Centre) Prophet Akaba takes a Jack Daniels whisky which has been bought by a bellman whom he tipped ten dollars. A bit later a stunningly pretty white lady comes in. The Prophet is very surprised. He makes love to her and enjoys it very much because he never expected to make love to a white lady. He pays her off with two hundred dollars! She leaves at four o’clock (Remember this is during the day time not at night!)

In the evening, he is picked by the Ambassador to the diplomat’s home in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. He seems to be very ‘high’. The writer writes:
‘lndeed. since the appearance of the whisky and the white lady in his hotel room, he had completelyforgotten all about the troubles brewing for him back home across the Atlantic p.63)

The next morning (Tuesday), he picks up the envelope from Sago and reads the Moderator’s Sermon. He is driven to La Guardia Airport where he takes a plane to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he tours their offices and is shown a movie of the activities of the huge utility company in the country. Then, he is whisked away in a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) plane to Mussel Shoals; Alabama where he tours the huge fertilizer production plant belonging to the TVAHe spends a night in a motel in the city of Florence, Alabama and is surprised because there is not enough Jack Daniels because of the strict rules of Florence.

Early the next morning (Wednesday) he boards a bus to Huntsville, Alabama, where he boards an American Airlines aircraft for a direct, non-stop flight to Los Angeles, California. He has told his hosts, the two diplomats back in New York City, that he would be going to California to consult with a powerful religious personage but they did not want to ask him any questions realizing his links with the President back home.

At Los Angeles airport he rents a chauffeur-driven car for a week not because he doesn’t know how to drive (he has four cars back home) but because he is not familiar with the city and does not hold a valid US driving licence. He is driven to Hollywood where he checks in at the Hilton Hotel for a week. He is then driven to the offices of the big movie making companies: MGM, Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Brothers. He wants to meet the Chief make-up artists. They are all booked up. The Chief make-up artist of the Paramount agrees to give Prophet Akaba a two days lecture on the make-up and the techniques of its application for ten thousand dollars as a fee. The Prophet agrees and pays the sum in cash!

The following day (Thursday), the Chief make-up artist teaches Prophet Akaba about straight make-up, corrective make-up and character make-up, telling him that the purpose of makeup is to reveal, to emphasize or to conceal. He shows him the different accoutrements and their use and the use of false beards, moustaches and side whiskers. The ‘teacher’ demonstrates his lessons to his ‘student’ by transforming an extremely handsome young man (one of his assistants) into a complete monster totally unrecognizable as himself! The Prophet is very impressed. The Prophet tells his ‘teacher’ to transform someone black into a leper and it is done. Then, another black person into a lunatic and it is also done without difficulty! Prophet Akaba learns too quickly but makes sure to hide his identity as a religions figure. The two days lessons are over with success.

Prophet Akaba then purchases some cosmetics, paint brushes, and other tools of the trade assisted by his ‘teacher’. He arranges for the parcel to be air-freighted to him in Kilitania in two weeks’ time by the Pan American Airways.

He also establishes business contracts with car dealers in Los Angeles of Toyota and Datsun vehicles of Japan on behalf of Gasha Motors. He presses an order for one thousand Datsun 210s. He buys several expensive gifts for his hosts in New York. He spends the Weekend in Chicago where he also buys expensive gifts for his friends in New York and back home. The following Monday, he goes to Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan to arrange for the importation of Ford Fairmonts by Gasha Motors into Kilitania.

Back in New York he says he has to go to West Germany. He boards the Lufthansa for Hamburg where he purchases a turbo charged Porsche 924for twenty thousand dollars. He intendsto add it to his personal fleet of cars. He wants to be above everybody in Kilitania. The writes:

‘As the leader of a large and rapidly growing flock, he reasoned that he should be above them in all respects, including worldly possessions ’. (p.67)
(The Porsche itself has superior engineering, clean lines and a luxurious interior and above a” an undisputed snob appeal).

He also arranges for the importation by Gasha Motors of one thousand of the Audi 4,000 model which he expects to be bought by business people, shady public servants and military officers who are chopping Kilitania small’. The base price is $ 7,685 cif (Cost, Insurance, and Freight)

He telephones home of his return to Sago. He is met at the Sago Airport by an enthusiastic crowd. (The entire emphasis mine)

Questions:

1. Why does the Moderator attack Prophet Akaba’s church?

2. Why does Prophet Akaba visit America?

3. Do you think we have such kinds of cults in Tanzania? Why?

4. Why do you think the Prophet learns about cosmetics and make-up in Hollywood?

5. Why does he shorten his stay in America?

6. How much, of the total stated sum, does the Prophet spend all together in all the places he visits?

7. What would you do (or not do) if you were either of the diplomats?

CHAPTER EIGHT

PROPHET AKABA CRITICIZES HIS CRITICS, THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IS BURNT DOWN, HE PEFORMS MORE ‘MIRACLES’, HE GETS MORE CRITICISM, MORE CHURCHES ARE BURNT

Prophet Akaba tells his followers that his spiritual trip to the States and Europe was very successful. Three days after his return his packages are air-freighted from Los Angeles to Sago by the Pan American World Airways Corporation. At Sago Airport they are quickly handed to him. Custom officials do not inspect them because they expect to be bribed by the Prophet who is known for that. The writer writes:
‘Out of respect for the eminent Prophet, and expecting their palms to be liberally greased by the man of God whose generosity was well-known, custom officials didn ’t bother to inspect the packages, as required by regulations. ’p. 68).

Prophet Akaba embarks on a gigantic campaign aimed at ‘attacking’ those who criticize his church. Those whom he considers to be an evil group. He buys radio and television time and tries hard to convince his listeners that the organization trying to destroy his church is made up of traditional churches which are envious of his success and that of his church. He says they will fail because he is supported by big people and by the Government both spiritually, materially and politically in his mission to create the most perfect society.

One week after Prophet Akaba’s return the Osa Presbyterian Church caught fire and gets burnt to ashes leaving behind only charred bricks. We are told that upon investigation it was found that it was burnt down and the arsonists used aviation fuel (which was only found at airports and was only for aeroplanes)! (Emphasis mine) We are also told that the church was 3 historic site being the first church building constructed by the Basel Missions from Switzerland, Scotland and Imperial Germany. Thus, it attracted many tourists each year. The writer says the Presbyterians had no reason burning it. He says that many people suspected Prophet Akaba’s church but there was no proof and people feared the Prophet’s political ‘power’. Prophcl Akaba himself says that it is God’s punishment to the evil ones.

Prophet Akaba begins a gigantic faith healing crusade that takes him to all the regional capitals Sikabu, Kapo Karso, Tamaban, Kamu and Subata. He invites those who are physically challenged (the blind the crippled etc) to come in thousands for healing saying he has been spiritually strengthened in America and God will perform miracles through him.

In Kapo Karso, after his sermon and after donations he invites two patients, a leper and a “mane, (the city has the country’s largest leprosarium and the largest mental hospital and many Wars and lunatics are there). The Prophet prays for the two ‘patients’ for half an hour then instructs them to enter a tent nearby where he says he will bathe them in the holy water. They come out of the tent shouting to have been healed! Everybody is so amazed and impressed; The Prophet invites other sick people. They rush forward and pour the holy water down. He gays they can’t get healed because they have poured down the holy water that he had fasted and prayed over for two weeks. The writer says:

“All the people at the faith-healing carnival were more amazed and impressed. The Prophet was indeed powerful. He invited other sick people, the maimed, the crippled, the insane and the lepers all to come forward. Immediately pandemonium broke out. Every handicapped person wanted to be cured. They all made a mad rush for the stage and the tent; the holy water was accidentally poured on the ground by the electrified and greedy patients…. ’ p.71)

But some hospital officials do not recall to have ever seen the two patients. Others want to invite the Prophet one day to heal their patients in the hospitals.

At Kamu a reporter at the Ivory Tower Observer recognizes a leper who is just healed as the same person who was headed in Kapo Karso. The two argue for some while and the ‘leper’ disappears in the crowd. The reporter tells his Chief Editor in Sago about the incident and says if the Prophet is true he should go to hospitals not in sports stadium. The Chief Editor insists on moderation and is also afraid of Prophet Akaba’s political influence.

On his return, the Prophet is praised by many people, including a Professor of Medicine at the University of Kilitania who writes an article in support of the ‘healing’. This support makes more people to believe in the Prophet.

The Prophet and his business associates obtain an eight million dollars import license for the importation of fertilizer from the TVA but the import license is diverted to Gasha Motors for importation of cars! (Emphasis mine) The Prophet and his colleagues pay their commercial brokers the taku equivalent of the foreign exchange required. Letters of credit are established and Gasha motors starts arrangements for the importation of vehicles. Meanwhile, the production of fertilizer by the Kilitania Fertilizer Company for the 0F2Y project comes to a halt for lack of raw materials. (Emphasis mine)

One night, two elderly men come to the Prophet’s mansion in a taxicab from Kapo Karso (one the husband and another uncle of Miss Christiana Carbo who is said to have been demon-possessed) seeking help from Prophet Moses Akaba. They tell the Prophet that Miss Carbo was working at the Kapo Karso General Hospital as a nurse and was met with that condition one afternoon on her way home from the hospital with her colleagues. Mr. Carbo says:

‘ “Asshe and some other nurses crossed the Baka Lagoon bridge, she suddenly and inexplicablyfelt a whiff of icy cold air on the back of her neck. She felt as if someone, some strange and powerful energy, was seizing her, entering irresistibly into her whole body, invading and controlling her physical and mental fuctions. She suddenly began screaming hysterically…. ” p. 75)

Mr Carbo tells him that ‘Christie’, as he calls his wife, was taken to the hospital but to no avail. He adds on:
“Christie claims that she is possessed by the spirit of a dead accountant who used to work at the General Hospital …… ” p. 76)

Prophet Akaba asks them why they did not bring her to him while he was in Kapo Karso. They Say that then she was at the hospital. He asks them if they have sought help anywhere apart from medical help and they tell him that they went to the R.C Church for help but were tom the healing 0f demon-possessed people in the R.C Church is done by clerics who are for that duty and that that has to be approved by the council of miracles in the Vatican proof beyond all reasonable doubt that the patient is really possessed and not a mere derangement. They ask Prophet Akaba for his understanding and help. MR He asks them if they believe in the Devil (ie whether they believe that the devil exists) say they do to some extent. He tells them that the devil exists and the Bible has piroofabomtbh~ He reads them a passage in Mark 5:2-16 and tells them that the same story is repeated in Luke 8. Also Acts 19:13-17. He tells them that Jesus healed the demon-possessed. He reads Matthew 12:22 which says:

“Then, they brought him a man who was possessed; he was blind and dumb and Jesus restored his speech and sight ’ pp. 78-79)

They tell him that when she is possessed, she assumes the manner and voice of the dead accountant and the whole place surrounding her starts to smell the odour of human excrementSometimes, she becomes tall nearing the ceiling. Prophet Akaba decides to go and tiy his luck (Readpages 79 & 80)

The next morning, he goes with them to Kapo Karso in his Mercedes Benz on reaching Baka Lagoon he tells them to leave him alone so that he can plead with the god of Baka to m admit the demon to his watery Kingdom because, so he says, the demon used to live i”: lagoon and was kicked out by the ‘good god’ for misbehaving! Later, they head to the how. They enter the house. It smells of human excrement inside. The demon starts pleading (in male Voice) with the Prophet not to kick him out of the girl. Then the demon tells him:

“Youfalse Prophet, you womanizer, you are cheap and you are a cheat. There is only on, thing that can rid me from this house and this girl; and you don’t even have it. No, you don’t and you claim to be a man of God, a prophet. Ha! Ha! Ha! Some prophet! ” (p. 81)

The Prophet continues to spray holy water in the room and on the girl. He then thinks of tin demon’s words and remembers that he has got no crucifix with him. He goes for it in his cat. He comes back with the crucifix in his right hand but the nearer he gets to the house the hate the crucifix becomes. (Emphasis is mine). It is almost too hot to handle when he entersthe house but he is determined not to drop it. He touches the girl’s forehead with the almost scorching crucifix. She gives a deafening hysterical shriek and quivers violently. She then vomits some foul green substance. Then she falls into a deep sleep. She wakes up six hours later and asks for food, which she eats ravenously. The Prophet tells them that the demonwill not come back again.

More people believe in him. But the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church attributesthe healing to auto-suggestion, nothing but simple auto-suggestion. Three more chapels belonging to the Presbyterian Church are bunt down in different parts of the country.

Questions:

1. How did Prophet Akaba cure the leper and the lunatic?

2. Why does the Prophet decide to go to Kapo Korso with the two elderly men?

3. Do you think that Miss Carbo was really demon-possessed or not? Why?

CHAPTER NINE

INFLATION RIDES HIGH, SOLDIERS MOLEST GIRLS, UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DEMONSTRATE, DR. TAKIDA IS FIRED FROM THE NRC

It is about two years after the establishment of the NRC. Inflation is accelerating froin double triple-digit rates and the NRC meets more frequently. Dr. Nelly Takida and Dr. Lan Kibaki , are waiting the arrival of the other members of the NRC for one of such meetings. Mr. Mashiri is not expected because he got a car accident and is recovering at home; President Kitiki Musante has notified them that he is to be late but Professor Amoro’s where abouts art Dr. Takida thinks that probably the Professor is having some beer to help him forget problems of inflation. Dr. Kibaki thinks that is not possible since the Professor is a Moslem but Dr. Takida says some Muslims take beer alter the Holy Month of Ramadan and that the Professor is doing the same.

After some inquiry through phone calls they realize that the Professor is not in office. Dr. kibaki blames the academicians of Kilitania for not being responsible and running for good life ugh politics. He says: “Well, that’s the trademark of you guys in Kilitania’s Universities. Instead of undertaking useful research or writing books and articles you devote much of your time to imbibing Tops. Clubs and Star beers. In the United States it’s P or P: Publish or Perish. Here, academics try to advance socially and economically through the often cosy avenue of politics, not the demanding path ofsound academic work ” p.84)

Dr, Kibaki then asks Dr. Takida to tell him more about the students riots the previous week as he thinks the problem was with students meals. Dr. Takida tells him that, the problem was the molesting of female students by soldiers under the pretex that they wear mini skirts. Students were angry because some of the molested female students were devout Christians who fully respected themselves and had never worn a mini skirt. The soldiers are acting under the instructions of the President who is acting under the instructions of Prophet Akaba. She says the students are right and more violence should be expected.

Dr. Kibaki blames students because they initially supported the Musante regime but why then should they now riot opposing the same regime? Dr. Takida says the students of the present should not be blamed for things done by their predecessors. She says:

“‘…you shouldn’t hold the University students of today responsible for something another group of students did two, three years ago Yesterday’s students responded to yesterday ’s social, political and economic pressures Today ’s students are responding to the pressures of today and that is fantastic ” ’ (p.87)

She asks him why he is serving the Musante Government and he says as a civil servant he cannot throw the nation into deeper confusion by refusing to serve the nation. He asks Dr. Takida:

“… but who made University students social critics? ” p.87)

Dr. Nelly Takida says criticism is one of the functions of any University. She says the University has four broad functions which are teaching, research, public service and criticism. (Emphasis is mine) She says by criticism, she means study, analyse and evaluate Society at large.

She goes on to predict that the students’ riots and grievances will be supported by lower learming institutions and trade unions and will bring a sort of revolution. She tells Dr. Kibaki that she will be delivering a lecture in the evening on price controls to the Kilitanian society, at the University of Kilitania where she intends to speak the truth and condemn that policy. At this juncture, President Musante comes in and they keep quite. He inquires whether the Chief Economist (Dr. Kibaki) has allocated any funds for the salvation cities in the forthcoming budget. The Chief Economist replies that there are no funds to allocate because of the inflation which is riding high. Dr. Takida supports the Chief Economist. President Musante realizes that in Professor Amoro’s absence there is almost nothing he can do so he postpones the meeting for a Week

The writer takes us to the Great Auditorium of the University of Kilitania where Dr. Nelly Takida is expected to deliver her lecture entitled, ‘The Illusion of Wage and Price Controls‘ beginning seven-thirty in the evening. The auditorium is filled to capacity with students an eminent academicians, civil servants, business people, medical doctors and others. Professo George Adamu. Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of the Nonh Subota.gives a preliminary speech in which he inspires students to be critical and warns “Ii society not to condemn students when they do this. He says:

” students should not passively imbibe whatever they are taught. In the modern world
the ability to select, examine and criticize is vitally important …..Society should not rush ,‘ judgement, condemning students…… We should not be so foolish as to try to silence the critical spirit of our students. ” (p. 91)

Then, he introduces and welcomes Dr. Takida. A deafening applause greets the lady professor as she rises to deliver her lecture. She tells her listeners that most governments use wage and Price controls where there is an excess of demand over supply so that nothing or no service should be sold above the maximum monetary limit. She says although this is good, it does not Work because price and cost are not the causes of inflation but excessive growth in the money supply. Thus, it has never helped any government because that is attacking the wrong enemy‘ (p.93)

She talks of ancient Egypt and Greece and the old time of Socrates and Plato and the Romans during the time of Emperor Diocletian and said that in those societies’ price and Wage control had failed too. She moves to the Dark Ages, then the Staccato succession o: revolutions which began with the 1776American Revolution and on to the world wars telling her listeners of the stunning failures of price and wage control as a device to fight inflation. (All Emphasis is mine)

She says price and wage control cannot change the natural laws of supply and demand. She gives examples of Great Britain, Canada the United States and a neighbor country Ghana who have all failed in that. She concludes saying:
“In conclusion price controls are simply methods for organizing scarcity methods for sharing poverty. The price mechanism, on the other hand, works naturally and automatically towards overcoming poverty… ” ’ m 95)

An explosion of applause follows. Then, it’s time for questions. One questioner, Mr. Adda Ansah, a prominent barrister-at-law, asks her why she opposes a policy of the NRC of which she is a member. She says in the NRC she is always outvoted. Then, Professor Gyimah, an associate Professor of the University of Kapo Karso asks her to explain the fundamental causes of inflation. She says that the fundamental causes of inflation can be put into three categories:

“… First, man-made or natural calamities and the vicissitudes of the weather might generate say, food shortages ….. Secondly, demandpressures in the economy resultingfrom the printing of two much money……… Thirdly, once inflation is under way, there quickly develops a situation where prices and wages keep chasing each other….. There develops the comic situation of the dog chasing its tail; it goes round and round, but never catches the tail ” pp. 95- 96)

After some other questions the chairman, Professor George Adamu, gives the vote of thartks’ Another explosion of applause follows. Dr. Takida leaves.When she wakes up the next morning she tinds a letter from the citadel waiting for her. She has been fired from membership of the NRC.

Questions:

1. Why does Dr. Kibaki criticize the Professors and lecturers of Kilitanian Universities?

2. Why does President Musante postpone the meeting?

3. From this chapter what are the roles of a University?

4. Does price and wage control cure the problem of inflation according to Dr. Takida? Why (according to her)?

5. Why is Dr. Takida tired from the NRC?

CHATER TEN

KILITANIA TN A RUNAWAY INFLATION, UNIVERSITY STUDENTS RIOT, THE POLICE OPENS FIRE AND A LECTURER IS KILLED, THE GOVERNMENT CLOSES DQWN ALL UNIVESITIES.

Kilitania is in the throes of runaway inflation. Dr. Takida calls the manager of the shell garage in sikabu to inquire about her rickety old car she left there six months earlier. (She lost the Government Mercedes Benz with her dismissal from the NRC). The garage manager tells her that the repairs will now cost eight hundred Taku because of inflation. She is so surprised and wishes to have paid for the repairs before the inflation. The garage manager does not know that she has been dismissed. He tells her:

She tells him she will pick it up the next day and pay for the repairs.

Dr. Takida’s young sister working as a stenographer in the NRC office in the citadel is transferred to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Flaming. She calls Dr. Takida and tells her story. Dr. Takida comforts her and tells her not to worry because their late father had left them some real estate which they are renting out (although they are not that profitable at the moment). ‘

Then, Dr. Takida writes three letters and tells her houseboy to go and post them. The boy tells her that the post office is out of stamps and stamps are to be found at the market place where they are sold at higher prices than their face value, the writer writes:

“Now an unused stamp with a one taku face value sold for five taku 0n the black market. The high profit obtained in such Kalabule fashion was shared by the market women and their cohorts in the post qmce” p. 100).

Dr. Takida is so surprised. At the Knust University her letters used to be handled by the mail office of the Registry while in Sago her letters were sent by her young sister who simply wrote KGOSS (Kilitanian Government, On State Service) on the envelope, and authenticated it with the seal of the NRC and mailed it.

Dr. Takida is ready to leave for Sikabu. She tells the houseboy to get a taxi. The boy says taxis are few and taxi drivers do not follow passengers to their homes these days. She and the boy go to the road. When they get a taxi the taxi driver charges each of them full fare which is about six times the controlled price, and tells them he will also pick additional passengers on the way! The boy is to help carry the luggage and is to return by a city bus. But at the bus terminal she is told that few buses are operating and they are fully booked. However, the truth is that tickets are sold in secret for thirty taku instead of the official eight taku price. (Emphasis mine)

She calls Professor George Adamu, President of the Kilitanian Society on Public Affairs for help. He sends her a car but tells her to buy petrol. She agrees but most petrol stations are closed for shortage of petrol. A few are open but long lines of cars and lorries are waiting to arrives she has to bribe the Station attendat with twenty Taku to fill the tank to the brim. She feels bad for sacrificing her ethics and morality
The writer says other ladies are giving their bodies to station attendants to be permitted to the purchase petrol. There also frequent petrol riots in the country.

The next morning Dr. Takida is given a ride by Mr. Amoa, her next door neighbor and a lecturer in sociology. He tells her that he is glad she is out of the NRC. We are toldthat the government paper, the Dally Mirror, condemned Dr. Takida saying she was dismissed for falling to advice the SMG promptly On the effect of the policy of wage and price controls instead inciting the university community by her lecture.

As they drive towards down town Sikabu, they discuss about the SMG and cabinet me Dr. Takida says most of the cabinet members are very corrupt and they keep money in forein accounts. She says:
” They are grabbing money left, right and centre. Huge amounts of our hard earn foreign exchange are being clandestinely deposited in Swiss bank accounts. The swiss should be ashamed of themselves helping selfish, short sighted leaders to plunder the wealth of the Third World” p.103)

She also tells Mr. Amoa of the fertilizer company whose import license was diverted to Gasha Motors for the importation of cars which are bought by young girls many of whom are refined prostitutes and girlfriends of General Musante and other Ministers and the Prophet himself whose many roomed mansion is a centre of prostitution. Mr. Amoa says the false Prophet will come to a bad end. He says:
“That Moses Akaba, that psycho, is definitely headed for a classic downfall ” p.104)

They also talk of the police service being turned into the police force to intimidate people, especially students. They reach at the garage where she pays for her repair bill and tips the garage boys with titty Taku for taking care of her car. The journey back home resumes, Dr. Takida in front and Mr. Amoa at the hind. On the way, they are overtaken by several police cars and jeeps filled with steel-helmeted policemen. The cars are at top speed, their sirens screaming. They are headed to the University. Dr. Takida who is afar waits for Mr. Amoa’s car to catch up with her. She advises him that they should stay away for a while but he refuses because he wants to rescue his young children who attend the University Primary School. She packs her car, gets into his and forward they drive. They reach the area. Tension prevails. Students are shouting for the resignation of the SMG. They carry placards some of which read:

“Musante should resign, Musante the Womaniser. False Prophet Akaba Must Hang. Import Fertilizer, not Cars. We need food, Not cars. Corrupt Commissioners Must Go. What Happened to 0F2Y? Don’t Kill the Economy. Stop Raping Kilitania p.106)

Students start taunting the police. The students have blocked the way Dr. Takida and Mr. Amoa park the car and begin to walk towards the Primary School. Suddenly, without warning, the police open fire. Mr. Amoa is shot. Dr. Takida has dived to the ground. Mr. Amoa tells her that he will die soon and that she should tell his wife how he died. Dr. Takida feels both bad and guilty. Two students are also shot dead and several are wounded.

We are told that it had happened in all Universities. In Sago one student is dead. In Rakka, Kapo Karso and Subota students are beaten up. One policeman dies in Rakka and several are roughed up. The government closes down all five Universities aUnd students are sent home for an indefinite period. Dr. Takida is arrested and detained for ‘inciting students to riot’ but later, with the help of the Vice-chancellor and Attorney of Knust University, she is released. She feels very bad and also guilty for the death of Mr. Amoa. She is helplessly sad at his funeral.

She wonders whether the bullet that killed him was meant for her. With some help she finally overcomes her sense of guilty.

Questions:

1. Mention any five effects of inflation from this chapter.

2. Why is Dr. Nelly Takida arrested?

CHAPTER ELEVEN

STUDENTS EDUCATE THE MASSES AT HOME, VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS RIOT FREQUENTLY; THE SMG RAISES SALARIES AND WAGES AND WORSENS

INFLATION

Inflation continues to push Kilitania’s economy to near collapse. Universities are re-opened but students resume their demonstrations against the Musante regime as soon as they reach their campuses. The Government closes them down again. The students start educating everyone, whether illiterate or educated, on the havoc created by the SMG. People understand them easily because they can clearly see the outside signs of corruption of the members of the Government ie. huge mansions, Mercedes Benz cars, etc., and the brutality of the police. The writer says:
“…everyone could see and feel the harmful effects of inflation the inability to make ends meet was very real indeed for most Kilitanians. ” (p. 108)

Several coups are attempted but are met with the oppressive arm of the state and the ‘conspirators’ are given long prison sentences. Some of them are University professors and lecturers who are betrayed by Major-General Hesinki, the Chief of Defence Staff whose help they had enlisted. These attempt to overthrow the SMG make General Musante’s respect to his messiah and mentor prophet to increase beyond limits. The prophet warns him not to kill anyone because it is against God’s commandments but also because it will create more enemies as most of the Kilitanian families are extended families.

There are frequent strikes by various professional groups. The nurses are now on strike. The NRC meets in the Citadel to decide the matter. The General has now been given an additional vote following the dismissal of Dr. Nelly Takida. The Governor suggests that the nurses should be pacified. Dr. Kibaki asks him to explain:

“Explain, Governor. Explain the meaning of your statement which is loaded with all sorts of solutions…..p. 110)

The Governor, Professor Amoro, says if the nurses’ salaries are raised they will shut their mouths and go back to work. Dr. Kibaki is very furious about this and opposes it. Mr. Mashiri sits passively, enjoying ‘the show’. Dr. Kibaki says other groups will also demand wage increases. He warns them that the comic situation of the dog chasing its tail (i.e. wages chasing the prices) will occur. .. However he is outvoted and the radio announces that nurses will have a 25% salary increase as was declared by General Musante at the meeting. The writer says Dr. Kibaki did not know that some pretty nurses were scheduled to meet the General in Prophet Akaba’s house that evening!

As predicted by Dr. Kibaki, another group, elementary school teachers also come up demanding higher wages like nurses. The NRC decides, with Dr. Kibaki dissenting, to raise the teachers’ wages!

This is followed by sanitation workers of the country of the five largest cities of Sago, Rakka, Sikabu, Tamaban and Kapo Karso, who stop collecting garbage for three consecutive days and demonstrate for higher wages saying that the price of food and other goods is high and they buy it at the same price as those who are paid highly. The NRC meets again. Professor Amoro suggests the same solution to raise their wages. Dr. Kibaki is very disappointed and he says:

“May God help Kilitania! “p.114)

General Musante asks him why he fears inflation that much upon which DR Kibaki tells him is because their country is heading the way that Germany went through in the 19208 and China in the 1940s where in both countries the local currencies had fallen badly against the Ammo dollar that people‘s salaries were carried in trucks and women went shopping with basketfuls of money only to purchase a few items! (pp. 115-116).

The Governor opposes him saying Kilitania has not reached any near to that point and says things will come back to normal soon. Ultimately, Dr. Kibaki is outvoted again in the raising of Wages for garbage collectors. The garbage collectors are overjoyed and the next day they go back to work.

Questions:

1. Why does Dr. Kibaki oppose the raising of wages for workers?

2. Why does the Governor support it?

CHAPTER TWELVE

THE MUSANTE REGIME IS OVERTHROWN: THE OUTSIDE WORLD CONDEMNS THE COUP!

The raising of the legal minimum wages made even the groups which were not expected to strike for the same course. These were farmers and road building contractors. They all employed unskilled labour and it was this unskilled labour which demanded higher wages which the farmers and contractors paid but refused to go on with the work. Coffee farmers refused to harvest the crop or spray insecticides while coffee is the chief export crop of Kilitania. Contractors also suspended all work in government projects.

The effects of farmers’ strike are felt in secondary schools, ninety percent of which are boarding schools. Students in these schools start insulting government officials or military officials wherever they see them.

Suddenly, medical doctors, secondary school teachers, engineers with the Zimca River Authority, water and sewerage corporation, lawyers and others all go on strike in support of University students. (They reason that they come from the same Universities: for example, medical doctors are trained at the University of Kilitania Medical School in Sago, lawyers are trained at Rakka, the University of North specializes in agriculture, Kapo Karso produces teachers and Knust University produces engineers). While there is no water supply, there are intermittent blackouts, no court proceedings, no agricultural activities going on and although nurses are at work, they cannot do much without doctors at work, no classes and secondary school students have become more militant….. In short, the situation is worse.

One Friday General Musante visits Sikabu the city of beautiful buildings, to inspect a mansion being built for him. On Monday morning, on the Sago Sikabu highway, the General’s entourage on its way back to the capital is met by young boys of St. Peter’s Secondary school (a catholic boys’ school) who shout all kinds of insults to the President. The writer says:

“The highly religious, disciplined students of the school were as angry as any others; after all, a hungry man is an angry man ’ p.119)

The President orders the police force in Sikabu to attack the young boys who are all in theit teens. Several students die and some are crippled or otherwise permanently disabled.

Prophet Akaba is very furious on hearing this. When General Musante visits him that evening, the Prophet condemns him for killing against God’s commandment and orders him to confess the sinful act.

He orders him never to fight students again. He also orders him to re-open the Universities and to bribe those who striked in support of the students.

“Order the immediate reopening of the Universities Again, give a lot of money, and I mean a substantial amount of money, to the leaders of the doctors, lawyers, engineers, secondary school masters and the extension officers. They ’11 then induce their colleagues to go back to work, I ’m sure 0fthat. Everyone on earth has their price, you know. ”(p.120)

The same night Radio Kilitania announces the reopening of Universities. Students come back to find dirt all over due to the sanitary workers’ strike. They start cleaning up the mess’ The students of the University of Kilitania go to Sago railway station to clean the litter. Oppositethe Railway Station is the largest police barracks. The two groups start exchanging words and insults on this Saturday morning. Then, students start throwing stones and the police come out firing and kicking randomly, three students are short dead and several wounded’ They’ are taken to military and police hospitals but they are refused treatment. Some striking doctor‘s come to their rescue in the General Hospitals.

On Sunday (the next day) students in the five Universities are back in the streets with placards and shouting slogans damning the SMG and calling for its resignation. They propose the Chief Justice to take over and the Constituent Assembly to draw up a new constitution. The police are ordered by the President not to touch the students. In the evening, the students retire to their campuses vowing to go back to the streets the next morning come what may!

It is this early morning that one captain Bobo of the Recce Squadrom announces the taking over of the government over Radio Kilitania. The writer says:
‘Early Monday morning; once again the golden rays of the tropical sun were bursting gracefully out of the eastern sky; once again the chilly breeze was whispering conspiratorially to the leaves of the coconut trees; and once again the mighty surfs were breaking 0n the Gulf of Guinea. Over Radio Kilitania came the announcement: ‘ (p.122)

Captain Bobo goes on to say that General Musante, Lieutenant-General Hesinki and other members of the SMG have been arrested and that other military officers holding government posts must report to the nearest military installations or police stations without fail for ‘protective custody’. He assures the people that security is ensured.

He says that the Council of Action has been established to govern the country until a civilian government is elected. Also, those military tribunals will be established to prosecute Musante and all those who participated in “chopping Kilitania small” and bringing the economy to the brink of collapse.

We are told that uncontrolled jubilation explodes on University campuses. Victory has been attained. The Council of Action establishes a Constituent Assembly to speed up the establishment of civilian rule. Military and civilian tribunals condemn General Musante, Lieutenant-General Hesinki, other military members of the ousted SMG, Professor Issaka Amoro, Prophet Moses Abraham Akaba, Mr. Mashiri and Mr. Gasha to death by firing squad. The sentences are hastily carried out!

Surprisingly world leaders step in! Queen Elizabeth II of England and the Pope and some Heads of State and Government the world over protest. Nigeria threatens to even cut off suPlllies of crude petroleum to Kilitania. ..

The national Union of Kilitania Students responds by issuing a crisp press statement:

‘When Kilitania was being raped mercilessly by General Musante and his cohorts in crime, the Queen of England and head of the Commonwealth of Nations kept her mouth shut; and When innocent and unarmed catholic secondary school students were beaten to death on the orders of General Musante, the Pope turned deaf ears to their cries; but when the General and his comrades are paid what they have long deserved the world is protesting Vehemently. We join the highly religious and moral Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States, in saying: life is not fair, and we hasten to add especially to the poor, the downtrodden, and the wretched 0f the earth ” (p. 124)

APPRECIATION OF THE BOOK

Although this Is a work of fiction, it reflects many societies in post-colonial Africa. Apparently the writer has several things that he want to tell the readers. To comprehend it, then, we to consider both the form and the content of this novel.

THE FORM

Here we will examine the methods and techniques used by Danny Safe in order to effective}’ present his message to the readers.

1. The Title

The title “His Excellency the Head of State” is satirical. It is used to satirize Musante’s failure. The phrase “His Excellency” is used to address some people of very high respect. It is normally used to address Ambassadors or Presidents.

The title is satirical because it mocks Musante. He does not deserve such respect. Thigh because he fails to lead Kilitania. Theoretically, Musante leads Kilitania but practically, (1,. country is led by Prophet Akaba and Professor Amoro who are his closest advisers. Musante does not have any idea of his own about leadership of the country. He leads the country astray. Let us ask ourselves: Does he deserve to be called “His Excellency the Head of State”?

The title has been artistically moulded. lt attracts the attention of the reader. Once a readq looks at the title he/she will be eager to know who is his excellency the head of state. He/she will be attracted to read it as a result.

2. The Setting

The setting is imaginary there is no country called Kilitania. However, the writer wants to make it clear that it is in West Africa that he writes about and a former British colony. He repeatedly tells us that the country’s neighboring states include Ghana and Nigeria.

3. The Plot

This refers to the way the story is told. The narration is chronological and straight forward, starting with the military coup staged by Musante and his supporters, then through his leadership and lastly the coup by Boko and his supporters.

However flashbacks are used inevitably, especially to give readers some necessary background infomation in relation to some people, places; etc. Examples include how Prophet Akaba founded his church and the Military training of General Musante.
Foreshadowing is also used, for instance where Mr. Amoa says Prophet Akaba will have a bad ending(p.104)
(There are more examples from the book. Look for them as part of your exercise)

The story is told in 3th person singular, where the story teller narrates what happened in that country.

4. Characterization

The characters in this book can be put into two broad groups. These are:

(a) The group of selfish and greedy individuals

Here we have General Musante, Prophet Akaba, Professor Issaka Amoro (The governor) and Mr. Mashiri are examples. These are a few people who enrich themselves at the expense of everyone else. In the writer’s words they are, “chopping Kilitania small”.

(b) The group of honest patriotic individuals

These are represented by Dr. Lari Kibaki, Dr. Takida, the Moderator of the
Presbyterian Church (Reverend Lesoma Khama) and University students an professional men and women of Kilitania

The following are some important characters.

(i) President Bawa

• He was the president of Kilitania before being overthrown byColonel Musante.
• He comes to power through the National Redemption party (N RP).
• He is helped by prophet Akaba to come to power.
• Akaba campaigns for him and orders his church followers to vote for him. He belongs to the same tribe as Akaba.
• Bawa trusts colonel Musante very much.
• He promotes Musante from the position of being Director of National Service to Commander of the First Battalion.
• He is claimed to have failed to lead Kilitanian economically, socially and politically.
• He regards Prophet Akaba as a con-man who collects/attracts followers by classic methods of indoctrination and brain washing.
• He is overthrown while attending a conference in the US.

(ii) Prophet Moses Abraham Akaba

• He is the founder of Life Alter Life Church while a teacher at Asaman Secondary School.
• He belongs to the same tribe as Bawa and General Musante.
• He helped President Bawa to come to power by ordering his followers to vote for him (p. 4).
• He advises Colonel Musante to overthrow Bawa.
• He is a spiritual healer. While a teacher at Asaman Secondary School, he impregnated a girl whom he was forced to marry.
• He blesses President Musante afier the revolution and allows M usante to enter the holy room in his twenty six roomed house.
• He becomes the greatest adviser of Colonel Musante after the revolution.
• He condemns the wearing of mini-skirts, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. He is superstitious and promiscuous.
• His holy room has magic words such as “ABRACADABRA” (pp. 15 -16). He advises General Musante to vote on the side supporting inflation and to take self-reliance as a policy for development of Kilitania.
• When in New York, he commits adultery by sleeping with a white woman and also drinking alcohol. These are contrary to his beliefs. He is, therefore, a hypocrite.
• He is in conflict with the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church and what he calls traditional churches.
• He is believed to have facilitated the burning of a Presbyterian Church.
• Akaba is a charismatic and good public speaker (p. 21). On his journey to the USA, he is given 200thousand dollars contrary to the custom of Kilitanian government. It had very strong restriction/control of foreign currency. His healing is doubtful to some people. This is seen when one man travels with him from one place to another. The man gives testimony that he has been healed (p.71). He also fails to cure patients because they have spilled the holy water for which he had prayed (p.71).
• When interviewed by Dr. Amoro, the Professor of psychiatry about his healing, Akaba tells the Professor that spiritual healers like him and witchdoctors use the power of mind. That is, they deal with the psychology of patients. Akaba uses amulets, crucifix and the so called holy water for exorcism (p.79). He lives a very luxurious life. His 26 roonied IIlansion is said to be hotel like (p.79). Almost everything done by President Musante is a result of his advice. He is a main character who is very influential in the novel.

(iii) General Kitiki Musante

• He was a soldier in the first Battalion, before getting promoted by President Bawa from the position of Director of National service to Commander in the first Battalion.
• He comes from the same tribe as Bawa (p.5).
• He is one of loyal members of Life-AfterLife Church (p. 4).
• He is trusted by President Bawa who does not think he tan Usurp power by military force (p. 5).
• He is “His Excellency the Head of state” on whom the title of the book is based.
• His education is of elementary school. What is extra about his education is that he studied some commercial subjects (pp. 32 – 33).
• At first, he thinks that seizing power by military force is the devil’s temptation. He decides to seize bower after the advice of Prophet Akaba (p5).
• He overthrows Bawa while Bawa is in USA attending a conference.
• After forming his cabinet, he gives almost all ministries to the military officers exc two. The Ministry of Justice is given to Benjamin Odei where as the Ministry of Education is given to Dr. Thomas Osae, a veteran educationalist. He leads Kilitania by advice from Prophet Akaba and he does everything that Akaba tells him.
• He favours the Church of Life-After-Life by ordering that the church should be given money for building salvation cities. He believes that neo-colonialism will be eradicated if the whole of Africa is united He, therefore, proposes that the Life-After-Life Church should be given money in order to Spread love and unity in Africa.
• He gives himself the rank of “general”.
• He is given the rank of Colonel following his good performance in military schools in Britain. He is ruthless in his leadership. This it seen when he orders the police to beat students when he is in Sikabu. He is both corrupt and extravagant.
• He and Professor Amoro are said to create scarcity of goods in order that they can get super profit. He orders the Life-After-Life Church to be given money from the central bank for building salvation cities.
• He is building a mansion in Sikabu (p 119). He Votes for “inflation” which becomes the way of creating income to Kilitania. As a result many problems emerge as effects of inflation.
• Once he trusts a person, he never says, “No” to whatever he is told by that person. This is seen when he accepts whatever he is told by Professor Amoro and Prophet Akaba. For instance, after Akaba’s preaching and advising him against wearing mini-skirts, he immediately promises a code of dressing.
• He does not like criticism. This is proved by his decision to fire Dr. Takida; a member of NRC after she has conducted a lecture which criticizes inflation.
• He never accepts professional advice from Dr. Kibaki and Dr.Takida However, the advice was very good if it were to be considered.
• He is finally overthrown and arrested by junior officers.
• He is the central character of the novel.

(iv) University Students

They are very happy after the revolution. This shows that they hoped for good performance of the new government. To show their support, students of Rakka University offer free service by harvesting sugarcane and constructing dams. They get disappointed after seeing the ruthless nature of Musante’s government. This is evidenced by their endless riots.

They are ready to die in the name of change. They say that soldiers take law into their hands. Therefore, they want Musante’s government to resign. Their unity helps to make their demonstrations effective. This is seen when they are reported to have organized a demonstration that involved all Universities in the country. They are the only hope as there is no parliament (p.88). What they say is, therefore, representation of all people’s problems. They are brave.

They face the police courageously while they know that they may be killed. Their protests incite secondary school students to strike. This is so because they conscioutize the Kilitanian society as a whole. University students are patriotic. This is seen when they take part in cleaning the city, harvesting sugarcane and constructing dams. They are fighters for freedom. This is shown by their (report) comment on the blames given by Queen Elizabeth II, the pope and the Nigerian government. Students wonder why those figures: the pope! the Queen did not say anything when Musante was ruling the country mercilessly (p.124) They advise the Musante’s government to nullify debts (p.7).

(v) Dr. Nelly Takida

She is a woman, very beautiful and that is why she is called 33′ (Brilliant Beauty). She is a Professor of Economics at the University of Knust. She once studied in the USA. She is appointed a member of National Reconstruction Commission (NRC). She is then given a car, a Mercedes Benz. She is courageous and transparent. She opposes inflation strongly. She and Dr. Kibaki are always on one side when it comes to talk about inflation. She delivers a very serious lecture on “Wage and Price illusion.” She says that inflation cannot be cured by controlling price and wages but by increasing production. She is an exemplary to women.

She is used to show that women can do something in the society if they are determined. After her lecture, she is fired from NRC membership. The Mercedes Benz she was given is taken by SMG. She sticks to professional code of ethics. She could side with inflation but she does not do so, contrary to Professor Amoro. She is blamed by the Daily Mirror for her lecture against inflation. She is told to pay 30 Taku instead of 8 Taku of the controlled price, when she is in need of a bus ticket (p. 101).

(vi) Dr. Kibaki

He is the Chief Economist of Kilitania. He took his studies in the USA. He is transparent and frank; He is committed to his profession. He is patriotic; he is not ready to support inflation as an economic solution. He is courageous. He always hits the nail on the head. This is seen when he tells the President openly that he (Kibaki) cannot support self-reliance and inflation. He remains strong in his beliefs. He never changes his stand on inflation. He sides with Dr. Nelly Takida when votes are cast to end the debate on inflation. He believes that Universities are the only hope, for the people who do not have a Parliament.

When the President votes for inflation, Dr. Kibaki wants him to clarify as to why he voted for inflation. He believes that a country can develop if it has dogmatic dedication to a set of beliefs (ideology). He is disappointed by Musante’s government. He argues that Musante has no direction. He sees Bawa as better because Bawa wanted to lead Kilitania towards pure capitalism (p.87). He refuses to allocate money for Life-After-Life Church to protect the country from more inflation. He tells the President that debt reputation has bad effects to the economy of Kilitania.

(vii) Professor lssaka Amoro

He is the Governor of the Central Bank of Kilitania. He was previously a lecturer in the department of Economics at Kilitania University. He is believed to be among the Professors who prepared the speech that Musante read on the revolution day. He is selfish. This is proved by his proposition of inflation while he knows its repercussions. He does that for his own benefits.

He proposes that wages be increased so that workers may calm down. He is not patriotic; he does not care about the sufferings of Kilitanians. That is why he proposes inflation. He is one of the closest advisers of Musante. His advice is never rejected by Musante. He and the President are said to accumulate commodities thereby creating artificial scarcity so that they may get super profit.

He sides with Musante so that he can get a lucrative job after the coup. He ultimately gets governorship of the Central Bank of Kilitania. He is said to be a drunkard. He does not come to the meeting timely. He is, for that matter, irresponsible.

(viii)Moderator Khama

He is a Minister of the Presbyterian Church. He is disgusted by the mushrooming of the cults. He preaches against Akaba and his church. He warns his fellow Presbyterians about cults. He argues that even Jesus warned the people about the false prophets.

He says that there is blurring between preaching and politics. His Church is burnt immediately after Akaba has reacted to Moderator’s previous sermon. When he is interviewed to give comments on Akaba’s healings, he says that there is no healing but auto suggestion.

(ix) Mr. Amoa

He is a lecturer of Sociology at Knust University. He is totally against undemocratic rule. To show that, he stops talking to Dr. Takida after the latter has been appointed to be an NRC member. He becomes friendly to Takida aher Takida has been dismissed from NRC membership. He is shot by the police during the students’ commotion. However, he did not take part in the strike. He is, therefore, used by the author to show that in undemocratic government, innocent people are killed.

5. Style

There are two things to consider here, namely use of language and literary techniques as used by the wnter to convey his message.

(a) Language use

The writer has used Standard English. However, he has also employed the use of the following kinds of language:

(i) Technical language

For example when Dr. Kibaki talks about taxes (p.46) and when D; Takida talks about inflation (p.93).

(ii) Religious Language

Prophet Akaba constantly uses religious (biblical language) in his sermons (pp 29- 30). The moderator of the Presbyterian Church also quotes and “Set biblical language. Prophet Akaba tells General Musante: “..Kneel down and let me blest you and call for God is constant protection …” (p.14)

(iii) Classic and old language terms

Such as “behold” (old English) and also Latin and Greek is used by Prophet Akaba in conversation with General Musante he uses foreign language like “Aqua horaxit venias carajos ” (p.16)

(iv) Poetic language

Songs are used for example. “We Shall Overcome” (p.36) and “Lead Kindly Light” (p.37)

(V) Proverbs

For example “A hungry man is an angry man” (p.119)

(b) Literary techniques

The Writer uses several literary techniques particularly the following:

(i) Imagery:

Danny Safo has used words to create different images to the readers. Examples are:
Mings: The description of the morning of the coup by Musante (p.1)
Persons: The description of the physical appearance of General Musante (p.32)

Events: The description of the ‘healing’ of the leper and lunatic and the struggle of other patients to receive the miraculous healing.

• The police and students confrontation (p. 106)

• The morning of the coup by Captain Boko (p. 122)

(ii) Irony

There are several examples of irony, that is, where the opposite happens or the opposite is meant when something is said or done.

• The title is ironical since General Musante does not deserve the dignity of ‘HiS Excellency the Head of State’.

• The title used for Moses Akaba, i.e. “His Messianic Holiness Prophet Moses Abraham Akaba” is not suitable for him. A Prophet of God cannot be adulterous, treacherous and full of falsehood

• When Dr. Kibaki tells the Governor to explain, ‘the meaning of his statement which is full of solutions’ he is ironical (p.110) . When leaders claim to love Kilitania they know they do not, so they are ironical.

(iii) Satire

This is when the writer ridicules follies of certain characters so that the readers dislike or hate such characters:

• All the examples about irony above are also used so as to satirize the relevant characters

• When the Governor says inflation is not to be feared very much the writer satirizes him because any Governor is not expected to encourage inflation.

• Also, the suggestions given by the Governor and how to control inflation, that is, by wage and price control are meant to satirize him. Also the raising of wages and salaries eg. When the nurses’ salaries are raised due to his suggestion.

• The so called, “Salvation cities” to be created by Prophet Akaba’s Church is a satirical name because there will be no true salvation by people who are false and treacherous like Prophet Akaba.

(iv) Idioms

These have plentifully been employed in the novel.

Example:

• Out ofhand (p.111)

• He had grown cold towards Dr. Takida (p. 102)

• Money used to finance projects in the red (p.7)

• Ex-president Bawa and students of Kilitania’s Universities had not seen eye to eye (p.7) All the dust had settled (p.7)

• Soldiers are taking the law into their hands (p.85)
All in all, idioms have helped to add colour to the language of this novel. Idioms are among the components of artistic language.

(v) Proverbs/Adages/Sayings

Danny Safo, the author of “His Excellency the Head of State” has employed a variety of proverbs or sayings to add flavour to the language of the novel. The following are some of them:

• Everyone for himself and God for us all (p.87)

• A hungry man is an angry man (p.119)

• When the bayonet is drawn the gun will be pointed at many (p.103)

(vi) Repetition

Some words or phrases have been repeated for emphatic purposes. The following are examples of repeated words/phrases.

• Do you realise that? Do you realise? (p.111)

• Shortages of essential commodities, shortages, shortages, shortages (p.85)

• You will obey (pp. 122- 123).

(vii) Symbolism

The writer also uses symbolic things, persons and events to present reality.

• Things: Prophet Akaba’s mansion symbolizes wealth, influence and treachery.

– The Government Mercedes Benz and the rickety old car symbolize privilege and lack of (good) opportunities, respectively.

– The cosmetics and paints used to paint a person in the likeliness of a leper or lunatic symbolize false means used by leaders to trick people into believing into false things.

– The Universities in this book have been used to symbolize the custody of change and positive influence.

• Persons: Prophet Akaba is used to symbolize wealth, power, influence and exploitation.

– General Musante symbolizes ignorance and its effects

– Dr. Takida symbolizes cynicism and true leadership (Give more examples)

• Events and situations: The coups symbolize the bad end that awaits bad leaders ie. Bad leaders come to no good end. The false healing and miracles by Prophet Akaba symbolize the false promises by our leaders. The Operation ‘Feed Yourself your-self (OFZY) symbolizes the unreliability of the government in bringing development.
(viii)Simi]e; When two unlike entities are compared using words: “like” or “as” etc. Examples.

• “So I came back and I’m fit as a fiddle” (p.32)

• The highly religious, disciplined students of the school were as angry as any others (p.119)
(ix) Metaphor: The comparison of the unlike entities without using “like” or “as” making the two entities to be the same.

Prophet Akaba calls General Musante, “the metal that cuts through other metals” (p.15)

(x) Personification

This is when inanimate things are given human qualities usually to Stress on something being explained.

Examples

• The…. Harmattan wind of January was whispering conspiratorially to the my leaves of the coconut trees (Underlining is mine) (p.1) (only human being can be have thirsty and able to whisper).

• The garage man tells Dr. Takida “Kilitania is dying” (p.99).
• The press statement by the student’s union states: “When Kilitania was being raped mercilessly. …..(Underlining is mine).

(xi) HyperboIe/Exaggeration

There was complete silence one could have heard a pin drop (p.27)

(xii) Onomatopeia

Gulf of Guinea was beating a rhythmic tom-tom (p. 1) This refers to sounds reflecting meaning.

CONTENT

Given the form of the book above it is now important to consider the themes presented in the book.

The following themes are discussed:

1. Non-Secularism

This is a situation where the government (or the state) and the religion (or the church etc) are so closely related that they seem to be one and the same. In this book the Musante regime and the Life-After-Life Church are mended into one and the result is:

a) Lack of religious tolerance and freedom. The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church asks: “Whatever happened to the separation of Church and State? ”p.37)

b) The state’s decisions are made by the church.

c) The church uses its influence to enrich its leaders.

d) The church influences the masses to blindly obey the state.

2. Incompetence of Leaders

This is another theme in the book. General Musante and his fellow military men do not have the education required for contemporary leaders. They only received military training both in Kilitania and abroad. As a result:

a) They can not lead Kilitania properly

b) They fail to see where the country is heading

c) They do not know the meaning and effects of inflation (p.44)

d) They are easily fooled by Prophet Akaba.

3. Totalitarianism

This is tantamount to dictatorship. The writer uses the coup and the self- proclamation of prophetism to symbolize the self-installation of leaders.

He shows how the country is governed by force. General Musante says:
“… After all, we are soldiers, not civilians like you and we don’t hesitate to take draconian actions ” (p.12)

4. Ignorance

Simply means lack of knowledge about something.The writer continues to show, like many other African writers that most of the Africans are still ignorant; they are not aware of what is truly going on.

He uses the following examples to express this:

a) The followers of Prophet Akaba do not know who he truly is. This symbolizes many people who do not really know the true colours of their leaders.

b) The students supported the first coup because they did not know the true intentions of those behind it.

c) Bad enough even the leaders are ignorant. General Musante is not aware of the aftermaths of inflation

d) Leaders do not know how to tight inflation.

5. Inflation and its Effects

The writer centers his novel on this topical theme. He discusses in detail what inflation is, what its causes are and what its true solutions are. In the book, we see the problems in the society being a direct result of inflation:

a) The NRC tries to control inflation

b) The prices of goods sky-rocket (ie. go up) (p.98)

c) There are queues everywhere for goods (p.101)

d) Poverty, bribery and prostitution take place as a result (pp. 98 -102)

e) Dr. Takida suggests how to handle inflation (p. 93)

6. Irresponsibility

Many people in power are not responsible for the masses. Some workers also do not do what they should.

a) The Musante regime does not really care of people’s welfare

b) Dr. Kibaki says most academicians in Kilitania are irresponsible and they run to politics for a short-cut to success (p.84)

c) When Prophet Akaba returns from America the custom officials at the airport do not inspect the packages sent to him subsequently. (p. 68)

7. Corruption

This refers to the act or behavior of being dishonest especially in the use of one’s authority.There is also instances of corruption:

a) Prophet Akaba is known for bribery (p.68)

b) Dr. Takida bribes the petrol station attendant

c) Because of inflation corruption is the order of the day.

8. Betrayal

This is an act of not being loyal to someone who trusts you.Theleaders have betrayed the masses and this result into the people’s disillusionment. Professor Amoro has betrayed his profession and the people

9. Conflict

Is a situation in which people, groups or countries are involved in a serious disagreement or argument.

There is conflict between the two groups (read characterization) This is manifested by:

a) Students confrontation with the police and the military

b) Confrontation among the NRC members

c) Conflict between professionals and the government.

10. Sacrifice and Heroism

The writer wants to stress on the need for some people to be ready to suffer for the rest of the people if any fundamental change is to be achieved.

a) University students are ready to suffer for other citizens

b) Secondary School students also suffer the same consequences

c) Dr. Takida is dismissed from the NRC and is sacrificed because of her country.

d) The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church is not afraid to criticize Prophet Akaba and he Suffers because of that.

11. The Role of the Professional Elites

Danny Safo has shown that, the class of academicians can be used to instigate or bring about change in the society. He has used the University students and professional men and women of Kilitania to save the fate of Kilitania by educating the masses and uniting against the Musante regime.

a) Students’ constant demonstrations are evidence of this

b) Students educate the masses at home

c) Professionals

d) Dr. Takida and Dr. Kibali are true professional’s

12. The Position of Women in the Society

His Excellency the Head of State has portrayed Women both positively and negatively. A woman has been portrayed as courageous and committed. Dr. Takida is used as an example. She works very hard for the interest of all Kilitanians. She strongly opposes inflation. Her opposition of inflation makes her to lose NRC membership. This is the courage which a responsible woman should have.

On the other hand, a woman has been portrayed as an instrument of enjoyment. She is something a man can use for entertainment. This is revealed through the white woman in USA. Prophet Akaba is asked if he would like a female company. He responds positively and the woman immediately comes to the Tudor hotel to entertain Akaba. This is the negative portrayal of women.

13. The Role of Education

Education can be of importance to the society if it is used properly. In the novel, the role of education is exposed. Universities are, for example, said to have the role of analyzing, evaluating and criticizing the society so that development can be achieved in the country. Universities are also used for representing the rest of citizens where there is no Parliament. In the novel, University students have helped a great deal in bringing change to Kilitania. Their continuous demonstrations have been among things that have contributed to remove Musante’s government from power.

14. Neo-Colonialism

This is also an issue raised by Safo in his novel. Neo-colonialism is portrayed as one of the problems facing African countries. Africans are exploited through mining, industries and banks. The countries continue being exploited because of lacking technology for extracting their resources. Another reason for continuous exploitation is bad leadership which facilitates bad policies. The leaders give room for foreign dominated economy.

Kilitania is among countries suffering from foreign domination. This is evident by it5 agricultural operations which are aided by Tennessee Valley Authority which provide5 funds. It should be taken into account that foreign aid is usually used as a way a exploitation.

In His Excellency the Head of State elements of neo-colonialism are shown. This i5 seen alter the overthrowing Musante’s government and the resulting punishments of Musante and his cohorts the Pope, Queen Elizabeth and Nigerian government blame such acts. This is a sign of neo colonialism (the decisions being made by powerful outsiders).

15. Selfishness

Someone is considered to be selfish if he or she thinks about himself/herself and does not care about other people. This issue is revealed through Musante, Professor Moro, Mr. Mashiri and Akaba. These people are selfish own benefits. Whatever they gropose is rooted on their individual interests. For example, they propose the policy of inflation without considering its effects to other Kilitanians.

We can then deduce that one of the factors hindering African development is selfishness of its leaders.

16. Bad Leadership

This is probably the central theme. It is depicted through General Musante who fails to lead Kilitania. He uses a bad policy of inflation which results into a variety of problems such as corruption, scarcity of commodities, immoralities, strikes to mention a few.

We can deduce that bad leadership is one of the factors impeding development, Kilitania fails to develop because of Musante’s leadership. The President lacks proper policy or ideology which could accelerate the wheel of development of Kilitania. Musante leads the country using the ideas of Prophet Akaba and Professor Amoro. The latter two give the President bad advice. This is seen when they advise him to adopt self-reliance and intiation as a means for solving Kilitanian problems. To everyone’s dismay, those propositions cause detrimental effects to the economy of Kilitania.

17. Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is another issue portrayed in the novel. Hypocrisy is a behaviour where a person pretends to have moral standards while he does not have. In the novel, hypocrisy is revealed through Prophet Moses Abraham Akaba. He is a hypocrite man because he does not practise what he preaches. For example, he preaches against adultery/fornication and drinking alcohol. To everyone’s surprise, Akaba commits adultery and drinks whisky while in USA. This is an acid test of the hypocritical nature of Akaba.

Looking at the other edge of Akaba’s hypocritical nature, we see him being superstitious. He has magic symbols in his holy chamber. This is contrary to what one may expect from a spiritual leader. He does not allow anyone to enter his holy chamber so that people may not know his secrets which are contrary to their expectation. For that matter, he wants to appear different from the way he is.

Prophet Akaba cheats people by telling them that he has healed someone while in reality the person has not been sick but he travels with Akaba from one place to another. The pretending patient gives testimony that he has been healed.

As a true religious leader, Prophet Akaba was not supposed to take part in advising Musante to overthrow Bawa. By contrast, Akaba is the engineer of the coup de tat.

Akaba’s hypocrisy is one of the root causes of Kilitanian problems. This is chiefly because almost everything done by Musante has blessing or advice from this Prophet.

NOTE: There are other themes such as: poverty, exploitation, oppression, humiliation, immorality, etc discussed in the book.

MESSAGE OF THE NOVEL

His Excellency the Head of State warns African countries against the effects of un-democratic
Rule. The countries should remove bad leadership if they are to remain peaceful and realize develop.