Deputy Minister-Designate for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, recently faced an unexpected literary debate during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
The discussion started innocently enough with a question about his hobbies, but quickly turned towards Chinua Achebe’s renowned novel, Things Fall Apart.
Gyan-Mensah, an avid reader, mentioned Things Fall Apart as one of his favorite books. When asked about the moral lessons he took from it, he emphasized Okonkwo’s ability to bring people together.
However, the Ranking Member on the committee, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, expressed skepticism. He doubted whether Gyan-Mensah had truly grasped the essence of the book. Afenyo-Markin argued that Okonkwo’s character was more defined by bravery than by his leadership skills.
The exchange sparked amusement and intrigue among the committee members, with Afenyo-Markin suggesting that Gyan-Mensah might need to revisit the novel for a refresher.
For those unfamiliar with the story, Okonkwo is a strong and traditional warrior in Igbo society, known for his courage and fear of weakness. Despite his strengths, his rigid personality alienates those around him.
Ultimately, based on Achebe’s depiction, Afenyo-Markin’s interpretation of Okonkwo as a brave individual rather than a community unifier appears to be more aligned with the character’s traits.
