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Opinions of Friday, 10 September 2010

Columnist: Coffie, Emmanuel Dela

John Mills And The Politics Of Second Term!

The spirit of our nation is presently undergoing a painful throe. Despite the
bashing that I receives on daily basis for defending the truth, I am determined
to touch raw nerves when it comes to NDC’ internal politics.

The use of odd methodology by the presidency to itemize their second-rate
achievements is pitiful, if not laughable. Despite their chronological
experience in national politics, the inability of John Mills and many of his
appointees to acknowledge the infeasibility of the blurry vision, and twisted
policies, makes me question their intellectual capability, and sophistication in
grasping political concepts, and their practical applications.

The unashamed attitude of some persons including Dr Christiana Amoako Nuamah and
the chief Executive officer of the Food and drugs board, Dr S.K. Opuni to use
backdoor dealings to canvass for support for John Mills at some constituencies
in Ashanti region at a time when the party has not yet open nominations for the
leadership contest is just sickening to say the least.
I don’t begrudge the likes of Dr. S.K. Opuni and Dr. Christiana Amoako Nuamah
for doing what they are doing but the question is, have the nomination opens for
the party’s leadership contest? Is the party leadership saying that the
President can declare his bid and start campaigning but others cannot?

What is the underlying principle for campaigning for a president who has lost
touch with the average Ghanaian?
Why is the party leadership trying to undermine party structures and give undue
advantage to the president? Is it a case of a double standard or hypocrisy?
Less than two years in office, the president is scheming and maneuvering his way
to get the party’s nomination for a second term. What is this obsession about
his second term bid in 2012? Does he have something to fear?

Can John Mills cite any corporeal examples of his achievements, and service, to
the nation under his tenure as president? Isn’t it becoming too retiring to our
auditory senses to listen to his apologist’s, use his mediocre performance as a
valid reason to seek second term?

Mills has failed not only the NDC but Ghanaians in general and you don’t have to
be rocket scientist to know that. His leadership is in a mess and he doesn't
deserve another shot at presidency on the NDC ticket! I honestly prefer truth,
good judgment, cohesiveness, awesome communication skills and the desire and
ability to bring real change for a better Ghana! Mills lacks all of the above
and he has proven it in the manner in which he has run this country in the last
19 months!

Under Mills, our nation has become another Orwellian failed state, where a few
belly-jiggling squealers in the administration keep on singing hymns of “All is
well” with the thought that the desperate public will open their choked throats
to swallow the foul-smelling droppings. How does President Mills want us to
judge him?

Like our colonial masters, some old-schooled NDC politicians mistake the
Ghanaian public for injudicious preschoolers in need of parental tutelage.
Unbeknownst to them, the Ghanaian public has maturated, and understands the
implications of policies, even better, than some of the nation’s “unqualified”
politicians who have swamped the centre of power for economic paybacks and
kickbacks.
And again, even the most ardent supporters of Mills in public are privately
dismayed by his performance. The most credible scenario would be for Mills to
step down for good sense to prevail. He's done his best, but people who matter
are saying that his best is not good enough! Any chance of mounting a
respectable election campaign will necessitate a different leader for the NDC.
The conclusion that many people have reached is that Mills is a failure and the
NDC need a stronger leader. It cannot be the case that the NDC has run out of
steam.

It's no good going for a candidate who cannot win the heart and minds of the
ordinary man. The NDC needs a leader who looks ready for the future and really
wants the job. The party has to move on and offer an alternative to Mills. He is
desperate to hang on to power in spite of his failures but the voters are
disenchanted with his administration. Mills' statist approach to politics has no
appeal many voters.

Ghanaians know the NDC can do better and they want that choice. Ghana’s best
days are yet to come and the NDC must put its best foot forward for 2012.
No matter what the close associates of the president says, there appears to be
no good end possible for John Mills as the leader of the National Democratic
Congress.
We shall be back!
Emmanuel Dela Coffie
www.delacoffie.wordpress.com