2012 Is Between Asomdwehene & Nana Patapaa

Mr. Ato Ahwoi & Dr. Ekow Spio Gabrah Agree

News Desk report

Dr. Ekow Spio Gabrah, the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Communication Office has lambasted the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Mr. Addo Danquah Akufo Addo for preaching violence and calling on Akans to rise against the other tribes in Ghana, and in his analysis on the infamous statement, consequently described the NPP flagbearer as Nana Patapaa (I) (lead chief of thugs).

Clearly saying that the 2012 elections is a straight fight between President J.E.A. Mills and Mr. Akufo Addo of the NPP, the U.K. based Ghanaian has stated that at this stage of Ghana’s development underpinning our cherished democratic practices and institutions, there is no need for a politician to resort to violence, in order to wrestle power.

Mr. Ekow Spio Gabrah, who is also a vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and noted for his strong political jabs, observed that the NPP Flagbearer is adopting this violent and radical approach to fighting next year’s elections after realizing, during his tours across the country, that the Mills government is performing and stands the best chance of winning the 2012 elections. Speaking to Asempa FM’s Nana Kwabena Bobbie Ansah on the Kukurantumi programme, last Saturday morning, Mr. Spio Gabrah noted that Nana Akufo Addo who in 2008 declared that no blood should be spilled in an election, is resorting to violence, only because he has seen the strides that the Mills government has begun to make important strides, by delivering on its promises made to the Ghanaian people.

“This is patapaa. He’s adopting this patapaa stance only because after touring the countryside he can clearly see that he can win through free and fair means so he’s adopting this tribal positioning and also urging his supporters to embrace the need for violence,” Mr. Gabra noted.

Going further the Commonwealth man said: “Clearly Ghanaians have seen that the 2012 Election is a straight contest between a President Asomdwehene and Nana Patapaa the first.”

Mr. Gabrah was of the opinion that Nana Patapa (I) can no more campaign on the issue of improving the living conditions of the people of Ghana, as the NPP had earlier campaigned on, in past elections, hence needs a violent-characterized elections in order stay a claim to the presidency.

Speaking on the same subject, last Friday evening, Mr. Ato Ahwoi, a lead member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) expressed surprise at the violence that Mr. Akufo Addo is preaching to his followers. He described the mood of the NPP leader as what is called ‘patapaa’ in the local parlance.

Mr. Ahwoi explained that the meaning of the patapaa involves someone who has lost a fight and knows he will lose again and is therefore planning unacceptable, rude and unconventional means to lay a claim to a title. Describing himself as a former classmate of Mr. Akufo Addo, the NDC don and Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), told Joy FM’s News Night host Dzifa Bampoe, that he is particularly disappointed in the NPP Flagbearer’s inability to campaign on the bread and butter issues confronting Ghanaians, but is resorting to radical approach to wining the reins of power. He said: “If he wants to be a leader at all cost and that’s the reason why he adopted the ‘Nana’ name in later years, then he must be deceiving himself into thinking that way.

“Why? What has happened all of a sudden such that he’s talking like that? Look my sister (Dzifa Bampoe) there are rules and regulations governing elections and our democratic practice, so why incite NPP supporters to use violence in order to stay a claim to the Presidency?”

Mr. Ato Ahwoi further called on decent minded persons in the NPP and in the country to call the NPP Flagbearer to order because his incitement to violence will not augur well for this dear country.

The condemnation by Mr. Ato Ahwoi and Dr. Spio Gabrah is the latest of the many condemnations that the NPP Flagbearer has received for calling on Akan men to rise-up against other tribal groups in Ghana who see Akan men as weak and full of cowardice. Speaking in Koforidua, Asamankese and Trade Fair site, last week, the NPP Flagbearer incited his supporters to adopt violent measures including naked thuggery in order to secure victory for him to become President of the Republic of Ghana, in the coming elections.

Not giving any specific instance or basis for his call, the NPP Flagbearer who has been described as Nana patapaa (I) confessed that the electoral disturbances that took place in Atsiwa, during the recent bi-elections is the example of the kind of strategy that the campaign expects from the followers.

So when one of his faithfuls retorted by saying “We are ready this time” Mr. Akufo Addo replied by saying “We will see” if indeed you are ready for the fight.

In Accra, he promised to heavily reward anyone who will spare, risk or loss property or life for him to become President. “My brethren, there are so many things that a President can do. And therefore I assure you that I will never forget any one of you who will sacrifice for us to win 2012. I will never forget you.” He said.