Jake; A True And A Historic N.P.P. Chairman.

By: Baah Acheamfour.

The man who most political analyst call him the strategist has for the second time made history in Ghanaian politics and for that matter Africa in General. It is undoubtedly proven that this is a man who truly possesses leadership skills. It all started when he was voted in as the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (N.P.P.), he being the first Chairman ever in the history of the party and in Ghana who most delegates have voted on as a National Chairman. After his historic victory, he was then confronted with the task of organizing the Presidential Candidate election. By then, most people were of the view that, the party should have a late flagbearership election, due to his foresightedness, prudence and strategic thinking, he insisted on having an early congress which has now become a blessing not just a blessing but a historic one indeed. I remember during the time when people were debating as to whether we should have an early or late congress, I once approached him and said “Sir, a lot of people are talking about this issue of early congress. Should we do something about it? He replied and made this quoted statement.

“Allow them to talk. By the time they finish talking, I have also finished organizing a historic election that will bring victory to this party in 2012. What I think of is the betterment and the interest of the party not anyone’s interest.”

Readers should not forget that his major task was not only to conduct any election but to organize a flagbearership election which in the history of the party and for that matter Ghana in general, about one hundred and twenty thousand (120,000) delegates are to express their view in the ballot box to elect a flagbearer. The outcome of that election was hailed by our country men and women and even across the glob. I remember Nana Addo saying that after his victory a number of his friends foreign Minister across the world called not only to congratulate him but on top expressed their satisfaction and interest in the manner in which the whole election was conducted and the history the party (NPP) has made in Africa.

His next agenda was to conduct free, fair and transparent Parliamentary election which was to elect Parliamentary candidates across the nation. In his candid opinion, he thought it wise to as soon as possible organize it to bring all hullabaloos in regards to who becomes the next Member of Parliament for N.P.P. to a complete halt.

There were a number of maiden activities that took place making sure the election comes to a successful end.

A typical example was the pre- parliamentary primaries tour which took party dignitaries like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John), and other party national executives across the nation. It was aimed to meeting all party executives, candidates and those who matter in the election and appealed to them to well conduct themselves and prove to Ghanaians that really N.P.P. is ready to take back the administration of our dear nation. The results of that tour are widely written on every single wall that everyone can read.

You will share the same sentiment that the pre-primaries tour truly brought down tempers and people’s aggression to power. Others who thought that, the national executives may be biased had that thought erased based on the assurance and the sort of education given by the flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and the national chairman Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey not forgetting his incisive General Secretary Sir John.

I remember Nana once told Jake “Is better you organized this tour. That was strategic to you.” You could also remember that Jake chaired executive managed to take all constituencies, Regional and National executives out from the parliamentary vetting committee based on the previous experience he has had. To maintain his pride of organizing a free, fair and transparent election, he set an independent committee who took over all the affairs of the election and periodically meets them for briefing and advice. One of those advices was that the printing of the ballot papers, distribution and other relevant affairs should be handled by the electoral commission (EC).

Anyone who has followed the proceedings of the all the successful elections conducted by Jake chaired executive, should not be deceived into thinking that the success was out of luck, rather, it was based on strategic thinking and good leadership skills .

Now everything is shown towards the fact that N.P.P. is fittingly ready to come back to power come 2012 and save Ghana from Mills Mahama NDC inattentive and reckless administration which has fashioned hopelessness in Ghanaians and total confusion among their party members. Insha Allah N.P.P. will come and continue the good legacy former President J.A. Kuffour left behind which has now been left in limbo.

This goes to hammer on the fact that Insha Allah, Jake is in full control of NPP.

I will urge him to continue the good relationship between himself, the flagbearer and the former President as well as his other National Executives. Jake, more grease to your elbow.

The beacon of hope of African politics and election has been shown by the pacesetters of democracy, the New Patriotic Party (N.P.P.).