The book that caused quite a stir within the corridors of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). ‘Chasing the elephant into the bush,’ is set to be launched in Accra on Tuesday.
The author of the book, Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy, who was one of the 17 presidential aspirants of the NPP in their December 2008 congress held at Legon-Accra, incurred the wrath of some members of the party hierarchy for the manner he pointed out party issues in his book.
While some of the party members questioned the rationale behind the book, others gave him thumbs up for coming out with what exactly led to the defeat of the NPP in last general elections.
One person that Dr. Kennedy was hard on in the book is former President J.A. Kufuor for his part in ensuring the defeat of the NPP. Interestingly former President Kufuor is billed to be the guest of honour at the launch of the book. Mr. Apenteng Appiah-Menkah, a founding member of the NPP and Member of the President’s Constitutional Review Commission, who is also seen as very local within the party, is the keynote speaker at the event, to be chaired by Hon. Seth Adjei Baah, Member of Parliament for Nkawkaw.
Dr. Kennedy, in an interview with the Enquirer via phone yesterday, said there is scramble for invitation for the programme. “I touched down from outside this early morning but the calls I have received is amazing,” he said.
According to him, all the big shots within the NPP have confirmed that they would attend the programme. He told this paper that Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, a leading member, has confirmed that he would be present at the function.
Dr. Kennedy said he was in high spirit that the book launch would very successful. He said that although he has not received a confirmation from Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, the party’s 2008 flagbearer, to attend the programme, people closer to him told him that he would be present.
He revealed to the Enquirer that Mr. E.T. Mensah, a top notch of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), would lead a team from that party to the programme.
Touching on the book itself, Dr. Kennedy said it was not meant to denigrate anybody. “My intention was to make things clear as far the body politic of Ghana is concerned.” He added.
According to him, he wrote the book in the interest of Ghana and not to serve any other interest. “I want to see people like former President Kufuor, Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani and Mr. P.V. Obeng, writing books in the interest of Ghana,” he said. He said that the book is an eye-opener and that its stock is rising because people are interested in it so much.