Conversation With NPP Delegates

Ghana’s economic and social situation before His Excellency President John Agyekum Kufour was abysmal to say the least. However with vision President Kufour steered the economy through rough waters, and eventually got Ghana where it is today: most of our debts have virtually been wiped off; investments are streaming in; our cedi rub shoulders with the prestigious currencies of the world’s financial markets; we are ruled by the law unlike the law of the jungle that we were subjected to in the distant past; we speak freely to the extend that any Tom, Dick, or Harry could get on any medium to challenge or insult the president at will all in the name of free speech; it’s been a long time since we heard of any mysterious disappearance, or identification hair cuts; and most importantly we’ve not experienced any civil wars thanks to God. We’ve gained more respect on the international scene by the good governance of Kufour’s administration. In essence: we’ve got it good!

The average Ghanaian may not recognize the great achievements we have made in just about seven years of Kufour’s presidency, and hence may take things for granted. Vast economic opportunities opened to us for us to explore and enjoy. We have good governance, peace, rule of law, and beginning to enjoy international recognition and respect, to mention only a few. As humans, and by our nature, we are often oblivious of the good things we have until it is lost.

Unfortunately, Kufour cannot continue his good services to our nation forever as anything good must eventually come to an end. Our constitution demands that he hands over by the end of his two terms. There is an Akan proverb that goes, “Se odupon tutu a, brofere na esi nanan” literally meaning, the strong is often times succeeded by the weak. This need not be the case if we choose and choose wisely. Kufour have laid a very good and strong foundation that required the establishment of economic confidence in Ghana, with regard to both international and local investment. This has been achieved through good governance and the rule of law. In addition major infrastructure and economic developments initiatives have began.
We now enter the most critical era of our growth as a country, and here is where we need to chose a leader who is a motivator with a vision. A leader who will bring out the best within all Ghanaians, and in effect, move the country forward to achieve middle income status. I know Ghana needs such a leader, and with such a leader Ghanaians will all work together to build our destiny. Fortunately or unfortunately the duty of choosing this leader who would continue the good works of Kufour falls on a few privileged delegates. Why Privileged? Privileged because they have the luxury to make the selection, yet great responsibility rests on their shoulders. Their choice as simple as it may seem 2 would have far-reaching consequences, not only on NPP as a party but on Ghana as a Nation. We are very confident whoever the delegates choose will eventually become the president!
What do we look for in our President? A few of the virtues that come to mind are:
Our President must be a true father and “Abusuapanin” of the country. He must have vision for Ghana’s future and development, love, caring, humble, morally strong, a good listener and firm in action.
Would the delegates give us a leader who is morally weak and thus prone to political blackmailing much to our embarrassment, or a leader well versed not only in our Ghanaian culture, but also represent the embodiment of a world-class leader, a father and a respected “Bååbba”? Don’t get it wrong, for the Bible and in fact our modern day world have chronicled leaders who fell from grace because they were morally corrupt. Who says character does not count? The ‘sacrificial lamb’ should be without blemish so to speak.
Would they give us a leader who is visionless and complacent, chained to past accomplishment however mediocre, or a leader who is an achiever and a bridge builder to the future?
Would they give us a leader who never listens to his people, conceited and always make the decisions without care and consideration for his people or all the facts presented, or one who always seeks the input of all and listens to whatever echoes are made around him?
We should deliberate over this and pray vehemently that the delegates would give us a Great Leader, Loving Father and True “Bååbba”, whose actions or deeds will encourage and empower all Ghanaians to work, toil and strive for greener pastures.
Many are the aspirants seeking the nod from the delegates, but only one of them can be chosen come December 22nd. Winning at the December 22nd convention (be it One Touch or Several ballots) is not a panacea to winning the minds and hearts of the entire country. We’ve heard the word ‘VISION’ so many times since this exercise begun that it has almost lost its meaning. We must discard all the political jargons as to who may be popular, macho (whatever that means), “True Blue”, or fearsome, and instead try to determine who among the nineteen aspirants come close to the dictates of the word ‘VISION’.

Our humble appeal to our brothers and sisters is that, ‘Vision always entails progress: it is never satisfied with the status quo’. Before casting your votes, the question that you should ask yourselves must be that who is the one person among the nineteen aspirants that has the capacity to create a compelling picture of the desired state of affairs that inspires people to respond.

On December 22, 2007 a One Touch Win at Legon is not good enough, unless it is linked up with not only a convincing victory in December 2008, but also a victory and progress for Mother Ghana. Let the conversation begin!