Is about time NPP rewarded Kufuor

Self-deceit, is defined as a misconception that is favourable only to the person who holds it. For some days now, supporters of Nana Addo preferred to adopt a new rhetoric by believing there is no crisis in the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), they have even defied common sense and party structures to publicly announce their support for him. These are executives who are supposed to be neutral.

These same people turn around and accuse the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, of favoring John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), double standards, if you ask me.

Though the Bible says “as a man thinketh in his heart, so he is,” saying there is no crisis within the Elephant fraternity is obviously an act of praying the wrong way and I am not a hypocrite.

My concern is really not about what happens within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), as it does not determine whether I get three square meals a day or not, but rather the apparent unpopularity of the former President, John Agyekum Kufuor, in the scheme of things in the party. This testament as we are witnessing is not good for National development and good public service.

Since he assumed office in 2001, he has served his country faithfully, unfortunately, like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah our first President and founder, in the words of Prof. Ali Mazrui, was more African than a Ghanaian never had that opportunity. In the understanding of Prof. Mazrui, Dr. Nkrumah’s problems were all because he puts Africa first before Ghana.

This is the same problem, I guess ex-President John Kufuor is having, but this time around and in his case, I think his accusation and perhaps crime is that he was more of a Ghanaian than NPP, if not, how can you explain the open rejection of all the people he has supported, who contested various positions in the party, from the executive positions to the flagberearship, it has been disappointment all along.

First was Stephen Ntim, who contested the Chairmanship position of the party twice, he lost to Mac Manu and the current Chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey on all occasions.

The biggest loser, unfortunately, is a my man and the man many see as representing the new face of the NPP, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, who was also beaten to the position of the flagbearer by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, both in 2007 and 2010, who Ghanaians have indicated unequivocally twice that they do not need him as their leader.

Unfortunately, supporters of the NPP or majority of them do not seem to have enough of him. The man has simply overstayed his welcome.

Is it a case of not seeing beyond whatever wrong John Kufuor might have done, while he was President or that they are too consume with the man, they think nobody in the party could lead them.

The NPP is a bundle of contradiction, they would want Ghanaians believe that John Agyekum Kufuor was the best President, this country has ever had, yet they, as a party do not trust in his judgement. He is more insulted in his party than outside the party.

A friend once told me of a riddle and I think it is appropriate today and for the few words I have. The riddle asks, if you are in a dream and you encounter a Lion about to attack you, what do you do? Run, defend yourself, or attack the Lion, certainly no and much easier, just wake up.

Supporters of the NPP, need to wake up, embracing Nana Addo and urging him on is not good enough for the party and its fortunes. The problem the party has is not John Agyekum Kufuor or Alan Kyeremanten, but President John Dramani Mahama, who will be leading the NDC in 2016 and who according to the Regional Executives of the NPP, will most likely face Nana Addo.

President John Mahama, will beat Nana Addo any day and in any election. So the earlier they think of pitching a different person against him the better.

In their haste to throw away the baby with the bad water, they have not done any analysis or taken stock of why they lost the 2012 elections, before deciding what is next for the party, but rather they are all falling over each other as to who and which Region should first throw their support for Nana Addo.

Could it be that the reason for their loss is not the message but the messenger? You cannot sell a bad product and that is what Nana Addo is, a very bad, bad product. Not only is it bad, but it has expired.

John Agyekum is the only hope left in the NPP. For what it is worth, he won two elections for them and still is a towering figure in the party.

I am at a loss as to why his favorites have not been favorably received by the rank and file of the party, whatever that is informing that decision, must give way to reason. The NPP need oxygen, as it is at the verge of death, should the party still think Nana Addo, is the one to deliver them, the victory they so much desire. Alan is the future, not Nana Addo.