Why The Sudden ‘Mad’ Rush To Become An N.P.P. Delegate

The month of December, 2007, will certainly go down well in the history of the ruling NPP government as probably the most tantalizing of all time as the largest pulling crowd ever to converge at Kasoa – the first Central Regional town on the Accra-Winneba road. It is no surprise therefore that H.E. the President has accorded them a municipality status. The town has grown so fast within the last l0 years and thanks to the ‘shylock’ landlords/ladies in the Accra metropolis whose ‘milking mechanisms’ on tenants has forced most of the developers and owners of the houses to sprout in this newly created municipality. Most of the residents in the Accra-Tema metropolis however, have been compelled to put up their own houses and forget about the usual harassment from their landlords, hence the steady and consistent development.

HISTORIC

In the estimation of HE the President, as rightly carried by the various media houses soon after the Kasoa super mammoth rally, this seems rather the largest ever crowd he has, admittedly, seen in recent years and in his political life. And with this as the prelude to the National Delegates Congress slated for the December 22, 2007, it is even more envisaged that the Legon campus one certainly promises to be the mother of all congresses whose record attendance can never be equaled in the political annals of Ghana’s history for many years to come.

THE GREAT MISSING LINK

The Great Osono Party will once again chalk another milestone in its democratic journey. The political giants and the founding fathers of the party who will be conspicuously missing in action on that fateful Saturday’s historical landmark however will be the likes of the J.B Danquahs, the Kofi Abrefa Busias, the Obetsebi Lampteys, the S.D Dombos, the Jatoe Kaleos, the B.K. Adamas, the Tolon Nas, the Victor Owusus, the S.G. Antors, the Agyenim Boatengs and the last but not the least, the Adu Boahens. These renowned personalities will be greatly missed because their toils and sweat have somewhat made some of the aspirants vying for the flagbearership positions what they are. It is rather unfortunate that the all-conquering death has laid its icy hands on them and called them to eternal glory. One delegate who casually bumped into this writer recently enquired as to whether any of these aspirants has ever dreamt of, thought about, let alone instituted any endowment fund for the spouses of these departed noble persons. If the answer to this is a positive no, then the Council of Elders in collaboration with the national headquarters should, as a matter of urgency, clear this Herculean task of healing the wounds of such people. There should be no feet dragging but to plunge straight into action to do something concrete to alleviate the suffering of their offspring. The time is now or never. I urge you all to wake up and sit up so that their corpses do not dance in their graves as people more often than not say in the pigeon English ‘monkey no dey work for baboon to chop’ – to wit, those at the helm of affairs should not feed fat at the expense of our founding fathers.

PRESIDENTIAL TONIC

One immediately wonders why the sudden rush and/or craze for being an NPP delegate. Has there been any recent cabinet discussion or decision as result of which HE the President closely followed at his heels by his 2 I.C., HE the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama after setting the tone for the other dignified persons to jump onto the bandwagon later. Is it true that the Hon. M.P. Theresah Tagoe has, to date, not rendered any unqualified apology to Mr. William Akakpo, the Constituency Chairman, for her misconduct as well as the entire constituency. How about an apology to fellow Legislators? If not yet, then God save the Queen. If madam insists on being adamant, then it will definitely cast a big slur on the august House whose inclusion as a member, will put the whole institution into a laughing stock. I do not want to be the media outlet for Bill or his solicitor but will base my argument on hearsay and contacts made with the consti- tuency and politely ask this madam in question to be candid enough to try and render an apology within a week after the publication of this write-up failing which the constituency executives should apply some light sanctions for this supposedly misguided misdemea- nour and possibly prevent her from picking her nomination forms sometime next year if she so intends to run again for the parliamentary candidature.

HONOURABLE OR DISHONOURABLE

Hopefully the Party hierarchy will do us a great service if we are told the number of Hon. MPs, DCEs, MCEs, Ministers, etc. in order to be at peace with ourselves. Do I still hear that Hon. Theresah Tagoe is still bent on becoming a delegate? Is she a Christian anyway? If she is, then she should come out clean and tell the world what she would have done to, or behaved towards her victim if, as it were, she was the chairperson of the Ablekuma South constituency in this particular instance. May be, she has so soon forgotten about the very day she was allegedly possessed to have acted in a way that was not expected of someone like her caliber – removing a half pair of sandals to flash the face of no other person than the chairman in the full glare of the Korle Bu Police. Posterity will judge whether she did the right thing or not but I salute Bill Akakpo for exhibiting some kind of maturity under this trying moment as readers should take a cue from between the lines as to which title best befits the lelgislator. However, after this publication and the expiry of my deadline no action has been taken and still insists on becoming a delegate, then I bet you, I shall be the first person in the country to advocate the withdrawal of her prestigious title irrespective of her immunity and rather call for the new prefix of ‘dis’ before her name. Please save us the ordeal of washing your dirty linen and drying it in the open. Meanwhile, however, since she happens to be called ‘Theresah’, I trust she will do well to emulate the shining examples of Mother Teresa of blessed memory who once became an international figure and heroine in her lifetime. Mr. Chairman Akakpo, can you confirm or deny whether our distinguished madam has become sober now after the showing of a ‘yellow card’. Bravo, Mr. Akakpo, for your sense of political maturity.

HUMBLE REQUEST

For the avoidance of doubt however, my word of caution to our two very distinguished personalities of the land – Your Excellencies – the rumour mill going round town is how come that the duo should ‘try to stoop so low’ to become delegates. Of course, when I hear of such uncomplimentary remarks, my heart aches especially for HE the President who could be in the blue books and sooner than later be considered for “knighthood” by Her Royal Highness the Queen of England and her Government. Who knows? After the famous ride to the Buckingham Palace quite recently and the royal luncheon – a feat which no Ghanaian leader of our time has to date, ever had, is therefore ample testimony that should prick you to forget about this good intentions of the British which could be a reality and Her Royal Highness Elizabeth Regina II is capable of doing. After all, you are the only Ghanaian leader to have ever feasted with the Royal Couple of the United Kingdom at the Buckingham Palace. Congratulations!

ANXIETY TO BECOME A DELEGATE

Perhaps Hon. Andrews Awuni, the Press Secretary to the President may do us a favour to drop us a hint. Within a twinkle of an eye many unsuspecting personalities are allegedly said to have petitioned their various constituencies to be accorded this privilege – a position that was hitherto occupied by the not-too-well-educated and down trodden people. What at all is in this year’s congress that has dehydrated so many dignified party gurus? I stand for correction and apologize if I may have trod on someone’s toes. Not quite a week after HE President indicated that he wanted to become a delegate, the recent past national chairman, has also jumped onto the bandwagon. As if hypnotized by this presidential tonic, its left, right, center. Do I take it that while some executives take between ¢l0,000,000.00 and ¢50,000,000.00 or even brand new single and/or double cabin pick-ups, these very important persons will be favoured with houses or helicopters to beat the vehicular traffic congestions that we witness all over the country in view of their political standing? One may like to ask this question because even the blind person can sense the mad rush to become a delegate.

EROSION OF FAME, GLORY AND RESPECT

It is however on record that HE the President once became the Clerk of the Kumasi City Council in the 60s. Thereafter, over the years, he rose through the mill to become the ?solicitor which served as the launching pad for his political life. His stint at the K.C.C. must have nurtured him to take delight in politics which later catapulted him to contest a parliamentary seat on the ticket of the proscribed Progress Party to win the General Elections to become the youngest MP in l969. Fortunately for him, he was made a Ministerial Secretary which is equivalent to the present day Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. His political life suddenly went into the oblivion as the crazy adventure of the then Lt-.Col. I.K. Acheampong and his men toppled the democratic government of Prof. Kofi Abrefa Busia on Thursday, January l3, l972. He went into private practice as a lawyer with a law firm in Kumasi when political parties were proscribed. He bade his time while working as a lawyer until another group of soldiers took over the reins of govern- ment and called him to come help re-organize and strategize the Local Government machinery with him as the Secretary – thanks to his previous experience at the Kumasi City Council and the blue print he helped to make there seems to be the cornerstone of the ministry’s legacy as of now. When he saw himself in the ‘political wilderness’, he however took leave to bow out to enable him focus on his future ideas i.e. the possibility of the UP tradition regaining power. After almost 30 years in the opposition, the NPP miraculously won the General Elections of 2000. Mr. President, Your Excellency, please permit me to say here and I quote from this old adage – that he, who has no counsel normally takes free advice from whoever advises his son. As it is often said, some people are born great, others achieve greatness, and some are conferred greatness on themselves. Yours could be the first one – from the Premco days i.e. the Amanfoo – to the University of Legon and in Oxford, your call to the Inner Temple, your return to Ghana and private practice and the subsequent struggles, temptations, ups and downs, hills and valleys, and finally your assumption of office as His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana. Sir, you have held the position of Chairman of Ecowas, and finally been crowned as the Chairman of the African Union. What next Mr. President? Please do not be misled or tempted to follow the crowd and let your numerous admirers down. Kindly back out to save your hard earned glory, respect and fame. Do not tarnish it Sir.

HUMAN RESOURCES AND INTERNATIONAL CELEBRITIES

This Nation Ghana has been blessed and endowed with a cream of talented human resources of our time. However, the last generation was gifted with the likes of brave and brilliant scholars such as Paa Grant, Obetsebi Lamptey, J.B. Danquah, Mensah Sarbah, Kwegyir Aggrey, while our generation also has equally produced very intelligent and academicians. During the last decade, an illustrious son of the land, H.E. Busumuru Kofi Annan, perhaps, the brightest lone star of our time held the most enviable and coveted position of the Chief Executive of the United Nations – the Secretary-General for two terms. At the N.A.S.A. in the U.S.A., Prof. S.K. Allotey, also holds the highest office there. Back home, we have Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the first Ghanaian and African heart transplant surgeon in the world, who has exhibited his selfless feat by establishing the Cardio Thoracic Centre at Korle Bu in Accra. Mention has got to be made of Dr. Ibn Chambas, the prolific and classic English scholar who heads the ECOWAS as its President. The list would not be complete without the mention of the only indefatigu- able lady, Prof. Abena Kuenyehia of the International Court of Justice, at the Hague, in the Netherlands. Quite recently, the Ghanaian Judiciary has also produced yet another lady in the person of Her Ladyship, Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood, as the first Ghanaian woman Chief Justice. When we turn our attention to the Ghana Police Service too, we find the Deputy Inspector-General in the person in Mrs. Robertson. The list can go on and on unending and it is rather a great pity that Ghana should go about with a bowl or cup in hand begging for economic ‘alms’. We should learn to be self-reliant, dedicated, patriotic, attitudinal change, hardwork, and be compassionate to each other and together we will get there – political and economic giant in the sub-region. After all, Rome was not built in a day.

SPARE THE ROD AND SPOIL THE CHILD

The Government of the NPP under the leadership of HE Prez. J.A. Kufuor, has spared the rod for far too long to spoil his children like – Hons. Nana Akufo Addo, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Alan Kyeremateng and Nii Adjiri Blankso. Under the political microscope, Nana should be the first to have been fired after the Tsatsu Tsikata versus the Republic infamous trial; again, when he failed to effect any meaningful breakthrough as a result of his inaction and indifference regarding the 44 innocent Ghanaians who were allegedly murdered or massacred in cold blood in The Gambia. Would he have behaved the same if six out of the number were direct relatives? Who knows whether this must have pre-empted this honorable legal luminary to throw in the towel before he was pushed out? The less talked about the soft-spoken Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, the much better. As the former minister in charge of the beautification of the capital city of Accra, the best one could see was not nothing short of filth that engulfed the entire city. Pity. As for Alan, he dare not visit Bawjiase near Kasoa, since his maiden portfolio as minister in charge of the newly created Presidential Special Initiative with the promotion of special breed of cassava and processing the by product into starch for export failed on rocks. As for Hon. Adjiri Blankson, I specially entreat visitors and ‘doubting’ Thomases to visit the Odaw Bridge at the Neoplan Station today and judge for themselves whether it should be prudent for him and his lieutenants to collect their respective pay vouchers for the month of December. With only six weeks to go for Ghana 2008, its all filth galore. They should bow their heads in shame. Do not attempt to shift blame on the Zoomlion as your supervisory role over them has failed woefully. The AMA is a big shame. You don’t have to enjoy the air-condition but to go round to ensure that Accra is kept clean and tidied up. As a son of the soil, it would be appropriate if the surroundings of the Ga Mantse’s Palace could be tidied up – but what do we see? The frontage has been turned into a mini market and car selling point. Thanks to the magnanimity of the President, you are still at post. You should be thankful that if but not for ethnicity palava, you would have been given the marching orders long ago.

SKELETONS AND COBWEBS

Finally, last Monday, December l0 issue of the Statesman quotes His Excellency the President as saying – “I will be happy if Alan wins.” The Ghanaian media of all shades hitherto have made frantic efforts to prick the number one personality for his version but to no avail. No one however frowns upon His Excellency as to his support for a particular candidate, but to come so openly to support one person is rather incoherent. With the lavish spending of this particular aspirant gives sufficient room and suspicion for the Ghanaian populace as to why this special backing of this gentleman – are there any cobwebs or skeletons hidden somewhere in a special cupboard that need to be taken care of by no other person than the ‘Cash Man?’ Does the President want us to believe that it is only Alan who will be able to remove the so-called cobwebs and grease the joints of the skeletons that rest coolly in a hidden cupboard after his tenure of office? As a lover of history, perhaps, it will do our Excellency some good if he took a cue from HE Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, HE Tejan Kaba of Sierra Leone and others who personally sponsored their favourites to inherit them but failed in their respective electoral processes to assume the reins of power. A word to the wise is enough.

PROPHETIC POSITION – EXODUS l4:l4

Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the recent past CEO of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and a debutant in the presidential race for the flagbearership of the NPP placed 8th when the ballot was cast for them to address the Kasoa mammoth rally on Sunday, December 2, 2007. Again, when the second ballot was cast for the December 22 Congress, he won the slot for the number l4th position. Both numerical positions are indicative that the number 8 symbolizes David’s position as the eighth born of his father who was a gem in the sight of the Lord. He became the choice of the Lord to become King of Israel. None of his seven elder brothers pleased God but him. On the number l4 too allotted to him, as enumerated above, the Exodus chapter l4:l4 of the Holy Scriptures can be likened to the Israelites march through the Red Sea where Moses answered and said to the Israelites – “Do not be afraid, Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” This hypothetical message comes to all of you the NPP delegates for this crucial congress. Having been collectively despised by all the ministers over the years, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng now stands tall and in the stead of Moses to advise all of you to stand firm, keep up your faith, and he will lead you and the rest of Ghana to the promised land i.e. the middle income economy. However, in your sacred hands today lie the greatest decision of the millenium – if you vote for the ministers, you go to sleep for another eight years probably in opposition, or abject poverty for an indefinite period, but your wise vote for Frimpong-Boateng will bring you to the shore of Nineveh, where Jonah promoted the Word of God for their eternal salvation that will be akin to Ghana becoming an Asian Tiger in the sub-region. To bring the curtain down, I will end with an Akan proverb – “Aduane a ?y? akyekyede? dea no, mponko ne nkraman b?sa atwa ho ahyia ama w’ab?fa n’ade? adi, bio nso, yesoma oba nyansafoo na y?nsoma anamon tenten’ to wit, horses and dogs will run past the meal or food meant for the sluggish tortoise to walk majestically for its food. Ghanaians know all the aspirants by their nature from hair to toe so the eleventh hour pretentions does not hold water at all.

KOFI APPIAH - TEL: 0277 l22 909 Email- kofiappiah2002@hotmail.com