By Ekua Kwansema

I have vowed after the declaration of Professor John Atta Mills as President-Elect of Ghana not go negative again, but to write on issues that would not only bring the country together but also help the new president to deliver to the expectations of Ghanaians. I made the vow because this is one of the most important periods in the history of the country that we need to embrace each other as one people.

But in case you did not read my last article “God, Mills and Ghanaians Will Prevail”, which was published by several websites, I stated that I would be waiting to hear the exact speech Akufo-Addo would give to concede defeat. Ladies and gentlemen, Akufo-Addo delivered the speech but it was not a concession speech. I listened to the whole speech and this is what I gathered. Since I have decided not to be sarcastic again, I would reserve judgment to the good people of Ghana .

Akufo-Addo started the speech by thanking his supporters and the media, launched into series of attacks on the Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan for failing to act on the allegation on voter fraud in the Volta Region. Akufo-Addo was however silent on the allegations made by the NDC on the voter fraud in the Ashanti Region. Ironically, Akufo-Addo also failed to state that just before he declared Professor Mills President-Elect, Dr. Afari Gyan stated that his commission has thoroughly investigated the allegations submitted by both the NPP and NDC and has concluded that it was merely criminal investigation issues and therefore, would not be factored into the votes awarded to both parties. Unless I was listening to a different speech delivered by the EC chief and Akufo-Addo was listening to someone else.

Akufo-Addo after making that litany of allegations stopped midway and said that since the EC Chair did not act on the allegations made by the NPP on the voter fraud in the Volta Region and has gone ahead and declared Professor Mills as President-Elect of Ghana he was sending him his congratulatory message. A congratulatory message without conceding defeat? A congratulatory message for what? For losing to Professor Mills or not being declared the winner? Truly what Akufo-Addo said did not sound like someone who truly believes he lost the election. He sounded like the election was stolen from him. Let us wait and see if there would be a second “Stolen Verdict” book.

After grudgingly congratulating President-Elect Professor Mills, Akufo-Addo further alleged that NPP supporters throughout the country were being beaten by NDC supporters. Where Akufo-Addo was getting his information from only himself and God knows. Akufo-Addo then threatened that if the security agencies do not act to protect the NPP supporters who are being beaten by NDC supporters they would be forced to defend themselves. This is what I term as Sore Loser Talk. Those who lose elections and cannot come to terms that they have lost make such statements.

Ghanaians were waiting for Akufo-Addo for once to prove that most of the negative things that they have heard and read about him were false, by coming out with a concession and congratulation speech that would bring the country together and also project his image in a better light among Ghanaians. The people of Ghana were waiting for Akufo-Addo to stand tall above partisan lines, bury whatever bitterness that has built within him following the loss of the presidency, but they got something else. He failed to show leadership and graciousness when it counted most. That is why I think he behaved as a sore loser.

One person who readily comes to mind is Al Gore, former U.S. Vice-President and the 2000 unsuccessful Democratic Presidential Candidate. When it became very obvious that the Republican party has railroaded Al Gore he came out after the U.S. Supreme Court has stopped the recount in Florida to concede defeat, congratulated George Bush and moved on. This is the mark of a true gentleman and politician. Whining is not good in politics. In politics, there are no two winners. You win or you lose.

Therefore, by not conceding defeat is Akufo-Addo telling Ghanaians and his NPP supporters that Professor Mills is President-Elect by default? Ghana does not need this kind of leadership. He should have stepped above the plate and done something that would not be good for only Ghanaians, but himself and his party as well. Is it any wonder that NPP is fast becoming the party that never recognizes defeat?

And in case we have not taken notice of the allegations being made by the NPP, can anybody tell me if an opposition party that does not control the security apparatus of the country, does not control the districts, regions, regional police commanders, district police commanders, electoral officers and district chief executives be able to rig elections as being claimed by the NPP. Who controlled Ghana during the elections, NPP or NDC?

By the way I have lately not heard from a couple of my friends so I would like to check on them. First I want to check on Obed Asamoah, Maame Dorkono , Frances Asiam, Nana Ampadu, Owuraku Amofo and Frank Benneh who all became turncoats, denounced the NDC, jumped ship and went to bed with the NPP. I am checking to see if it is well with their souls and to inform them that it’s a new day in Ghana .

ekwansema@yahoo.com