Anybody But Jake

The news that Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey is running for New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman is the worst I have heard in a long time. Not only did it make my stomach churn, it heightened my long-held fears that the NPP might be in opposition for a long time.

Jake, I guess, is a fine man and astute politician. He is credited with managing and strategising for the NPP’s two wins in 2000 and 2004. He is said to have crafted some of the eye-catching advertisements of the times. Add that his dad was right there with the UGCC, and there are no questions about his loyalty to the NPP.

But those were the times when Ghanaians thought the NPP was going to be the best thing that ever happened to Ghana. No, they were not exactly right. So he failed as the campaign manager in 2008 and that is why the Ghanaian people booted the NPP out the last time around. So the NPP must not only re-tool and re-brand, they must also do away with some “old” people who have very little to offer. Indeed, the NDC did just that during the last campaign by bringing in dynamism, as well as “new” ideas.

The fact that leading members of the party graced Jake’s press briefing that rolled out his candidature is more worrying. On the one hand they were chastising Mills for not dealing with the M & J scandal decisively. On the other hand, they were on hand to lend support to a would-be national chairman who is not principled. And these are my humble reasons why I think the NPP deserves a better chairman.

First, Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey is on record to have travelled to Utah, USA on the invitation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He struggled to justify the said invitation. At some times claiming that it was an official trip and at other times not knowing what he really went there to do. Even the church claimed it was a private visit. In exchange for the expensive trip he and his wife undertook, he facilitated the acquisition of a development permit by the Church to put up their West African headquarters in Accra. But not before his daughter had been given a scholarship to study at the prestigious Brigham Young University. Well, I don’t want such a selfish character as my national chair.

Second, he is one of the ministers who resigned in the latter part of 2007 to contest the NPP flag bearer race. And he continued to live in a government bungalow like most of his colleagues for almost 18 months even though he had no official role in government. But when he was asked in the heat of the elections why he still lived there on account of the taxpayer, he said he had continued his stay because of “grace and favour” from the president. I found this answer very disturbing.

His performances as Chief of Staff and Information Minister were all terrible. He underperformed in each instance. It is rumoured that JAK always wanted to get rid of him, and that he was only saved by the fact that he was one of the high profile Gas in government. So to “incorporate” him, he was sent to the ministry of Tourism to “rot”. Folks, in government circles, it was no secret that he was ineffective as a minister.

Last and most serious is his decision to buy parcel no. 29, Block 12, section 019 in extent 1.04 acres situated at Ridge. Not only was it insanity and greed at its peak, it showed lack of proper judgment once again. To add salt to injury, Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey defended his intended action in the heat of the campaign, and if we think this did not contribute to our loss then we are living in a fool’s paradise.

Can Jake take on “grace and favour” NDC functionaries (not government ones) who live in government bungalows? Can he criticise people like Ayariga and Bagbin who use their positions to acquire government property for their personal use? Can he take on the Baba Camaras, Amadu Seidus, and Sipa-Yankees who indulge in improper acts with foreign partners in exchange for favours? Can he criticize non-performing ministers? So is this the guy we want to be seen arm in arm with our next flagbearer as he goes around the country campaigning?

Yes, we have enlarged the Electoral College and deepened democracy in the NPP. We would also surely do away with the likes of Bartels and Asamoah-Boateng who became drags on the party. But it would not be sufficient if we bring back the Bambas and Obetsebi-Lampteys as the face of the NPP. Let us not forget that the same NPP of 2008 would not win power any moment soon. We have to put a new face to the NPP. For once, let’s learn from the NDC that did away with their baggages and brought in new faces to, at least, deceive Ghanaians.

Finally, let me add that I have heard a lot of party members argue why we need a Ga chairman. I am sure their position is influenced by our recent past when we had same three times on the trot. To them I say there are better Gas around. As to whether it is politically wise to say and even do same is another matter. And we are also wrong if we think winning the Greater Accra region guarantees one the presidency. Mills won the region in the first round of the 2008 elections but it didn’t bring him anywhere close to the presidency. As a matter of fact Nana Akufo-Addo could easily have won the presidency in the first round without winning the region. Fresh ideas, I say.

Yaw Okyere-Addo Kwamoso - E/R