By Dr. Michael J.K. Bokor
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Here is another revealing aspect of Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe’s concern. He seems to be worried that Akufo-Addo’s tour won’t fetch any electoral capital for the party for as long as nothing concrete was coming out of it to attract floating voters. He seemed not have widened his politicking to attract non-NPP members. In fact, Akufo-Addo’s tour was aimed at unalloyed NPP followers who would never abandon the party in any way. They are entrenched already, meaning that anything told them by Akufo-Addo would amount to preaching to the choir. And from happenings, it’s clear that Akufo-Addo appealed to only those who will not abandon him. But how about those floaters to be courted? Anything done to that effect? Not yet as far as occurrences proved.
Some reports have it that a former MP, Samuel Boafo, had even complained about the poor reception given Akufo-Addo in the Ashanti Region, saying that unlike the previous occasions when he was given a rousing welcome by residents, this time, there was a lukewarm attitude toward his visit. What does that tell us?
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe’s concerns also touch on personal character traits that won’t redound to Akufo-Addo’s political standing. He said he wasn’t afraid of Akufo-Addo and would tell him the truth, which he did. Why won’t he fear Akufo-Addo?
He has referred us to “experience (as) the best teacher”, indicating a lot to be unpacked. Clearly, in terms of politics, Akufo-Addo isn’t experienced, despite all the years that he has been participating in Ghanaian politics, representing the Abuakwa area in Parliament for 12 years and serving as a Minister of State in two different portfolios. Experienced politicians who know the ropes do things to maximize support from all quarters. Akufo-Addo isn’t doing so, which is what irks Dr.Nyaho-Tamakloe more so because of the heavy investment in efforts at winning elections.
In juxtaposing Kufuor with Akufo-Addo, the picture that Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe paints is clear: “Kufuor knows how to win power! Kufuor can lie on the floor, and humble himself to get power. That's what Nana Addo has to learn!" What a powerful statement of fact!!
In truth, this aspect of Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe’s concern speaks volumes, especially in reference to how Akufo-Addo is dismissed by detractors as arrogant—if not too puffed up for their liking. He is easily cast aside as desperate for power just to realize his childhood ambition of being Ghana’s President “at all costs”. And there are many more negative traits that turn off people. Thus, by saying it as it needed to be said, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe was only boldly drawing attention to facts that needed a level-headed attitude to deal with so Akufo-Addo could re-engineer himself for a brighter political future. Unfortunately, he has been condemned as an enemy to be punished.
Folks, success in partisan politics demands much, especially from those already established in their professions but veering off into politics for whatever reason. In the Ghanaian sense, all manner of professionals (teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc.) are abandoning their chosen careers for politics. Why is it so? And they do anything they can to realize their ambition, even though turning round to complain that they don’t benefit from their newly found niche (especially as is the case of the MPs).
Those among them seeking to be Ghana’s President have a lot to do and can do so only if they listen to those criticizing them for whatever they do/say or fail to do/say. In Akufo-Addo’s case particularly, he needs not be told that he has already gone down in history as the oldest Ghanaian politician to be leading an opposition to a third contest for the Presidency. What doomed his two previous attempts have a lot to do with his inability to connect with the electorate. That was even at the time that the NPP was operating as a united front.
Not so this time. For Election 2016 especially, he has added more to his woes. Under him, the NPP is divided and many wounds are being inflicted here and there. We have seen Alan Kyerematen and other victims of mudslinging in Akufo-Addo’s team during his regional tours. They have been made to appear like marionettes on Akufo-Addo’s string. As they sheepishly followed him around—likewise making uninspiring statements—they piqued more derision, not praise for succumbing to Akufo-Addo’s intrigues or fear of the NPP’s Sanhedrin. Such a façade won’t win anybody’s heart or vote.
The disunity rocking the NPP isn’t likely to abate soon nor will it end without leaving behind its ugly scars. Those scars will be visible to the electorate as they walk into the polling booths. That’s what Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe has drawn attention to for solution, not glossing over. Bad-mouthing or sidelining him isn’t the solution. Only Akufo-Addo can solve the problems that he has so far created; that is, if he has the administrative acumen to do so.
Over all, then, the thrust of Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe’s concern bears down heavily on Akufo-Addo: Does he have the requisite management skills to build the NPP and move it into Election 2016 to win? If he does, why not use it now to prove his critics wrong and to assure Ghanaians that he is ready for the task of managing the affairs of the country? If he doesn’t, then, his road will remain rough. That’s all Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe is saying. Dealing with his concerns doesn’t call for insults, threats, and anything rough. It calls for political maturity.
Will these NPP people see things as some of us do? I hope not because in the kingdom of the wise, where there is no fool to rule, only chaos prevails. And there is no fool in the NPP. Phew!!!
I shall return…
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