Generally, the NDC primaries has been successful aside a few isolated skirmishes at some places. I therefore want to congratulate the NDC for peaceful primaries and to applaud them for emulating the democratic and improved internal electoral system of the NPP. Though the primaries were held “tot-tot” and also a handful of delegates elected the aspiring NDC MPs, its okay. After all, a baby is always given milk to drink until he develops mature teeth before he can chew bones. With time, the NDC can also vote simultaneously across the length and breadth of the country with a large electoral college like that of the NPP.
I heard Fiifi Kwetey on Citi FM, on Saturday, January 21, say there was tsunami in the NDC especially in parliament. And he said that “we (NDC) are tired of MPs who cannot articulate their views in parliament; the NPP should be ready, if they think they have the men, they should wait to see parliament in 2013’’. I also heard Richard Quashigah, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and some NDC commentators express similar view. This is an indictment on the capacities of the NDC MPs who lost the primaries especially in the Volta Region. It is also significant to note that about 23 sitting NDC MPs have lost in the primaries. I will not be surprised if apathies set in, in most of those constituencies that sitting MPs have lost.
I was not surprised that Hon. Alex Tetteh-Enyo, former Education Minister and MP for Ada constituency lost the primaries. Personally, I spoke to some youths in his constituency and they were unhappy with him and the NDC government. Though the constituency is a stronghold of the NDC, the NPP can increase it votes with a well planned campaign.
In Ningo-Prampram too, Hon. E.T. Mensah, MP for the constituency is becoming unpopular with the youth especially among those from Ningo. No wonder the youth hooted at him during the primaries to the extent that he asked the police to arrest them. Though he won the primaries, I know the NPP will do well in that constituency with an effective campaign.
The retention of Hon. Alfred Agbesi, MP for Ashaiman on the ticket of the NDC is a blessing in disguise. Many people in Ashaiman including disgruntled NDC foot soldiers do not want Hon. Agbesi as MP for the constituency because he has lost touch with the people. The NDC have always won the parliamentary sit in Ashaiman until 2000 elections where they lost to the NPP. I was 14 years then but because of my late dad’s active grass root politics and role in the 2000 elections, I was privileged to accompany him to various places and I am abreast with the cause of the NDC’s defeat in Ashaiman constituency especially. The NPP can win the Ashaiman sit come 2012 elections if the aspiring MP, Mr. Seji Saji Amenohu lead a strategic campaign with a hard work.
I am uncomfortable with unfortunate development in Tema West constituency. I want to use this opportunity to humbly and passionately appeal to a group in Tema called “Redemption of Tema West constituency” to rethink things over. Dr. Martin Antwi and Abraham Osei-Aidoo, you are my fathers, so please with humility, forgive and forget about actions and inactions of anyone being it my mother, Lawyer Irene Naa Torshie Addo, MP for Tema West or anybody that has brought about the wrangles in Tema West constituency. The intelligence I picked on the ground is that the NDC led by Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo are doing what they can to ensure that an independent candidate comes out from the NPP to split it votes in Tema West, so that Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo can become MP for Tema West. The NDC’s plans will fail miserably in Tema. Hon. Irene Naa Torshie Addo is very competent and can lead NPP to victory in Tema West come 2012 general elections. Let us support her and put the differences behind us.
Nana Addo will need parliament led by NPP majority MPs to work with, when he wins the 2012 elections by God’s grace. For the sake of the national interest, the NPP and urgency and effective leadership that Nana Addo will bring to bear under his governance, let us support every NPP parliamentary candidate in all the constituencies. I want to see my mothers, Madam Ursula Owusu, aspiring MP for Ablekuma South constituency and Frances Asiam, aspiring MP for Adenta constituency, go to parliament because they are fine, sharp and competent individuals and must be supported by all. My own aspiring MP for Tema East, Mr. Kofi Brako (K.B) also possesses the requisite qualities and Tema East constituents should support him to make Tema East great.
President Mills’ leadership has been characterized by crust incompetence, hands off and ineffective leadership, gross corruption and conspiracy of defrauding the state of the tax payers moneys, very high economic hardship, drastic fall in the standard of education at the basic level, gradual collapse of the numerous social interventions brought to the ordinary Ghanaians by President Kufuor, massive indiscipline, insults and lies by appointees especially young Deputy Ministers and many obnoxious happenings in President Mills’ government only requires us to send him and the NDC to opposition.
As Nana Addo rightly said at Essipong Sport Stadium on Sunday, January 29 “2012 is a choice between stagnation and progress, corruption and integrity, non performance and competence. I have no doubt the Ghanaian people will favour us (NPP)”
It is incumbent on every member of the NPP to unite right from the polling station to the national level and to prosecute effective and strategic campaign that will enable Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to become president of the republic of Ghana. And surely, the good Lord will speak come elections 2012. National elections are not only won on radio and television, it is therefore important for the NPP to send it good and coherent messages to every nook and cranny of this country.
Let us all trust the Lord, and give Nana Addo the opportunity to become President of Ghana come 2013. And he will bring dynamism, urgency, discipline and responsive governance that will improve the living standard of the ordinary Ghanaian, the vulnerable and the youth in Ghana.
There is always a better future for the person who looks forward with hope.
God bless us all.
Solomon Kabu (solomonkabu@yahoo.com)
0241133727