Ghana, A Country Of Johns

John Evans Atta-Mills, Ghana's President-elect, becomes the third John-President under the fourth republic when he is sworn into office on Wednesday, January 7th.

The first two other Johns are Jerry John Rawlings who became first President under the fourth republic and his successor, John Agyekum Kufuor, the outgoing President.

During the campaign for the presidency, John Mills¢ opponent played heavily on his ill health on a constant basis that many electorates lost confidence in him just for that reason.

But in augmenting his weakness, he picked another John, John Mahama who brought on additional strength to team Mills 2008.

Some people believed as far back as twelve months ago that the New Patriotic Party, despite being the incumbent and having achieved so much in their seven or so years in power, were on the road to the bush after they failed to elect a John flagbearer at their last congress. John Alan Kyeremanteng who came second to defeated NPP candidate Nana Akufo Addo is still believed by many party supporters to be the key to the NPPs electoral success in their next quest for power.

John indeed was one of the biggest trump cards during the NPPs campaign for the flagbearership contest between 17 aspirants.

It is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "the Lord is gracious. Biblically, it is the name of the longest-lived of the 12 apostles, who was especially loved by Christ. It is also the name of John the Baptist, who baptized Christ in the Jordan River.

They are in many cases the blessed ones and often the luckiest. John F. Kennedy a popular American politician of the Democratic party and 35th President of the United States and the 25th Australian Prime Minister and politician of the Liberal Party such classical example of who the Johns could become if they take their chances in life. This happens regardless of their family backgrounds.

Perhaps John McCain is the only John not destined to reach greater heights. He lost to another man who probably looks more John than him, in the US elections.

So with the election of another John in Ghana, will the God¢s blessings come in three fold for the nations? A question which will be answered when Mills exits the presidency in four or eight years time.

-Kuuku Smith