NPP's Defeat-The Kufour factor. Part (II)

Continuing with the acts of ex-President J.A. Kufour that contributed immensely to the defeat of the NPP, I have the following to say:

Role in Division within NPP. From day one of Kufour's rule, he divided the NPP into two-"onka ye ho" syndrome. For instance NPP gurus who played significant roles for the party but supported Nana Akufo-Addo during the 2008 Presidential Primaries like Victor Newman, Brigadier Nunoo Mensah, Ferdinand Ayim etc were sidelined in terms of appointments. Others such as Nii Adjiri Blankson, Dr Nyaho Tamakloe were only considered many years later.

Excuse me to say that today the NDC seem united because those who supported Ekow Spio Gabrah and as a result said all sorts of things against Proffesor John Atta Mills have been given appointments based on their competence and contribution to the NDC but not their contribution to Atta Mills' success duriong the NDC primaries that elected him as flag bearer.

Moreover only a few months after being sworn into office in 2001, Kufour brought down Alan Kyerematen from his high ambassadorial perch in the United States to supplant Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku as Minister of Trade and Industry. The rumour then which later turned out to be true, was that Alan had been brought down to understudy and succeed the President when he finally bows out. In fact Kufour's open support for Alan was ill-timed. miscalculated and simply uncalled for.It runs parallel to the "Swedru Declaration" made by former President Rawlings, a factor for NDC's defeat in the 2000 election.

That Alan had full Presidential endorsement during the 1997 primaries was never in doubt. What was shocking was how far a President could scheme to topple a man he claimed to have known as a friend for 45 years when everything favoured him. First Kufour and his cronies originated aa cocaine smear, a chant that was later picked up and packed by the NDC. Then some Ministers deemed unsympathetic were either reshuffled or booted out and loyal but ineffective and incompetent ones brought in. Worse was to follow with the outright dismissal of some DCE's some of whom were not supporting the 'anointed candidate'.

Neglect of hard working Youth

The NDC has always worked to bridge the generation gap by including its Youth in the governance process of this country. The party believe the effective role of it's youth in national development in the future depends on their development today and has therefore always seen the need to build a party that would consider and involve it's youth when it comes to decision making. This is sharp contrast to the way Kufour handled the Youth of the NPP. He believed the Youth lack the capacity to engage in any meaningful decision making.

The ability of the Youth of NPP to offer intellectual and physical contribution to the governance process was underrated and not recognised and so by 2008 most NPP youth were.disillusioned and apathetic to the cause of the party. What baffles me is that Kufour at 32 worked so hard for thje Progress (PP) Party that he was recognised and appointed deputy-Minister by Proffessor K A Busia.

Politics of Appointments

Kufour's re-appointment of Dr Richard Anane was simply an insult to NPP members and Ghanaians in general. Was no one good enough in the party to be given Anane's position? The man was a damaged goods the moment it came to light he impregnated a woman whilst on government business, ironically an HIV conference.My gripe with Anane then was not about the money that changed hands in this affair. It was about principle and morality

I also cannot fathom why Christine Churcher was fired, and at a time she was chairing an International Conference. Why was a prominent Ga icon such as Peter Ala Adjetey removed as Speaker of Parliament when the man brought so much dignity to Parliament only to bring someone who later brought disgrace to Kufour. As for Dan Botwe, I disclosed to a friend that his appointment was a bait by Kufour to destroy him when he was appointed as Minister of Information. He was simply lured to the Information Ministry from his high-flying position as NPP general Secretary and fired. A very smart move by Kufour. Joseph Adda left the Energy Ministry under a circumstance we are yet to get details on. Kufour as a matter of fact also gave important positions to persons who were not loyal to the NPP and who had no idea about how the party won the 2000 elections.

Added to this is the fact that Kufuor's appointments also lacked regional balance. The NDC used this as propaganda especially in the three Northern Regions and Volta. Besides Ministers and Deputy Ministers, a list of heads of government Institutions and their ethnic origin was circulated by the NDC. I did not understand why a single region had so many cabinet positions. All the situations above created disaffection within the NPP

Frequent Travels Abroad

Kufours frequent travels with the incidental benefit of unaccountable imprests annoyed many Ghanaians.While Kufour was gallivanting and gamboling abroad,enjoying all the luxuries of them world Rawlings was campaigning in hot dusty villages across the length and breadth of Ghana. Notwithstanding the dividends these travels brought to the country, the NDC as usual twisted this and rather highlighted the imprests Kufour took from these travels.

Nepotism and cronism

Kufour was simply a nepotists and believes in cronism. He gave high positions to his own relations. He set up big businesses for his own children. The Anane situation could once again be cited. Why was Addo-Kufour and two others brought back as ministers after they resigned to contest for the NPP flag bearership but the 14 others (besides Nana Akufo-Addo) left out if not for cronism?

Sale of Ga Lands

No party has ever won an election in the political history of Ghana without winning the Greater Accra Region. Winning Greater Accra meant winning the indigenous Ga communities. The issue of land was central to the 2008 campaign,. The NDC made it a campaign issue by painted the NPP as a government that did not care about Ga interests and therefore shared Ga lands among themselves, friends, cronies and many others that were willing to make a deal.

Lukewarm attitude towards campaign.

At a time Kufour was needed most to give the campaign a boost. he disappeared. In fact he chose to travel to gambol round the world recieving awards and attending banquets. Many NPP members did not understand why Kufour was lukewarm towards the campaign. This was in contrast to how Rawlings campaigned from Region to Region, Constituency to Constituency and hamlet to hamlet.

Watch out for Part (III) which is about Kufour's Election Year or Last minute government Policies.

By Mahama Haruna.