It is only a delusional sense of entitlement and breathtaking arrogance that will make one to think that stopping the machinery of government from running for nearly a whole year because of a frivolous petition amounts to dee ... read full comment
It is only a delusional sense of entitlement and breathtaking arrogance that will make one to think that stopping the machinery of government from running for nearly a whole year because of a frivolous petition amounts to deepening the democratic eperiment in Ghana.
Democracy every where means that when you are defeated fairly and squarely as it happened in Ghana and as demonstrated by Nigeria, you concede defeat and don't try to use the back door to power as was attempted by Akuffo and the npp.
The only lesson to learn from the Nigeria experience is to be humble enough to accept that Nigeria has thought us what is entailed in a democracy.When you lose elections you concede without finding excuses to grind the administration of government to a halt.It was dangerous and could have plunged the nation in turmoil all because of one man's inordinate ambition,we should say never again.
Thessa 10 years ago
This dumb illiterate cannot even spell his stolen Okatakyie(Oketekyie) name.
"That Nigeria has thought us"? Taught us.
Unlike Nigeria with an election generally considered fair, our 2012 election was fraught with proble ... read full comment
This dumb illiterate cannot even spell his stolen Okatakyie(Oketekyie) name.
"That Nigeria has thought us"? Taught us.
Unlike Nigeria with an election generally considered fair, our 2012 election was fraught with problems bothering on rigging.
Oketekyie. 10 years ago
This is Sarpong a man without class and so uncouth trying to sound himself hoarse in his buffoonery.When you see the phrase "dump illiterate" and similar insulting words then that is him.His pungent smell will always betray h ... read full comment
This is Sarpong a man without class and so uncouth trying to sound himself hoarse in his buffoonery.When you see the phrase "dump illiterate" and similar insulting words then that is him.His pungent smell will always betray him,no matter how many monikers he uses.
Thessa 10 years ago
Continue seeing Sarpong in your dreams. You are upset because you used thought instead of taught, fool. What is Oketekyie, trokosi thief.
Continue seeing Sarpong in your dreams. You are upset because you used thought instead of taught, fool. What is Oketekyie, trokosi thief.
Says Who 10 years ago
they always believe that their activities are "fair and square".
they always believe that their activities are "fair and square".
NICH 10 years ago
What are you takling about? please note that the previous election in Nigeria ended up in court and the petitioner being Buhari. Further more, there were no injunctions from the court to the government to stop running the gov ... read full comment
What are you takling about? please note that the previous election in Nigeria ended up in court and the petitioner being Buhari. Further more, there were no injunctions from the court to the government to stop running the government because there was a petition before the court. Please name one branch of the government that was not running. In RE:GORE, US Supreme court made a swift decision.Blame the juduciary in Ghana and not the petitioners.Please be proud of your tribe and learn how to spell akan names if you are non akan
SARPONG 10 years ago
Kofi, I like your analysis except the Rawlings analogy going Obasanjo on Ndc. I don't think Rawlings has that much influence on the diehard Ndc supporters from the three Northern regions and even his home Volta region.
In ... read full comment
Kofi, I like your analysis except the Rawlings analogy going Obasanjo on Ndc. I don't think Rawlings has that much influence on the diehard Ndc supporters from the three Northern regions and even his home Volta region.
In 2012, Rawling even dithered and entertained Akuffo Addo Presidency coupled with his wife's attempt to contest the Presidency and even some Ndc members did not want him on the campaign trail of Mahama . Rawlings at the moment has no constituency that will break away with him if he even thrashed his Ndc membership card.
His staunch base, the Ewes love Ndc more than they do Rawlings and will not follow him to his wife's party.
AMA 10 years ago
Write TWI as you are struggling too much with the Queens Language.
Write TWI as you are struggling too much with the Queens Language.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 10 years ago
SARPONG, you have made a very good observation with reference to what happened in 2012 and the influence of Rawlings on the (NDC)electorate. You are right in saying that his influence within NDC or over the Ghanaian populatio ... read full comment
SARPONG, you have made a very good observation with reference to what happened in 2012 and the influence of Rawlings on the (NDC)electorate. You are right in saying that his influence within NDC or over the Ghanaian population is waning. I think the way he handled his differences with the late Mills (particularly regrading the prosecuting or persecuting of political opponents) as well as his initial support for his wife forming her own party might have contributed to people disregarding him.
Isaac Boahen 10 years ago
Mr.Rawlings can not do anything about ,Ndc
Mr.Rawlings can not do anything about ,Ndc
fkbf 10 years ago
NDC must learn to accept defeat and stop rigging of votes
NDC must learn to accept defeat and stop rigging of votes
Kojo T 10 years ago
Check NPP history from 1951 Sore losers and really nothing to show. Buhari is no Nkrumah and will not make much change Mahama will RETIRE Akufo Addo
Check NPP history from 1951 Sore losers and really nothing to show. Buhari is no Nkrumah and will not make much change Mahama will RETIRE Akufo Addo
Dr. SAS, Attorney at Law 10 years ago
You should have balanced the overall equities and formed a solid forecast based on them.
As it is, you left some of us curious.
In any case, you have satisfied the requirement to answer Dr. Imoro Issah.
Kudos.
You should have balanced the overall equities and formed a solid forecast based on them.
As it is, you left some of us curious.
In any case, you have satisfied the requirement to answer Dr. Imoro Issah.
Kudos.
LONTO-BOY 10 years ago
MASSA KOFI, you've written a reasonable piece and very interesting analysis. First, let's consider the fact that Nana Akufo-Addo is no President elect Muhammadu Buhari, and President John Mahama is not Nigeria's Goodluck Jona ... read full comment
MASSA KOFI, you've written a reasonable piece and very interesting analysis. First, let's consider the fact that Nana Akufo-Addo is no President elect Muhammadu Buhari, and President John Mahama is not Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan. Clearly, these are very different personalities with different leadership skills[strengths and weaknesses] and political operations. However, there're important lessons to learn from Buhari's triumph and Jonathan's defeat by both NPP and NDC.
While Buhari's victory gives hope to Nana Akufo-Addo and NPP especially over the "age factor", Buhari's victory in itself is not a "game changing" plan or "self-fulfilling prophecy" for Nana Akufo-Addo and NPP. We've to consider Nana Akufo-Addo's approach to our national politics and election campaign, his appeal to non-NPP supporters, the perception of his personality and the campaigning strategies of NPP.
Of course, President Goodluck Jonathan's defeat should also serve as a warning to President John Mahama. There is a deep sense of discontent with the way the country is being run and the massive corruption scandals under his watch. But, the question is : Do Ghanaians have a deep desire for change as expressed by Nigerians?
In Nigeria, Buhari's APC did not only sweep clean the Northern geopolitical zones but also made inroads in some PDP strongholds in the South-West. Likewise, NPP must win its traditional strongholds and perform strongly in some NDC strongholds and vulnerable constituencies. The APC touted Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption credentials and as the strongman[ex-military General] to fight Boko Haram. Ghana and Nigeria share the same characteristics when it comes to corruption. Could Nana Akufo-Addo be touted by NPP as "Incorruptible"? And how is NPP going to deal with the spate of armed robbery which is fast becoming a national security concern?
I think NPP will need all the discipline it can get. Some ethnic groups/tribes and regions need to be courted, not insulted, if NPP want votes to win 2106 general election.
Finally, both President John Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo have to learn how Goodluck Jonathan graciously conceded defeat. It demonstrates good democratic behaviour, political maturity and strongly contributes to political stability and the country's security.
KKO 10 years ago
Sorry,
This was meant for Kofi Ata
Sorry,
This was meant for Kofi Ata
INXS 10 years ago
This piece is long and yet managed to miss some important dissimilarities.
1. The two times that a Ghanaian opposition party won coincided with the mandatory two-term limit of a sitting government. The opposition candidat ... read full comment
This piece is long and yet managed to miss some important dissimilarities.
1. The two times that a Ghanaian opposition party won coincided with the mandatory two-term limit of a sitting government. The opposition candidate was facing a new face in the ruling party. The Nigerians have gone a step further than us by voting out a one-term president. We are yet to do that. We have only been able to vote out a ruling governing party, not an incumbent president.
2. You only briefly touched on the loose coalition that defeated Jonathan's government. The more important thing is that the Nigerians have voted for a party that has never ruled before. They have voted for an unknown quantity. The Ghanaian situation is different. Ghanaians already know of NPP as a ruling party. They can better compare the performances of both parties IN GOVERNMENT than Nigerians could. And on that score, Ghanaian voters know that the NPP is as equally, if not more, corrupt as the NDC. They are, therefore, more aware than the Nigerians were, that they will be choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea.
3. There's an important provision in the Nigerian process that is absent in the Ghanaian case. In Nigeria, a candidate must win clear majorities in a minimum number of states and a certain percentage of votes in an additional number of states to be declared duly elected. In Ghana, Akufo-Addo can win in two regions only and still clinch the national vote. This shows that the ethnic dynamics are different in the two countries. There's a religious angle to this too. In Nigeria, the north is predominantly Muslim, the East, predominantly Christian. But the Yoruba, the second single biggest tribe in the country, has almost about as many Muslims as Christians.
There are other, less important, differences you've not mentioned but I don't want to take your article away from you.
Fayol 10 years ago
This is one great piece of an objective analysis I have read for a long time on Ghana web from an objective point of view.can others take a cue from Mr Atta?
This is one great piece of an objective analysis I have read for a long time on Ghana web from an objective point of view.can others take a cue from Mr Atta?
Kwaku 10 years ago
Kofi you article makes interesting reading. You are well conversant with the Nigeria issues but your attempt to make a parallel comparison with the Ghanaian situation does not add up.
You said the NPP is divided over the s ... read full comment
Kofi you article makes interesting reading. You are well conversant with the Nigeria issues but your attempt to make a parallel comparison with the Ghanaian situation does not add up.
You said the NPP is divided over the selection of their presidential flag-bearer Nana Akuffo-Addo. This is not true. Nana won over 90 per cent votes of the electoral votes, the most democratic in Ghana to get the nod.
Your article is silent on the shortcomings of the ruling government the NDC. The erratic generation and supply of electricity(power) issues which has affected the economy and employment badly.
Also you did not mention the unbridled borrowing of the NDC government, their inability to utilise it very well. These loans were based on the expectation that crude oil prices on the international market would continue to hold. In addition the believe the gold prices would also keep rising. They were overly optimistic and went on to invest heavily in building and expanding public work in the country. The tumbling prices of the mentioned commodities and others have led to fall in expected revenue for the nation hence their inability to repay our loans.
It is also crystal clear that the government is not able to manage the economy properly. These are the issues which voters would be considering come 2016 and not the comparison between Ghana and Nigeria issues. To put it in another way the issues that confronts Ghana and the person who is best placed to resolve the issues would determine which party will win the 2016 elections and not the comparison between the presidential candidates of Ghana verses their Nigeria counterparts
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 10 years ago
Kwaku, I am not sure if you are referring to this article. If you did, is it not true that there is a minority within NPP that is opposed to Nana's third consecutive attempt? Have you heard of the supposedly "Agenda 2020"? I ... read full comment
Kwaku, I am not sure if you are referring to this article. If you did, is it not true that there is a minority within NPP that is opposed to Nana's third consecutive attempt? Have you heard of the supposedly "Agenda 2020"? I also qualified that opposition by saying that it is not as strong as was in the case of PDP.
Are YOU serious that I did not mention "the erratic generation and supply of electricity" and the economy? What is dumsor? I even concluded that if dumsor is not completely resolved, Mahama should not think of a second term and waste his time and resources to campaign because he will lose massively.
You are probably referring to another article on the same subject but not this one.
Kwaku 10 years ago
But the man was elected overwhelming majority. In politics it is not possible to get 100 per cent endorsement a few 'minority' would always oppose any issue or somebody's candidature.
But the man was elected overwhelming majority. In politics it is not possible to get 100 per cent endorsement a few 'minority' would always oppose any issue or somebody's candidature.
Kwaku 10 years ago
But the man was elected by an overwhelming majority. In politics it is not possible to get 100 per cent endorsement a few 'minority' would always oppose any issue or somebody's candidature.
But the man was elected by an overwhelming majority. In politics it is not possible to get 100 per cent endorsement a few 'minority' would always oppose any issue or somebody's candidature.
BOY KOFI 10 years ago
I think Goodluck defeated himself by the way he handled the Boko Haram crisis.He has always refused help from the outside without any tangible reason.On the hand,Goodluck has been able to silent the Niger Delta rebels in his ... read full comment
I think Goodluck defeated himself by the way he handled the Boko Haram crisis.He has always refused help from the outside without any tangible reason.On the hand,Goodluck has been able to silent the Niger Delta rebels in his own State.Obasanjo could not even do that with all his military experience.
Some people believe that because he does not come from the North,Boko Haram is none of his business or he may have a hand in it.Buhari on the hand took advantage of Goodluck's weakness to form alliance with other opposing parties.We should know that the Hausas in the North always count on the Yorubas in the South and they have dominated the Nigerian political scene over the years.You can see that Buhari's alliance with the Yorubas is what defeat Goodluck from the East,a Biafrian.There was no way for Goodluck to win against the Hausa and Yoruba alliance.Thank you.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 10 years ago
BOY KOFI, Boko Haram is a bit complex than meets the eye. There are suspicions that powerful (northern and Muslim) politicians were behind Boko Haram and perhaps they are best suited to deal effectively with the problem. Now ... read full comment
BOY KOFI, Boko Haram is a bit complex than meets the eye. There are suspicions that powerful (northern and Muslim) politicians were behind Boko Haram and perhaps they are best suited to deal effectively with the problem. Now that Buhari has won the presidency, we will see how things go after he assumes office. As a former military man, he definitely has an advantage when it comes to military operations.
BOY KOFI 10 years ago
Buhari is noted for the famous "Ghana must go".Can Buhari chase Boko Haram out as he did to Ghanaians in 1985?As for me,I don't think so because Mali is a complete muslim country but they could not stop the Islamist terrorist ... read full comment
Buhari is noted for the famous "Ghana must go".Can Buhari chase Boko Haram out as he did to Ghanaians in 1985?As for me,I don't think so because Mali is a complete muslim country but they could not stop the Islamist terrorist groups only for France to come and rescue them.Again,Obasanjo is a former General but could not stop the insurgence in the Niger Delta until Goodwill came to flush them out.I don't believe Buhari as a former military officer has any advantage when it comes to military operation against Boko Haram.Probably,the same logic influenced the victory of Buhari.We live to see.Thank you.
KKO 10 years ago
Kofi,
Your analysis of the resolution of the Niger Delta problem is rather simplistic. Jonathan did not flush them out, he bought their compliance. The oil companies operating there, including local people who have marginal ... read full comment
Kofi,
Your analysis of the resolution of the Niger Delta problem is rather simplistic. Jonathan did not flush them out, he bought their compliance. The oil companies operating there, including local people who have marginal fields in the region, are paying through the nose!
Simply put, they went to the local villages and compromised the leaders of the rebellion. They then "contracted" their followers, the cannon fodder. "From tomorrow you are employed by us, just ensure that people do not harass us, then come and sign for a pay cheque at the end of the month!"
The smart ones calculated that it was safer to be paid for doing nothing than to go and harrass operators with the possibility of getting shot for nothing. Very soon, everyone signed up to it.
Some independent operators from Europe and North America walked away from the arrangement, but others are making money under the arrangement.
The $10bn that vanished from Nigeria's oil account may not be unrelated to this deal.
With respect to Ghana, your write-up show an amazing disrespect to the Ghanaian voter. You mean the people do not feel the effect of the crass incompetence and unbridled corruption of Mahama's government?
Well, the voters of the Northern and Volta Regions may wish to vote for their goats, but those in the Central and Western Regions are also advising themselves!
BOY KOFI 10 years ago
I am saying Goodluck defeated himself because he didn't handle Boko Haram crisis well.At the same I am giving him credit for flushing out Niger Delta rebels.Remember,Gen.Obasanjo could not calm the rebels there for so many ye ... read full comment
I am saying Goodluck defeated himself because he didn't handle Boko Haram crisis well.At the same I am giving him credit for flushing out Niger Delta rebels.Remember,Gen.Obasanjo could not calm the rebels there for so many years and do you know what that means in economic and security terms?Don't forget,Obasanjo has lot of military experience but failed miserably in the dealing with the Delta Niger Crisis.Therefore,I am saying that the situation in Ghana is quiet different and cannot be compared to Nigeria.In short,I am not sure that Buhari can flush out Boko Haram so easily.There is another paradox here,Buhari changed his campaign strategy to form alliance with Yoruba leaders which is the same formula used by Gen.Gowon to defeat Ojuku,the Biafrian leader during the Nigerian civil war.Goodluck comes from the Biafrain Area and I can factor this affair.All these factors have nothing to do with the situation in Ghana.Now tell me,do we have Boko Haram in Ghana?If not,then you don't have any reason to tell me that I am showing disrespect to the Ghanaian voter.I am not in a position to decide for anybody.Thank you.
KKO 10 years ago
Boy Kofi,
Sorry, my comment was not meant for you. It was meant for Kofi Ata, but the portion on "flushing out the rebels" might actually apply. Jonathan did not flush out the rebels by military conquest, it was a mixture of ... read full comment
Boy Kofi,
Sorry, my comment was not meant for you. It was meant for Kofi Ata, but the portion on "flushing out the rebels" might actually apply. Jonathan did not flush out the rebels by military conquest, it was a mixture of bribery and and negotiation.
We only have to wait and see whether that arrangement will continue to hold now that he is not president any more.
Says Who 10 years ago
I am not sure what you meant by conceding defeat early. There were clear indications of election malpractice in the last elections. As a candidate how do you keep quiet and concede defeat.
It is not about looking good, it ... read full comment
I am not sure what you meant by conceding defeat early. There were clear indications of election malpractice in the last elections. As a candidate how do you keep quiet and concede defeat.
It is not about looking good, it is about doing the right thing. What Akuffo Addo did was fight for the people and that to me is called integrity.
Conceding defeat would have meant that the looting would have started much earlier and the country would have been in a far worst state than it is now.
Vicky Hamma was maybe halfway from taking a million dollars and just look at the looting that is going on.
The entire looting thing started right from the election and how do you concede to that?
SARPONG 10 years ago
Jonathan was not left with any option when he was losing by over 2.5 million votes so he have to concede. A ruling government losing with that huge margin cannot protest about rigged election. In 2011, Jonathan garnered 22 mi ... read full comment
Jonathan was not left with any option when he was losing by over 2.5 million votes so he have to concede. A ruling government losing with that huge margin cannot protest about rigged election. In 2011, Jonathan garnered 22 million votes to Buhari 12 million votes.
Our election in 2012 was different. The ruling government with the support of the Electoral commission won by 300,000 votes with close to 12 million votes cast so there was reason to go to court.
It is only a delusional sense of entitlement and breathtaking arrogance that will make one to think that stopping the machinery of government from running for nearly a whole year because of a frivolous petition amounts to dee ...
read full comment
This dumb illiterate cannot even spell his stolen Okatakyie(Oketekyie) name.
"That Nigeria has thought us"? Taught us.
Unlike Nigeria with an election generally considered fair, our 2012 election was fraught with proble ...
read full comment
This is Sarpong a man without class and so uncouth trying to sound himself hoarse in his buffoonery.When you see the phrase "dump illiterate" and similar insulting words then that is him.His pungent smell will always betray h ...
read full comment
Continue seeing Sarpong in your dreams. You are upset because you used thought instead of taught, fool. What is Oketekyie, trokosi thief.
they always believe that their activities are "fair and square".
What are you takling about? please note that the previous election in Nigeria ended up in court and the petitioner being Buhari. Further more, there were no injunctions from the court to the government to stop running the gov ...
read full comment
Kofi, I like your analysis except the Rawlings analogy going Obasanjo on Ndc. I don't think Rawlings has that much influence on the diehard Ndc supporters from the three Northern regions and even his home Volta region.
In ...
read full comment
Write TWI as you are struggling too much with the Queens Language.
SARPONG, you have made a very good observation with reference to what happened in 2012 and the influence of Rawlings on the (NDC)electorate. You are right in saying that his influence within NDC or over the Ghanaian populatio ...
read full comment
Mr.Rawlings can not do anything about ,Ndc
NDC must learn to accept defeat and stop rigging of votes
Check NPP history from 1951 Sore losers and really nothing to show. Buhari is no Nkrumah and will not make much change Mahama will RETIRE Akufo Addo
You should have balanced the overall equities and formed a solid forecast based on them.
As it is, you left some of us curious.
In any case, you have satisfied the requirement to answer Dr. Imoro Issah.
Kudos.
MASSA KOFI, you've written a reasonable piece and very interesting analysis. First, let's consider the fact that Nana Akufo-Addo is no President elect Muhammadu Buhari, and President John Mahama is not Nigeria's Goodluck Jona ...
read full comment
Sorry,
This was meant for Kofi Ata
This piece is long and yet managed to miss some important dissimilarities.
1. The two times that a Ghanaian opposition party won coincided with the mandatory two-term limit of a sitting government. The opposition candidat ...
read full comment
This is one great piece of an objective analysis I have read for a long time on Ghana web from an objective point of view.can others take a cue from Mr Atta?
Kofi you article makes interesting reading. You are well conversant with the Nigeria issues but your attempt to make a parallel comparison with the Ghanaian situation does not add up.
You said the NPP is divided over the s ...
read full comment
Kwaku, I am not sure if you are referring to this article. If you did, is it not true that there is a minority within NPP that is opposed to Nana's third consecutive attempt? Have you heard of the supposedly "Agenda 2020"? I ...
read full comment
But the man was elected overwhelming majority. In politics it is not possible to get 100 per cent endorsement a few 'minority' would always oppose any issue or somebody's candidature.
But the man was elected by an overwhelming majority. In politics it is not possible to get 100 per cent endorsement a few 'minority' would always oppose any issue or somebody's candidature.
I think Goodluck defeated himself by the way he handled the Boko Haram crisis.He has always refused help from the outside without any tangible reason.On the hand,Goodluck has been able to silent the Niger Delta rebels in his ...
read full comment
BOY KOFI, Boko Haram is a bit complex than meets the eye. There are suspicions that powerful (northern and Muslim) politicians were behind Boko Haram and perhaps they are best suited to deal effectively with the problem. Now ...
read full comment
Buhari is noted for the famous "Ghana must go".Can Buhari chase Boko Haram out as he did to Ghanaians in 1985?As for me,I don't think so because Mali is a complete muslim country but they could not stop the Islamist terrorist ...
read full comment
Kofi,
Your analysis of the resolution of the Niger Delta problem is rather simplistic. Jonathan did not flush them out, he bought their compliance. The oil companies operating there, including local people who have marginal ...
read full comment
I am saying Goodluck defeated himself because he didn't handle Boko Haram crisis well.At the same I am giving him credit for flushing out Niger Delta rebels.Remember,Gen.Obasanjo could not calm the rebels there for so many ye ...
read full comment
Boy Kofi,
Sorry, my comment was not meant for you. It was meant for Kofi Ata, but the portion on "flushing out the rebels" might actually apply. Jonathan did not flush out the rebels by military conquest, it was a mixture of ...
read full comment
I am not sure what you meant by conceding defeat early. There were clear indications of election malpractice in the last elections. As a candidate how do you keep quiet and concede defeat.
It is not about looking good, it ...
read full comment
Jonathan was not left with any option when he was losing by over 2.5 million votes so he have to concede. A ruling government losing with that huge margin cannot protest about rigged election. In 2011, Jonathan garnered 22 mi ...
read full comment