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Politics of Tuesday, 13 April 2010

Source: Public News

Ras Mubarack spokesperson for JJ?

SINCE WHEN DID RAS MUBARAK BECOME SPOKESMAN FOR RAWLINGS?

For the records, we want to state without any fear of contradiction that we do not agree with Ras Mubarack that the NDC must change President Mills as its flagbearer for the 2012 elections.

We fully, at this stage, endorse the President as the flagbearer of the party in 2012 unless he decides not to go for a second term.

However, we are surprised at the invidious attempts by unprincipled and divisive characters masquerading as analysts of Ghana Politics within and without the NDC to crucify Former President J.J. Rawlings for Ras Mubarack's comments. Since when did this gentleman become the spokesperson for Rawlings so that his sentiments become the sentiments of the Former President? Are those who are claiming that Ras Mubarack made those comments on behalf of Rawlings telling Ghanaians that Rawlings cannot speak for himself? For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Kofi Adams is the only person that Ghanaians know authorised by the Former President to speak on his behalf. It is therefore absolutely incongruous and only out of mischief for people to be taking Ras Mubarak's sentiments to be that of Rawlings. Be that as it may, many Ghanaians are getting increasingly worried over the attempt by a very few people to point accusing fingers at Rawlings if anyone or group of people within the NDC criticizes the President or expresses concern over what is going wrong within the ruling government. Over the weekend, as in other weekends, the Alhaji & Alhaji, a current affairs news analysis programme on Radio Gold, which many people tune in to every Saturday morning to listen to insightful analysis has been turned into a Rawlings-bashing forum. For this reason, many people, after listening to the issues to be discussed, simply tune off, knowing very well that the guests, led by Kwesi Pratt, Managing Editor of The Insight, are simply going to bash Rawlings to satisfy their paymasters. Kwesi and his gang, instead of realising that it is the actions of their paymasters and their unguarded comments as radio panelists that will send the NDC back into opposition, rather claim that it is the Former President's comments that will do so. What balderdash! They must be living in Kuku's Land. While Rawlings can account for not less than sixty percent of support for the NDC and by extension, President Mills, neither Kwesi Pratt nor any of his henchmen can bring even one percent of Ghanaians to the NDC. Rawlings is a major political figure who is on record to have won two successive Presidential bids. At the time he was winning his second successive bid, Kwesi Pratt crushed to the abyss when he came last in a small enclave of Ayawaso in the Parliamentary election. Yes, the Insight Managing Editor contributed his widow's mite towards the NDC's 2008 victory but this does not make him a king maker in the party nor give him the right to peddle lies and falsehood about the founder of this party. Ras Mubarak has spoken and spoken for himself only. His comments are entirely his and he reserves the right to make those comments. Those who want to claim his comments are those of Rawlings should continue to lean upon in their own misunderstanding .

As for the Alhaji & Alhaji programme, Kwesi Pratt and his henchmen, notably Raymond Archer and Alhassan Suhuyini can use it to bash Rawlings – discerning Ghanaians know that the poison of the cobra does nothing to the back of a tortoise.

If they think they can destroy the image of Rawlings, let them go ask the NPP government of Kufuor who spent eight years on a similar venture but ended up failing in grand style.