Although, a greater number of Ghanaians are clamouring for a change in government in 2016, anyone with a clear political eye would agree with me that, the said change cannot be effected on a silver platter. It is against this backdrop that many concerned citizens have shown grave concern about how the affairs of the NPP are being run.
The unnecessary criticisms, suspicions, and accusations that continue to determine the party's course of action only give room for the NDC to operate and display its mediocrity to the disadvantage of majority of Ghanaians.
Admittedly, the NPP as a human organization cannot be faulted for the occurrence of such internal party squabbles. However, what is worrying is the inability of party members to put their differences aside to work in unison. These detractions, no doubt, have affected the party's image in the public eye and must not be entertained further. Having had the opportunity to associate myself with the two seeming factions in the party, I feel so obliged to add my voice to the clarion call for party unity ahead of Election 2016. Presenting a united party to the electorate is a first step in winning power in 2016.
Many patriots have been wondering why the bickering in the party continue unabated. But, from the layman's point of view, the challenge before the NPP today is all about the control and management of the Election 2016 Campaign. For, whilst the chief beneficiaries of the two previous campaigns want the status quo to remain in order to further enrich themselves, there are others who believe the campaign should be decentralized to involve polling station executives. It is thus important for all to dialogue to see how best we could project the party's supreme interest as we battle against the NDC in 2016.
It must be pointed out to party faithful, that, the NPP cannot and must not stay in opposition beyond January 2017. This is because Ghanaians have had enough of the "Dead Goat" syndrome. Already, a significant number of the party’s sympathizers has suffered under P/NDC's 19-year misrule. Some lost their personal property for merely being sympathetic to the cause of the NPP. There are others who have sustained various degrees of injuries and maimed to life. Some have been humiliated verbally and physically, not forgetting those who have lost their precious lives. I cannot even readily count the number of people who had heart attacks when the NPP lost power in 2008 and 2012. It is in the light of the above that the current generation of the NPP must stop at nothing, but to do more to appease the aforementioned patriots by dislodging the 'monsters' from power in 2016.
Probably, some Kukrudites have not taken the sacrifices of many unsung heroes into consideration. But, I must say that throughout the history of NPP, generations laboured for successive ones to share glory. Dr. J.B. Danquah, the Doyen of Ghana politics, died painfully in prison for the sake of the UP tradition; Chief Dombo had to shove his presidential ambition to keep the flame of the tradition burning; Victor Owusu and Prof. Adu Boahen also held the flag of the party in high esteem; as for the living legend, J.A. Kufuor, his legacy would continue to guide us in all our political endeavours. Today in 2015, it is our generation's turn and I don't think our best lies in causing and fueling division in the party we so much cherish. Our flag-bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo has had enough of the criticisms. He must be spared for now, because too much criticism of a leader could be counter-productive. Personally, I think it is time to give Nana Addo the respect and maximum support to ensure total victory in 2016, if only we profess to love the NPP.
For the past few years, Ghana has been in great danger because of the level of incompetence and corruption. The NPP is also in danger because the party is undeservedly in opposition. The only way to save the situation is for all patriots to put themselves in the frontline, come Election 2016, for according to the late Nelson Mandela; "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory or when nice things occur. You take the lead when there is danger, and then people will appreciate your leadership”.
The NPP has proven over the years that it has the competent personnel to manage the economy of Ghana better. It is therefore an insult to the NPP to be in opposition. Equally, it is shameful that the UP tradition allowed Nkrumah and his CPP to share the independence glory, having conceived the idea and started the struggle of liberating our people from the colonist. Again, it is pathetic that the NPP failed to sustain power in 2008 in view of the excellent performance of the Kufuor-led NPP administration. Why should the NDC manage oil revenue, when it took serious brains to discover oil in commercial quantities? And how sensible is it to put the cat and smoked fish in the same room?
In winding down, I urge all patriots to rally behind Nana Akufo-Addo in order to end this 'Dead Goat' administration. Our intellectual abilities and expertise cannot continue to lie idle whilst Ghana retrogresses in the abundance of natural resources. We cannot revisit the bitter experience in 1979. Putting the past behind us to ensure Nana Addo's victory over Mahama would inure to the benefit of all of us, because Nana Addo has the ideas, experience, and the men to execute better programmes to transform the country.
God bless Ghana! God bless Nana Akufo-Addo!! God bless Kufuor!!!
"Vision, coupled with persistency, results in true success”
Source: Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang, Asante Bekwai-Asakyiri (katakyienpp@yahoo.co.uk) 0202471070 // 0547851100 /
