DANQUAH’S CROSS: NPP, PROF OQUAYE AND HIS ONLY STUDENT, PAUL TO BEAR IN NEGLECT OF THE POOR

In our time, basic school primary six reader had a story titled “Elephant and the Tsetsefly” where a Tsetsefly had lodged itself in the trunk of a sleeping elephant, out of anger and in an attempt to deal with the troublesome tsetsefly, the elephant ended up pulling down trees, degrading the nearby environment.

As vaguely as I try to recall this story in the reader, there is a related aspect that can hardly escape me as a pupil. Had to do with our teacher, Madam Ayi who would insist in class during reading of the story that one goes silent on the first “s” in pronouncing “tsetsefly,” on top of which is a retort that she doesn’t understand why everyone pronounces it as it is till today.

She was such a merciless teacher who draws her cane at the least mistake or provocation and so was just in our interest to take it as she will order. Madam Ayi had a transfer to another school just before the end of first term.

My mind drifted back to this development when I monitored the reactions that greeted the futile attempt by Prof Mike Oquaye and the New Patriotic Party [NPP] to hide behind Ghana@60 celebrations to re-write Ghana’s history; to attempt to place Dr JB Danquah where he didn’t belong.

Doing so at the neglect of countless challenges facing the country, well imparted, not infected Paul Adom Okyere took up the challenge to “bell the cat.” The backlash is a good enough testimony. However, a new twist had found its way into the space; that Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah never won a presidential election even though there is evidence to the contrary.

Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah

But how come Osagyefo was called president? The fine opposition lawyers at the time didn’t see any lacuna in the constitution over the status? What does that say about them? Anyway, lowering the bar for them, whatever kind of election it was, Dr JB Danquah should also try to win it. Not so?

But why these cowardly attempts by the Danquah – Busia elements and on what records?

Peter Barker has captured in his book, “Operation Cold Chop” how Dr JB Danquah verbally abused prison officers whilst in prison. “You are a lot of cows and fools….,” he blurted out on his returned to see his cells looking untidy after a search was conducted. What a temperament and language of a leader?

“A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don’t have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial and uninformed,” says Nelson Mandela.

Now, here is a letter;

“I exceedingly regret delay in replying to your two letters. That man, Kwame Nkrumah, who is now Leader of Government Business has started his tricks again, this time, he who is the Government, is inviting all the political leaders and chiefs to join him to send an ultimatum to His Majesty’s government of the United Kingdom for “Self-Government Now” and if rejected to declare Positive Action – strike and boycott, etc.,

" There has been hectic activity all over the place and on Sunday we of the UGCC met at a great meeting and turned down his challenge flat, as being an invitation to criminal to conspiracy against law and order.”

Sounding demeaning, uncooperative and partly fueled by envy this letter had been written by Dr JB Danquah on October 10, 1951 to an obvious ally, one J.A. Obdam in London on the back of a request of Dr Kwame Nkrumah seeking UGCC’s support for “self-government now.”

Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah

Osagyefo was un-unfazed by it, stating: utterances and actions such as the above and many more sums up the defeatist attitudes of the UGCC people, explaining how they never managed to lead a genuine and popular liberation movement.

Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s summation indeed reflected many regrettable recollections including visionary Dr JB Danquah’s opposition to Government’s acquisition of the parcel of land on which today SOEs including Tema Oil Refinery [TOR], Cocoa Processing Company [CPC] among others are cited, his opposition to the use of the name “Ghana” as he earlier suggested, Dr Busia impressing upon Her Majesty not grant independence, at least not immediately, the fact also that after the 1948 riot, all other members of the “the big six” except Osagyefo denied involvement in the riot.

Danquah – Busia tradition would demonstrate having a different motive for power other than the promises. Themes such as “the Unfinished Business,” “Moment of Destiny” among others of programs are instructive and somewhat reveal the true reasons for power. Not therefore surprised to hear President Akufo Addo reportedly confided in NPP functionaries of securing Ghana for them and for whatever pleases them.

Dr JB Danquah, a key opposition element to Dr Nkrumah

 A part of it was to be served, at the August 4 lecture, Prof Ocquaye let out a feeling, saying he is pained that rather than the NDC, some would point fingers at NPP as the party getting at its opponents.  

Truth is, the PNC turmoil today resulting in the reported suspension of the General Secretary and having the Chairman as the next target is not because of the NDC.

But is it not striking how Prof Mike Oquaye kept repeating how pained he is by anything non-Danquah? The last time he expressed same was in March this year at an Institute of Economic Affairs [IEA] program on the matter of having Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah celebrated as founder of Ghana. Jealousy?

Dr Martin Luther King says “a genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus” that coupled with the toil to provide development have left great memories about Osagyefo forever etched in the minds of the people. It is one thing the Danquah -Busia acolytes have failed to realize.

Dr Kwame Nkrumah with Chiefs and Elders

To test popularity, Lawyer Abraham Amaliba has tasked the pro-Danquah elements stating "go to Togo and ask who JB Danquah is? When you're lucky they will tell you he's a Boxer or footballer."

Now, to be blunt, the Akufo Addo led Government must get serious with Ghanaians. The mandate granted it is not for frivolities as engaged in on August fourth. The man-hours spent at the fruitless lecture could have helped develop an acceptable implementation plan of a FREE and UNIVERSAL SHS promised Ghanaians or to find a lasting solution to the farms ravaged by merciless fall army worms.

Equally could have been important to use the time to think of getting vaccines against the six childhood killer diseases since Ministry of Health has none to provide the country’s health facilities to use for new born babies. That is a national security matter.

Unfulfilled promises as indicated in the headline

DKM clients are un-settled, owed Contractors are unpaid in 100 days, teacher/nursing trainees are grumbling over government’s deceit of full allowance restoration. One village one dam, one million per constituency among others keep assuming unreliable dimensions every other minute, as we speak.

Contradictions in plans and policies 

The scariest of all today perhaps is the insecurity situation in Ghana, coming on the back of NPP’s 2016 manifesto promise to provide security for Ghanaians in their homes, on the streets and everywhere.

NPP’s own vigilante groups, invisible forces have chased 2 medical officers of Kwame Danso government hospital in Sene District out of town; same group members attacked a senior police officer and followed up to his home to threaten his family. Delta forces have also stormed a court session in Kumasi to free their members being tried and for which the pregnant sitting judge had to flee for her life.

TV3 had reported that a high Court Judge in Kumasi packed out of his official residence over insecurity.

Just last Monday, “Ghanaian Times” reported that armed robbers had stormed Kwame Nkrumah Circle in broad daylight, amidst sporadic gunshots, seized motorbikes and escaped. Then there was Lapaz daylight robbery that sadly claimed the life of a Police officer, injuring another.

The upsurge in crime has caused some foreign embassies here to issue travel alert to their nationals visiting Ghana.  

Curiously, this is a government with a record size of 110 Ministers and arguably with the highest number of security related appointees but struggling with security matter.

What a competence?

What a first class team?

Tax payers #Abre