NDC 2020 VICTORY, “WORKING SMART” OR “WORKING HARD," OBSESSED MARTIN AMIDU AND KENYA ELECTIONS

Even before the various committees established to ensure the implementation of the Prof. Kwesi Botchwey Committee report settle down for work, some party activists appeared to have strategized as to how to approach party work going forward.

I have on occasions encountered activists including extremely hard working ones of our party who indicate they have lately adopted a strategy as “working smart” instead of “working hard” by way of contribution towards the return of the National Democratic Congress [NDC] to power.

Quite curious “working smart” sounds, isn’t it? I tried to ask what one means to be “working smart.” The explanation offered as I understand; is saddling oneself with very little legwork or activism but building network with those in the top echelons and positioning oneself for an opportunity in an event of victory.

Good to network and to position oneself, not so? Who then performs the legwork and how are we going to win an election, especially the 2020 without the real work? The new approach, borne out of past experiences - which is that - most often than not - those who toil most for the party in opposition are the neglected when the party annexes power.

Inasmuch as this is not a good enough or acceptable approach to party work, it seemed to be sounding good to some. I am just imagining the outcome having party folks claiming to be “working smart.”

 “Hard work does not break bones,” the Human Resource Manager of my former firm, Vision Fund Ghana would always say but un-rewarding hard work can be demoralizing and affect the party.

Founder, H.E. J.J. Rawlings

“The most dangerous mistake of any political force is to forget its roots.” - J.J. Rawlings

Addressing neglect, more attractive NDC

Granted that the situation was not all gloom, many activists have benefitted in various ways to the extent of abuse of opportunities till today but how do we effectively tackle the issue of neglect as it seemed to threaten the NDC’s resolve for 2020 elections?

“Where is the party’s base?” It is a question always on the lips of Dr. David Percy, wondering why the NDC would spend time chasing undecided voters instead of first consolidating its base.

An NDC fanatic

Creeping amongst us; some youths understandably toil to reach leadership positions but forget why they get there, caring very little about those in the wilderness on whose back they rode; an attitude which has the tendency to kill attraction to the party. Political enthusiasts; young and old out there must find the NDC as the most attractive party to join and work for.

Musician Jewel Ackah who composed the NDC’s anthem has been reported ill. He looked really unwell from the pictures.  However, there is something I find worrying; the media every now and then had something to report on the musician which was casting the NDC in bad light even if not directly.

Musician, Jewel Ackah

The media agreeably is doing its job as Mr Ackah equally needs assistance aside the numerous ones President John Mahama and the NDC keep providing him. There is however, something ceaselessly striking anytime the musician speaks; that his association with the NDC killed his carrier.

That comment, for me sounds unpleasant and requires attention and a comprehensively satisfactory action. This is not beyond the great NDC; otherwise, the media which the party cannot prevent will keep fishing for news about the musician for publication, leaving the party with the slur, no matter how remote. Remember, any Jewel Ackah news has the NDC anthem as the background song.

Prez Akufo Addo cannot be smarter

Party founder, H.E. Jerry Rawlings on his birthday this year had an early morning surprise; a private visit from President Akufo Addo.  Politicians are not sworn enemies but hearing the news, I was left pondering over it for some time. 

Extreme partisanship and rivalry, yes but “Ceteris paribus,” which political figure would ever get out of bed to hear the leader of a rival party; in this case the President of the land is at his gate and would refuse to let him in? At least, out of respect one would like to know the mission of the President.  

Founder

Possible to imagine the reaction of a former President to such a surprise especially at a time there is the impression justifiably or not of not being wholly regarded by his own?

I am neither seeking to absolve anyone of blame nor lay same at someone’s door but looking among other things at the politics of it that President Akufo Addo will pay Papa J a surprise visit.

The Akufo Addo led Government, for me seemed to dread being under Papa J’s microscope hence trying everything possible to avoid it, if possible divert attention. The NPP until today could say and describe our founder in all manner of forms.

President Akufo Addo

According to President John Kufour, you do not become a victim of a dog attack while wielding a club. Today, we wield a club yet the dog, Akufo Addo’ government is playing smart seeking to damage us.

At this year’s Asofotufiam festival, former President Jerry Rawlings ceased the opportunity to state publicly what he would have done as a Sanitation Ambassador, has he powers. Think about it!

Just as former Black Stars goalie, Edward Ansah will always say as having a lot to offer the Black Stars and the rest of the national teams, so also is Papa J; always eager to contribute the best he can. NPP cannot be smarter than us; Papa J’s searchlight must be redirected and for the betterment of Ghana.

 Obsessed Martin Amidu, Blessed John Mahama

Lawyer Martin Amidu again found every means possible to link President John Mahama to the decision of the Kenyan Supreme Court. Will be cumbersome for anyone to convince me he is not obsessed by everything John Mahama for which he requires urgent attention, medical perhaps. Fortunately or unfortunately for him President John Mahama hardly hold grudges.

President John Mahama

“Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.” ― George Bernard Shaw

I am an avid respecter of order and venerability but it is very unfortunate; unacceptable; a case of morbid hatred to continually have not just an elderly but a bitter former running mate of our party always trying to denigrate the former President for no crime.

President John Mahama no doubt is such a blessed man considering his methodical and meteoric rise in politics; Member of Parliament [MP], Deputy Minister, Minister, Vice President, President.  That is unprecedented not only in NDC but Ghana’s political history and beyond.

In such situations, what we the un-blessed and not-too-blessed including Martin Amidu have to do is to seek an opportunity to go to the feet of the blessed to learn, not envy.

“If you cannot beat them, follow [join] them,” a popular quote of Jim Henson has it.

Candidate Prof John Mills’ decision in 2008 to pick John Mahama as his running mate had an element of divinity. I remember challenging Pollster, Ben Ephson through a text message on “Ephson’s file” on Joy fm prior to the 2008 elections for underestimating John Mahama’s worth to Prof Mills’ ticket as if I had done any scientific work. His usual calm, Ben Ephson explained his work and by the end of the first round of the 2008 elections had his predictions reflecting the results.

President John Mills [late]

The NDC and fine Prof Mills would have been languishing in opposition dungeon with diminishing election results if it had not dawned to dump a man who instead of adding to the ticket was taking away from it. Except Martin Amidu, all other NDC running mates added to the ticket.

Through the contribution of President John Mahama and many others including the grassroots had offered him ministerial appointments over which today he is so busy demanding gratuity. Many are nowhere near such benefits but are again back with thoughts; ideas to aid the NDC recapture power.

Mr Martin Amidu thinks after attempts to undermine the party, he could seek refuge in the shadows of founder. His Excellency, Jerry Rawlings remains as the founder and not going anywhere. Even in an unlikely event he chooses to exit, will be rejected. That is the difference between Founder and him.

It is not a crime to find a new love, the crime however, is to fake oblivion to all the rots, disregard for standard procedures, corruption, plain thievery among others by the Akufo Addo Government that the poor Ghanaian have to wake up to on daily basis.

Kudos to Kenyan voters

In Kenya, it is self-restraint, maturity and patience of the people in the face of the Supreme Court decision to annul the decision of 15 million people that deserves applause; not the four –man decision.

Elections are expensive to run. Kenya’s in nominal terms arguably is the most expensive globally; $500 million. The expenditure on Kenya’s elections including the re-run is about 31% of the total amount spent on a flagship 470km rail system recently constructed. $500 million in itself could provide major transformation for the Kenyan people as it owns one of the world’s largest slums and battling droughts.

Kenyan voters in a queue to vote

That necessary transformation has been denied out of someone’s belligerence, endorsed by some Justices. The effect of election violence is not lost on me but this election was lost which the vanquished realized after hitting the streets. Justices should not be legitimizing such things and be putting an entire country on edge. Some Kenyans describe the Supreme Court decision as a civil coup and that it is the Supreme Court that will take Kenya to war. I cannot agree more.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kenya’s educational system as I gathered is someway somehow in jeopardy as a result of the Supreme Court verdict. The “pampered child,” Raila Odinga appeared unconcerned by the consequences of that, sounding and acting uncooperative each other day. I only hope Kenya and Africa have not nurtured a monster for which we are fast becoming its victims.

NASA leader, Raila Odinga

Election observation, when has the assessment of Observer Missions become that supreme and over-riding? If it is, how come the NPP did not heed the verdict of the Observer Missions after the 2012 elections trashing but went to the Supreme Court? Hippocrates!!!

Questionable verdict

The point must be made that President John Mahama never got any knife edge victory from the 2012 elections as Martin Amidu is trying to have people believe in his recent piece. President John Mahama soundly defeated Nana Akufo Addo at the polls and followed it up in the Supreme Court.

What we perhaps never averted our minds to; a Supreme Court Judge who prior to the 2012 elections had sworn to a friend at a funeral in Nkawie that John Mahama would not win the 2012 elections got an opportunity on the Election Petition Panel. His rulings reflected Nkawie claims.

Also, when you have on the Panel Justice Jones Dotse who owns a law firm popularly known as “NPP chamber” at Goil in Ho and whom prior to his higher appointment boasted of Ministerial offers made to him by former President Kufour and today not by an accident act as the Council Chairman of University of Health and Allied Sciences [UHAS], what else would one have expected from him as a panel member?

Much more critical and requiring attention, we have NPP financier, Kennedy Agyapong who says if President Akufo Addo dare sack the CEO of BOST over corruption claims, he will reveal how NPP won the 2016 elections. True to word, the President is scared to act. That should be the focus of Mr. Martin Amidu if he means well for Ghana.

 But wait a minute, it is important for Mr Martin Amidu to note that as principle and convinced as he is over his actions, the NDC Disciplinary Committee [DC] should not be struggling to locate him in handing over his summons letter. Being on-the-run, dodgy cannot be a good principle for us to emulate.