COMMENT: Nana Akufo-Addo versus Dr Afari Gyan

It’s about time Ghanaians know something that dates back to the 60s. We have three famous individuals in Ghana today who fate has linked to the on-going Supreme Court (SC) petition case instituted by the NPP to contest the results of the 2012 Presidential Election.

The irony of the situation is that all the three individuals are not standing on the same platform as far as the SC petition is concerned, but they are at the opposite ends of the case. We have Nana Akufo-Addo who feels that he won the 2012 Presidential Election but was stolen from him due to the collaboration between Dr Afari Gyan, who supervised and announced the results and the NDC of which Mr Ato Ahwoi is a leading member.

Nana Akufo-Addo was a Legonite (A student of the University of Ghana, Legon). And so were Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan and Mr Ato Ahwoi. These three gentlemen were mates who were all admitted to the University of Ghana (UG), Legon during the same year. Whilst Nana Akufo-Addo read Economics, Mr Ato Ahwoi and Dr Afari Gyan studied Political Science.

But there is more between these three gentlemen. To those who do not know, Nana Akufo-Addo’s roommate at the UG was no other person than Dr Afari Gyan. Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr Afari Gyan both resided at the Legon Hall. Due to his humble upbringing, Dr Afari Gyan was nicknamed “Koohia” by his peers at Legon. And Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Afari Gyan and Mr Ato Ahwoi were friends to some extent that even when they meet each other today, they find time to say hello and crack some jokes.

This was amply demonstrated at the premises of the Supreme Court on Wednesday May 29 when Akufo-Addo, Ato Ahwoi and Afari Gyan saw each other. Nana Akufo-Addo sneaked when most people at the SC were not watching to shake hands with Ato Ahwoi whilst the latter also made an eye contact and smiled with Dr Afari Gyan.

But so many years of friendship and studies together at the UG have been thrown away by Nana Akufo-Addo following his accusations that Dr Afari Gyan, his own former roommate at the UG stole the presidential election from him. And the accusations did not end there as Ato Ahwoi’s NDC party has also been linked by Nana Akufo-Addo of being part of the election stealing syndicate, which is why he has gone to the SC to attempt to get the justices to reverse the results.

Can you imagine getting your hirelings or supporters to vilify your own former school mate who also happens to be your roommate? Dr Afari Gyan stands as one individual apart from the late President John Atta Mills who has been verbally destroyed by NPP supporters in expletive language. Yet, Nana Akufo-Addo who perhaps knows the true character trait of Dr Afari Gyan more than any of his supporters just goad them on whilst Afari Gyan continues to be run down by these NPP folks.

Is it because of Nana Akufo-Addo’s quest for power at all cost? You bet! For me, years of quality friendship can never be traded for anything else. Therefore, no matter how we find ourselves on the opposite ends of the political isle we should never sacrifice our friendships and networks for political peanuts.

Nana Akufo-Addo knows in his heart of hearts that Dr Afari Gyan is no thief. I bet if he knew that Afari Gyan was a thief, he would never have perched with him in the same room at the UG for years. Even when Dr Afari who did not come from a well-to-do family had many needs during his days at the UG, he did not steal from Akufo-Addo. So what will profit Dr Afari Gyan today to steal the presidential election from Akufo-Addo if indeed he won it?

So many things have gone wrong with Nana Akufo-Addo because he ceased listening to good counsel when he won the NPP’s flagbearership in 2006. All what Akufo-Addo cares is anything that enhances his reputation and nothing else. In fact he does not care if what is being said or done affects the reputation of others. That is why Nana Akufo-Addo has stood by and watched as his former roommate Dr Afari Gyan continues to be gored by NPP supporters.

The whole world is watching as Akufo-Addo is battling two of his formers mates at the UG in court. He has accused them of being part of a grand scheme to deny him of his “inalienable right” of becoming the president of mother Ghana. And to make matters worse, insults galore, curses and name calling is the strategy that the NPP have adopted to buttress their tethering case before the SC.

I strongly believe that when the pieces settle with the determination of the case by the nine justices of the SC and Akufo-Addo loses, he will never be the same. He will definitely join the ranks of those who do not value the quality and importance of friendship and for political expediency will throw old friends under the bus at all cost.