“Inferiors agitate in order that they may be equal and equals that they may be superior. Such is the state of mind which creates party strife.” ---- Aristotle, in “Politics” (384-322 BC) In a society where a particular group of people always perceive themselves better than the others, and hence are the best to steer the mantle of le adership of their organization, a community or a country, they would continue to enjoy this ‘privileges’ of superiority complex, over the so-called inferior masses for some time and taking an undue advantage of them, to satisfy their selfish interest.

But it would be a matter of time, for some reflective and observant individuals in this society to begin reading in between the line, and realizing the true colors of such people with deep seated favoritism, chauvinism, jingoism, prejudice and bigotry against other people.

Such is a clear cut scenario of the NPP, and indeed is very obvious that, the party which is perceived to be for the Akans only, would not allow any member of other Ghanaian tribes, such as; a Northerner, a Ga, a Fanti, an Ewe to go beyond vice-presidential position in their party. Even should they pick anyone for vice-presidential slot, they would not do it for the sake of national integration, but rather for them to garner votes from that particular group of people.

A case in point happened to Alhaji Aliyu Muhammed, when they used him just to secure Muslim votes between 2000-2008 election. And after the end of former President Kufour’s administration, instead of letting the electorate members of the NPP vote for him at their congress to contest for the presidency, which is the normal norm everywhere, we all of a sudden saw sixteen senior members of their party who are predominantly, Akans emerged to contest against him. They ended up voting him out and humiliating him. The worse of it was when former President Kufour endorsed one of the Akan or Ashanti contestants, Alan Kyreremanteng, to contest against his veep. And I have a conviction that, If Aliyu Mahama were to be an Akan or an Ashanti, he would have commanded their respect by withdrawing themselves from the race, to let him run for President.

The NPP, having prevented Aliyu Mahama from becoming President, after testing the vice-presidential privileges, are feeling uncomfortable that another Northner in a different Party is the now the President and he is going to be re-elected for another eight years, and are continually castigating and criticizing him unjustifiably . This ethnocentric and tribalistic attitude of the NPP finds expression in the wisdom of Samuel Johnson(1709-1984) that, “Your levellers wish to level down as far as themselves; but they cannot bear levelling up to themselves.” Even currently almost all the NPP executive members are Akyems and Ashantis. That is why I pity Bawumia, who even President Kufour once confessed that, was not a card-bearing member of the NPP, who in the unlikely event of the NPP winning the elections for two terms, would never be given the nod by the “Ye Akanfo” syndrome party to lead this country, and will kill his political ambition forever. This is because, there are many of the Akans in their party with so much penchant and proclivity for power on the waiting list, such as; Kofi Konadu Apreku, Alan Kereymanteng, Kwabena Agyapong, Nana Akomeya etc. and there is a great likelihood of history repeating itself to Bawumia. Because with the NPP, “The beak of the goose is no longer than that of the gander.” as goes a proverb.

And I have a strong conviction that, discerning Ghanaians, who want to see proportional representation or levelling the playing field for every Thom, Dick and Harry and for other tribes men to be able to contest for presidency of Ghana, will not return the NPP into power, in order to prevent them from taking us back to their ethnocentric regime of 2000-2008, which was replete with embezzlement and corruption as well.

It is not out of place that, Ghanaians from other ethnic groups, like the Fantis, Ewes and Gas as well as Northerners, and even many wise and right thinking Akans, have seen a sense in the proverb that, “Experience is the mother of wisdom and experience is the best teacher.” So based on the above narrative, the electorate will rather give their mandates to the NDC, by virtue of its enviable record of ethnic diversity and proportional representation-right from the party executive positions, to the ministerial appointments and above all to the presidential contest. To be precise, the NDC is the only party, that has so far elected Presidents from three ethnic groups, such as an Ewe, a Fanti and currently a Northner. This is what is called, political integration, a beauty of democracy.

Indeed the future of the Ghanaian all inclusive politics lies with the NDC, which is the most diverse party. It has an array of young ministers from diverse ethnic origins, who have a bright future to assume the mantle of leadership at the presidential level. We have the likes of; Haruna Iddrisu, Elvis Ankrah, Omani Boamah, Yaw Ampoafo Ankrah and many others from a diverse multi-ethnic backgrounds.

Ghanaian electorate should ponder over this wisdom from the former freedom fighter and President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, as they go to the bolls to vote in order not to make a mistake of voting for the NPP. He said, “I have fought against white domination and have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and achieve. But, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Husseini Y. Baba AlWaiz, Press Secretary, NDC New York