Do You Do Drugs?

The unwritten code and general consensus among the political parties in this year’s election is to wage a campaign devoid of personal attacks. However, this does not mean the contestants with moral and fraudulent questions to answer should be left unscatched. Serious question bordering on vices such as corruption, money-laundering and drug trafficking and usage must be answered to help the electorate make an informed choice?

It should be noted that there are first timers in the race like Dr Nduom who has been hard hit by his own people. Why should the tap be closed on Nana Akuffo Addo’s unanswered narcortic issue? Narcotic issues should not be swept under the carpet as the NPP and their media appendages have tried to do so far. The drug issue and smoking of such substances remains very important issues worth addressing if we want to build a Ghana with the future generation in mind.

The major societal problem confronting the world today before the oil and food crisis has been the drug trafficking problem. The fact that Ghana and the NPP has a member of Paliarment languishing in a US prison demand proper scrutiny of our presidential aspirants with drug questions hanging perilously around their neck like an albatross. This is to prevent our seat of government from being turn into a haven of drug barons and addicts if not already so. Reports abound of the misuse of our Diplomatic Passports by some of these drug barons, some of whom have evaded arrest in foreign lands using diplomatic cover. The disgrace brought upon the nation by Amoateng and the MV Benjamin saga leaves a perpetual blot on the conscience of the NPP government. It is with this view that Nana Akufo Addo must answer his critics. The @True Democrat remembers vividly that prior to the 2000 election Prof. J.E.A. Mills had had to answer questions on his fathering a son. Not quite long ago, the NDC leader again addressed the rumours with regard to his health status at the IEA encounter. Why should the presidential candidate of the ruling NPP, Nana Akufo Addo not do the same?

Taking a cue from the developed countries; there is nothing private regarding what you do or what you do not do in one’s bid to lead a democratic country through seeking the mandate of the electorate. As presidential hopefuls, one ought to understand that the very moment one puts he/herself up for election, their past, present and the future becomes public property. It is on this premise that Nana Akuffo Addo must as a matter of urgency react to the questions of having being a heavy user of narcotic substances. The pretence and deliberate ducking behind the NPP controlled media and NPP influenced institutions that are calling for politics of issues would not be in the favour of the NPP and Nana. The issue shall not go away and is likely to become a major campaign issue just as the lunatic behaviour of his boss J.A. Kufuor has made Atta Mills’s health an issue in this campaign. As the Fourth Estate, we owe mother Ghana the singular duty of holding our politicians accountable. We have waited patiently for this while and realized to our chagrin that Akufo Addo, is yet to react to matters often termed private but critical to our society and our sensibilities. As a lawyer, who claims to be adept at the legal issues, he must well be aware that once he has thrown his hat into the political ring to seek the highest office of the land, the boundaries of privacy and public interest becomes not only blurred but separated by a very thin line.

The acceptance of the Ghanaian public and Nana himself that the narcotic drugs is an issue in our so-called issue-based campaign, therefore, makes the Akufo Addo’s alledged indulgence in narcotic substances a central issue worth addressing and addressing well. We do not think the NPP candidate is very serious about dealing with the issue. We do believe that he has the moral courage to thump his chest and deny his indulgence.

Not long ago, the NPP flag bearer organized a beach jam at the La Pleasure Beach. The NPP youth in particular and children of school going age were visibly seen indiscriminately smoking all sorts of substances. When Akufo Addo mounted the platform, he never condemned the act even though it was in his glare. Are we to conclude that he condoned the act? Let Nana realise that his drug issue is a question of higher magnitude and is boggling the minds of well meaning Ghanaians, especially those readying themselves to cast their votes for a new President on 7 December, 2008. Nana Addo must answer now or perish. The questions still reverbrating in the electorates’ ears and agitating the minds of people are whether or not Akuffo Addo indulges in narcotic substances?, Has he been a patron of these substances before. What about allegations of liver cirrhosis and his kidney heading for doom? Kofi Wayo humbly asked the NPP flag bearer to go for a voluntary test on the drug iallegations. It is the only way to prove his innocence or otherwise as to whether he sniffs the IGP’s Kokonte powder.

As an NPP candidate, the True Democrat is also interested to know what his views are on the drug trafficking baron called Raymond Amankwa, who doubles as his in-law? If indeed Akufo Addo believes in rule of law and due process, why did he not prosecute the drug-running NPP matriarchs of Abena Oforiwaa, Comfort Akua Amankwah and Ama Nyarkoah, chairperson, organizer and treasurer, respectively of the Dzorwulu branch of his New Patriotic Party (NPP) who were arrested at the Kotoka International Airport for drug trafficking in February 2002? And finally is there cocaine money in his campaign? Ghanaians demand answers from Akufo Addo.