The cry for Kennedy to get onto the battle field and to move his campaign into the heart of Ghana used to be one of the hot issues on Ghana web, especially in SIL. Kennedy took the admonition serious and has since February 2007 been in Ghana. I am sure some of you may be wondering how Kennedy is doing in Ghana. Obviously we don’t see much of him in cyberspace these days. Well, Kennedy is making a lot of impact in Ghana. In spite of all the odds against him, Kennedy still stands tall.
Those of us who have been following news on the ground can attest that it does not only take money to make positive impact on people, especially where the people have a conscience and a mind of their own. Except for those who are hungry for handouts, it is hoped that Ghanaians are beginning to wake up and to realize how much power they have in their votes; and how they can turn Ghana around for the better.
One of the groups of people who find Kennedy attractive in terms of ideas and vision is the African Diaspora. Kennedy makes a big case for the inclusion of the African Diaspora in the affairs of the home country. In fact, central to Africa’s economic and political wellbeing is her Diaspora. Not until Africa and for that matter Ghana takes the Diaspora serious development of the continent could be illusive. There is the urgent cry for some partnership; some understanding and cooperation between the home government and the Diaspora is very relevant today.
. It is incumbent therefore, on any good government in Africa, including Ghana to embrace the expertise and the experience the Diaspora could offer the nations in Africa. Hopefully the home governments would move away from taking their seed money and or bribes (from the Diaspora) and work with them to create businesses and jobs to feed the disgruntled youths.
While some believe that there are too many candidates seeking the NPP ticket, I believe men like Kennedy must be encouraged and supported at all cost to stay in the race for several reasons, including the Diaspora crusade. Ghana is already benefiting from the balance Kennedy brings to this presidential race. While the establishment is depending upon their monies and connections to lure Ghanaians (notably the NPP delegates), Kennedy is not resting with upsetting the same with (his) vision and ideas. Now the question is, “Are Ghanaians ready for ideas and vision or they still want to keep with the status quo?” You be the judge.
Hopefully Ghanaians will wake up and understand that someone who loves the nation and cares for the direction the nation is heading would not wait until the last minute before they acted; especially when they have had the power to do so all these years. Let the people decide if dishing out money to buy votes makes a better president. Notwithstanding, I think the people have the right to take the monies that the politicians offer; after all it is the peoples’ money. But this does not mean you should not vote your conscience. It is about time we understand that our votes are far worth more that the hundred thousand cedis bribe.
I am yet to hear what each candidate has to offer Ghanaians in 2008. So far some of us have heard Kennedy loud and clear that he is the one candidate who is needed in this race, if ideas and vision mattered. It is therefore awe-inspiring that Kennedy has come this far in his campaign despite all odds against him.
When Kennedy started his campaign, the reaction of the media and most of the establishment to him was, "Who is Arthur K?" Now Arthur K is one of the first to be called whenever there is a breaking story in Ghana. Why? Maybe it is because he is not afraid to call a spade a spade.
Arthur K is the one NPP candidate to call on the government to do more on corruption. Kennedy’s call was soon joined by the World Bank representative in Ghana. Arthur K and some Ghanaians were vocal on the pretense of the NDC when they walked out on the Abodapki issue. When none in the NPP would bell the cat regarding the alleged support of the President for a particular candidate, Arthur K did by calling on him to re-affirm his neutrality and the President has since responded positively.
. When some suggested NPP filing fees of up to 650 million cedis, some of us including Arthur K candidly said it was too high and now the amount has been reduced to 250 million. Of course, this is still unreasonable, given the economy of Ghana today. Without people like Arthur K, the NPP would transform itself to the party of the rich (forgetting where they came from) and threading on the party soldiers’ feet.
The inclusion of Kennedy in the NPP race would suggest that the party can embrace some reforms. It is imperative that NPP reduced the influence of money and increase popular participation, and make it more transparent, if they want to win the 2008 elections. So far Kennedy has not minced words in challenging the establishment to stay focus and deliver the goods. When former President Rawlings resorted to legalisms in response to the cement bribery allegations, Kennedy called on him to do more. When the NPP turned fifteen, Kennedy released a message that addressed the state of the country. While doing all these, Kennedy and his team have put ideas on the table and visited “all party executives from Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese in the south to Pusiga in the North.” It is apparent that Kennedy campaign has better ideas and a better message. The NPP race, in deed, remains a wide-open race with the momentum on the side of the new candidates.
Kennedy may be considered by many to be the strongest of the new candidates or at least the one who brings hope for redemption. It is no secret but apropos therefore to say Kennedy will finish the job by taking the nomination when or if NPP gives him the tools. Finally, it worthy to end this conversation with a quote from Kennedy, “Throughout history, the only thing that has ever changed anything is a group of people united by a commitment to a cause acting to bring their dream into being. We are on the crest of history. Let us keep moving this forward. With God on our side we shall overcome” (Kennedy).
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