In Defense Of Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah

I am compelled by situations within the NDC to issue this statement. I believe it is my right as a citizen to voice out my concerns about the level of politicization within the NDC. The twisting of facts to suit certain individuals within the party is unhealthy and very detrimental to the unity of the party.

For the first time in two years I decided to tune into Radio Gold’s Alhaji-Ahaji program not by design but because someone had referred me to do so for there was a special program to discuss the presidential contest of the NDC. To my amazement, I heard a panelist by name Sam Pee Yalley who wanted Ghanaians to believe that Dr. EkwowSpio-Garbrah has become irrelevant as a result of some of the things he said as a candidate when he contested Professor John Evans Atta-Mill in 2006 for the flagbearer ship of the party.

First, it should be noted that Sam Pee Yalley’s assertion still remains an allegation. Spio-Garbrah has categorically denied the accusation on many occasions, and it is just prudent for any civilized politician to cease referring to this unfounded allegation every now and then. Let us not assume that Ghanaians are so stupid that they could not read between the lines when the physical appearance of Atta-Mills began to deteriorate rapidly. Indeed, it left many Ghanaians with more questions than his campaign team could provide answers for, and every Ghanaian could draw his or her own conclusion. It did not have to take Spio-Garbrah to break the news for people to know something was wrong with the man.

Secondly, let me point out to Sam Pee Yalley that Dr. EkwowSpoi-Garbrah is a far more relevant personality within the NDC with acumen that are essential not only for the growth of the party but the nation as a whole. If the so-called “father-of- all,” the petty Atta-Mills did not see what he has deprived Ghana of, we the observing public can see that clearly. In the contest for the leadership of the Democratic Party in the United States, it is on record that Hillary Clinton, her husband, and her team adopted and unleashed very deleterious campaign ads to discredit Barack Obama. In spite of that when Obama defeated them and went on to win the presidency, he offered Hillary Clinton the highest post of the land aside the president’s post. The point in this is that Atta-Mills and his Ahwoi cabal are ruining the NDC in ways that are too petty and very personal.

I hope the leadership of the NDC is learning some vital lessons from this confusion that is threatening to bring the party down. I believe the situation within the party now offers the leadership of the party a good opportunity to take a critical look at its constitution to redefine the relationship between the party and government, so that when the government is in power it does not become the prerogative of just one individual and a powerful cabal around him who calls the shot. Therefore, no matter someone’s contribution to the party when you are not in the good books of those individuals, then your chances of serving are blocked.

We were all in this country when the NDC failed to pass the Valued Added Tax (VAT) in 1995 under the law Professor. It was Dr. EkwowSpio-Garbrah who was hauled in to repackage VAT for reintroduction. There is no question about his success at that. VAT has not only helped to provide a reliable stream of revenue for the Ghana Government, but it has also helped in providing financial bedrock for funding tertiary education in Ghana.Those of us who studied in our universities in the 1990s are aware of how this stream of financing to the tertiary institutions has averted the rampant strikes on our campus, a situation largely credited to VAT. Nigeria and many African countries are still battling with rampant strikes in their tertiary institutions as a result of the lack of funding.

There is no doubt that Spio-Garbrah is a problem solver. I remember how he was shuttled from one ministry to another in those days to respond to the numerous problems that confronted the administration. But today, ministers who think that what their duties are is to be jumping from one radio station to another also have the guts to try to rubbish a hard working fellow because their petty master does not see what he is depriving our country of. After all, what can Sam Pee Yalley and OkudjetoAblakwa point to as their achievements in politics apart from jumping from one radio station to another making unnecessary noise? Perhaps, Ablakwa’s “greenbook” makes him think he can spew garbage and get away. Boys, learn to respect the hard earned reputation of people. Spio-Garbrah is a gem that has been lost to our country as a result of the pettiness of a Professor who simply does not get it.

In another development, I have been wondering why Atta-Mills would resort to the use of the BNI to intimidate people who disagree with him. In the run-up to the 2008 general elections, we all saw how FifiKwetey and his henchmen effectively propagated the Akuffo-Adddo cocaine use message without regard for truth. Even as members of the opposition, the target for this malicious message who was then the Minister for Foreign Affairs did not arrest any of them. But what we are seeing within the NDC today goes to underscore the pettiness of the so-called father of all. Professor, please find room to tolerate dissenting views within your party. You are too petty and vindictive!