Is the NPP Ready for Power in 2016?

Like any player on the bench, the wish is that he gets the chance to play in the 90 minutes and whether that chance would come as a result of a flop, injury, or dismissal of his team player by the referee is none of his business. Similarly, the aim of any opposition party is to get the opportunity to rule and this usually happens when the ruling party is voted out of power due to bad governance.

Fortunately for the NPP, the ruling NDC has given voters all the ammunitions to vote the party out of office, come November 2016. From the economy, through to education, energy, health, sports, and provision of social services, there is enough evidence to prove that, this is not the kind of political party Ghanaians expect to rule them beyond 2016. Even though, economic resources such as oil, gold, cocoa etc, abound in Ghana, the quality personnel needed to maximize these resources into our benefits is lacking in the NDC. The ministerial appointments given to the Akandohs, Ablakwas, Murtalas, and Kweeteys tell it all. Whilst corruption has been institutionalised under the Mahama-led NDC government, the energy crisis, coupled with the constant verbal abuses rained on the Clergy, Dr. Bawumia, and other well-meaning Ghanaians who offer pieces of advice to the government is a great worry to majority of Ghanaians.

In view of the above, most Ghanaians see the NPP as the next best alternative to the NDC government. For, apart from the impressive economic record chalked between 2001 and 2009, there is no doubt that the NPP boasts of quality human resource that could turn the economy around. But, the question on the lips of many Ghanaians is; how prepared is the NPP in wrestling power from the NDC in 2016?

It is obvious the seeming factions within the party is no longer a myth, but a reality. Honestly, not much has been seen in internal cohesion ever since Prez Kufuor left office. Theoretically, one could say that the NPP is united, but practically, the contrary is the case. Those of us who supported Alan Kyerematen's bid at the NPP Presidential Primaries have still not been welcomed by the other side. Even in the national leadership, one could see mistrust, division, suspicion, threats, sabotage, lack of cooperation, among others. The two prominent leaders, Messrs Afoko and Agyepong have not been given much room to operate. Insults, threats, assault, and mayhem have been visited on them. There have even been calls by these saboteurs to fire the Chief Scribe of our great party without any tangible reason.

We continue to undermine party leaders who have been given the mandate to serve us. Not long ago, Hon. Ken Agyapong referred to Mr. Jake Obetsebi and Sir John as thieves and people praised him. The same man dragged the image of the party into public ridicule by stating that; every Tom, Dick, and Harry of the party is a fool. Here again, nothing was done to him. Also, Sir John, as the then General Secretary insisted that, Nana Addo would lead the NPP in 2016, if even in a wheelchair. He further stated that, in the event that Nana Addo declined to lead the party for the 3rd consecutive time, Dr. Bawumia would be made the Flagbearer. We could not get a single soul in the NPP to remind him that our Constitution frowns upon that. This was followed by the actions of constituency executives and sitting NPP MPs led by the deputy minority leader, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul. Press conferences were organised to support one candidate against the other, but here again none of of the legal brains in the raised any constitutional issue against them.

Today, Freddie Blay, the man whose actions contributed to CPP's disintegration organises a steering committee meeting without the knowledge of both the Chairman and Secretary of the NPP and insists that it was constitutional. The question is; how many votes does Freddie Blay think would be added to the NPP's in 2016 by his action, and why should Kwabena Agyepong be attacked? The Bible says; "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable". For all I know, the bickering, noise making, blame games, counter accusations, threats etc only make the NPP unattractive. They drive people away from the party as floating voters get confused. The end effect is a decrease in Nana Addo's votes.

Therefore, until the NPP is seen as united as ever, and strategically ready for power, it would be so difficult to dislodge the NDC from the Flagstaff House in 2016. My plea is that, all of us must learn to forgive each other so as to protect our potential core votes as NPP supporters. It is only when this is done that we would have the confidence to fight for the remaining 50% of our opponents in order to cross the 50% plus one mark.

God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!

Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang, Asante Bekwai-Asakyiri (katakyienpp@yahoo.co.uk) 0202471070 // 0547851100 // 0264931361