Kufuor is a disgrace for an African leader

When the opportunity presented itself for the President of Ghana J.A. Kufuor to recognize the illustrious achievements of the most decorated Diplomat son of the Africa, he failed miserably. He was called on it by a member of the opposition who rather saved him from total embarrassment, but he turned this into an animosity, meaning he does not care. As if this is not disgraceful enough, Kufuor names a street after the Nigerian president, again, when the opportunity was ripped for such a gesture to be bestowed on Kofi Annang, the best ever Secretary General in the history of the United Nations, who just happened to have returned home to commence his retirement. In the same vain, the world witnessed the atrocious events, especially the blatant disregard for human rights, the willful efforts to disenfranchise the Nigerian citizenry to make sure Obassanjo gets his wish, that is, to stay in power for ever, albeit running the show behind a puppet government he put in place.

Further, it seemed (at the time) like a Diplomatic Faux Pas when Kufuor’s administration jumped to the praises of Junior Eyadema, whose monster father Kufuor calls brother. I did not see a single condemnation of the unconstitutional seize of power by Faure Gnassingbe from Kufuor, at a time when the whole world, including the EU and the US was crying foul. Was it a faux pas? NO. It was deliberate.

When I read from your site today that the reigning AU chairman, despite the many blatant abuse of power and the suppression of the voice of the people, PRAISED an administration who resorted to unconstitutional means to INSTALL a ruler against the will of the people, I got sick to my stomach. But again, I am not surprised because this is what Kufuor and his administration are made of: Abuse of the people’s trust, Abuse of the people’s power, and Abuse of the people’s funds. This is a “TRIPPLE A” (AAA) administration that cares less about its people, and like Kotoka, is more centered on doing what is best for colonial powers, especially the US, than what is best for Ghana and for Ghanaians. Kufuor simply puts himself and his personal interest above that of his people and his nation

Ghanaians today are witnessing the extreme labours by Kufuor and his administration to discredit the gallant efforts by the man revered by all everywhere in the world, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who liberated Africa and set the continent, not only Ghana, on the path to political and economic freedom. In the United States, Canada, the EU and many places around the world, what Kotoka did is called TREASON. To put it simply, by collaborating with the CIA (as it is allegedly well known to his entourage at the time), to destabilize a democratically elected government, and derail Ghana and Africa’s economic and political development process, Kotoka betrayed Ghana and breached the trust of the Ghanaian people’s trust. This is not an act that is celebrated as Kufuor is doing. It is an act of betrayal that is naturally condemned. And so it should, by every one who loves Ghana.

As Chairman of the AU at the time, Obassanjo turned against the will of the international community, not to encourage to breach of the constitution to ensure the succession of the Eyadema’s dynasty and helped install Faure in Togo. But he did just that, for he knew he will need then when his time comes. And the time has come for African leaders to condemn what is happening in Nigeria. But… will they…? I don’t think so. In a reversal of fortunes, Kufuor succeeded Obassanjo at the AU, and, what are we seeing today? As the Chairman of the Union. he has just PRAISED the election of a sham president, a puppet administration. Just as Obassanjo did for Faure for “payback and support even if I cheat tomorrow”, Kufuor is doing same for Obassanjo for payback when the time comes and rigs Ghana’s upcoming elections in 2008. Kufuor is a disgrace of an African leader by embracing a tyrant who attempted to make himself president for life, only to be stopped by the efforts and the integrity of his vice president.

BBC has just published an article saying: “Nigeria’s Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has joined those calling for the presidential election to be cancelled”. It continued: “Mr Soyinka said the West should deny entry visas to election commissioner Maurice Iwu for his “complicity in the fraudulent elections”. This is a voice of reason and integrity. These are people we need to help develop the fledgling democracy on the continent of Africa. We don’t need self righteous traitors who sell the continent and their countries for their personal gains.

But, yet again…this is Ghana… and Ghanaians are maturing politically. The seeds of true democracy sown by Rawlings has started to blossom. We will not allow Kufuor to distort and destroy it. We will be ready.

By: CARL WILOSN (York University – Canada)

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.