Nana Addo is NPP's biggest problem

The truth must be told. Nana addo is npp's biggest problem - Coalition Of Students for Alan Kyerematen ( COSAK )

The NPP prides itself as the most democratic political party in Ghana, if not Africa. This could be seen in the way the party has conducted its affairs since its formation in 1992. But it is so unfortunate and pathetic that the party is gradually losing this attribute and quality considering the recent happenings in the party. It is thus imperative for those of us at (COSAK) who hold the interest of the party at heart to stand up against the things we believe could hamper our chances in the 2016 general elections. As Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia once said; “evil could only triumph by the inaction, indifference, and silence of those who could have acted; known better, and had the voice of justice when it mattered most.”It is evidently clear that the party is gradually losing its sense of democracy.

Admittedly, if we all believe that Nana Akufo-Addo is the most popular person in both the NPP and Ghana as some people argue, why this consistent regression of votes in the last two General elections? It is just clear that the 2012 flagbearer might be popular in the party but not Ghana as a whole. There is this seeming attempt to stifle alternative voices and dissenting views in the party, and to some of us, it is indicative to the fact that, views and opinions of others were not welcomed before and during the 2012 elections which is also a contributing factor to our defeat. There wasn’t unity in the party, and unfortunately for us, we lacked a unifier in the person of Nana Akufo-Addo as the flagbearer to unify all fronts and bring us together as a unified front before and during 2012 elections. A repetition of this portends ill consequences, and could be worse.

When then candidate Kufour won the 1998 primary at Sunyani, he brought everyone including those who campaigned against him together to work as a unit for Victory 2000, but what did we see in 2012? People were sidelined from the 2012 Campaign machinery as being potential “saboteurs” all because they didn’t support Nana Akufo-Addo in the primary. We clearly don’t see a “unifier” in Nana Akufo-Addo.

In the run-up to the 2000 elections, as usual, agitations were rife for the leadership to be voted out for their failure to win us power. Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, who contested against J.A. Kufuor at the Sunyani Congress in 1998 said this “Anybody who becomes the NPP’s Presidential Candidate has already secured 30% of the total valid votes. The rest – 20% plus 1, is what the Candidate needs to work on to become the president. Failure to achieve this calls for a change in leadership”. It is of this same belief and conviction that we seek for a change since he, Nana Akufo-Addo has failed twice if his own words are anything to go by.

The NPP has also moved from a ruling party to an opposition party. The party that had won six (6) regions in 2000 and four (4) regions in 2004 at the presidential elections, managed to win only two (2)

regions in 2008 and 2012. It is obvious that the flagbearer in those elections lacked the national appeal though he was popular in the party. We don’t think the party only needs a flagbearer but power. When Prof Albert Adu-Boahen failed to win us power in 1992, the delegates refused to renew his mandate as the flagbearer for the 1996 elections though the party believed strongly that there was a “stolen verdict”. The voice of the delegates was simple, we might have lost because the elections were riddled with irregularities and malpractices, we believe a change in leadership would do us better in the subsequent elections. And they voted for a new face, which was ex-president Kufour.

If it was done in 1996, why can’t it be done this time around? The party needs someone who is more appealing to floating voters, someone who is more affable, someone who is ready and can unify all fronts and divides, someone who is willing to work with all irrespective of the person’s views. Cosak strongly believe Mr Alan kyerematen is the man our party needs to win power. We can’t afford to lose the 2016 elections. Think victory! Think Alan!!

signed

Frederick kumah

0506915349

National president cosak

David dankwah mireku

0249876661

National cordinator

Anita Amoakoh

054 508 8890

National secretary