On Appointments and Disappointments

By Ekua Kwansema

It is sheer arrogance which made former US President Bush one of the most unpopular presidents in US history and also contributed big time in tanking America ’s image globally. Reason being that Mr. Bush never felt sorry for any wrong thing he did as president. His philosophy was that as president he had to portray a strong character to the outside world, therefore, by saying sorry for a committed mistake was a sign of weakness. But many world leaders who Bush even considered as “friends” and “allies”, political analysts, social commentators and ordinary men and women with no strong political leanings both within and outside the United States felt otherwise. Whilst even close associates did not say it publicly they felt that Bush’s philosophy was sheer nonsense since by refusing to admit to his blunders he was just being arrogant.

Again, it is this same arrogance that saw the humbling defeat of some NPP parliamentarians in the 2008 elections. It never crossed the minds of those defeated NPP parliamentarians that it is the ordinary men and women in their constituencies that voted for them and sent them to parliament to legislate on issues that affect their lives and come out with programs that would change their mode of lives for the better.

Nana Akufo-Addo was NPP’s 2008 presidential candidate. He was dogged by the word “arrogant” throughout the campaigns but did little or nothing to debunk that connotation other than continually telling Ghanaians by way of giant billboards and heavy TV commercials that he was the “Best Man” for Ghana . But because Akufo-Addo did nothing to change that perception, Ghanaians decided to hire another Chief Executive of State by electing President Mills.

The past NPP government was accused of many things which would come to light in due course, but what simply killed the party at the 2008 polls was the air of pomposity, feely-goody manner, sheer arrogance, you elected us so what do we care attitude, gross disrespect for the ordinary people on whose shoulders they rode their expensive automobiles and the uncaring mind-set towards the poor and ordinary men and women on the street.

Talking about arrogance brings to mind its antonym which is humility. Eight out of 10 people you may interview on the streets in many cities globally would sure tell you that US President Obama has the spirit of humility in him. In fact President Obama may have ran a good campaign during the 2008 US Presidential elections but one thing that helped him to coast to victory was how Americans perceived him. Obama was not like Bush. Obama was ready to admit to his mistakes and move on. Obama did not see himself as superhuman or super superior. Therefore, Americans and his global admirers saw him as not being arrogant.

On the shores of the West Coast of Africa, to be precise Ghana , something similar happened during the 2008 elections. President Mills was declared a dead horse to start with. He has ran for president several times and came up empty handed. When the campaign gathered heat President Mills’ campaign gear was not too oily which affected his ability to junket across the country to campaign intensely. Some men and women even within the NDC felt that he could not hold his fort against the formidable Akufo-Addo. But Ghanaians saw some qualities in President Mills that was very striking and much more appealing. They saw that President Mills is not too ambitious. He was not arrogant or overbearing. He has fellow feelings towards the ordinary men and women on the street. He did not fake his humble nature. And the most important of all they saw that President Mills was someone who has the heart and willpower to admit his mistakes and move on.

Ladies and gentlemen I have elaborated on these key points to drum home the fact that the world has reached a stage where interdependence, relationship building, caring, humility, selfless service and devotion to duty and the people are the key pointers towards success.

President Mills has nominated and parliament has confirmed the NDC team of men and women who would help the president to steer the ship of state for the next four years. Ghanaians are going to use the same yardstick which they used in judging the NPP to judge the NDC too. The bible even says that God hates a proud and arrogant person; therefore, I would caution those who have been appointed to positions of authority to let this be their guiding principle.. They do not have to look very far. They have to just look at how simple and humble President Mills is and try to emulate his character by serving Ghanaians rather than asking to be served. In case you miss the recent press conference held at the Castle, Osu by President Mills, those who saw him speak indeed gave him high marks not only for his levelheadedness and his grasp on issues confronting the ordinary people, but the way he carried himself as the President of Ghana.

It is extremely important to state that those who are currently helping President Mills to govern the country must have the ears to listen to the people. I bet Ghanaians would be watching their moves and everything they do, measure it against what the NPP did and draw their conclusions. Therefore, the watchwords are Listen, Be Patient, Engage, Caution, Be Careful, Seek Feedback and above all Be Humble. Ghana has reached a crossroad whereby it is only our collective responsibilities that can move the country ahead.

Those who have been given appointments should consider them as an honour to serve the country and the people. No one should consider it as a privilege or springboard to swim on higher grounds. The country needs leaders who can make sacrifices for the overall good of the people. We are still looking for self-made people who can come out and inform Ghanaians that they would work for free for the overall good of the country.

Not every Ghanaian has good education, but sometimes when you talk to many Ghanaians you would become wise and much more educated on issues by the time you finish the conversation. The other day I was sitting in a wayside restaurant when a young guy came and sat in front of me. In the course of the conversation, we talked a little bit about politics, and the ideas that flowed from the head of that young guy only God’s knows. I told him that he should one day be the mayor of Accra , because the way he talked about how congestion could be eased in Accra and how the city could be rescued from filth, I was simply amazed. Therefore, it is important that the new appointees listen to the people and act upon their genuine concerns with urgent attention. Certain times some of the issues an ordinary man or woman would raise may turn out to be the burning issues on the minds of majority of people in that community at that time, therefore, people’s concerns should not be dismissed outright.

Humility pays which is why President Mills as a person is highly respected by even some members of the opposition NPP. In fact is very difficult to find NPP die-hards attacking the character traits of President Mills per se. That is why it is very important for his team to emulate his shinning example. Sometimes when you are dead wrong and commit a mistake and society tends to see you as someone who is humble and ready to accept your mistakes and apologize, they tend to forgive you no matter the severity of the offense.

On the other side of the aisle are those who almost made it on the appointment shortlist. For some reasons which needs time to explain, they could not make it. Therefore, they are disappointed. Disappointment comes when you could not get something that you craved for. It can lead to denial, disbelief, disillusionment, anger, bitterness and sometimes hatred. But in every race not every runner gets the coveted prize. The excellent runners get gold, good runners silver, some get bronze, and others get a handshake or a pat at the back while the rest bow their heads and resolve to do better next time round.

But good runners who know what they really believe in never get bitter or angry for not getting the coveted prize, therefore, those NDC foot soldiers that played a solid role in getting President Mills elected should not be angry or feel bitter because they could not get what they wanted. In everyday situation, we do not get everything that we covet otherwise the world would be what it is today. I would therefore, urge those who could not land what they wanted not to lose heart. As workmen we never lose heart but stand firm and hope for better days. Everybody’s time comes at a point in time; otherwise, President Mills who was written off by some so-called political commentators would not be president today.

Thos NDC supporters should continue to remain loyal to the party since their time would come one day. When the star of those NDC supporters would shine, I do not have a clue, but I know it would come one day. Our country is in dire need of people who would not only remain loyal and true to the dreams of our founding fathers but to work in our own little corners to help lift up the country. If we do not do that no amount of doses of foreign aid or even the pending proceeds of the oil that we have struck can save Ghana .

By the way, I urge Ghanaians to find the excellent article written by Mr. Baba Abdulai in the April 9, 2009 edition of the “The Spectator” headlined “Let’s trace the footprints” and read it.. To make it easy for those who want to read the article its on page 18. I wept uncontrollably when I read that excellent article which should give every Ghanaian food for thought. We need people with such insights to contribute towards national growth and advancement.

ekwansema@yahoo.com