Re:'You cannot intimidate us in 2012,' Nana Addo warns NDC

By Kwame Agbodza

Nana Akufo Addo’s is seeing signs of his eminent defeat in the 2012 election. The sad part of this is that Nana does not even understand the very reasons why he lost the 2008 elections. In his recent outburst in front of some NPP supporters in the Eastern Region on Tuesday February 9 published on Ghanaweb Nana attempted to be economical with the truth by suggesting that, the NPP were intimidated during the 2008 election. This allegation is so hollow and weak. It was the NPP who abused the power of the state by intimidating all Ghanaians during the 2008 elections, unfortunately for him, all their money, intimidation, ‘dead body tactics’ voter register inflations came to zilch, he lost.

As usual, Nana once again sorts to play the tribal card... "They have intentions to intimidate us in 2012 because they believe that we the Akans are soft and cowards. If that is the thinking, then we shall see. At least during the Atiwa bye-election, we showed a little of our colours there” he said. If the NPP claims that their party is not a tribal party why will they allow Nana to be branding the party as such? I urge the Christian Council, The GBA and all civil society groups to condemn this loose talk. Nana must remember that the NPP lost in majority of communities in the country. The elections are about Ghana, not about tribes. It is irresponsible to categorise Ghanaians into’ soft or ‘cowards’. It is Nana must understand that he is damaged goods who cannot be flogged. Nana will lose on the ticket of any political party.

How irresponsible can Nana be? His desperation to be president is so empty; Nana is just not trusted to lead Ghana. People also have many questions regarding Nana’s competence and personal conduct. What will actually intimidate the NPP in 2012 is the level of good governance and development that will be showcased by the NDC. These are few points I want Nana to consider before he embarks on his next outburst;

Does Nana actually think that he is considered a serious person capable of managing the affairs of this Great country? Does he not think that many people consider him as someone who has failed to show any leadership in all endeavours?

Does nana think that the issues about his personal life including his attempt to wish away the concern about alleged drug use? This is a serious issue which is indelible on the minds of Ghanaians. The obvious lack of political will to deal with illicit drug trade under the NPP cannot be wished away by threats from Nana Akufo Addo.

How does Nana Akufo Addo explain the point Gabby Otchere Darko made to the Financial Times of UK and published on December 3 2009 that “the NPP appears as raven as it was when 17 candidates vied for the presidential ticket, spending a collective $50m-$80m” The article went on to say that the “NPP politicians’ readiness to deploy their wealth damaged their chances of re-election. Voters were disappointed by what they saw as the profligacy of the NPP, cronyism and corruption”, Mr Okyere-Darko says. Is Gabby right or wrong?

How is Nana going to assure the public that his weakness towards tackling corruption will not ruin the country? On January 7 2010 in a response to allegations of corruption against the NPP government Nana is quoted by the Financial Times of UK as saying... “I am not going to say everything was hunky dory but many of the allegations of corruption made against the last government are just that: allegations,” Which of the allegations were not hunky dory Nana? The NPP is already boasting that none of the people accused of corruption within their government has been found guilty at a court of law yet. All I can say is that the jury is still out and we have to wait and see.

Nana has already predicted that whoever wins the 2008 election will be in power of generations. During an interview published on August 27 2008 by the Financial Times of UK, Nana said “The person who, as it were, gets hold of these resources and uses them well could be in power for a very long time,” says Mr Akufo-Addo. “You’re playing for probably more than for one election in December. You’re playing for power for a generation.” The NDC won and will administer the country in accordance with the will of the people and will be retained in power in accordance with Nana’s predictions

I accept there are challenges in running the country; however, I believe that the public understands the difference between an NPP government that was self centred and grabbing the wealth of the country for themselves and their cronies. Nana must give us a break we are busy trying to fix the numerous problems you created. The list he can do is to suggest prudent alternatives solutions to help build a Better Ghana.

God Bless Us All

Kwame Agbodza