Many of the arguments in this debate have already been made. I would like to open the debate a little further. Since no one has a crystal ball to determine which party or its leader, will win the general election in December 2008, the candidate selected to lead any of the parties, should be of interest and concern to all of us.
Let me declare where I stand on this issue right now. I deem the thought of waiting in a queue, for some older person, or someone who claims to have served the party for many years, is treating party politics as if it were chieftaincy. This is simply what I would term, “KONKONTI BA” politics. “AYE FE NOTSE!!!” This person has missed out on becoming the anointed one amongst his contemporaries, yet is seeking to stay on to eat from the next generations plate, while his contemporaries have moved on. In my old school, we had a steward who has served students over many generations, before my time and long after. Paa Kojo was never made chief steward. We are all grateful to Paa Kojo, but we must understand that there must have been some good reason for not giving him the post, even though he had definitely served longest. Indeed for someone to think that his main claim to a position is long service, amounts to that person desperately clinging on, whilst holding his breath, hoping that we do not find someone better.
The NDC presidential aspirant, Dr. Ekow Spio-Garbrah, stated on a London radio station, that most of his contemporaries did not even know how to use a computer. Some of you may not find this a serious problem. However, we need to ask whether we want to develop as a nation, or whether we want to maintain the status quo, which is definitely not going to get us anywhere. We live in an age where new gadgets are being used to make life easier. I know of older people in our country who do not know how to retrieve or send text messages on their mobile phone. They have to hand the phone to some body to help them. Of course there are others of the same age, who talk and live in the present, simply because they make it their business to keep up with modern life. Politics is all about where we are going tomorrow, not about what we have done yesterday, unless of course, what the individual did in the past, indisputably puts their case for future leadership. Yesterday is gone and will never come back. People who can only point to their past, whilst not having anything to offer you in the future, do not understand their progressive role in society.
In our traditional system of chieftaincy, there are examples where certain people in line for a stool, have been overlooked by the elders, because they were not suitable, even though the tradition is to choose the next in line. The institution of chieftaincy has been good in maintaining our culture and acting as custodians of our traditions and heritage. However, when we look for signs of development in our rural areas, we mainly find a society that is holding on for dear life to what has been left over from a possibly glorious past. Our villages are dieing on their feet. Is this the type of legacy and system of leadership, our current crop of politicians want to leave for their children and generations yet to come?
WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT THE 35-55 AGE GROUP
Those who argue for this “queue,” are telling the men and women of this age bracket that they are not capable of managing the affairs of the country. It is somewhat ironic that members of the government and, the opposition, have been in politics, holding positions since the 60’s, and were themselves at a young and vibrant stage in their lives back in time. “Aye fe notse.” In all developed countries, the senior citizens take their deserved place at the high table of advisors. There comes a time in life when one cannot keep up with the pace and demands of modern politics. Mugabe, Eyadema, Banda and Mobutu all show us what being around for ever, has to offer. Since 1992 we have had politicians who think that, rather than be connected to the internet, their parliamentary cars would serve them better in running their constituencies. It is time for the youth of Ghana to stand up for their rights and indeed, their “right of passage.” In our culture the rights of passage are taken seriously. I say to the senior statesmen, their time has come to act as senior statesmen and, to play the advisory role, offering the benefit of their experience. We appreciate their input, but just as in a relay race, it is time for others to do their bit.
There are those who are in this 35-55 age bracket, who feel inadequate and incapable of managing large organisations, government and possibly their own affairs. This however does not mean that their feelings apply to everyone. Leadership in all fields is the preserve of the few, who are capable. That they are capable shows over time, since such people, are always selected to lead and appointed to position of responsibility throughout their life. You may find it interesting that most good leaders have held positions, or have been chosen to represent others, from an early age.
A CONSERVATIVE PARTY
If the NPP is a conservative party, then it should look closely at what the party it is modelled on, the Conservative Party in Britain, (the home of the mother of all parliaments) has done. A year ago this December, it selected a 35 year old to lead the party. It selected this young and relatively new politician over giants in the party who ran against him in the contest. It is on record that William Pitt, a former leader of the Conservative Party is the youngest Prime Minister to have led the British government. He was 24 years old when he won the election.
It is this same party which was forward thinking enough to select a woman for the first and only time, to lead a party and country. Mrs Thatcher in her own words was not in any queue. Indeed, she only put herself forward, because her preferred candidate decided not to stand. Conservative does not mean backward looking. The aim of political parties is to win and keep power in the future, not to serve as some sort of club, to honour long serving members. These parties are supposed to be responsible for millions of Ghanaians, not just to tend the ambitions of a few amongst their ranks.
INTERNATIONAL IMAGE
In the nature of things, if those who have been around and have served the party longest, just like Paa Kojo the steward, have their way, and we choose the so called “next in the queue,” our next President, who will then be approaching his 70’s, at the beginning of his tenure, will have to go and meet with the possible leader of Britain who will be young enough to be his son and, find himself having to “appeal” for financial support and advice in order to develop our country. Please note that I do not say that appealing for loans is the only way for our country to move forward, however, in the two main parties that have governed us recently, it is path that those who have been in a queue, serving faithfully since 1992, have taken. It seems to be the only approach they know. How do you think our country and government will be thought of?
We live in an age where information and response to that information makes all the difference. In order that Ghana may have a chance to survive in the jungle, that is the global village, we need to equip ourselves with men and women who are of this modern world, in terms of their thinking and the way they operate. Were Ghana to be operating in a vacuum, our choice of leader would not matter so much. We all know that we are in direct competition with countries all over the world.
This year the Black Stars have shown us the way. They have brought us the kind of respect that Nkrumah brought us in the 60’s. They also did something that we should look at closely; they decided not to pick “old great players” like Abede Pele and Yeboah, who have served the Black Stars well, but unfortunately never made it to the World Cup in their day. Were this “queue” thinking to have been applied, they would have been included in the team, but the management, decided to bypass them and, select those who could do the job. Today we all bask in their glory.
AYE FE NOTSE
The age difference between the candidates in the NDC is not as wide as it is in the NPP, however from the statements of Dr. Spio-Garbrah, it is evident, that young, vibrant, up to date modern thinking is crucial for development. Historically, all change has come from someone challenging the status quo, fearlessly breaking away from established norms. Failing to do so, only guarantees more of the same, at best, or a deterioration of conditions at worst. We appeal to our elders to use their time gained wisdom to realise that they have had their time around the “hot seat.” It is now time for those who are sprightly, young and energetic, engaged in and understand modern trends and thinking, to take up the mantle. It is time for those who are up to the pace of developments in the modern world, just as our elders in the so called queue had their time, some years back. Those who missed the boat should just accept the fact gracefully. If our appeal falls on deaf ears, it should be incumbent on this generation to make sure that they do not miss their boat. The generation that follows ours, may not be so kind. If this happens, this generation will be denied their duty and opportunity to carry the burden of responsibility proudly, as it should.
HISTORICAL PICTURE
Here are some facts about queuing politically in Ghana. Nkrumah jumped the queue and beat Danquah to the post. In 1979, the UP tradition, selected Victor Owusu, who was next in line. He was beaten by Dr Limann, who incidentally was flown in from his duties as a Diplomat, jumping the CPP queue. Prof Atta-Mills jumped the NDC queue to become vice president and was deemed to be good enough by former president Rawlings, to follow in his footsteps. Prof Adu Boahen led the NPP for the 1992 election, but lost to the NDC. President Kufuor could not wait any longer and had to challenge Prof Adu Boahen and other NPP elders in 1996 and again in 2000 to lead the NPP to victory. In doing so, President Kufuor has proved to be the best and longest serving ruler the UP tradition has had. Where is the argument for long service and queue????
NATIONAL PICTURE
If those who look to the long service and queue system to be the only way, then let me put my list forward, as I see it. Former Vice President Atta-Mills has been waiting longest. Then in terms of service to the nation, Vice President Aliu Mahama would be next. After him, I don’t really care, because I would be too old for it to make any difference to my life.
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