The Emergence of a New Leader

By Bishop George Ofori-Nyadu

The Presiding Bishop of All Nations International Church, Grand Prairie

Texas, USA

Leadership is the greatest need of the hour. Many viewed it as a major key yet relatively unexplored. This article identifies and examines potential factors explaining the fact that, new leaders are emerging from our dear nation Ghana. The NPP’S 2012 Presidential Candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo together with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and the Party’s National Chairman Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey are in court challenging the validity of the election results as declared by the country’s electoral commission after the December 7 and 8 general elections.

The Supreme Court election case has produced one thing, the emergence of another brilliant politician Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. I had the privileged of meeting him personally for the first time in Arlington Texas in the US. I was impressed by his humility and his level of intelligence. Ghana is currently at a crossroad. It is now at the centre of electoral dispute. The Supreme Court Judges are striving to find a solution through which the great country in the continent of Africa would be able to play a role at the forefront of the world stage.

A new generation of leaders has to be considered, who are capable of facing up to a number of challenges such as fragmentation of the country, health related issues, promotion of democracy and human rights and the implementation of new conditions for peace and freedom, the passion for sustainable development. The ways in which these various challenges are addressed are crucial.

There are so many questions that run through my mind when I ponder about the political ambition of Dr. Bawumia. Can he break through the NPP Traditional and become the flag bearer of the party or he will be asked to exercise patience and wait for his turn? It seems the NPP has a very strong political tradition. Can he breakthrough those challenges? I remember former President Kuffour had to wait when Professor Adu Boahene was the flag bearer; Nana Akuffo Addoh had to wait when former President Kuffour was the flag bearer. Mr. Allan Kyeremanteng had to also wait when Nana Akuffo Addo was the flag bearer. Will Dr Bawumia also be asked to wait for his turn? It is a fact that Dr.

Bawumia has advertised himself during the cross-examination by the lawyer of the first respondent. I personally see him as a new face of the party. Many people including myself admire his intelligence and the manner he comport himself. Can he be in the position to lead the party in the event that Nana Addo decides to hang his political boots and become a statesman? Is Dr Bawumia the obvious choice for the party?

On Tuesday April 23, 2013, Tony Lithur, Lawyer for President Mahama at the ongoing hearing of 2012 election petition at the Supreme Court sought to oppose the NPP’S 2012 Vice presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s claims of irregularities by relying on the comments he said were made by Mr. Agyarko during the polls. Tony Lithur told the court that Mr. Agyako had mentioned that the election was fair, a position which contradicts the party’s current position that the election results was riddled with irregularities.

The final verdict of the Supreme Court is what every interested citizen is waiting for. The question therefore is who is going to win this historic case? I believe it is too early to make any prediction. I applaud the Supreme Court for the great work they are doing and I also applaud President Mahamah and Nana Akuffo Addo for their love for our dear nation Ghana for respecting the laws of the land for restraining their supporters against violence. May God bless our nation and the people of Ghana both home and abroad.

By Bishop George Ofori-Nyadu

gon031162@yahoo.com