The Platitude of Akufo-Addo in the USA and Canada – A Rejoinder

Kofi A. Boateng, Chairman – NPP USA July 8, 2008

The voters of Ghana will decide on December 7, 2008 who they want to be Ghana’s next President regardless of what appears on Ghanaweb. Even if the Presidential election goes through a run-off, in the end one man, for they are all men contesting the highest office of the land, will be left standing. The only relevant question is: on what basis will the voters make their decisions? Does it not make sense that those seeking the favor of blackened thumbs get the opportunity to tell what, as the leader of a government that is so pervasive in the voters’ lives, plans to do? Mr. Kofi Poku does not think so. He penned the original article on July 7, 2008 on Ghanaweb with Akufo-Addo’s name misspelled as “The platitude of Akkufo-Addo in the USA and Canada, My Turn!”

As one of the principal hosts and planners of Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo’s trip to five cities in Canada and the USA from May 29, 2008 to June 9, 2008, I simply cannot let someone with a warped agenda and disregard for fair analysis diminish a very successful event. The word “platitude” implies boredom and dullness. By our count, some 3,100 people came out to see, hear and exchange ideas with Nana Akufo-Addo in Town Meetings, Hotels, Churches and other meeting places in Toronto, New York, Washington DC, Chicago and Los Angeles. Most of the readers of Ghanaweb have seen the photo reports and they evoke energy and excitement. Oh Mr. Poku, whoever is paying you should get their money back because they are not blind and can judge for themselves. The Ballrooms were packed from Toronto to New York and you call that dull? Look for other words at your next turn.

Wherever Nana Akufo-Addo went, he stated the purpose of his trip thus: “to introduce myself to the other Ghanaians living abroad”. He then went on to introduce those traveling with him who included Hon. Alan Kyerematen, Hon Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Hon. Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku and Dr. Kobina Arthur Kennedy, all of who contested against Nana Akufo-Addo for the NPP flag bearer ship. Mr Poku is bothered by the fact that this introduction and show of party unity would translate into indirect votes for the NPP Presidential Candidate as all those people who thronged to meet Nana in turn would direct their spheres of influence back home to vote NPP. In deed Mr. Poku calls this “blackmail”. Oh, Mr. Poku what do you do in political elections but direct everything you do to getting votes, directly and indirectly? Nothing stops Prof Mills, Dr. Nduom, Dr. Mahama and others from following Nana Akufo-Addo’s footsteps. In the absence of the implementation of the law that allows Ghanaians Living Abroad (GLAs) to vote in 2008(ROPAA), the next best thing is to get GLAs to influence others back home to turn their thumbs in your way. That is smart politics and not blackmail. It is certainly not a platitude. It is no secret that Prof Mills, John Mahama and Jerry Rawlings are planning their own round of visit to New York for a big bash. Dr. Nduom was doing his thing in the USA around the same time Nana Akufo-Addo was around. He was overshadowed but he was trying not to cede any indirect votes to Nana Akufo-Addo. All that is welcome and may the best man win as judged by the voters.

I shall not dwell on answering Mr Poku issue for issue. Suffice it to say that he heaps all the items needing solutions in Ghana- drugs, crime, justice and judicious management of the coming oil revenues and then does the unthinkable. He actually blames and criticizes Nana Akufo-Addo for proposing solutions when he becomes President of Ghana in January 2009. When was the last time a politician who seeks office was crucified for sharing a vision? Isn’t that what they are supposed to do? If Nana Akufo-Addo had said nothing but only danced the nights away, Mr. Poku and his like would have shouted “visionless”. Nana Akufo-Addo talks about justice for all; fighting the menace of drugs; improving the security of the country; creating an Office for Ghanaians in the Diaspora; ensuring that oil revenues go to develop the entire country; employing the best talent; accelerating infrastructural development; making Ghana the hub of West African commerce; shifting Ghana’s economy from raw materials to value added industrialization; securing the nation’s energy supplies etc, etc and you say what? Oh brother!

Email: kboateng@aaionline.org