Time To Heal Or Be Dammed ?

Politics as they say, is the art of the possible. If so, then all believers of the NDC philosophy must find a way-and very quickly- out of the quagmire we find ourselves .

The objective here is not to find and apportion blame but to find and encourage all concerned to seek a lasting solution for what appears to be an intractable problem of disunity.

As things stand at present, there is a real threat to our fortunes come the 2012 elections unless and until we accept that our energies should be harnessed now else our opponents would take advantage of what is now an acrimonious campaign rhetoric and which is becoming more and more damaging to the well being of our party.

Regardless of what the issues are, we should be looking for the things that unite us rather those that divide us. How else can we maintain the momentum for our better Ghana agenda for the benefit of all ? By now, it must be clear to all- our leader, founder, council of elders, national and regional executives, as well as ordinary members of our umbrella family- that our political opponents are standing by, rubbing their hands in glee and waiting for us to damage each other, knowing very well that they can reap the benefits come the 2012 elections. Some will go as far as to say that they are working with elements in our mix with the sole aim of creating disunity amongst us for their benefit.

Any political strategist, worth his or her salt will tell you that one of the most effective tool for unseating your political opponents, is to create divisions amongst them, watch them damage each other and then use their own fighting words and ammunitions against them at the most crucial point.

In my humble view, it is not too late to start healing old wounds. Irrespective of what people say about democracy in our great party etc the decision to challenge our sitting leader and president for the flagbearership in 2012 is not a healthy one for the NDC. I am also certain in my mind, that majority of party members and even non partisan Ghanaians are uncomfortable with this development.

One can go as far as to say, that even if they believe in their cause-rather than being manipulated by infiltrators, both the founder and his determined spouse, will in their quiet moments, would wonder if they are doing the right thing. After all is one of their main complaints, not the fact that they believe Professor Mills has failed to deal with the perceived wrongs by the opposition whilst in government, which is at the root of the current problems ? if so, how can their actions be justified if it means giving the same opponents the opportunity of coming back to power again in 2012 ?

One may be politically naïve but I do not believe it is too late to bring all together, round a table in order to push hard for an acceptable compromise prior to the July congress. Not only would such an approach augur well for our party, but it would also help save our energies for the 2012 elections, thereby ensuring that the party is in a stronger position to bring the better Ghana agenda to fruition.

To achieve this laudable objective, all sides much approach this with an open mind. President Mills , am certain would be eager to listen to their grievances, ideas and expectations. The founder, his spouse and their supporters, should be prepared to acknowledge the fact that with hindsight, their criticisms could have been put across in a more sensitive manner and that at the end of the day, they will rather have the NDC in power rather than risk the slightest possibility of the NPP getting back to power by default.

Although one can appreciate the emotions currently at play, no one should ignore the real threat that this situation poses to the party in both the short and long run. When the founder in his judgement nominated Professor Mills to take over the mantle, many in the party questioned his judgement whilst others reacted by leaving the party . Today it is accepted that most of these brothers and sisters have returned back to give President Mills their full support for the better Ghana agenda.

With this in mind, it is ironic that the founder now finds himself in the opposite spectrum and making highly critical assertions against his own choice. Anyone who is fortunate enough to know both the founder and Professor Mills, would have no doubt about their sincerity, integrity and love for the truth and the well being of our dear party. For these reason alone, there is the hope and belief that it is not too late to turn the July congress into a celebration of unity rather than the beginning of bitter wrangling.

I would like at this stage to digress a bit and remind all members of our great party regardless of where their loyalties lie , to take a few moments to dwell on the following ancient story. There was once a dispute between two women . They both claimed to be the mother to a one surviving child. In their bid to resolve the issue, they both agreed to approach their wise chief for advice. Having given careful thought to what both had to say about their love for the child and why the child is theirs etc, he offered to have the child cut up into two so each can have half of the child. One of them was quiet happy with this solution whereas the other explained to the chief that she would rather give up the ownership of the child to the other rather than accept the solution proposed by the wise chief.

Unless a compromise can be found soon, there is a serious and real threat to the future survival of our dear party. A week is a long time in politics, if so it is not too late to find an acceptable solution, thereafter the NDC should be able to march towards victory in 2012 and a better Ghana at least until 2014.

A word to the wise is enough. May the good force be with the NDC and our dear Ghana.

Joe Gans-Lartey Former Vice and Acting Chairmam NDC UK and Ireland Chapter