Ask Salifu Ali
It was reported on all the major Ghanaian websites including Joyonline and
Ghanaweb that NPP’s 2012 flagbearer, Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo has dared his
critics to prove with empirical evidence that he had either tasted or sniffed
cocaine or shut up. The news which came like a bolt from the blue was not only
shocking but unexpected. Reason being that Akufo-Addo has been dogged with the
question of being a drug addict all his political life but he has never gathered
the moral and political courage to address this issue.
Therefore, when Akufo-Addo finally and partially addressed the drug issue by
daring his critics to prove their accusations, the media jumped on the story.
Who would not have done that after Akufo-Addo had kept mute over this issue for
so long much to the displeasure of his own party faithful. If you read through
the story and you are an Akufo-Addo supporter your heart will be gladdened that
this man has finally come out of his cocoon to bare his heart out. But if you on
the other side of the isle you will say, “wait a minute, it’s too little, too
late”, and a cosmetic way by Akufo-Addo to get this albatross off his neck.
But if you are also someone who looks beyond party lines and has Ghana at heart,
you will ask yourself why Akufo-Addo was ‘very crafty’ in mentioning only
cocaine but not the weed. To the best of my memory many Ghanaians including the
“Big Mouth” Kofi Wayo have variously accused Akufo-Addo of being a wee smoker in
addition to sniffing cocaine. Therefore, in an attempt to deny the allegations,
one wonders why Akufo-Addo will only deny ever sniffing cocaine and not also
deny smoking the weed.
This issue I bet is not going to go away. It has rather set the stage for people
to probe for more answers from Akufo-Addo. By not denying smoking the weed, does
it mean Akufo-Addo indeed smokes or had smoked the weed before? Or does
Akufo-Addo think the weed is the same as cocaine, therefore, denying one amounts
to denying both?
And the most bizarre question that has already started making rounds is why
Akufo-Addo chose to address the drug issue this week when many people in his own
party would have loved that he addressed the issue many years back. And some
school of thought want to know why Akufo-Addo did not hold a press conference to
address the issue so that the media can ask follow-up questions to finally put
the issue to rest.
Another thing that catches your attention after reading the Akufo-Addo story on
cocaine sniffing denial is why he is daring critics to prove with empirical
evidence. The word empirical means practical, experimental, observed or
pragmatic, therefore, to prove that Akufo-Addo indeed had either sniffed or
smoked the weed; an accuser has to come forward with real evidence such as a
photograph capturing Akufo-Addo in the act. And since Akufo-Addo knows that
there is no way anybody can come out with a picture of him sniffing cocaine that
may have been his reason of calling for empirical evidence. This is classy
lawyerly talk.
It was also reported that Akufo-Addo was fuming when he dared his critics to
prove their allegations. Na who cause am? Akufo-Addo has himself to blame. It
was not only yesterday that Akufo-Addo heard about these accusations. Even some
prominent members of NPP have quietly accused him of that act. So if Akufo-Addo
is indeed genuine about putting this issue to bed, he should have done it many,
many years ago and not wait until this week to address the issue. What
Akufo-Addo probably is not aware of is that the way he had grossly dodged the
issue have confirmed the fears of many Ghanaians especially the swing voters
that there may be an element of truth in the accusations that is why Akufo-Addo
has ran away from the issue all this while.
And to make matters worse Akufo-Addo addressed only one part of the accusations.
Was it deliberate or a calculated political move on his part? Was Akufo-Addo
thinking that no one will catch that he never mentioned the weed? In politics
when your back is against the wall, it is better to come out and admit a
mistake, apologize, ask for forgiveness and move on. But if you stonewall as
Akufo-Addo has done all these years, you hurt your political base and also the
swing voters who may hold sway over your political fortunes.
Those handling Akufo-Addo should do a masterful job by asking him to face the
media to address all issues relating to drugs once and for all. It is not
uncommon for some politicians to turn around from their youthful miscreant.
Former President George Bush who was known as an alcoholic was able to turn
around from his drinking habit to become the most prominent leader of the world.
Therefore, it is not too late for Akufo-Addo to do same. Sometimes, you become
strong after admitting a mistake and moving on. Stonewalling had never helped
anyone. If I were Akufo-Addo I will take a cue from what King David did by
admitting to plotting the killing of Uriah the Hittite after he had slept with
Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. King David became strong after he admitted his guilt to
the Prophet Nathan and asking God for forgiveness. A word to a wise………….
salifuali@rocketmail.com
