As this great party comes to the crossroads of electing a flag-bearer, we need a true leader who possesses the vision and the messianic zeal necessary to wrestle the political power from the confused and incompetent Atta-Mills-led government. As a dyed-in-the-wool young follower of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition, who believes in the ideologies and philosophies upon which the party stands, the tensions remain, but the mechanism to control them is in play.
Let us, first and foremost, not forget that, not only Nana Akufo-Addo, but ex-President John Agyekum Kufour, also lost his first presidential election. Most of us are already in agreement that, in comparison to any of the other contestants Akufo-Addo brings the right experience to lead the party for the 2012 presidential contest. Currently the most popular figure among the party's presidential aspirants. The last presidential elections firmly indicates that he is currently commanding over 49% mandate of the citizenry.
Ghana needs him! Nana is a natural-born politician, warm, physical, commanding, empathic, soulful, and tirelessly exuberant. He understands the enthusiastic crowd that gather around him as indicative as indicative of a strong need for him, as well as being thankful for his candidacy. And, rather than someone who represents a mere flower bouquet to be placed on a high political pedestal. Sophisticated Ghanaians are now looking for a candidate who can actually deliver, based upon his political accomplishments. An intellectual eloquent, speaking two international languages (English and French) fluently, he will not kowtow to unfavourable international business transactions with our country. He is a politician who cares enough to know the pressures the people are facing, and with definite ideas on what could be done in order to ease them.
A distinguished statesman who can enhance freedom and human dignity, Nana Addo is a political erudite who will present a substantial threat to the incumbent. Our rivals’ (NDC’s) extreme inchoate nihilism about Nana Addo clearly describes him as an accomplished political stalwart, too hot to be handled. NPP needs a courageous candidate who is both cautious as well as pragmatic, politically, one who truly believes in the righteousness of his cause. It is the cause that is important, not the individual. Individuals are vessels for enlightenment and for God’s will. All this sounds familiar to anyone who is engaged in closely watching Akufo-Addo. The fear of men like him is not merely ideological, it’s rather psychological, emotional and sometimes personal. Such intensity of feeling can make for some pretty wanton verbal attacks.
Some have mischaracterized Akufo-Addo, personally, ascribing to him traits he just does not possess. His commitment and loyalty to the party, however, is par excellence! He has demonstrated a great sense of political maturity and dynamism, in victory, as well as failure in Ghanaian politics. Not only one of the masterminds, he was instrumental in the development of the electoral college; which has inevitably led the grassroots into the comprehensive and sensitive decision making of our party.
He was the General Secretary of People's Movement for Freedom and Justice (PMFJ) in 30 years back, contributed immensely through the campaign for a No vote in the referendum on the ill-fated UNIGOV proposal of Acheampong military junta. Nana Addo, in 20 year ago, also initiated the Ghana Committee on Human and Peoples Rights, which was set up during the PNDC military dictatiorship to protect the civil liberties. History inevitably shows that he has played a key role in the liberation of our dear country from the despotic rule of ex Flight Lieutenant J.J. Rawlings. He was at the forefront of the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) "KUME PREKO" and "SIEME PREKO" demonstrations in 1995, and other moral crusades, all of which also gave birth to our present globally-recognised and respected democracy. In 2002, in his wisdom and intellectual conviction came the National Reconciliation Act (Act 611). Which has significantly healed the wounds of victims of human abuses in Ghana. His profound patriotism to our nation is overwhelming. Certainly, across the length and breadth of the country, Nana Akufo-Addo has spent a great deal of his time campaigning and championing the rule of law, and all that that implies. We absolutely need someone with sufficient personal integrity, and who is broadminded enough politically, religiously and socially, to manage the affairs of the country. What is better than an intellectual eloquent having two international languages (English and French) to credit. He will not kowtow to unfavourable international business conditions.
His innovative vision dubbed "BIG" (Believe in Ghana), clearly states his government's desire to open up opportunities to people who "work hard and play by the rules".
Nana Addo sees the presidency as a cause, not a career. The chronicle of his innumerable achievement has prepared him for the highest seat in the country. Ultimately, however, NPP members need to live within the spirit of the party’s constitution and principles. Factionalism and wrangling will eventually mar the image of the party. Nakedly demonstrating political deceit will do more harm than good. Indeed, it can come back to hunt us. "Purity" and "Common Good" should be our watch words. We can credit to the media the fact that the average Ghanaian is now politically able to discern and follow most political proceedings as they unfold. We can further credit even our youth, many of who are now beyond the lower levels of political joking. Even they are aware that we must now focus upon addressing our vital national issues, and not upon the nonsense surrounding "the (mere) physical appearance" of our candidates.
And, if we are unable to make these minor adjustments, then perhaps we should forget the whole thing!
Jerry Amponsah (Sabbato).
New York, U.S.A.
As this great party comes to the crossroads of electing a flag-bearer, we need a true leader who possesses the vision and the messianic zeal necessary to wrestle the political power from the confused and incompetent Atta-Mills-led government. As a dyed-in-the-wool young follower of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition, who believes in the ideologies and philosophies upon which the party stands, the tensions remain, but the mechanism to control them is in play.
Let us, first and foremost, not forget that, not only Nana Akufo-Addo, but ex-President John Agyekum Kufour, also lost his first presidential election. Most of us are already in agreement that, in comparison to any of the other contestants Akufo-Addo brings the right experience to lead the party for the 2012 presidential contest. Currently the most popular figure among the party's presidential aspirants. The last presidential elections firmly indicates that he is currently commanding over 49% mandate of the citizenry.
Ghana needs him! Nana is a natural-born politician, warm, physical, commanding, empathic, soulful, and tirelessly exuberant. He understands the enthusiastic crowd that gather around him as indicative as indicative of a strong need for him, as well as being thankful for his candidacy. And, rather than someone who represents a mere flower bouquet to be placed on a high political pedestal. Sophisticated Ghanaians are now looking for a candidate who can actually deliver, based upon his political accomplishments. An intellectual eloquent, speaking two international languages (English and French) fluently, he will not kowtow to unfavourable international business transactions with our country. He is a politician who cares enough to know the pressures the people are facing, and with definite ideas on what could be done in order to ease them.
A distinguished statesman who can enhance freedom and human dignity, Nana Addo is a political erudite who will present a substantial threat to the incumbent. Our rivals’ (NDC’s) extreme inchoate nihilism about Nana Addo clearly describes him as an accomplished political stalwart, too hot to be handled. NPP needs a courageous candidate who is both cautious as well as pragmatic, politically, one who truly believes in the righteousness of his cause. It is the cause that is important, not the individual. Individuals are vessels for enlightenment and for God’s will. All this sounds familiar to anyone who is engaged in closely watching Akufo-Addo. The fear of men like him is not merely ideological, it’s rather psychological, emotional and sometimes personal. Such intensity of feeling can make for some pretty wanton verbal attacks.
Some have mischaracterized Akufo-Addo, personally, ascribing to him traits he just does not possess. His commitment and loyalty to the party, however, is par excellence! He has demonstrated a great sense of political maturity and dynamism, in victory, as well as failure in Ghanaian politics. Not only one of the masterminds, he was instrumental in the development of the electoral college; which has inevitably led the grassroots into the comprehensive and sensitive decision making of our party.
He was the General Secretary of People's Movement for Freedom and Justice (PMFJ) in 30 years back, contributed immensely through the campaign for a No vote in the referendum on the ill-fated UNIGOV proposal of Acheampong military junta. Nana Addo, in 20 year ago, also initiated the Ghana Committee on Human and Peoples Rights, which was set up during the PNDC military dictatiorship to protect the civil liberties. History inevitably shows that he has played a key role in the liberation of our dear country from the despotic rule of ex Flight Lieutenant J.J. Rawlings. He was at the forefront of the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) "KUME PREKO" and "SIEME PREKO" demonstrations in 1995, and other moral crusades, all of which also gave birth to our present globally-recognised and respected democracy. In 2002, in his wisdom and intellectual conviction came the National Reconciliation Act (Act 611). Which has significantly healed the wounds of victims of human abuses in Ghana. His profound patriotism to our nation is overwhelming. Certainly, across the length and breadth of the country, Nana Akufo-Addo has spent a great deal of his time campaigning and championing the rule of law, and all that that implies. We absolutely need someone with sufficient personal integrity, and who is broadminded enough politically, religiously and socially, to manage the affairs of the country. What is better than an intellectual eloquent having two international languages (English and French) to credit. He will not kowtow to unfavourable international business conditions.
His innovative vision dubbed "BIG" (Believe in Ghana), clearly states his government's desire to open up opportunities to people who "work hard and play by the rules".
Nana Addo sees the presidency as a cause, not a career. The chronicle of his innumerable achievement has prepared him for the highest seat in the country. Ultimately, however, NPP members need to live within the spirit of the party’s constitution and principles. Factionalism and wrangling will eventually mar the image of the party. Nakedly demonstrating political deceit will do more harm than good. Indeed, it can come back to hunt us. "Purity" and "Common Good" should be our watch words. We can credit to the media the fact that the average Ghanaian is now politically able to discern and follow most political proceedings as they unfold. We can further credit even our youth, many of who are now beyond the lower levels of political joking. Even they are aware that we must now focus upon addressing our vital national issues, and not upon the nonsense surrounding "the (mere) physical appearance" of our candidates.
And, if we are unable to make these minor adjustments, then perhaps we should forget the whole thing!
Jerry Amponsah (Sabbato).
New York, U.S.A.
