Akufo-Addo Slated for Speaker

Barring any last minute change of mind by President Elect, John Dramani Mahama Ghana’s legislature will for the first time in its political history has a defeated opposition Presidential Candidate as leader for the sixth parliament under the fourth republic.

Information available to the The Al-Hajj indicates that even long before the December 7 election results were announced, President John Mahama was feverishly considering his fiercest political rival, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, defeated Presidential Candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party as Speaker of Parliament in the event that he (President Mahama) was elected President at the just ended polls.

A close source at seat of government, the Osu Castle told The Al-Hajj that President Mahama as part of well thought plans of following the foot prints of his predecessor, the late President John Atta Mills to be “father for all” and work towards an all-inclusive government devoid of the usual winner-takes-all style of leadership, the President had resolved to work with the opposition leader, especially considering his rich experience in the area of governance.

“President Mahama represents a new face for how politics is practice in this country…he is one person who does not believe in the winner takes all style of politicking…he does not see his political opponent as enemies and his choice of Nana Akufo-Addo as possible nominee for speaker is not a misplaced thought at all” the source noted

The late president John Mills under whom President Mahama served as vice president made a vow to among other things extend a hand of friendship to all to join the NDC on the path of unity and peaceful coexistence, even though they may differ in our political beliefs.

“…I believe that all Ghanaians would join me to elevate Ghanaian politics beyond pettiness and aim for something more sublime in the interest of Mother Ghana… Madam Speaker, all throughout my political campaign, I pledged to make a difference in the politics of Ghana, to depart from the vilification, backbiting, political mischief making and divisiveness which have bedeviled politics in this country” wise words of the late President Mills in his inaugural address of Ghana Parliament.

According to a close confidant of President Mahama, the country is polarized along NDC and NPP lines, therefore, the best any serious leader can do was to chart the path of the late Prof Mills in roping in some members of the opposition with valuable experience that needs to be tap into to help foster a united country for rapid development.

He said to walk the talk; President Mahama at a breakfast meeting some few weeks ago noted that “As president I lead the government and the nation. In the long term, inclusive governance must address the moderation and reform of the winner takes all system of Ghanaians’ government”

However, considering current happenings on the political landscape after the election, with the opposition leader failing to concede defeat and threatening to challenge the results at the Supreme Court, a close at the President who spoke to The Al-Hajj doubts if President Mahama will still hold onto his earlier thought.

“it would have been more than proper and nice to have the President nominate Nana Akufo-Addo as the leader of the legislature…that will even deepen our democracy and will make it a model not just for other African countries but the world as a whole…but the current posturing of Nana Addo makes me wonder if His Excellency will make such bold pronouncement” the source noted

Following this development, a political watcher who spoke to the The Al-Hajj wonders if the defeated Presidential Candidate will also be willing to accept an appointment from the President, especially when over the years “politicians have viewed their opponents as enemies”

“Even among the NPP itself, should Nana Akufo-Addo accept such an offer, they will accuse him of betrayal of trust…for President Mahama, I don’t think in light of what the opposition leader have been engaged in since the results was announce, he will still be considering him for such a sensitive position,” the political minded brain explained

Even before the last session of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana comes to an end, speculations are rife about who fills the position of the third most important office in the land if it becomes vacant.

Current first deputy speaker of parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, former first deputy speaker of parliament, Ken Dzirasah and former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Obed Asamoah are names that have been speculated to be on the list of the president for nomination.

Speculation of these names perhaps confirms indications that the current speaker, Joyce Banford Addo could retire when the current parliament ends sittings at midnight on January 6 2013.