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For Akufo-Addo, wishes
should become horses to ride
By Dr. Michael J.K. Bokor
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Folks, it is interesting how people make resolutions at the
end of one year, even as they take a sneak peek into their
fate in the advancing year. And that fate can't be
determined by mere human dribs and drabs, although one's own
acts of commission or omission may play an important part in
the outcome. Circumstances and how one reacts to them matter
a lot.
But if one believes in predestination, then, there is little
the human being can do to change his or her destiny. As
Shakespeare puts it, some are born great, some achieve
greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.
Making resolutions is easy; doing what will help accomplish
them is the real task. Truly, a resolution is a wish, not a
reality to relish. It takes more than wishful thinking for
one to improve one's circumstance, no matter how
well-crafted the resolution may be.
That is why I have found it interesting to learn that the
NPP's Akufo-Addo has said that his ONLY resolution for 2016
is to become Ghana's President in 2016. The ONLY resolution
is to become Ghana's President in 2016? Nothing else? Scary
already!!
This man is so fixated on becoming Ghana's President at all
costs that he seizes every opportunity to attempt turning
his wishes into a horse to ride. His kind of desperation for
power is unprecedented in the annals of our country's
history. Why so?
He claims that "he has the solution to the country’s
troubled economy and lack of opportunity for the youth..."
According to him, winning the 2016 elections will give him
the chance to put the economy back on track for recovery.
(See
http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2015/December-27th/my-2016-resolution-is-to-be-president-akufo-addo.php#sthash.oK3IvCyy.dpuf).
MY COMMENTS
Very intriguing that he would make becoming Ghana's
President his main objective for 2016. I like the fact that
he is bent on tempting Fate again, even if that attempt
risks ending in smoke as did previous ones.
Claiming that "he has the solution to the country’s troubled
economy" is by, of, and in itself an annoying statement to
make. With his own background (getting a 3rd class in
Economics at the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1967) at
issue, what does he think he knows about the economy that
nobody else but he knows?
Such a self-righteous stance is vexing. Of course, he can
claim to have a cohort of "economists" to help him do the
job; but so far, no one in the NPP camp comes across as
such. All those with him are known for their part in the
Kufuor administration and why problems remained unsolved.
What is new from them this time?
The issue is that they are good at mounting rooftops and
making claims about the economy under President Mahama.
Commenting on the economy, basing their political rhetoric
on statistics, won't win them any goodwill from the
electorate for as long as they fail to give alternative
measures to solve problems. So far, nothing has come from
them for people to see what new things they have up their
sleeves. It's all about condemnation!!
For now, the only factor on which he is banking his hope is
the challenges facing the Mahama-led administration that
seem to create the impression that President Mahama is
incapable of solving the country's problems. Thus,
Akufo-Addo and his NPP see the anger, concerns, and
dissatisfaction among the people as a launching-pad from
where to ratchet up their political manouevres. True, the
people are not happy that major problems still exist to
negatively affect living standards.
In capitalizing on this atmosphere of seeming disaffection,
Akufo-Addo and his team are heavily invested in using
emotive language, intimidation, and the gushing out of vain
promises to attempt influencing the electorate. So early in
the electioneering campaign season, they have begun making
promises to restore allowances for trainee nurses and
teachers (Dr. Bawumia said so) and to abolish import duties
on raw materials (Akufo-Addo said so). We expect many more
from them.
Unfortunately for Akufo-Addo, nothing indicates that he is
adding value to his manner of politicking. All the factors
that prevented him from winning Elections 2008 and 2012
still exist, now compounded by happenings in the NPP that
raise questions about his leadership style or skills.
Under him, the NPP isn't stable. With the suspension of such
national administrators of the party as Paul Afoko, Kwabena
Agyepong, and Sammy Crabbe and local level organizers
(constituency chairmen, especially), the negative impression
that the NPP isn't stable or united enough to be given the
mandate to rule Ghana is strong. It is bare, not imagined.
The main issue arising from this internal fracas is whether
the electorate will be prepared to hand over the country to
a political front that is so unstable and fractured. The
question being asked is: If Akufo-Addo cannot manage the
affairs of the NPP, what guarantee is there that he can keep
Ghana together?
Of course, people know that despite the challenges rocking
the Mahama-led administration, it has succeeded in ensuring
national stability and security. As Vice President Amissah-Arthur
put it, "peace and stability cannot be guaranteed under an
NPP government" (See http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Peace-and-stability-not-guaranteed-under-NPP-Veep-403538).
Of course, the Vice President won't be expected to say
anything to improve the NPP's political fortunes; but what
he said reflects the general apprehensions of many who are
skeptical of Akufo-Addo's leadership style and are
questioning his acumen. The Vice President's concern rings
loud and will resonate with those apprehensive of
Akufo-Addo's kind of politics of intimidation, threats of
violence, political rhetoric provoking ethnocentrism, and
many negative others.
Beyond this level is the fact that all the political
rhetoric coming from Akufo-Addo and his team lacks substance
by way of specific policy imperatives. They are glibly
talking about problems and making promises without telling
the people how they will solve problems. Probably, they will
come out with specifics on the HOW aspect; but if what
happened before Elections 2008 and 2012 is anything to go by
in predicting the line of politics taken by Akufo-Addo,
little is expected from him on this HOW part. That is where
his credibility problem lies.
There are many other issues to consider, especially
regarding the influence of floating voters and how the lack
of substance in Akufo-Addo's politicking won't turn their
crank. Comments from some indicate that they don't see what
exactly he will be bringing to the table to make any
difference between what has happened so far and what is
expected to happen in efforts to move the country out of the
woods. In other words, pronouncements from Akufo-Addo aren't
meaty enough to persuade floating voters. And if such voters
turn away from him, his resolution to become Ghana's
President at the November 7 polls will explode in his face.
Certainly, then, making a resolution is easy; but doing what
will effectuate that resolution is the real burden facing
Akufo-Addo.
I shall return…
• E-mail: mjbokor@yahoo.com
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to continue the conversation
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