It’s Alright to Pop a Coil

Is it plain cowardice? Political burnout? An ominous symptom of an incapacitating fatigue? Is it a manifestation of a collective mindset of timidity, or perhaps a terrifying streak of indecision? Whatever it is, I am perturbed by the shocking display of paralysis by the NPP and the other opposition political parties in articulating a tangible political alternative that inspires, motivates and gives opportunity to the majority of Ghanaians -- an alternative that forcefully speaks to the aspirations of millions of Ghanaians while exposing NDC’s political amateurism and the cruel reality of the politics bereft of intellectual heft.

I cannot bring myself to understand how a seasoned political party claimed to be populated with intellectual firepower, legal luminaries, reputable technocrats and men and women of noble qualities and excellence-- the very crème de la crème of Ghana’s best-- can be dodged by this uncertain hesitation to mount up a credible challenge against the current marauding pursuit of wanton dishonesty; the sort that is hell-bent on making Ghana a hostage of disastrous political adventurism and unbridled opportunism.

While the ever blundering, bumbling black-palm experimenter and his stuck-in-the-past brigade dramatize their gross incompetence on the national stage, the NPP, like a bunch of hibernating bears, seem to be possessed by a stubborn demon of slumber. In this self-imposed comatose suspense, the main opposition party is displaying classical signs of fatigue. The NPP can not, must not and should not fail to thrive particularly at a critical moment when Ghanaians are searching for a way out of the prevailing hopelessness.


As the NDC obtusely prances around hogging the limelight, and continues to ceaselessly sprout ignorance and superficiality, The NPP appears to have settled for the quintessential Ghanaian Kumbaya solace, from where they seem to view their impotent restraint as a dignified alternative to the NDC’s penchant for making unsubstantiated sweeping claims and wild accusations about every thing under the heaven.

The recent mess of the district assembly elections served by the Electoral commission (EC) is an example in context. Instead of the NPP demanding strongly that the EC keeps to the reasonably well-developed pattern they have practised over the years, the party said little to nothing about the fiasco. This lackadaisical defence of what is essentially a fundamental part of our democratic order says a lot about the misplaced priorities of the NPP. To me if the opposition is not able to mobilise and fight for what is right and proper at the local level then, their capacity to muster a bigger courage to do so at the national level is suspect.
The ruling party is clearly taking notes of these glaring weaknesses of the NPP and come 2012 they will very well know how to take advantage of these blunders and mount a political campaign that the NPP won’t be in a position to match.
It is plain and clear that without a well-defined strategy that enables the NPP brand to continuously project and position a unique political proposition in the minds and hearts of Ghanaians, the party should forget about winning the 2012 general elections. The NPP must disabuse their collective mind of the false view that the Mills regime amounts to a mere cheerleading interlude, a prelude, to the main expectations of Ghanaians -- NPP’s glorious victory in 2012.

It is my firm belief that the NPP can not dislodge the NDC in 2012 without an attack strategy. The party requires a sacred commitment to implementing a competitive strategy as a tool to capturing the largest share of minds, hearts and the electoral market. An encirclement attack or a flanking strategy which ensures that every segment of the electoral map is rigorously fought for is the trick. Intermittent press conferences and occasional speeches here and there will not do it. The mission must be “No territory should be left behind”.

Our political culture can only thrive through the injection of a strong dose of sanity in the form of strategic pursuits that captures the imagination of most Ghanaians. The opposition should be careful not to allow itself to be reduced to something that merely exists to react to the nauseating empty rhetoric emanating from the other corner.
To the NPP family and to Nana Akuffo Addo in particular, take the initiative. Let your forceful voice of reason sound across the land.

Ghana deserves better.

Ghana In Limbo

So the NDC has managed to turn the summer of Ghana's emergence into a freezing winter of bewilderment and disillusionment just within a matter of months after Ghanaians entrusted the affairs of the state into their hands!
Like the arrival of an ominous dark cloud, Ghana is being engulfed by the agenda of a few disgruntled men bent on returning us to the past and in the process all our flickering lights of hope are being switched off and our dreams and aspirations are being assaulted. One by one I see them go.
We are being pulled gradually into an abyss of fear, despair and chaos.
The horizon looks bleak. The shrieks of catastrophe so sharp. I hear the murmurs of hopelessness. I feel the cold presence of doom in this belly of painful struggle as in the day when anguish takes control and the power to flee fails .
In the midst of this unfolding drama of national turmoil, the captain of the ship is missing in action. Ghana sits like a defenceless and rudderless ship on the high seas. And, mind you, this is just the beginning of the long journey. Is it fate playing a cruel prank on us? No. Certainly not. Is it merely a passing dream just unfolding before our eyes? How I wish!
Whilst Atta Mills continues to hibernate in this winter of incompetence and dysfunction, the hatred-driven disciples of the Generalissimo are beginning to fill the leadership vacuum with the repulsive stench of wanton abuse, thuggish intimidation and savage lawlessness.
Today, our economy continues to tumble, our currency is in a state of free fall. Inflation is on the ascendancy but there is neither desire nor ability to arrest the economic deterioration.
The focus is elsewhere. Settling of scores and plotting means for vengeance are the overriding priorities. In their zeal to silence, humiliate and dehumanize their opponents, they are oblivious to the fact that when they dehumanize others they themselves become dehumanized.
Like Pontious Pilate, Atta Mills has decided to wash his hands concerning Kuffour and the NPP and released them into the hands of those wanting their pound of flesh.
By failing to speak out against the gathering momentum of abuse, Atta Mills is making himself irrelevant to the cause of millions of Ghanaians who are waiting on him to do what is right, just and commendable.
Mr President take responsibility for what is happening in Ghana. Put your foot down and allow the rule of law to prevail. Or is it a matter of you not being really in charge of Ghana?

The War has Been Won Now The Battle Begins

I knew the bittersweet day will come.
It always does in the game of politics.
The eventful winning of an election as euphoric as it may appear is always essentially just the layer of sugar that coats the bitter pill of meeting the complex needs of a developing society like ours. The actual victory is the ability to survive the traps and snakes, the turns and twists, the ups and downs and of course meeting some of the unrealistic expectations of the population vis-a-vis the competing demands of one's political mates.
Atta Mills victory in the recent presidential election is really nothing more than a poisoned chalice. From the onset it was predicted that his victory will awaken the pack of hungry wolves in his own political camp who if not expertly managed could hold him hostage for their selfish pursuits. Now we hear the menacing growls of the mischievous power brokers baying for his blood for not allowing them to have their share of the captured prey: the plum positions of government as well as positions of power and graft in state institutions.
Methinks the intended target(s) of the recent innuendo-laden remarks by Atta Mills at the Castle is now crystal clear to Ghanaians: Generalissimo and his gang.
Atta Mills' greatest battle is not the one he fought with Nana Akuffo-Addo and the NPP for the presidential crown. His most pyrrhic battle is yet to unfold and it is against the very people in his political camp who are sharpening the knives for a fight.
The Generalissimo must rule, you know!
As for the NPP, they are still shell-shocked by the defeat in the elections and they are evidently not in the mood for any spurring matches with the current administration for the time being. Will the impending showdown do the damage for them?
I believe a fiery persecution of the officials of the past administration is about to begin in earnest pretty soon. I expect Atta Mills to respond to the pressure coming from the Generalissimo and his gang by acting macho on the NPP. After all, when the Generalissimo thundered that all officials of the past government in the metropolitan centres, municipalities and districts should be sacked his wishes were granted pronto. According to the Generalissimo the NDC as a party won the presidency and not Atta Mills as an individual consequently the NDC must rule and not Atta Mills.
Poor John Atta Mills, let us wait and see what stuff he is made of.
One thing though. He really needs the support of all Ghanaians.