“I WOULD HAVE KILLED NKRUMAH IF I HAD THE CHANCE”: NPP CHAIRMAN

Despite the deafening condemnation of the violent all-die-be-die mantra from Nana Akufo Addo, and the widespread call for a non-violent politics in the period leading to the 2012 elections key players of the NPP appear bent on not only perpetuating but also promoting a violent posture. Listeners to Voice of Africa Radio a Pan-African Radio Station in London were treated to a bizarre turn of events when the Chairman of the UK and Ireland branch of the NPP, Atta Akrofi who is a lawyer by profession, declared that he would have shot the first President of Ghana Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah if he had the chance to do so. The abhorrence of his statement attracted anger and repulsion from callers old and young.

The show dubbed People's Parliament which focused on the current debate over the non-occupancy of the Flag Staff House by President Mills turned into a listeners' revolt against Mr Akrofi to withdraw his statement. But things turned for the worse when he completely denied what he said ten minutes earlier. The station had no choice but to play the programme again. Mr Akrofi (or his ghost?), who also earlier expressed his frustration at the undying image of Dr Nkrumah was heard audibly saying “I would have shot Nkrumah myself if I had the chance”

As I listened to his u-turn, it was clear that the NPP chairman wanted to pull a fast one just as the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) did to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) a week ago, unbeknownst to him that the show was being recorded. He completely defied every single one of the numerous callers who asked him to withdraw the statement and apologise by saying “I did not say it”. Indeed, my jaw dropped in shock. But one thing was clear from the behaviour of the NPP chairman. It is the inherent tendency of the Dankwa-Busia politicians and their prodigies to, not only peddle violence and to lie, but also unleash these traits on well meaning others too.

It is needless to say here that violence and lies have no place in the politics of Africa. This is because, wherever this ugly twins rear their heads the repercussions on the inhabitants are uglier. Many are those who cite the effects of bad language on Somalia. But it is clear from the utterances of John Kumah, Nana Akomea, and now Atta Akrofi that however loud the voices of peace counsel, however stern the deterrents of violence are and however consistent the call against the politics of violence have been, the NPP has firmly set its eyes one thing: it is the notion that violence is a necessary means of achieving power and self aggrandisement. And as far that paradigm remains true with them, they will accept no other route.

As I type this piece, my computer suggested to me that instead of Akrofi, I should use the word atrophy. It is usual for me to ignore such suggestions. But not this time. Because the utterances of these personalities and their ilk in our politics point to a serious ideological impotence the nature of which is atrophic. For if violence could be so easily welcome by a political group in Gabby Otchere-Darko's flowery days of the 1960s whereby a legitimate President was terrorised with bombs and successfully overthrown, it is proper to recognise this and be forewarned. The NPP has never changed.

Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah remains the most powerful person the soil of Africa has ever produced. This view pervades all cultures and academia across the globe. It was therefore not surprising that the preparedness of Mr Atta Akrofi to shoot him if he had the opportunity attracted the most open rejection and nausea from the African community on this day. It is possible that he and the NPP will conform to norm and not attempt to unsettle the sensibilities of the African community here in London. But if history has taught me any relevant lesson, it is that of the intransigence of demagogues. Like Mussolini, their ways are superior and their rights supersede those of others. And on that basis no reason is potent enough to deter them from using any means, however violent, to attain and perpetuate their 'God-given right to power'.

Africa deserves the best in all of us. Not the best killers of its heroes.

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika.
By Kofi Adoli [email protected]