'Talk Is Cheap', NDC UK Ireland Youth Tells Nana Akufo-Addo

We have followed with amusement the latest foray of Nana Akufo Addo into the political space of Ghana. Unsurprising as his declaration to take another shot at his personal ambition to be 'coronated' as the President of Ghana is, we note the false basis upon which he wishes to do so.

Nana Addo proffers that the current challenges Ghana faces are as a result of the incapability of the National Democratic Congress government to deal with them. He also sought to create the impression that, the New Patriotic Party which he seeks to lead again, is or will be in a healthy state that makes it the preferred alternative to the NDC. These are clearly illusionary positions to launch from.

First of all we wish to make it clear to Nana Addo and his colleagues who control the NPP, that however hard it is for them to accept the NDC government being led by President Mahama, the country is in safe hands that are pursuing a deliberate transformation agenda with clarity of vision. As a lower middle income economy, our circumstance throws up challenges to which our government is deliberately facing up to. Withdrawal of subsidies and bold investment in energy infrastructure, for example, are necessary changes that require sacrifices on the part of all Ghanaians. To latch unto that as the basis upon which to seek office is not only shameless opportunism; it is unpatriotic.

We also observe that Nana Akufo Addo is in self-denial as far as the internal health and public credibility of the NPP are concerned. We are not oblivious of the fact that since Nana Addo first became the leader of his party, the composition of its executives and grassroots reflects a party which has a saturated aversion to diversity. The recent predictable attempt to 'cleanse' the NPP of Paul Afoko speaks to that fact. This increasing likeness of the NPP's following has resulted in a severe intolerance of Ghanaians who are culturally different. The situation has also institutionalised collusion amongst the controllers to steer the NPP in directions that reflect the whims of a few against the views of the broad masses.

It is needless to mention Kennedy Agyepong's recent accusation of corruption at the heart of the NPP's leadership and the subsequent lame response the party gave. If a fish would rot, it starts from the head. Nana Addo must resolve his leadership flaws before attempting to assess that of others.

As far as the standard of leadership is concerned, we call on Nana Akufo Addo to look to the NDC. It is the most capable in terms of economic management. Beyond that it is the party which represents Ghana most.

It is instructive therefore for Nana Addo to note that if mere eloquence was enough to lead a country, he would have become President since 2008. Talk is cheap; but substance is value. Ghana, our beloved country, is on course!

Kofi Adoli,
Organiser,
NDC UK Ireland Youth.