Cut The Fuss!

Several studies by psychologists and other social scientists confirm that fear has the potential of breeding "persuasion". That is to say, "persuasion" is a function of fear. Following this, there is no contention about the fact that fear in one party can push it into persuading another to bow out of a significant contest, such as the grand congress of a political party. Based on this, it can be said safely that the brouhaha emanating from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) admonishing Mr Alan Kyerematen (AK) to bow out of the party's congress on 18th October 2014 for Nana Akufo-Addo (NAA) to be unopposed is a function of fear.

That, I find really strange, given that NAA has stated emphatically that he is ready to compete with the delegates; and that, to me, is commendable. According to the connoisseurs, there is the need for the recognition of the critical role competition plays in facilitating the progress of organisations. Where there is competition, people tend to behave in a way consistent with the norms and principles of organisations, as those who behave differently live to regret it. Thus, it brings out the best in people regardless of the position at stake.

This proves that it could play a vital role in generating the needed growth of political parties, so crucial to the practice of democracy, as exemplified in some developed nations. And for a party like the NPP, getting the best from it will not be inappropriate to ask for, since that will contribute immensely in deepening our democratic well. Therefore, it is pitiful as much as astounding that, in recent times, it is impossible for us to experience sunset in Ghana, without reading or hearing something about AK, regarding the unacceptable need for him to bow out. I have always thought that the most appropriate thing to do is for one to be allowed to take his/her own decisions. But the recent happenings in the party have convinced me that I was swimming in an ocean of illusion. And what a time to have such a rude awakening!

Unfortunately, however, it appears those NPP members are oblivious of the fact that AK's exit will have serious implications on Bugri Naabu's accusations. Are those accusations true? Is he doing that with a cynical objective of creating confusion in the party? Is he fabricating them to gain popularity? How can the truth be ascertained? Well, AK should be allowed to contest; if he loses, he accepts it and moves on. It is not as if that will be the first time he will taste defeat.

This apparent fear is unsparingly perplexing. In the wake of a penultimate election, there is the proclivity for the defeated party to be scared of losing again in the final and more important one. So the most natural way of thinking about this is that AK and his sympathisers should be scared of losing again. In other words, AK and his sympathisers should rather be persuading NAA to bow out of the election. So why isn't that happening? Why is it the opposite that is happening? Why the fuss about AK competing in the congress? NAA's unparalleled level of popularity and competence has been mentioned in dispatches by his sympathisers over the years. So if indeed, they believe in his level of popularity and competence, then that is not what they should be doing. Rather, they ought to support and encourage all the people who have agreed to contest in the grand congress. And by virtue of the crucial role one's level of popularity and competence plays, among other things, in elections, NAA is likely to emerge victorious. Or is his level of popularity and competence now in doubt?

Then also, such an unbelievably pessimistic tendency from a section of the members of the NPP should be voraciously condemned. The quantum of persuasion required to influence an individual to rescind his/her decision of contesting in a considerably significant election is debatable, but it is worth noting that if it becomes a daily ritual and spreads through the media landscape like a trail of gunpowder, it creates the impression that one contender anticipates defeat. Simply put, some members of the party feel NAA is likely to be defeated in the grand congress by AK. Such a risible feeling contrasts the "colour" of the party. The days of the Adu-Boahens! The days of the Kufuors! Of course, one can argue that this is not the first time there have been persuasive calls for an individual to bow out of such a contest in the party, but it is clear that the current one has been done in an untrammelled manner - unprecedented in the history of the party.

Again, that is inexcusably inconsistent with The Man - NAA. One remarkable aspect of his political capillarity is his obdurate pugnacity. It is admirable and even worthy of emulation, the high level of courage and resilience he has exhibited over the years in our political hacienda. And the days some men "turned into women" in the country, he was one of the few who left no stone unturned in making their presence felt. His name could be said to be the number one on the list of the most courageous men those days. That has earned him a place in the pantheon of fearless men in our political history. So why are some members of the NPP acting as if they are scared? Should the sympathisers of a fearless man who masterminded a grandiose and formidable resistance against the high rate of VAT in Ghana in the 1990s be entertaining fear of failure as they prepare for the congress?

Finally, some of us believe in equality and demand that all the delegates are given the chance to vie for the "ticket". In other words, all the calls admonishing AK (and the others) to quit for NAA to be the automatic choice must cease. That, I believe, will settle the dust on Bugri Naabu's downright obnoxious and sporadic outbursts. Moreover, that is the only way the members of the NPP can prove me wrong; and that, I look forward to. But for now, I can only pray for the party and Ghana, my motherland. Time will definitely tell!

Kwabena Aboagye-Gyan
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