I Am For Occupy

The recent announcement on social media by ace broadcaster Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and George Andah, an accomplished marketer to run for Parliament on the ticket of the main opposition party NPP has set tongues wagging. Ghanaians have taken the decision with mixed reaction and various theories are been propounded on social media and on our airwaves by social commentators.

Ghanaians are discussing this matter because of the personalities involved and their actions in recent times. Mr. George Andah, a key member of OccupyGhana, a middle class non political anti corruption pressure group which has been battling the government on issues of accountability and raising pertinent issues on how government is running this nation and Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, an accomplished broadcaster whose days as a radio presenter was characterised by accusations of bias by the two main political parties in Ghana. The NPP and NDC have at different times in the past accused him of doing the bidding of one party or the other depending on the issues under discussion.

For Mr. George Andah, some sympathisers of the NDC see him as a hypocrite and an opportunist who wants to ride on the back of OccupyGhana to do his political bidding. Most Ghanaians have also expressed mixed feelings about Kojo Oppong Nkrumah’s move, whiles some see him as a fine gentleman who should not dabble in politics considered to be “dirty” by a section of Ghanaians, others have welcomed his move and praised him for coming out with that bold decision to help salvage this nation from its current state.

His own statement on social media suggests that he has chosen to represent the people of Ofoase Ayirebi in order to help restore hope in the system. I am sure some sympathisers of the NDC would have wished he contested on their ticket but the luck felled on the NPP and some of their supporters are making a huge capital out of it.

Already these two gentlemen are facing stiff opposition from some members of their own party. Some leading members of the NPP are not happy because they claim these gentlemen want to reap where they have not sown. They alleged that the gentlemen in question do not qualify as far as the constitution of their party is concern. For me as a Ghanaian that is less of my worries because I know at the end of the day the issues surrounding their candidature would be resolved.

I have followed our democratic journey since its inception in 1992 and I can emphatically say that these gentlemen and others like them with good intention may not succeed in Parliament. Let’s ask ourselves these critical questions and see whether these guys can pass the test. Our Parliament operates on the whip system where the majority and minority most often whip their members to tow a particularly line whenever a decision is to be taken about this nation, how many of these gentlemen would stand up for Ghana in situations like this?

We have had candidates like Dr. Papa Kwesi Ndoum and Samia Nkrumah who went to Parliament as members of a minority party with the aim of been independent and fighting for Ghana instead of parties, these politicians at the end of the day had to join the minority or majority because our Parliament does not have a place for such people, it is either you belong to the majority or the minority, in situations like this, how can an independent minded politician contribute to the development of this nation?

We have had instance where members of political parties have expressed dissent about the activities of their own political parties, Dr. Charles Wereko Brobbey, Dr. Arthur Kennedy, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, Dr. Tony Aidoo, President Jerry John Rawlings and Hon. Alban Bagbin have in the past shown these traits. What changed? They were rather maligned and insulted by foot soldiers and other leading members of their parties. Are the likes of Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and George Andah prepared to take this path? Do they have the DGS (Dead Goat Syndrome) to withstand some of these criticisms when they disagree with their party? How can they change the face of our politics when the status quo still remains? These are critical questions that we need to ask these gentlemen and other credible men and women who are interested in shaping the destiny of this nation through Parliament.

I have followed the activities of OccupyGhana for some time and I must say I am very impressed with the calibre of professionals in that group. I would have loved to have the likes of Lawyer Ace Ankomah, Franklin Cudjoe and the others to also aspire for political leadership in order for us to know whether they can walk their talk. This country needs the best of its human resources to govern and not any tom, dick and harry who assumes the reins of power because of his popularity or attractiveness of his party in his constituency.

I am of the opinion that the era of try and error should be a thing of the past. Ghanaians should support politicians who have the track record to deliver and stop voting on partisanship, sloganeering and tribe. Dr. Papa Kwesi Ndoum for me is a fine material for the Presidency, of all the Presidential candidates who stood for election in 2012, he was the most qualified in terms of his success as a businessman in the private sector, this is an accomplished entrepreneur whose businesses are employing Ghanaians and putting food on their table, how many of us voted for him when he stood for the Presidential elections the last time?

The time for us as Ghanaians to look beyond partisanship is now; our politicians have failed us since 1992, if the middle class and people with impeccable track record in the private sector would want to step in and help us why not? I am for OccupyGhana, OccupyParliament and if possible Occupyflagstaff house.

Mustapha Jimah
[email protected]
Department of Communication and Media Studies

University of Education, Winneba
Winneba