The Loyal Npp Member; A 10-point Narrative

At about 4pm inside the Sunyani Coronation Park on the afternoon of Saturday,19^th December,2015,my phones started buzzing, non-stop, when Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo mentioned me as one of his campaign Aides for election-2016, when he announced his team to prosecute AGENDA-2016 which is intended to BRING BACK HOPE and RESTORING THE DIGNITY AND PRIDE OF GOOD AND HARD-WORKING PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY, who have been reduced to socio-economic paupers by the crass ineptitude of current President John Dramani Mahama -led NDC government.

Instantaneous outpouring of love
The atmosphere in the stadium [Sunyani Coronation Park] was simply electric and I simply couldn't hear what those calling me were actually saying. The calls persisted to the point where my phones virtually froze. This made it impossible for me to either receive calls or even write on my Facebook page to appreciate the deluge of goodwill messages.

Again, my Facebook page is set in such a way that others cannot post messages. So what they did was to flood their respective Facebook pages with varied messages of congratulations, well-wishes, goodwill, prayers and advice; and I have taken my time to read every single message sent to me on Facebook, whatsApp, messenger, twitter, Skype and texts, and responded to them appropriately.

The level of outpouring of goodwill messages has unquestionably been exceedingly overwhelming; and this,indeed,has taught me one simple lesson about the NPP tradition; BE GENUINELY DEDICATED AND SINCERELY LOYAL TO THE COURSE OF THE PARTY,AND THE PEOPLE WILL MASSIVELY REWARD YOU,WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.

I have simply been awesomely HUMBLED by the deluge of expressions of joy, commendations and acceptance of my appointment to the position of an AIDE TO THE FLAGBEARER, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for campaign-2016,by the generality of our party supporters, and I promise never to disappoint in my new role and responsibilities assigned thereof.

My eternal gratuitously gratuitous gratitude goes to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for this rare opportunity and one-in-a-million faith in me.What I can say is that, I pray for God's wisdom, strength, unity and sense of dedication for the campaign team, to enable us focus on the task ahead.

A week after Sunyani
After Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has officially gave me the responsibility of an Aide during his speech at the NPP extraordinary conference in Sunyani,the deluge of congratulatory messages, goodwill, encouragements and advice continue to pour in. It really has been a humbling experience and I’m much grateful. I have been taking it cool at home, since then.

Humbling recognition
Now, I had run out of groceries so I went to the Accra Shopping Mall on the morning of 26^th December,2015 to get some stuff on the ; and while I walked down the various sections of inside the mall picking items, people kept walking up to me and asked "please, are you Mr. Newton". Others who were certain of my identity, simply shouted my name.

They were all happy to see me, personally, for the very first time, after following me on social media for ages. Others, who are clearly NPP sympathizers, congratulated me on my new task, and as usual, offered me words of encouragements and advise.

As a matter of fact, the quantum of groceries I had picked, was actually paid for by two female students of University of Professional Studies [UPS], whom I haven't personally met before but have followed me on Facebook since they were in High School.

A 10-point narrative
Now, this level of exhibition of love towards me, is a clear testament to the fact that, indeed, hardwork comes with results, and also, humility opens doors for you in peoples' hearts. The way I have been treated by people I had never met before my appointment, has indeed been a humbling experience.

This has taught me very useful lessons in life and what I would like to tell my fellow NPP loyalists is that;

1. Never be a pawn in the hands of any senior member of the party, to fight a proxy battle.
2. Be principled and always be mindful of your personal integrity.
3. Don’t defend the indefensible just to gain ephemeral relevance.
4. Respect the party structures and speak very little, in the open, about internal matters.
5. Your loyalty must always be to the party.
6. Always seek the welfare of the party in the areas of unity, progress and electoral fortunes.
7. Settle your differences with others amicably.
8. Never say anything in private that you'll not be able to defend in the open.
9. Point out peoples' mistakes to them, instead of gossiping behind their backs.
10. Learn to be at peace with yourself, and it will naturally manifest in your dealings with others.

A challenge to my character
These ten [10] very basic things, when religiously adhered to, in service of our great NPP tradition, will surely bring you into the lime-light, when the time is due. It must also be noted that any member bestowed with a responsibility at any level of the party, must not be oblivious to the fact that such privilege, indeed, is to be exercised on behalf and with the expressed support/agreement of the ordinary members.

This responsibility can therefore be duly revoked by the same grassroots members of the party, as when they are convinced it is not being exercised in the manner that advances their interest and that of the course of the party. And a revocation of this privileged responsibility will obviously be conterminous to total evaporation of the love and appreciation that go with it.

In view of this, I do not consider the love being shown towards me, wherever I go these days, as a free-ticket to be throwing my weight about. On the contrary, I see it as a challenge to my character [as the party members have come to know] and ability to live up to expectations that come with my appointment; and I promise to do whatever is humanly possible, never to let the epic goodwill being shown to me, end up in disappointment, with the Almighty God being my helper.

My heart-felt appreciation
Finally, my heart-felt gratitude goes to Hon. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, NPP-MP for Sunyani-East who, at a very short notice, gladly accepted to host me in comfortably comfortable comfort. As a matter of fact,Hon. Ameyaw-Cheremeh stayed up all night to pick me home when our bus arrived in Sunyani at an ungodly hour of 4am.The ‘fufu’ with ‘ankrante3’ was really good. I am equally grateful to my wonderful pal Pharmacist Brafo-Kwakye for the amazing hospitably hospitable hospitality at the snooker base inside Tylco City.

I BOUNTIFULLY LOVE YOU BACK, ALL YOU BEAUTIFUL MEMBERS OF THE GREAT ELEPHANT FAMILY. IT IS TIME TO GET TO WORK TO REDEEM OUR DEAR NATION SO LET US GET GOING IN THE HINTERLANDS WITH THE MESSAGE OF GOOD HOPE.

GOD BLESS NPP AND MAY HIS MERCIES CONTINUE TO BE UPON OUR DEAR NATION. SHALOM!!!

Justice Abeeku Newton-Offei
Aide to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
[The NPP Flag-bearer]