Kwesi Pratt’s Poisonous Advice To Samia

Dear reader, you may agree or disagree with us, but the truth is that the history of the 4th Republic cannot be written without the mention of Mr. Kwesi Pratt and some of the senior journalists of this country, including Kwaku Baako, Kofi Coomson, Eben Quarcoo, the late Tommy Thompson and John Kugblenu.

During the days of Jerry Rawlings' 'culture of silence,' Mr. Pratt and these senior journalists, with support from the likes of Adu Boahen stood against the military dictator.

Mr. Pratt was also at the forefront during the Kumepreko demonstrations organized to kick against the 17.5% Valued Added Tax (VAT) that the Rawlings government had introduced. At his age, one would have expected him to rest, but because of his desire to contribute to national discourse, he is always on air making arguments for and against pertinent motions.

All these attributes of the senior journalist do not, however, mean that whatever he says on air should be swallowed hook line and sinker. The Convention People's Party (CPP), of which Mr. Pratt is a member, had gone to congress to elect its presidential candidate. One of the contestants at the congress was Madam Samiah Yaaba Nkrumah, daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, founder of the CPP.

The lady was, however, not successful with her desire to lead her father's party and, therefore, has decided to go back to her Jomoro constituency to contest the parliamentary seat.

This is good news that should have been applauded by any CPP member, but Mr. Kwesi Pratt does not see it that way. Speaking on Peace FM yesterday, he warned Samia to rescind her decision because it could be a disaster for her.

To Mr. Pratt, Samia has just lost an election and this is the time for her to reflect on why she lost, instead of rushing to contest in another election and that she has a long political career ahead of her, and should not whoosh into political oblivion. The Chronicle does not see this as a good advice, but actually a poisonous one that should not be listened to by Samia.

It was CPP that won independence for Ghana, but after the overthrow of its founder and his subsequent death in 1972, the party has now become a pale shadow of itself. It is, therefore, our contention that the best way to bring back Nkrumah's party is to fight for more parliamentary seats and build on that to make the party relevant in the scheme of affairs of this country.

Samia Nkrumah, therefore, took a perfect decision when she decided to contest the Jomoro seat, which she won in 2008.

For unexplained reason, however, Samia decided to move up the ladder after she lost the parliamentary seat in 2012. But if she has today decided to come back and contest for the seat once again, which she stands the good stance of wining; she should rather be encouraged instead of being discouraged, as Mr. Pratt is trying to do. The Chronicle does not think there is any member of the CPP that is currently more popular in the Jomoro constituency than Samia.

She has already marketed herself in the constituency and should not find it difficult in winning back the seat if she puts in more effort. This is not the time for CPP leading members to rush in becoming flagbearers for the party – they must instead be concentrating their attention in contesting more parliamentary seats and build the grassroots support base of the party.

Leading members such as Bright Akwetey, Prof. Badu Akosah and a host of others should try contesting some of the seats. This is the only way they can help to bring CPP back and it is based on this that The Chronicle disagrees with Kwesi Pratt's advice to Samia not to contest the seat, even though the paper respects his right to express his views.