Gabby, we are solidly behind you

Ever seen how some people based on conjecture will program their minds to hate an individual? Or how a person’s strong passion to support someone he believes in to deliver good for the country is received with hate?

As strange as these may sound, it is the reality Mr. Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko is faced with and he may probably have to live with this reality for long until people learn to fill their hearts with love instead of unfounded hate based on conjecture.

Gabby Otchere-Darko is a popular name in Ghana’s political landscape. A staunch member and proponent of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition, one thing that has kept him determined in recent political history is his strong belief in H. E. President Akufo-Addo.

From 2008 when H. E. President Akufo-Addo became for the first time the flag-bearer of the NPP to date, Gabby has with strong passion and dedication worked to project and defend the ambition and legacy of the man who finally became President after two consecutive unsuccessful attempts.

Throughout this 13 year period and as a strong ally for a strong personality like President Akufo-Addo who was the subject of so much hatred and smear campaign before and after becoming President, and for a society where several people think “my enemy’s friend is my enemy”, it is only normal for Gabby to suffer a similar fate of being a victim of unfounded hate and smear campaign.

To illustrate how absurd, unfounded and petty his critics have been and how their criticisms are often based on conjecture, a recollection of the following incident will be very useful. On December 12, 2015, Gabby appeared on Newsfile with then Communications Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah in which the latter suggested the internal problems the NPP faced at that time was due to a so-called “inept” leadership of flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo. Gabby who had the right of a reply pointed why the NDC’s concern is about Akufo-Addo.

He further pointed that Akufo-Addo doesn’t appoint who becomes chairman of the party and thus cannot hire and fire like the President does if he is surrounded by incompetent ministers. This clear intellectual rebuttal got into the nerves of Dr. Omane Boamah who then retorted “You see Gabby Asare Otchere Darko is part of the reason why Nana Akufo-Addo will never be president of this country.”

Dr. Omane Boamah couldn’t simply hide his gut feelings about Gabby and so exposed what was inside his heart. This assertion was not strange because at that time it was the chorus sang by the naysayers some of whom were even NPP members. But by the grace of God and then hard-work of patriots like Gabby and others, Akufo-Addo is President of Ghana for the second term. Thus, the foundation upon which the hatred for Gabby being the cause of “Akufo-Addo’s nemesis” was built came crushing.

Surprisingly and shamelessly, these critics would once again wish Gabby recoils and distances himself from the Presidency after all the toil and hard-work. And just like before, they christened him “de-facto prime minister” just to create public hatred for the man. Is this fairness and justice or it is just hate? Gabby will never take any of that. In fact his love, loyalty, passion and determination to see the president succeed will not allow him to sit back and watch when all hands are needed on deck.

I know Gabby is very aware some people both NPP and non-NPP do hate him for no concrete reason. I have been witness when a Chairman of an external NPP branch told Gabby in his face that “Gabby, I was one of those who don’t like you and I used to criticize you but my perception has been corrected by “so and so” (name withheld) who mentioned how you have been of help to him and other patriots”. Gabby looked at him with a smile and responded “yes I have been in this business (politics) for too long to worry about what people think of me”.

However, some people remain uninformed and persist with these unfounded criticisms and chastisement. My worry is that these attacks especially those from “betrayers” might take a toll on him and might affect how he helps people. You may never know whose dire cry for help may be neglected because of such incidents.

Gabby is someone who has mentored and trained patriots who basically had no godfathers in the party. He identified their talent and through his institute (Danquah Institute), most of them have become astute politicians and public servants.

For Gabby as a person, he may never lose anything if he decides to end his political career with the finishing of President Akufo-Addo’s second term in office. But for the countless young patriots who need political/career guidance, mentoring and direction, his presence and continuous role as a key stakeholder is very important.

We know no individual including Gabby is infallible but it is to the interest of all of us to criticize people based on obvious and tangible errors. Conjecture should not be a reason for criticisms neither should we hate hardworking people because they are allies to people we detest.

Gabby, on my behalf and the several like-minded young people of the party we will like to tell you that we are solidly behind you. We trust your intentions for the Government and party. We are inspired by your passionate loyalty to H. E. President Akufo- Addo and your strong determination to support his Government to succeed.

We will do our part and make sure the party and the next flag-bearer will have no trouble campaigning in 2024 because of the excellent transformation this Government has achieved. Continue the hard work and being you. Know that we are always behind you every step of the way even though you don’t see or know us.

Thank you

Written by:

Dr. Issah Imoro

( [email protected] )

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Issah Imoro (OD)

Student, Master of Science in Optometry (Orthoptics and Padiatric Optometry)

University of South-Eastern Norway

Kongsberg

Norway

Mobile: 0047 91274793