Spare us your needless Traditions; The youth are yearning for opportunities

The fear of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has coerced supporters of Mr Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen to preach a certain tradition that has no place in the current political space of the country.

This gospel of strange tradition was first preached by one Haruna Nuako of Amakom, Kumasi, in his article, "We have a tradition, Alan is next," where he sought to declare Mr Kyerematen the next flagbearer or the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after President Akufo-Addo.

In this said article, Mr Nuako observed that the tradition of the NPP is traced to the formation of the Young Executive Forum (YEF). “The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has a cherished tradition and a unique history. Our beginning dates back to 1991 of the coming together of like-minded persons who were unhappy with the authoritarian regime of the PNDC, Mr Nuako distorted history of the NPP.

It can never be true that the NPP’s tradition dates back to 1991, with the formation of the YEF. In fact, intelligent Upper Primary kids will treat this position with gross opprobrium. What has happened to the Danquah-Busia-Dombo Tradition?

To make a case for Mr Kyerematen, and dishonestly impose him on the youth of Ghana and members of the NPP as the next flagbearer of the ruling party, Mr Nuako went on to argue that the YEF was formed through the instrumentality of the immediate past trade’s minister. He also argued that this movement served as the financial backbone of the party, among others. By virtue of this strange tradition, he declared Mr Kyerematen the next flagbearer.

In another instance, one Mr Ebo Buckman struggled to refute the position of the Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Mr Sammuel Awuku, that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has sacrificed enough to be the next flagbearer the NPP.

Just like Mr Nuako, Mr Buckman also argued that only those who started with the NPP during its formation in 1992 can be said to have sacrificed enough for the party. As a demagogue and a propagandist, he tried to justify his position by suggesting that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was originally, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Well, if it is the length of service that determines the sacrifices of individuals, Jesus Christ only served for three years and has therefore not done enough to be extolled in a manner that he is being reified by Christians. Isn’t this argument ludicrous?

On a more serious note, the youth of Ghana are not interested in the traditions of political parties. Traditions will not give them job opportunities. Traditions will not give them their fair share of the national cake. Traditions will not create the fair economic platform they can’t wait to ride on to progress.

Any rational realist should know by now that traditions will only maintain the status quo. Yes, the status quo of promoting the selfish interest of a certain class or group of people! The youth are aware of this and will not therefore tolerate any political group that is intoxicated with traditions.

To state the least, the youth are looking for a leader who will create opportunities for them. Such a leader should not only be competent but he must also have the interest of the youth at heart and they know Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is that person.

The author is an essayist and a social commentator.

By Bala Ali

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