PRESIDENT KUFUOR TREADING DANGEROUS WATERS

Though President Kufuor has not openly voiced his support for Alan “Cash” Kyerematen, it is only those who walk on their heads that cannot see the writing on the wall. President Kufuor is not doing a very good job at trying to throw dust into the eyes of observers by claiming that he is neutral. Kufuor is no fool. Behind the big hypnotic and piercing eyes is a shrewd mind. Those who had underrated the President in the past have had to run with their tails between their legs.

President Kufuor had long ago carefully sized and weighed possible contenders for the NPP slot. He couldn't gamble his future on those he could not absolutely trust. He could not have found a better character than the “well-groomed” Kyerematen. By supporting “Alan Cash,” President Kufuor is supporting and protecting his interest, assuming the NPP once again wins the general elections of 2008. Not surprisingly, one of Kufuor's loyal followers and one time cabinet minister Dr. Richard Anane is at the helm of Alan Kyerematen camp. Kufuor's support for Alan comes out of the book of outright self preservation. Kufuor does not want to gamble with his personal future hence this game of political hide-and seek he is playing within the NPP.

For one thing, the President could not support his vice because he is convinced that Aliu may not be able to garner enough votes to win either the primaries or the general elections.

He wouldn't support Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo because the two are not buddies committed to unconditionally protecting each other's back side. Technically, the two had been bitter opponents in the party's two primaries that led to Kufuor winning and becoming the president. In the interest of party unity, however, Nana Akuffo Addo threw his weight behind Kufuor and remained loyal to the presidency (or so it seems). But the president cannot predict which way the pendulum would swing in a Nana Akuffo Addo led government, especially if the rumored friendly relationship with the dreaded Captain Tsikata is anything to go by.

Kufuor would not throw his support behind Hackman Owusu Agyemang because he sees in Hackman a “strong willed, no nonsense person” who cannot easily be swayed over for a mere pot of whatever.
Forget about Yaw Safo Marfo. Kufuor simply could not support a person he fired, humiliated and all but destroyed, politically speaking.
There is something about Dan Botwe and Kwabena Agyepong that makes it impossible for Kufuor to slumber and sleep when they are around.
As for candidate Addo Kufuor, big brother understands that presidential politics in Ghana is not “Kokofu ball.” A top cabinet position for eight years is enough back pass to little brother.

It is quite conceivable that many in the party are mad as hell and would not take it from the president. For them, winning the primaries would be a lesson and a sweet pay back time for Kufuor and company. By clandestinely supporting Alan Kyerematen, President Kufuor has opted to play a potentially dangerous game. He risks being shunned and probably exposed by his own party should Kyerematen lose the primaries. Not only would Kyerematen and the President be humiliated, but most of the current cabinet ministers would lose their positions in an NPP government.

The elders of the party must act now to parry away what appears to be an impending implosion within the NPP. Dr. Obed Asamoah and others chose to look the other way while President Rawlings was playing Russian roulette with NDC. That mistake should never be repeated by the elderly statesmen of NPP. They must strike while the iron is hot and heads are cool, when there is still time to re-focus attention and resources on the bigger prize, i.e. winning the presidency for the party.

The President on his part must re-assess his moves NOW before he does more damage to the party. Coming out to support a non-Kyerematen winner after the primaries may be a tad too late. He cannot continue to pull the Kyerematen strings from a closet and assume he is not causing serious harm to party unity. By his own deeds, President Kufuor is fast becoming a political liability for the NPP just as former President Rawlings has become an albatross for the NDC. It is interesting to note that it is not the NDC that would eventually destroy the NPP, but internal fights and political shenanigan could see the demise of this emerging party.

For now, people have been relatively quiet “in the interest of the party.” But don't hold out long on that. Resentment, it is said, drives people to conspiracy.