From Propaganda to Power: The Real Performance and Legacy of Ghana's 'Babies with Sharp Teeth'

When the late former President Jerry John Rawlings took the podium at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Special National Delegates' Congress in Kumasi on August 30, 2012, he was not merely delivering a political speech; he was issuing a profound, prophetic warning about the moral decay of Ghanaian governance. By coining the phrase "babies with sharp teeth," Rawlings cast a harsh, unforgiving spotlight on a rising crop of young political operatives who bypassed traditional wisdom and professional merit, relying instead on raw vitriol, unbridled insolence, and media warfare to ascend the party ranks. It was an era where the formula for political promotion became dangerously clear: the louder you insulted senior statesmen and national elders, the faster you were rewarded with a high-profile state appointment.

Today, those "babies of yesteryear" are no longer back-bench propagandists. They have grown up to become the party general secretaries, parliamentary heavyweights, and strategic policy directors running the affairs of state. To honor Rawlings’ memory and his commitment to uncompromised truth, Ghanaians must look past official resumes and ask the hard, uncomfortable questions: Did these individuals mature into genuine statesmen, or did they simply institutionalize the toxic, noisy, and substance-deficient political culture they pioneered?

The "Sharp-Toothed" Roll Call and Their Real Performance

While Rawlings strictly avoided naming names, the public, the media, and political insiders instantly identified the core group of fiery youth communicators who fit his description. Decades later, their performance in high-profile offices reveals a complex double-edged sword:

• Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa (MP, North Tongu): Once a fierce and uncompromising Deputy Minister of Information, Ablakwa has undergone the most dramatic evolution. He has successfully channeled his relentless, sharp-tongued energy into an effective tool for parliamentary oversight. Today, he is widely recognized for digging up high-level state procurement corruption and demanding accountability, proving his "teeth" can be used for public good, though critics argue his approach still carries strong elements of partisan media spectacle.
• Fifi Fiavi Kwettey (General Secretary, NDC): Known in the 2012 era for a brutal, blunt, and highly aggressive communication class as a propaganda secretary and later Deputy Finance Minister, Kwettey was an undeniable target of Rawlings' critique. Today, he sits at the absolute peak of the party’s administrative machinery. While his sharp organizational skills are undeniable, his trajectory cemented the precedent that aggressive partisan warfare—rather than diplomatic statesmanship—is the fastest track to absolute party power.
• Dr. Edward Omane Boamah (Director of IT and Elections, NDC): A medical doctor by training, the late Boamah served as Minister for Communications under the Mahama administration, fiercely defending the government against seasoned critics. Today, he has transitioned away from public radio brawls to handle backend data mechanics and digital strategy. His path shows a shift toward intellectual competence, yet he represents a generation that proved a young professional must first serve as a fierce partisan attack dog to secure a seat at the governance table.
• Felix Kwakye Ofosu (Leading National Communicator): As a Deputy Communications Minister, Ofosu became famous for taking on political titans without flinching. Unlike others who transitioned into quiet policy roles, Ofosu has maintained his sharp rhetoric. He remains an indispensable asset for party debate, but his enduring class proves that the culture of high-decibel, uncompromising media aggression remains a core strategy for modern Ghanaian politics.

The Missing Substance: The True Cost to Ghanaian Governance

We run away from the truth if we only celebrate these individuals for their political survival. The reality is that the "babies with sharp teeth" era left deep, systemic scars on Ghana's democratic fabric:

• The Blueprint of "Noise Over Competence": This era taught Ghana’s youth that rigorous academic preparation, professional experience, and grassroots community service are secondary to media sycophancy. It established a dangerous status quo where shouting on live radio yields quicker career advancement than quiet, technical expertise.
• The Erosion of Cultural Decorum: In Ghanaian society, respect for elders and authority is a foundational moral pillar. By rewarding young men who specialized in insulting national elders and political veterans, our political systems actively eroded traditional social morals—a breakdown that has spilled directly into the toxic, disrespectful culture seen on modern Ghanaian social media.
• The "Equal Equalizer" Syndrome: Despite entering politics as a fresh, revolutionary generation, many of these individuals failed to introduce innovative, transformative governance. Instead, they adopted the same corrupt, hyper-partisan habits of the older generation they claimed to oppose, showing that their "sharp teeth" were ultimately used to fight for their own turn to enjoy state resources.

Recommendations for Future Youth Leadership

For Ghana to build a healthier political environment, the next generation of young aspirants must learn from the mistakes and successes of their predecessors:

• Prioritize Professional Merit: Young people entering politics must first establish independent careers in law, medicine, technology, agriculture, or academia. Financial and professional independence ensures you enter public service to contribute value, not to rely on political insults for economic survival.
• De-escalate Partisan Vitriol: Youth wings and political communication teams must actively ban personal attacks, character assassination, and tribal bigotry, consciously shifting the national conversation toward evidence-based policy debates.
• Embrace Institutional Mentorship: Political parties must create formal pipelines where veteran statesmen guide young politicians, ensuring that youthful energy and fearlessness are balanced with institutional wisdom, emotional intelligence, and respect.

Suggestions for the Ghanaian Electorate and Media

The ultimate power to clean up Ghana's political landscape rests in the hands of citizens and gatekeepers:

• Reward Substance at the Ballot Box: The Ghanaian electorate must consciously reject politicians who offer nothing but loud insults and empty propaganda, actively voting for candidates who present clear, measurable track records of community development.
• Deny Platforms to Toxic Communicators: Media houses, radio show hosts, and television producers must enforce strict codes of conduct. Hosts should boldly cut off, fine, or blacklist any political communicator who uses their airwaves to spread vitriol and misinformation.
• Demand Facts Over Soundbites: Civil society organizations, student groups, and traditional authorities must hold regular town halls and non-partisan debates, forcing young leaders to defend their policies using verified data rather than relying on partisan blame games.

The journey of Ghana's "babies with sharp teeth" from aggressive youth communicators to high-profile national figures proves that political fearlessness is a double-edged sword. When fueled entirely by partisan malice, it erodes the moral fabric of our democracy and replaces intellectual discourse with toxic noise. However, when tempered by time, intellectual maturity, and a genuine commitment to public service, that same fierce energy can transform into an asset for state accountability. To truly honor the memory of Jerry John Rawlings, Ghana must ensure that the young leaders of tomorrow do not just develop sharp teeth to bite their opponents, but rather cultivate the sharp minds, professional competence, and deep character required to build a resilient, prosperous nation.

✍️ Retired Senior Citizen
For and on behalf of all Senior Citizens of the Republic of Ghana 🇬🇭

📍 Teshie-Nungua
📧 akpaluck@gmail.com

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