Professionals and foot soldiers, drawing the line

There is this delusion that unquestionably those who helped get a party into power should essentially have to be part of government.

It is important to note that running a campaign cannot be likened to running a country.

The two are not mutually exclusive, and only selfless, well meaning persons will see the difference.

There are those that have a knack for advocating party issues whilst in opposition, and those who cannot do same, but will shine in public office or will be able to better help govern, and there's the third group who can do both with consummate skill.

This is why I find it difficult to understand the NDC foot soldiers, and for that matter some leaders in the party who think that they (or persons of their choosing) have an inalienable right to govern, based on their efforts at bringing the party into power.

There are professionals and technocrats (within parties or party affiliates) who are better placed and have the requisite knowledge, skill and experience to run the show.

Will it not be better for the foot soldiers to hold their fire and allow the moderates to run the show and get things better and for that matter flourishing, before they rear their heads and start making demands? Will it not be in the interest of leadership or government to educate the foot soldiers as such so that they will allow for smooth implementation of policies, without being destructive and detracting?

This is where I disagree with the leadership of the NDC, sometimes it's better to call a spade a spade, if someone is not qualified to handle a position or portfolio the fact that that person is not a foot soldier or a strong party man should not weigh more than his abilities. People will not be bothered if the nation seems prosperous and things are smoothly running and foot soldiers silently wade into the fray. For a government which has just won power and struggling to find its feet, engaging foot soldiers now will lead to their failure and ultimate ruin. The cake (for now) is not enough to go round and people are still battling with economic and personal hardships and will not take kindly to the party honoring its foot soldiers at this time, which invariably will be at the nation's expense, further deepening our woes.

Foot soldiers need to be given an ear or for that matter catered for (this fact is undeniable, it is commonplace, Obama offered Oprah and others positions, to buttress this point), but bad timing and manner will defeat any concept be it worthy or worrisome.

I call on the NDC leadership to look at the party structures and find a way of quietly and professionally dealing with these issues. There's rumour to oust some people from government simply because they are seen not have strong party history or loyalty, I beg to differ. Touch not those who can do the job simply to please a few self-seeking, narrow minded people; the big picture is that any party in power needs to succeed (and achievers/results oriented individuals should be sought from where they may be) and to this end that all should work and if its moderates who will do the trick, the better, and let all others stay in the shadows, from wherein they lurk.

Dr. Charles A. Berko
[email protected]
Development / Accra / Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com