DR KPESSAH WHITE MUST COME AGAIN!

It is with great humility that concerned members of the PPP wish to respond to attempts by certain self-styled political analysts to undermine the efforts of our party to establish itself firmly as a force to reckon with in Ghana. We know we must work hard and prove ourselves. We know we have a lot to do. However, we find it quite preposterous for anybody to accept the proposition made by political analyst, Dr. Kpessa Whyte that it would take the Progressive People's Party (PPP) “…a long time to be recognized as a credible third force in Ghanaian politics”. What field research has this man done in the three months that our party has been in existence? Where has he been in the ten regions of the country and with what methodology did he do the work that he is using as the basis for dismissing the efforts of over 26,000 paid up members of this new party?

We are asking Dr White to answer, ''How long did it take the NDC and the NPP to be recognized as credible political parties and even win power in Ghana''? Also, “How long did it take Yayi Boni and Michael Sata to become presidents in their countries, Benin and Zambia?”. Clearly, Dr. White knows quite too well that he does not have any empirical verification to shore up his claim apart from his subjective assessment of the PPP. Ghanaians cannot take him seriously.

Dr White should understand that the PPP is not struggling for recognition. We are working, sacrificing and putting our faith in the Ghanaian voter. Ghanaians know us. However, we are well aware that we must build credibility and on the ground popularity to win votes. The Progressive People's Party right from the day it started as a movement has time after time resolved to build an alternative to both the NDC and the NPP. The aim of the PPP has been to work hard to win votes through the difference we show in our attitude, sense of urgency, inclusiveness and the respect we give to our own people and our opponents. The political platform of the PPP clearly demonstrates the difference between PPP, NDC, NPP and the rest.

As a political analyst, Dr White should know by now that even though the NPP and the NDC may be big established parties, none of that has translated into effective leadership. These so-called dominant parties have become assailable because they have not been able to fulfill half of the promises they made when they wanted our mandate. Does Dr White want Ghanaians to keep the status quo and remain in poverty or change the political leadership for prosperity? What really is the objective of this man as from the day our party was announced he has not missed any opportunity to write us off? Where is his objectivity?

Considering the record of the NDC and NPP since 1992, can Dr Kpessah White be sincere enough and look forward to the future of our country and imagine the majority of our mothers and sisters enjoying better maternal morbidity and mortality, high literacy rates, better housing system for the ordinary man and woman, stable currencies and robust financial markets, which will make us a healthy, prosperous nation?

It is a known fact that New Political parties throughout the world are supported because of the important role they play in encouraging participation, minimising a likelihood of political instability and enhancing proper governance of a modern state. The PPP is another vehicle for strengthening the electoral systems and processes. The PPP is there to mobilize disadvantaged groups such as women, the people with disabilities, and the youth to actively participate in public decision making. Dr White must understand once again that the PPP was formed to hold the government accountable for its policies and actions. The PPP is a locomotive in motion and any scheme to tick off and chip away at the PPP shall not see the light of day. The PPP has been successful in bringing disenchanted Ghanaians back into the political process.

Certainly, it is incongruous for Dr White to think that political parties do not use personalities to get themselves into the consciousness of the people. History shows that political parties have often selected their most visible personalities to be their flagbearers. Mention can be made of Dr Kwame Nkrumah of CPP, Dr Busia of PP, Dr Limann of PNC, and Dr J.J. Rawlings of the NDC. Why does Dr White want to create an impression as if the election of Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom as flagbearer for the PPP is a new thing in Ghana? Again, we ask, what is making this man want to prevent anyone to disturb his pre-determined NDC/NPP football match?

Dr White says he has not heard any substantive policy in terms of how differently the PPP will deal with issues and how those policies will be implemented. It is shocking how soon Dr White has forgotten about the recent PPP policy alternative on education where the party indicated that Science, Technology, Education and Math (STEM) will be at the heart of its efforts. In that policy, it was revealed that through science, technology, selfless dedication to work and discipline, the PPP will identify, test and implement the policies and programs that will deliver progress to the Ghanaian nation. When the best individuals who can deliver results to the Ghanaian people are at the helm of this nation at the Presidential and Parliamentary levels, Ghana will achieve the transformation that has been denied Ghanaians for so long.

The position of the PPP on education taken from the 1992 constitution is unique, comprehensive and different from that of the NDC and the NPP. We have asked Ghanaians to engage in a productive national debate on how to implement free, compulsory education through the Senior High School level and not engage in the self-destructing, unproductive and endless discussion on whether such a policy is feasible, practical or realistic. We further continue to caution that political parties, think-tanks, research organisations and business groups should all contribute their ideas, knowledge and work to present solutions to make the goal of a high school education for every Ghanaian boy and girl a reality.

The PPP has demonstrated in unambiguous manner how it will provide Quality Education for Every Ghanaian Child when given the opportunity. Standardized school facilities from kindergarten to Senior High School with libraries, toilets, classrooms, kitchen, housing for teachers, playground, etc: and Ensure free and compulsory education in public schools from kindergarten to Senior High School (including computer training). The PPP will deploy an “Education Police” to enforce the compulsory aspect of our policy. An integral part of this objective will be an objective to significantly increase vocational training so that all school leavers gain employable skills. This will include a comprehensive sports programme to instill discipline and promote better health.

The education policy of the PPP moves the minimum standard from “basic” meaning Junior High School to the Senior High School level. Currently, the terminal point for most children in Ghana is Junior High School and that happens usually after the taking the Basic Education Competency Examination (BECE) administered by the West Africa Examination Council. To ensure success, we will invest in the building of complete school compounds across the country including housing for teachers and the upgrading of teacher training institutions.

The PPP's education policy is different from the “expanding access” one outlined by the NDC Administration's Vice President John D. Mahama and the “free Senior High School education” one proposed by the NPP Presidential aspirant Nana Akufo-Addo. The PPP policy recognizes the need to expand educational facilities and to enable every child's demand for access to be met. The PPP policy will ensure that a “free Senior High School education” is a right to all children and does not perpetuate the privilege reality of today where only those who “manage” to pass BECE examination and secure a place advance to the High School level. Ours is the policy that is comprehensive and consistent with standards set by countries that have overcome underdevelopment and poverty in the world. We are ready to demonstrate further to Dr. Whyte how we are different from the other political parties. We just want him to hold his mind open for new information.

It would be good if Dr White would move away from his comfort zone and visit the villages and towns throughout the country to verify his claim that the PPP exists only in the media. As for sitting in one's own backyard to conjure up what will happen on December 7, nobody needs a political analyst or a prophet to do that, after all, we can all make predictions based on our emotions and political biases.

We would humbly admit that any change, even for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts but we also want to encourage Dr Kpessah White to obey the great law of political change and accept it. It is the most powerful law of nature.

We are not dispirited by Dr Kpessah White's pre-meditated conclusions about the PPP. We will continue to speak the truth to Ghanaians and have trust in their good judgment based on their present living condition and to treat the 2012 general elections as a ''Bona Vacantia'' in order to vote for the right presidential and parliamentary candidates come December 7. After all, all political parties now have a zero vote.

AWAKE Ghanaians, for the progressive people's party has come to stay! Redemption in near!

Paa Kow Ackon Jnr
PPP Communication member
0203623397