Nana Akufo-Addo Will Have To Explain To NPP

Kobby Annan, The Author

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to arrive in Ghana early this month from a political Sabbath in the United Kingdom, after accepting the Supreme Court's verdict on the 2012 presidential election. Obviously, he is expected to consult friends and family members, as well party members to come up with a decision whether to continue or bow out of political races. Should Nana Akufo-Addo return to inform Ghanaians and the members of the new patriotic party of his decision not to contest the presidential primaries, he will certainly have major explanations to give the party in perpetuity. Although it is within his personal right to say “bye” to politics, truly speaking, many Ghanaians and not only members of the NPP will hardly forgive him if he should bow out of active politics at this critical moment.

Deciding which candidate to vote into political office or flagbeareship is simply a matter of affiliation for many people. However, others cast their votes based on specific characteristics they look for in their candidate of choice. Most men and women have identified qualities and characteristics of a political leader who through a duo attempt at becoming Ghana's president on the NPP's ticket, has in effect become a household name across the political spectrum, and therefore they crave to know what the 2012 presidential candidate's decision would be, with regards to his political carrier.

To them, they are affiliated to his person; they admire his vision for Ghana and would make him their choice come 2016. More specifically, the larger majority of the new patriotic party expects Nana Akufo Addo to declare a positive intention to contest the NPP primaries due to be held later this year. They do so with an acknowledgment and acceptance of the dynamics of Ghanaian politics. Craving for Nana Akufo-Addo to contest reflects the growing desperation among the people, who want to maintain him as the flagbearer for 2016 election in Ghana.

A decision by Nana Addo to contest the flagbearership race will sit very well with the principle of multiple candidatures, which will possibly include Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Professor Frimpong Boateng, Isaac Osei, Alan Kyerematen and Joe Ghartey etc, in an exciting but keen contest, in tandem with the founding spirit of the NPP. Subsequently, an overt or intrigued suggestion to any qualified party member or candidate to step down the race for one particular person to sail through unchallenged to become flagbearer would be completely alien to the NPP's constitution. Imperatively, for the NPP, intra-party elections for office or flagbearership are sacred democratic rituals. The question of whether Nana Addo would be given the mandate by party delegates to lead the party to the 2016 election is just another matter for party delegates, yet his decision is interlinked.

Admittedly, the new patriotic party is mightier than any individual, but a political leader of Nana Akufo Addo's caliber should not be encouraged to abandon possible opportunity to lead and possibly win the 2016 presidential election. If the NPP is seriously plans confidently of winning the 2016 elections, then its members must engage in all politically legitimate discussions to talk Nana Addo to contest. He has the household and popular name tag advantage even over the sitting president. A good political leader needs to be both confident and have the ability to lead. Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Mr. Isaac Osei, Mr. Alan Kyerematen and Mr. Joe Ghartey, all possess these qualities which inspire others, but to win political power, the strategy goes way beyond confidence and ability to lead.

Predictably, a sea of all-white handkerchiefs will be waving high in the skies of Ghana, in reaction to a Nana Akufo- Addo statement that he has no plan to discontinue his unblemished political career by contesting the new patriotic party's primaries. He will have us a lifetime explanation on a contra decision.

Kobby Annan
Amsterdam –The Netherland