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Nobody Can Sabotage President Nana Akufo-Addo

Feature Article President Nana Akufo- Addo
JUN 19, 2017 LISTEN
President Nana Akufo- Addo

It is the figment of one’s imagination to assume that some people in the administration of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana, are sabotaging him. This allegation could only be true during the time that he was contesting for the presidency when he and his teeming supporters had to contend with the menace of the Agenda 2020.

Now that he has been elected the President of Ghana by the overwhelming majority of the citizenry, it will only be an illusion for any thoughtful Ghanaian to propagate the falsehood that the President is being sabotaged by some members of his party.

As practical as I have always been in disseminating information, coming down to the lowest level so that anyone can understand me, through the citation of analogies, parables and/or proverbs, I shall say the following to buttress my contention. The Ghanaian holds fervently to the saying, “When your mum is being escorted to the gallows, and you are asked to choose between saving her life and purchasing power (authority), which one will you go for?”

Many a prudent Ghanaian agrees with the acceptable majority view that they will first go for power and once obtained exercise that authority to order the release of their mother from execution. What a brilliant way of killing two birds with one stone whereas the other way round could only save you your mum’s life while forfeiting the benefits of power.

In the same manner, power has been bestowed on President Nana Akufo-Addo by the Ghanaian electorates through the ballot box since Wednesday, 7 December 2016. What is greater in Ghana than acquiring the mother of powers that can be exercised prudently or in the abracadabra manner? Whatever the case, he wields power so it will sound strange in my ears to hear from some people that certain persons within his own administration are sabotaging, or would want to sabotage, him. Is he not the one who appointed or hired those perceived saboteurs into his administration?

Does the constitution which is presumed to be fraught with clauses deemed unhelpful to Ghana not confer on him the right to choose members of his government or appoint whoever he wills into his administration? Does the same constitution not empower him to reshuffle or fire anyone he finds incompetent and unworthy to be in the government or in his administration? If he has the above authority which although I do not advise him to exercise it abusively, how on earth will it make sense to me hearing that some people in his administration are sabotaging him in pursuance of their selfish corrupt interests?

As it is said, “if you don’t go to Heaven, don’t blame Jesus” so will I say if President Nana Akufo-Addo fails as a President, he should not blame anyone else but himself. Jesus Christ has done all that is required of him to show humankind the way to reach God and to earn salvation to the point of sacrificing his life as a ransom for many. In the like manner, the Ghana Constitution has empowered the President to hire and fire or reshuffle members of his government whenever he decides to. How then should he sit down doing nothing if he sees a particular person to be sabotaging his hard efforts made to succeed as the President of Ghana? I don’t seem to get this point.

President Nana Akufo-Addo must be seen to be in absolute control of his government. He is the one Ghanaians voted for based on his acclaimed strictness and renowned incorruptibility. At the moment, a sizeable number of Ghanaians that voted for him have regretted concluding from their perception of the sluggish manner he is going about his governance, being overly democrat to give rise to corruption in his own government.

Whenever I hear people being destructively critical of him and his government, I only have to bury my head in my palm in shame. I may at times disagree with such people on certain issues but I cannot continue to use the short time he has been in office as an excuse to justify certain inactions or omissions by him.

The onus is on the President to prove his critics wrong by taking full control of his administration. He should not deceive himself into believing that the shadow of his personal integrity of incorruptibility and strictness is more than enough to frighten people to tow the correct line when it falls on them. No, any such belief will amount to living in the fools’ paradise.

Corruption is within the blood of the Ghanaian so it will take a serious President applying practical means to rid Ghanaians of their tendency to practise corruption. The President must be firm in exercising his powers to achieve his golden dreams and intentions for the country.

It breaks my heart to hear how some of the very people who campaigned and voted for him have started criticising him bitterly for failing to live up to expectation. They all feel let down. However, in the midst of such constructive or destructive criticisms, there is still some hope provided the President will listen and then correct whatever his critics are accusing him of doing wrong.

I will myself not hesitate a second to become the President’s critic if that will prod him into action worthy of the people’s admiration. I have a duty as his ardent supporter and a native of Ghana to ensure that he succeeds to make me and the entire citizenry of Ghana that voted for a change of government for the better proud.

I shall leave no stone unturned in my determination to ensure that President Nana Akufo-Addo succeeds. In so doing, his perceived detractors, saboteurs, corrupt persons and elements within his government and appointees and he himself if discovered to be the cause of his failure, will not be spared my bitter constructive criticisms, offer of corrective advice and suggestions.

Finally, I shall suggest to the President to proceed to his colleague-President of Tanzania, His Excellency John Magufuli, alias Bulldozer, to learn from him how he has single-handedly succeeded in curbing corruption in Tanzania to put his country back on the enviable route of socio-politico-economic prosperity. If someone has done it by being a “Bulldozer”, President Nana Akufo-Addo can also do it. It is just about knowing the strategy hence I admonish him to be guided by Proverbs 6:6 – “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise”

I entreat him to emulate President Magufuli and all shall be well with him to bring back his popularity and support base that are currently waning and crumbling.

A word to the wise is sufficient.
Rockson Adofo
(Written on Sunday, 18 June 2017)

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