Why I Support John Mahama’s Return

JOHN MAHAMA

Folks, let’s be blunt upfront to say that the decision by ex-President John Dramani Mahama to seek the NDC members’ consent to lead the party to Election 2020 has a lot more to admire than to damn. I have been waiting for his declaration of intent; and now that it has happened, let me have my say that the future of the NDC stands a better chance of being secured with him at the helm of affairs than it could be under any of the other aspirants.

News reports have it that as of now, 11 of such aspirants have emerged to seek the nod to bear the NDC’s flag at Election 2020. Remarkable!! This is the first time in the history of the party that so many of its dedicated members are stepping out to lead it in a contest against its main rival, the NPP. Nothing wrong with this assembly of aspirants; and we expect more to join. The only snag is that adding to the number won’t hurt the party but could become problematic if it results in factionalism and promotes dagger-in-cloak politicking. Back-stabbing and other aspects of the pull;-him-down syndrome could be a major problem to hurt the party.

Interestingly, most of these contenders were Mahama’s appointees. What did they think they were at the time that they are (or aren’t) now to make them better options than him? And what is their track record to warrant their being preferred?

I just want to know what sterling qualities they have acquired to outdo Mahama. Let them tell us what outstanding accomplishments they made while in office so we can assess them all the more. By what will they be remembered and appreciated whether in the ranks of the NDC, the public offices that they held, or anywhere in Ghana? What is their legacy?

The point is that the NDC has matured and outgrown the one-man-show mantra of Rawlings or his unilateral imposition of his favourite candidate on the party (reference to the “Swedru Declaration” that got the late Atta Mills into the saddle only to alienate elements of the “old” NDC core of cadres such as Goosie Tanoh (the National Reform Party on my mind) and later developments that would push out Dr. Obed Asamoah to form the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP). The good news is that all these “cadres” have returned home.

Clearly, Mahama has the most widespread appeal nationally and internationally. In the contest for the NDC’s flagbearership now, much exists to tell us that he has already breasted the tape just on account of who he is. How he did things while in power to prove to Ghanaians how their tax money could be used for infrastructural development aimed at uplifting standards is noteworthy. Evidence exists, even if political opponents continue to point gossiping fingers at his accomplishments in their satanic agenda of painting him black.

Isn’t it ridiculous that despite all the campaign of calumny launched by the NPP armada against him on the score of corruption and incompetence, nothing so far has been established against him and his appointees? The ugly noise from them continues to be heard but will fizzle out to Mahama’s political advantage as Team Akufo-Addo fails to impress.

What has the Office of the Special Prosecutor been able to establish to confirm those allegations, anyway? How many functionaries in the Mahama administration have been indicted so far to prove that Mahama presided over rot to the detriment of the national economy? Nothing!!

Instead, Ghanaians wake up everyday to read news reports about corruption in the Akufo-Addo government. And much is being done by this clueless government to plaster history and paint itself as white when living standards worsen everyday to annoy the people. Is that what the Ghanaian voters deserve?

Added to that lapse is the penchant for borrowing funds from all quarters, adding more worries to the equation. What didn’t Akufo-Addo and Bawumia damn about such moves under the NDC administration; and why are they going that way without wearing their thinking caps to make the difference; that is, if there is any difference at all to make?

Folks, it is clear that the NPP administration has collapsed, just under 2 months in office. All that it is busily doing will sink it all the more, which opens the sluice gates for the NDC to put itself in order and recapture political power to continue where it left off.

Mahama’s loss at Election 2016 was caused by factors other than his personal inadequacies. The Kwesi Botchwey Committee’s findings say it all; and for the NDC to do better at Election 2020, its members must eschew pettiness, needless bickering, and head-butting. Unity does it all.

A major problem will likely emerge if the leaders of the NDC at the various levels openly support Mahama and use the party’s resources to his advantage, sidelining the other aspirants. It is not strange for any of them to openly declare support for him, but to use the party’s resources for his sole benefit will create tension and animosity, which could lead to something unpleasant. All must be conscientious and disciplined in this matter. No need for bad blood.

The truth is that Mahama is the most appealing and obvious choice. He has done it before and should be trusted to do it again. All those mentioned in news reports as challenging him are mere talkers to be heard, hoping that they will add value to public discourse on governance. Interestingly, Alban Bagbin has already shot himself deep in the foot and lost the battle. Somebody should gently prod him out of the race at this point.

A larger-level issue here is that for Mahama to prevail at the next polls, he should re-connect with the party’s footsoldiers at the grassroots and gently distance himself from those whose utterances or conduct caused harm to the party at Election 2016. No need to mention names here because the people already know them. Regaining political power means reaching out to the people and assuring them of a better performance. Now that the people have “tried’ Akufo-Addo and found him to be a flop, they will be more interested in identifying with the NDC if the correct measures are taken to interact with them at all levels.

The NDC has a better chance with the tested Mahama to embrace and move on to success than bringing in any other. It is not time for experimentation. Defeating Akufo-Addo shouldn’t be too difficult if only the NDC can put its past behind it and re-engineer itself to appeal to the voters. It is clear at this point in Akufo-Addo’s term that things aren’t working well for the government. Its miscalculations and inability to stay on course to fulfill its “humongous” electioneering campaign promises have already angered the people. More has happened for them to see this “family-and-friends” government as a liability, not the redeemer that they had been bamboozled into electing. No amount of propaganda can redeem its image. That is why the NDC must stand firm on principles to entice public support.

None but Mahama can do so. I am no stranger to his worth and will stick my neck out to support him to the hilt. The truth is that whatever caused his defeat at Election 2016 has quickly been disproved by the total (absolute) failure of his detractors to outdo him. Ghanaians aren’t happier now under Akufo-Addo than they were under Mahama. If you doubt it, do your own checks.

I shall return…
By Dr. Michael J.K. Bokor
(E-mail: [email protected] )
Monday, August 27, 2018