Elections in Africa, a Matter of Life & Death

“I stand in front of all of you today, here at Karikari Brobbey Park to assure you that we will not allow them (NDC) to have their way in 2012. Every hole and corner that they enter, we shall go in with them and make sure that when the votes are counted, what is due us is what will surely mean a victory for the NPP”, were the timeless words of Nana Akufo-Addo the New Patriotic Party’s flag bearer for the 2012 election in Ghana.

This remark was made at the Karikari Brobbey Park in Dansoman where a unity rally was held by the constituency to swear in newly elected polling station and constituency executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

This is comparative to the remark of the then Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress and now President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. Ata-Mills in his infamous Press Conference on the Aftermath of the Recent General and Presidential Elections in Kenya on
Wednesday 9 January, 2008. According to him, if care was not taken, Ghana would have be reduced to the state where Kenya found itself. This was a comment that sent the world thirsty seeking for water to quench the hunger.

In Guinea too, the authorities have declared a state of emergency as violence continues in the aftermath of a disputed Presidential election on November 7, 2010. Three people were reported to have died in the capital Conakry out of a clash between the Security forces and Opposition supporters.

These are no separate comments and incidents in a continent notorious for coups and conflicts.
Ghana was stretched to its wit end during the 2008 General Election in December due to cries of foul play by the then opposition party and now party in government the National Democratic Congress (NDC) resulting in the chanting of the country’s National Anthem on local radio’s like Radio Gold (an FM station known for its affiliate to the government). The doom prophesy of the now President of Ghana nearly rung its death knell in the country. The international community was afraid for Ghana a “little democracy professing the tenets of good governance” in the continent.

However, the remark from the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo-Addo is highly scandalous and filled with skirmishes. This echoes the fact that, our national political figures are not interested in the high ideals of eradicating poverty, developing the country with their ideas and actions, helping in reforming our “moribund” educational system, helping in remedying our poor road networks that inhibits easy access to inter lands, and lack of face-lit in our major universities of the country but rather in how they can wrestle for political power.

A careful observation of Nana Akufo-Addo leaves one with the conclusion that, he is at best described as a “power fugitive” in the political arena. This is a man who will want to be the President of this country however the repercussions to the people of Ghana.

It must also be noted that, in the desperation of President Mills that led to his infamous Press Conference, he has still not found his rhythm in the country’s political terrain attracting barrage of knifing criticisms from his own party. He has been described as “Professor do little” by Nana Akufo-Addo a picture that seems apt and as incompetent by Nana Konadu the wife of the founder of National Democratic Congress.

If Nana Akufo-Addo will enter “every hole and corner that they enter”, one can imagine what an extent the NPP is bent on going just to rule this country again. If for a whooping eight years, with cooked lies and massive corruption, nepotism, redtapeism, and irresponsible lifestyles and with the country still importing basic commodities, then it is perfect to conclude that the Kuffour-led-NPP-administration was a “happy failure” in nature. If Kuffour’s was a “happy failure”, then signs on the Ghana walls indicate that, President Mills’ agenda for “A Better Ghana” will be a “happy tragedy”, spelling the demise and the ousting of their party from power come 2012.

Need I say more?

Take a very good care of yourself fellow Ghanaians and Africans; be resolute in what you want with a high tenacity of purpose. Knowing that, our national figures are but perfect examples of the individuated and expressive self that is “selfish, petty, arrogant, and destructive”.

Augrako4gh@gmail.com