Abraham Lincoln once said “Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong” but to many so called ‘neo political activists’ in Ghana today, this admonition means nothing. Once they have access to the microphone and can scream in a debate, hold press conferences to launch scathing attacks, it is well with their soul. This becomes even more sickening when perpetrators of such immoral activities are rewarded with political appointments if their parties win political power.
I cannot fathom the rationale behind the press conference held by the New Patriotic Party (N. P.P) on Tuesday, 29th November, 2016 on an alleged bribery attempt supposedly to have been committed by the president of the republic and the Commander-in Chief of the Ghana Arm Forces, H.E John Mahama and his brother, Ibrahim. This piece is to analyze issues emanating from the press conference and to state otherwise its political correctness barely one week to the General Elections of 2016.
Mustapha Hamid, an Islamic scholar and spokesperson for the NPP 2016 flagbearer, is a fine brain in academia. I recall vividly my days at the University of Cape Coast, when he took me through a course titled “Religion in Africa- Islamic perspectives”. Academically brilliant but politically skewed as politics sometimes overcloud his sense of judgement, arguably not.
I remember also what my uncle told me during his days at Kamina Barracks, Tamale. Hamid’s father, a military officer in charge of Armory has to flee kamina through Burkina Faso to Belgium, where he is currently domiciled, I guess. This was because there was an alleged coup plot to overthrow Rawlings’ PNDC government somewhere 1983-1985 of which he was implicated. Therefore, Mustapha Hamid’s hatred for P/NDC is acceptable.
I also recalled a story my grandfather shared with me about Bugri Naabu. My grandfather and others were in the forefront of the Konkomba-Nanumba war as senior police officers on ground. Mr. Bugri Naabu was declared persona non grata in the city of Tamale after his inter-royals’ hotels was vandalized. His attempt to transact business at ADB main branch led to the death of innocent souls, who besieged the bank upon news broke out that he was in the bank.
I did not intend to affect sensibilities by recounting history, but pardon me if it does so. This is to help understand some characters in our societies who are parading themselves as men of integrity unblemished, and pontificating others for corrupt practices and immoral conduct by riding on public sentiments.
To my brothers and sisters of northern extraction- Northern, Upper West region and Upper East regions: we must know where we came from, where are now, and where we are going.
The colonial establishments relegated us farther away from all aspects of Human Development Index, by establishing schools, industries, and railway system in the south to our detriment. When might is strength, then we are called to participate. But it took the visionary leadership of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to break this jinx. He built schools, roads, factories to open up the north for development. He instituted free education, with the thinking that every Ghanaian everywhere, no matter your geographic location, would be able to develop your potentials and to serve Ghana in any capacity. Kudos to Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
The seed Nkrumah sowed brought forth eminent Ghanaians from that part the country. The likes of Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Alhassan Andani, H. E Aliu Mahama of blessed memory, Dr. Mahamoud Bawumia, Edward Salia, Martin Amidu, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, R2BEES, Abedi Pele, Hawa Yakubu, just to mention a few, are great and illustrious sons and daughters from the region who have served and continue to serve Ghana diligently.
I am sure Dr. Nkrumah was joyfully turning in his grave when Dr. Hilla Liman won the 1979 General Elections in Ghana to become the first president of the 3rd Republic. I could hear Nkrumah in my spirit saying ‘the dream is accomplished’. But this was short lived as Liman’s administration was overthrown in 1981, 31st December.
This dream was rekindled when Alhaji Aliu Mahama, of blessed memory partnered J. A Kuffour to win the 2000 and 2004 General elections to form government. H.E. Aliu served diligently for eight years as the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana with all sincerity and integrity-a true northern brand. His decision to lead his party as the next flagbearer was fiercely challenged and contested by 16 other members of his party. Though he was the most qualified for serving eight years as VEEP, he lost it. As Nana Addo rightly put it “the NPP is not ready to cede its non-akan leadership”, as reported by Haruna Attah in his recently article making waves in the media.
Then , came John Mahama, a great grandson of Ndewura Jakpa, from Bole; born in Damongo also from the north, partnered Prof. Mills of blessed memory to victory in the 2008 elections. He was elevated to the office of president after the untimely death of President Mills in July 2012. Americans will never forget 9/11 in their history. We the people of Ghana will never forget 24/7 as well.
H. E. John Mahama, won the 2012 general elections but his legitimacy to govern was challenged at Supreme Court for eight months before the courts finally affirm his legitimacy in August 2013. Coupled with market fires, burning of national installations and offices, ministries, series of demonstrations against him all over the world was carefully orchestrated to malign, denigrate, and smear him with all forms of negativity. But he remain resolute in advancing the better Ghana agenda by changing lives and transforming Ghana with monumental infrastructure development across all facets of the economy- education, road and transport, health facilities, electricity expansion and water. This legacy of his poses a serious threat to his political opponent who are bent on thwarting his second term bid.
It was shameful, regrettable, and though expected that barely a week to the general elections on December 7, the opposition NPP held a press conference the tarnish the image of the first gentleman of the land, Prez. John Mahama in a corrupt and bribery allegation. Ironically, the president was busy commissioning eight community day SHS in the central region, the infamous Kotokuraba market, Kasoa interchange and the Greater Accra Regional Hospital at Ridge, ACCRA. That is the COMMISSIONER GENERAL, hate him or like him.
This press conference was addressed by Mustapha Hamid, a proud son from the north. It is sad how the NPP has been using people of northern extraction within their party to malign and destroyed the reputation of their fellow tribesmen on the other side of the political divide. It is deliberate, vicious and Machiavellian for the NPP to be engaged in such things. My worry is how the educated elite who are being used can’t read in between lines. It happened to Chairman Afoko, his own brother from the north was used to initiate a petition for his removal; Sammy Crabbe, a Ga was used.
It is disheartening that the likes of Muatpha Hamid, Kamal Deen and his northern compatriots in the NPP has allowed themselves to be used for this agenda to smear the untainted JOHN MAHAMA, the president.
Bob Nesta Marley said in his hit song “…..how long shall they (NPP) kill our prophets while we stand aside and look…….”. Since John Mahama became president, there is a deliberate attempt to thwart his second term but who Jah, bless none curse.
To our northern brothers and sisters in the NPP, your insult and vilification of John Mahama is enough. The presidency is the symbol of the nation and that office you are fighting so hard to occupy should be respected and protected as such. Don’t allow yourselves to be used against your brothers and sisters who are on the other side. Resist the attempt to be used and dumped for being seen as second fiddle in your own party (NPP). The Akans has a saying ‘ Asante Nkae’. Reflect on it.
The book of life, the Holy BIBLE says in 2 peter 2:18 “for when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.”
Criticisms should be constructive and should not be an attack on the person involved. Those seeking equity must come with clean hands.
For it is written again in the Bible that ‘while they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is bought into bondage -2 Peter 2:19.’ Drill ship, great cape etc.
I write this from afar as a Political Watcher, Risk Analyst, Educationist, student of Political history, economic and social blogger. But let me hastened to add that political insults and thuggery should not be part of our body politics. The freedom of the people chose its leaders is the root of liberty.
To my lecturer Mustapha Hamid, elder Bugri Naabu and to all political activists in Ghana there should be modicum of tolerance and respect to our leaders and potential leaders. Some are destined to succeed, but many determine to succeed. Whoever wins the December elections needs our total support to move the Ghana we all envisaging.
Paramount is the fact that, aside politics there is friendship to keep and a family to protect.
God bless our homeland Ghana, and let peace reign in our endeavours.