“It is better to be a messenger of a party in power than being the General Secretary of a party in opposition” – H. E. J. A. Kufuor….
Having the opportunity to complete SHS in 2008 – Ofori Panin Senior High, considering the difficulties I faced as being catered for by a single parent and considering the struggle some of my mates took to get their fees paid, above all, having the opportunity to exercise my franchise as a first time voter, considering the pro-poor policies initiated by the NPP government under the leadership of President Kuffour and the Free SHS policy highlighted by Nana Akufo-Addo in his 2008 campaign manifesto, I opted to vote for NPP to bring a total relief to Ghanaians especially, the mass youth (graduates and SHS Leavers) who were enjoying the good breeze of Youth Employment right from school. It was very disappointing when we lost the 2008 election but I was not discouraged.
I hanged my hope on the notion that “political power is never permanent”. In 2010 I had admission to the university where I joined Tescon – Tertiary Education Students Confederacy of NPP. In my first year, I became the Tescon Level 100 rep moving from hall to halls to get my colleagues involved. Thanks to Mr. Sumaila Nambe the then Tescon President of UDS Wa Campus for giving me media opportunity to represent Tescon and NPP on some FM stations in the Upper West regional capital.
Developing a greater interest in politics, in my second year, I became a member of the Tescon Communication team and a vibrant NPP youth activist in Atiwa. I recall telling some friends of mine to vote for the NPP in the 2012 election because “I believe in the capitalist orientation of job creation” adding that if NPP wins, we would not complete school to join the Association of Graduates Unemployed but all they could tell me was “we will give the old man a compulsory retirement” – thanks to God that they graduated to join graduates unemployed under the stewardship of the youthful John Mahama whom they voted for in 2012.
I played a very significant role in the 2012 election both on campus and in the Wa central community as well as Atiwa (East and West). Although our lost was again disappointing but I knew very well that President Mahama was going to fail woefully hence with youthful exuberance and determination, the NPP was going to win the 2016 election. In 2012, I was appointed the Tescon Communication Director and on 31st March 2013, I was elected Tescon President. I saw my political obligation as becoming huge.
The role I played in Atiwa in the 2012 elections earned me the position of acting Youth organizer when Atiwa was divided into East and West prior to the 2012 elections. With remarkable records, on 14th December 2013, I was elected Atiwa West NPP Youth Organizer. Thanks to some of my political and social media friends such as Hon. Anthony Karbo, Hon. Annoh Dompreh the then Eastern regional youth organizer, Kwame NPP, Wofa Yaw Mekoe who were always encouraging me to climb the ladder despite my age.
Having understood the political nature of the NDC, I thought it wise to use the media – both electronic and social media to expose them. The greatest loophole in Mahama’s government came when he cancelled the Trainees allowance. I saw it as a suicidal move by Mahama’s government hence I decided to assist the party’s communication team in a different way.
The issues surrounding the trainees allowance became much mentioning when Mr. Asiedu Nkatia said “if the trainees will not stay on campus to be trained as teachers and nurses without the allowance, they should pack and leave”. This statement by the NDC general secretary was very insulting hence with some friends like Peter Ackah, Darlington and Kwame Sam, we punched the NDC to death. We finally buried the NDC on the trainees allowance when the President himself said “he prefer to lose the 2016 election than to restore trainees allowance”.
All we could say was – so be it. Thanks to Lady Gee of Amansan Fm Uk (Host of Menam na metete) who gave me the backing on my trainees allowance fight. The youth of NPP were much determined to win the 2016 election. We formed many groups eg- together with Nana Asem Bi Nti and Kwasi Bediatuo, we formed Eastern Patriots to dismantled the NDC Propaganda machinery which focused on “Agenda 50:50” in Eastern Region.
The NPP Boardroom is one of the most influential youth groups which campaigned vigorously for the party’s victory. Boardroom which I am part, campaigned in different constituencies in different regions eg; New Edubiase in Ashanti region, Ofoase-Ayirebi in Eastern region, KEEA and Cape Coast (north&south) in central region. It was believed that the NPP was not going to villages. We (the youth in NPP) organized ourselves, contributed monies then we moved to the villages while we controlled Social media in addition.
We battled and conquered the NDC on social media argument while others were on guard writing articles, press release and short notes to expose the lies of the Mahama led government. We did so because President Mahama had said “Ghanaians have short memory” so we needed to write to constantly remind Ghanaians on the diplomatic failures of President Mahama. Thanks to President Mahama – we dwelled on his failures to write to Ghanaians.
The overwhelming economic hardship, massive youth unemployment, rampant corruption involving the President himself, arrogance that characterized his appointees, the fall of the Kuffour initiated pro-poor policies under Mahama’s watch, dumsor, high taxes and President Mahama’s own distasteful utterances caused his defeat.
Considering the economic management team of the NPP headed by indefatigable Dr. Bawumia, the political experience of H. E. Nana Akufo-Addo and the lesson the NPP bigwigs have learnt from the Mahama’s government, I can conclude that the NPP will manage Ghana with caution and NPP’s ability to fulfill half of its campaign promises will turn Ghana to a democratic one party state. We pray for God’s guidance to the Nana Akufo-Addo led NPP administration. Long live NPP Long live Ghana. ……………