Politics In Election Year In Ghana

It is not for nothing that Ghana currently ranks as the beacon of democratic practice and the bastion of peace on the African Continent.

Attaining democratic height is essential, but the consolidation and stabilization of the process is more herculean.

It is in this vein that this writer would take this opportunity to diagnose the remote causes of the current tension within the major political parties which MAY result in a “political catastrophe” at the national level as we ready ourselves towards ELECTION 2012.

The dog-fight which has engulfed the ruling National Democratic Congress. The sharp division within the ruling party is real.

As far back as 1998 when the then ruling NDC organized an Emergency Conference at Sekondi to make amendments to some clauses in the Party’s Constitution. A specific clause was inserted to elevate the then President Jerry Rawlings to be the de-facto FOUNDER OF THE PARTY.

My goodness! With my background as a student of politics, I knew the NDC as a party had signed their death warrant. In the current civilized political World where the era of “Personality Cult” has long outlived its usefulness, it was imperative that an entrenchment of an individual on a party can never stand the test of time.

Lo and behold, even out of power, Jerry Rawlings by a Party Constitutional fiat still recognizes himself as “the Owner” of a party that was built with the sweat and toil of thousands other Ghanaians.

The current rage of fire, in the NDC therefore is a problem created by all leading members of the NDC who today find themselves comfortable in the bosom of President Atta-Mills.

The second reason which equally emerged from “historical error” of the NDC was the declaration at Swedru in 1999. This Presidential Fiat by Jerry Rawlings to announce the Presidential Candidacy of then Vice-President Atta-Mills to lead the party for the 2000 Elections was also done in bad faith .Any party worth its salt that claims to possess democratic credentials goes to the polls to either elect a candidate or endorse a candidate if he/she remains the sole contestant for the flagbearership.

It is very clear from the Konadu Camp that they recognize Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings as a candidate with a better understanding of the chemistry of the NDC. She was instrumental in the formation of the NDC. She knows the umbilical cord of the Party and burnt more energy and resources to help build the NDC in 1992.

Agents of Konadu believes that history favours their preferred Candidate, but nature, however, finds Rawlings blameable for imposing an “alien” on the party in 1999, hence the current impasse which the Council of Elders in the party should not take for granted.

THE NANA ADDO –ALAN “IMAGINARY FEUD”

The New Patriotic Party without doubt has grown to become one of the most credible political parties with unblemished democratic credentials in the country if not in Africa.

Political kinpins within the party are clamouring for a Nana Addo-Alan Presidential Duo for Election 2012.Without mincing words agents of Nana Addo caused some degree of harm to their Campaign fortunes in 2008 when most, if not all of Alan Kyerematen supporters were sidelined during the Campaign for the first round of Election 2008.They were only convinced to join the “train” in the Second Round Presidential Round-Off.

 Nana Addo sincerely need Alan Kyerematen and his followers mainly the NPP Youth, women and floating voters nationwide.

Comparatively, the division within the New Patriotic Party is only a perception. The fact that Ex-President J .A Kuffor and former Vice-President Aliu Mahama have been co-opted to join the Campaign Advisory Team speaks volume of a Party that means business to win Election 2012 and recapture power.

THE CPP-PNC
RAGING CRISIS

From all indications the leadership of both the Conventions People’s Party and the People’s National Convention are self-centered. Both parties need to vote out all their National Executives at their next Congresses and bring the two parties together to create a common platform to wrestle power. How can leaders of these parties continue to fight over NAME & SYMBOL for the proposed merger party? This is as irrelevant as the wrangling itself.

Kwame Nkrumah,Founder of the CPP was the cause of the current division within the party,since he failed to draw up s succession plan for the CPP,but rather created a myth around his personality which is the result the CPP is reaping today.

Ghanaians love their Party Political system which has come to stay, but we should not underrate the seemingly volatile and unacceptable internal crisis that exists in all the major parties.

The tension and divisions are real and all of us as Ghanaians as well as our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora have a role to play to ensure a violent free election next year.

This writer would like to appeal to the Ghana Peace Council, the National Media Commission, the National Commission on Civic Education, the Electoral Commission and indeed all other stakeholders to embark on a vigorous sensitization exercise towards a violent free Elections 2012. The Donor Community cannot be left out of this exercise since a stoke of Electoral violence in Ghana could have dire consequences on the rest of the African Continent.

New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament [MP] for Ahafo Ano South, Mr. Stephen Balado Manu, has lashed out at Kofi Wayo on his call on the NPP to expel beleaguered Assin North MP, Ken Agyapong.

Balado said Kofi Wayo has no locus to preach morality hence the NPP will treat his comments with the contempt it deserves.

The Founder and Leader of the United Renaissance Party (UFP) ON Monday, called on the leadership of the NPP to sack its Assin North MP for the ‘treasonable’ comments made to prove to Ghanaians that it is against acts that would trigger violence ahead of the December polls.

But speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, Balado Manu said Kofi Wayo should concentrate on rejuvenating his ‘lifeless’ party than seeking to capitalize on Ken Agyapong’s ordeal to make himself popular.

He added that the ‘ineffective’ Founder and Leader of URP must focus on mobilizing enough resources for his party if he has any intentions to contest the 2012 elections rather than making ugly noises.

The Ahafo Ano South MP urged Kofi Wayo to zip his mouth if he has nothing better to contribute to national discourse.

Balado Manu bemoaned attempts by some propagandists of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to misconstrue NPP‘s position about the inflammatory comments made by the Assin North MP.

Balado Manu maintained that the NPP will give Ken Agyapong the needed support to ensure that he comes out as a victor. 

Lawyers for Mr Kennedy Agyapong who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North have withdrawn a habeas corpus application filed before the Accra Human Rights Court.

The Court granted the MP bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 on health grounds following his arrest and detention by the police for making 'treasonable' comments on radio.

He was again granted bail to the tune of GH¢200,000 by the Fast Track High Court where he faced charges of treason felony, attempted genocide and terrorism.

But his lawyers filed an application Monday for the cancellation of the case because Mr. Agyepong has been granted bail by another court.