What lessons from the life of Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey?

Yesterday, the remains of Jacob Lantei Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey were interred in Accra.

Since the death of the statesman in London, UK on March 20, 2016, tributes have poured in, describing him as a unifier, one who understood multi-party democracy, an extraordinary campaign strategist, a mentor and man of unusual candour among other accolades. 

Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey served as the first Chief of Staff, Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, as well as Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City in the Kufuor administration.

He was also the National Campaign Manager of the New Patriotic party (NPP) during the 2000 presidential election, which saw the first constitutional (civilian-to-civilian) transition of power, and later became the National Chairman of the NPP before he was unseated by Mr Paul Afoko, currently the suspended National Chairman.

He played his role in all the positions he occupied without being antagonistic to anyone who did not agree with him on any issue.

For a man who had vowed not to enter politics because of the pain his family endured in view of politics, he became the epitome of peace and a unifier when people were at loggerheads even in his own party.

When the family of the late statesman called on President John Mahama to brief him on arrangements for his funeral last week, he said Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey contributed his quota to national development as campaign manager of the NPP in the 2000 elections that led to former President J.A. Kufuor’s victory and subsequently as National Chairman of the party.

He described the former Minister of State as someone who had always been a voice of reason when tempers had been high and always ensured that there was a channel through which parties could amicably resolve differences to lower the political temperature in view of his communication background.

Several other tributes have poured in from across the political divide since the demise of the former Minister of State and NPP chairman.

A statement from the Convention People’s Party (CPP) signed by the National Chairman, Prof. Edmund Delle, read, “As we mourn the death of this illustrious son of the nation I urge Ghanaians to reflect on the positive contributions that Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey rendered to his party and nation and emulate same.”

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey may be no more but certainly he left a big mark on the political landscape of Ghana, which could be emulated by all as the CPP has clearly espoused.

The late statesman was never given to insults or intemperate language although he did not always agree with his opponents on matters of national importance.

That is a far cry from the insults that modern-day politicians hurl at each other on our airwaves at the least provocation. 

Perhaps in all his political life, the late Obetsebi-Lamptey was guided by the taunts and suffering he and his family had to endure at the hands of political opponents, when his father was deeply involved in rescuing the country from the throes of colonialism.

Be that as it may, the Daily Graphic urges all Ghanaians, especially those aspiring to lead the country in the next four years, to learn from the late statesman’s composure, astuteness and candour that endeared him to all.

We extend our condolences to the entire family.