Kufuor, father of the nation; Mahama? - Enimil Ashon writes
I don’t need a Global InfoAnalytics poll to know where John Dramani Mahama has stood in the eyes and hearts of non-National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ghanaians in the past three weeks.
The man’s image has suffered a hit. Even his reputation as a consummate communicator is now wobbly in the opinion of uncommitted voters.
People judge communicators by deed, ultimately, not words only, and in the last few weeks, Ghanaians seem to be worrying that the Mahama they have loved so dearly is playing on words ― even though people are generally admitting that he has not pushed deeds, especially infrastructure, to second place.
What conditions exist in a “security zone”, if not the conditions prevailing in a “state of emergency”?
This is the sole fallout from the President’s meeting with CSOs last week.
They came away unsmiling.
Of course, if you ask me, I was disappointed with our activists.
Consensus is that they allowed Mahama to slip through too easily with words.
I find it untenable that so many think-tanks, including many perceived to be hard hitters, met the President, were dissatisfied with answers to their questions, but left only to come sit on radio and TV to ask the very questions they were supposed to have asked him at the meeting.
In any security zone everywhere in the world, the security capos don’t talk to lawyers; they don’t even allow suspects or offenders to put up a defence.
They are lucky if they are only bundled away; most often, they are shot to death if their actions amount to mass murder or constitute a danger to peace.
I’d be worried if I were Mahama. How can his acceptability rating slip downward so soon?
Apart from NDC communicators and appointees, the entire floating vote of Ghana has gone against their beloved Mahama ― at least on how he has handled Galamsey thus far.
From poisoned water ― which we can see and, hopefully, avoid drinking ― to poisoned crops, which can only be detected in a laboratory, the verdict is mass murder, a crime against humanity.
As if to say we haven’t heard the last of them, the Galamseyers have now turned their reprehensible greed on Ghana’s railway infrastructure!
There are reports that Galamsey activities have ripped through the Nsuta rail line, destroying nearly three kilometres of it.
In the words of Dr Frederick Appoh, acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, “This is not just a transport issue, it’s a national security issue.”
Are we saying that even this latest threat to lives has not changed National Security’s definition of state of emergency?
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I am going this route because I am convinced Ghanaians love Mahama and wish him to succeed.
Beyond electoral success, I believe Mahama is a potential candidate for the honorific title, “Father of the Nation” when he leaves office.
Not every former President wears that title. Among Ghanaians, our first President, Kwame Nkrumah richly deserves it.
But, if you want to throw me a penny for my thoughts, I’d say the ‘Civitatis Ghaniensis Conditor’ is enough.
This Latin phrase, meaning "Founder of the State of Ghana", was prominently featured on Ghanaian currency in the First Republic.
In the hearts of the people of Ghana, John Agyekum Diewuo Kufuor, former President, is the current Father of the Nation.
By courtesy of a close relation of his, I have enjoyed the rare privilege of visiting the residence of the former President at Aburi.
On half a dozen occasions, I have been doubly blessed by a sight that is rare: delegations after delegations of noble-looking men and women from all walks of life taking turns to walk the former President round the well-manicured lawns in his electronic wheelchair.
For some, they are on a pilgrimage.
Some come bearing gifts, mostly donations to keep alive the Kufuor Scholars Programme and the Kufuor Youth in Agribusiness Programme, both run by the John A. Kufuor Foundation.
On Sunday, June 19, June 21, 2022, the Peduase Valley Resort organised a Father’s Day party in honour of the former President in recognition of his personal achievements, sacrifices, and dedication to humanity.
Significantly, they were not necessarily NPP loyalists.
On the six occasions I was there, the groups of people had come in corporate-branded vehicles ― from banks, insurance companies, multinationals, telcos, multi-star hotels
Ghanaians are no fools.
They know whom they give honour to ― and it’s not everybody; to be specific, not every former President.
For J.AK, it’s not only for the social intervention programmes pursued under his Presidency; it’s also – and most importantly, his very bearing and social grace.
That, precisely, is the reason I counsel J.A.K to leave the NPP politics alone, or tone down on it.
They would use it to smear his pedigree.
There is honour awaiting John Dramani Mahama... if he proves that he loves Ghanaians more than gold.
The writer is the Executive Director,
Centre for Communication and Culture.
E-mail: ashonenimil@gmail.com
