Political postcard from Kumasi
There was no way I was going to miss the ‘outdooring’ of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s) running mate in Kumasi last week.
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This was not just because Dr Prempeh, the ‘Chosen One’, is my boss, even though it was a huge catalyst.
I also wanted to get a feel of the political pulse in Kumasi, the NPP’s political ‘World Bank’. Further, I have not been to a political rally in a long time, and I yearned for the carnival spirit of such gatherings.
Travelling blues
I did not bother with trying to catch a flight to Kumasi for the event because I anticipated that all flights would be fully booked, or that the few spaces left would command eye-watering fares way beyond my budget.
As I left the office for the VIP bus station on Monday after work, I consoled myself with the convenient truth that whether by bus or by air, one would eventually get to Kumasi, which was all that mattered, even though the six-hour bus trip would put my ageing, creaking joints in further jeopardy.
Just outside Juaso, we were detained for a little over an hour because a rather ghastly road accident had taken place earlier. Eventually, we rolled into Kumasi just before 1 a.m., and I crawled into bed a little over an hour later, completely drained but thankful that I had arrived in one piece.
I could not help but seethe silently and jealously at those who had comfortably cruised into Kumasi much earlier by air.
Manhyia Palace to Jubilee Park
My first stop the next morning was Manhyia Palace, a 15-minute walk from my Ashanti Newtown home, with a pit stop at a barbershop salon for a fresh trim.
The palace grounds were buzzing with excited political activists adorned in NPP party paraphernalia and ‘nananom’ clad in their colourful cloths, all waiting for the President, his Vice and the new running mate, along with their entourage.
I was told a huge crowd was waiting at the Jubilee Park for the second leg of the day’s events. Eventually, the long convoy came into view from the direction of the Kumasi Airport, with policemen showing off on their bikes, swaying this way and that way as they escorted the dignitaries.
Burly, unsmiling armed men in dark glasses with bulging biceps literally dripped from the sides of the vehicles, almost daring anyone with funny ideas to approach them.
On cue, the drumming, singing and dancing at the main entrance to the palace went up a few notches, and people jostled to position themselves better to catch the scene on their mobile phones.
From a safe distance, I caught a brief glimpse of the President, his window rolled halfway down and acknowledging the cheers that drifted his way with a smile.
After the palace formalities of President Akufo-Addo presenting NPP flagbearer Dr Bawumia and his freshly minted running mate Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, it was time to head for the Jubilee Park at 3 p.m.
The crowd had been gathering there since 10 in the morning, but their spirit was undimmed and the excitement was palpable. I found refuge in one of the media tents, with a good view of the main stage.
Speaker after speaker mounted the stage and took turns to address the crowd ahead of the main act, but what melted many hearts and elicited huge guffaws of admiration and amusement was the speech of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, better known as Chairman Wontumi, which was rendered in careful, almost flawless English.
I simply loved his boldness. Both the President and the Vice-President spoke too. Eventually, Dr Prempeh was presented to the crowd, to huge acclamation.
Media frenzy
It would take a very strange person to claim he or she has not been aware of the screaming media headlines about Dr Prempeh’s acceptance speech, which have been reduced to his ‘Kwame Nkrumah’ moment.
Almost as soon as the rally ended, I started receiving calls from various media houses to speak to the issue, and on my arrival back in Accra early Thursday morning, I headed straight to the GTV studios to be interviewed on this and a few other issues relating to the Kumasi event. A few other telephone interviews followed.
I do not intend to rehash the issue, as in any event, Dr Prempeh has issued a statement of apology and has since been busy touring the Western Region to engage with various traditional rulers.
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On Sunday, he was Guest of Honour at the Kristo Asafo Mission’s annual church conference at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region and is focused on several other engagements in his new role.
Dr Bawumia continues with his tour of constituencies in the north of the country.
Looking forward
I believe the decision to ‘outdoor’ Dr Prempeh at a rally in Kumasi, rather than at say, a conference hall in Accra, was an excellent one made to energise the party’s base, and in this, I believe the aim was achieved.
I think Dr Prempeh’s grassroots connection, political experience and track record will be huge assets to the NPP’s presidential ticket. This election will be a tough fight, no doubt, and I am encouraged by the adrenalin that Kumasi pumped into many political veins last week. It is indeed possible.
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Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng
Head, Communications & Public Affairs Unit