Who represents our best foot forward? NDC’s launch pad for Victory 2020

This year promises to be a very busy year for the largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) politically. The reason is quite simple. After the earlier failed attempt to kick-start the much-awaited branch re-registration and election of party executives at all levels, the national executive and indeed, all the members of the party, know that the stakes are higher now than ever and cannot afford any further delays.

The party knows that any further delay beyond December 7, 2018 can plunge the party into a constitutional crisis, as well as endanger the party's chances of recapturing power in 2020, a prospect that is best avoided.

Indeed, party executive elections would generate a considerable level of enthusiasm, anxiety, tension and fever, but by far, the primaries for the selection of the standard bearer promises to attract greater attention and media headlines.

Aspirants

So far, the likes of the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr Sylvester A. Mensah, 54, former trade and Industry Minister, Dr Ekow Spio- Garbrah, 62, the former Vice-Chancellor of of the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Prof. Joshua Alabi, 60, the second Deputy Speaker, Mr Alban Sumani Bagbin, and former Central Regional Minister, Mr Kweku Rickets Hagan, have all declared their readiness to throw in their candidature, should nominations be opened later this year.

Though Mr John Dramani Mahama, who is the immediate past President, has not made any official declaration to lead the party, pronouncements of his supporters and a section of his loyalists, as well as his own demeanour, actions and body language are a clear indication that his declaration to contest is only, but a matter of time.

While Mr Mahama, by virtue of being the former President, may command significant internal party votes at a delegates’ conference, it is unclear what his chances can be in the 2020 general election and what a negative outcome will mean for the NDC.

In terms of experience, political clout, maturity and intellectual capacity, none of the names above can be said to be in short supply.

New candidate

At this stage, however, it may be more useful for the party to rally around a new candidate to reduce patronage fatigue and the disaffection that naturally characterises the defeat of an incumbent. They must identify a new set of skills and talent within an appropriate age bracket to lead the party. Besides, the ethnic extraction of the leader in the light of emerging internal dynamics, as well as what constitutes a strategic ticket, would be critical.

Take it or leave it, Sylvester Adinam Mensah may seem an underdog and perhaps not yet a household name outside the domain of the NDC, but he certainly comes to the table with more than just the aforementioned attributes. I share the growing view that the NDC stands to gain more from any investment made in him.

The rise to political fame assumes several dynamics. Subjective as it may be, the relatively younger hopeful who just turned 54 is a colourful personality by all measure and possesses great courage, capacity and insight.

Many have risen to political fame without necessarily being known outside their movements or the very political parties they represent.

I have the confidence and belief that it will be Sylvester Mensah, the launch pad, that the NDC needs and will elect, despite coming into the flag bearership race as an underdog.

Encounter

I have heard, read about and seen Sylvester Mensah on several NDC platforms. But my personal encounter with him was in late 2015 at the Odorgonno Senior High School. The occasion was the meeting of the Greater Accra Regional Outreach Task Force which he led to my constituency, Anyaa Sowutuom. I was informed that in the wisdom of the party’s leadership in the Greater Accra Region, this meeting was necessary as a result of perceived disunity, dissatisfaction and apathy borne out of perceived or real manipulation of the biometric register to favour some parliamentary aspirants. The meeting was to bring healing and unity to get the base of the party ready for election campaign.

The participants were ready to attack the party and ‘fire’, including my good self. Sylvester Mensah, the leader of the team, first allowed all present who wished to make statements to do so. It was obvious the meeting had lost steam with the frustration and anger from all speakers from the constituency. When Sylvester mounted the podium, calm was restored. He spoke wisdom and his submission left people praying for our success in the upcoming election.
Among others, he told us what the alternative would be if we should go into opposition. He was the cold water needed to calm down the heated and charged atmosphere.

Since then, I have observed him closely and I can equate his person to a fine gentleman, both smooth and rough, a true party person, deep in thoughts, loyal, an excellent speaker, a man with deep political understanding and organisational prowess.

Arguably, Mr Mensah represents a unique generation in the NDC, he is neither too old nor too young, rooted in the foundation of the party like no other hopeful, yet trendy with the demands of the time. He is a grass-roots man; a party elite who operated many years as a foot soldier and a cadre from the outset of the party in 1992, until his first formal government appointment as the CEO of the NHIA in 2009. An example of patience, loyalty and true commitment. This is the mould and talent the NDC needs at this crucial moment to survive the turbulent times ahead. He is the type the grass-roots and ordinary Ghanaian will easily identify with. One who inspires hope and gives meaning to why people must continue to trek the villages, hamlets, towns, communities, constituencies, districts and indeed the rest of the country. One who believes in Ghana and believes in rewarding loyalty for the party.

Sly, as he is affectionately called, is a true member of the NDC. A foundation member with his roots from the revolution days. Indeed, one of the few selected to study Political Economy and Party Organisation in 1989 at the Cottbus Political College in Germany. Unlike many who get agitated and switch camps after little scuffles, Sylvester Mensah has known no turning back since he got involved from day one. He has endured all orchestrations from his peers and seniors from within. As part of those who were involved in the establishment of the first set of NDC constituencies in the Greater Accra Region, it was not until 2009 that he was officially assigned as the CEO of the NHIA.

loyalty

In the process, the fine gentleman, with his mother from La in the Greater Accra, to be precise, where he was the Member of Parliament (MP) from 1997 to 2001, and his father from Keta (Dzelukope) in the Volta Region, rose through the ranks and became the first regional youth organiser of the party in the Greater Accra Region in 1992 and subsequently the Regional Party Secretary from 1994 through to 2001. Available records have it that he has been strategically involved in all party activities from 1992 to date. He currently chairs the Greater Accra Region's finance committee and also serves as a member of the region’s Council of Elders.

Age and experience

Indeed, if the highest office of the land, the presidency, demands maturity and capacity in terms of age and talent, then we are spot on with Sylvester at a time when many leading countries are showing preference for youthful leaders. At 54 and with over 25 years of experience as a foot soldier; grass-roots operative; social worker; polling agent; party executive; MP; lecturer; banker; party elder; party financier; chief executive of a public institution and a presidential staffer, among others, it is an undisputable fact that he is well- baked and has arrived, ready to lead the NDC. So far, he compares more favourably to all other aspirants as far as his party credentials are concerned and no less than any other in academic qualifications. His greatest strength lies in his vision, potential, strategic management expertise and interpersonal and people management skills. His relationship with party elders is exceptional.

Understanding the political dynamics

Sylvester Mensah is among the few individuals within the party who can boast understanding the NDC beyond just political organisation. I call it the spirit, body and soul of a party. He is among the few who have worked closely with all leaders of the party and currently has no issue/issues with any group or faction.

Sly is a definition of humility and believes in the individual capacities of all those he comes across. He also has a superb personal relationship with people, extremely forgiving and a team player. He is, indeed, the launch pad on whose back the party can ride back to power come 2020.

Probity, accountability, transparency and social justice

Sylvester Mensah remains the only former appointee who experienced public investigation (in late 2015) over his stewardship of the NHIA with no adverse finding against him. Ironically, this investigation was conducted on the heels of being a recipient of many local and international awards for innovation, efficiency and leadership. One significant award was in 2014 by a local think tank, a relentless critic of the then NDC government - Imani Ghana -, where Sylvester Mensah was the proud recipient of the Best Public Sector Chief Executive in Ghana Award, while the NHIA also received the Leading Public Institution Award. It remains doubtful the purpose or intent of the supposed investigations but that is a matter for another discussion.

Like all human beings, Sylvester may have his shortcomings but the jury is out there and posterity will judge him fairly.