A LETTER TO DR. NKRUMAH

On this day, 49 years ago, Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown by military officers to usher Ghana into a period of many coups. Some argue, including this writer, Hamza Moshood that, this coup changed the history of Ghana and her destiny.

Hamza pens a letter to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, updating him on what is left of Ghana as at now.

Dear Osagyefo,

A year away from today will mark half a century since that imperialist orchestrated event, perpetrated by dreadful stooges, took place. You left Ghana for Hanoi on the 21st of February 1966, never to return again. They struck while you were away on a peace mission. On a peace mission! Imagine that!

Exactly 49 years ago today, the train that was on its way to the total liberation and full development of Ghana (and Africa, at large) was derailed. I mention Africa because you have always been of a very strong conviction that the hope, aspirations and destinies of all the people of Africa are innately intertwined (...The Independence of Ghana is meaningless until it is linked up with the total liberation of the African Continent): and for that some criticized and accused you of a whole lot. 

A dejected Dr. Nkrumah

They say you were too preoccupied with the continent that you lost sight of the developmental works that had to be undertaken in Ghana. I retort. I ask them to show me what all subsequent governments-who have been ‘so concerned’ with Ghana's development- have done in comparison to what you achieved in 8 years, and find them wanting.

Speaking of your achievements: institutions, industries and all, it will devastate you to know what is left of them today. Some have been ignored to rot, some mismanaged and pillaged into non existence, while we still benefit, till today, from the remaining few.

The NLC Members who overthrew Nkrumah on 24th Feb, 1966

The Akosombo Dam is one of such infrastructures that are still beneficial to us today; over 50 years later. But the problem, Osagyefo, is that Ghana's current population is almost 5 times what the population was at the time of the dam's construction. Yet, our leaders seem to not realise that the nation has outstripped the capacity of the dam, and as a result, Ghana is experiencing an energy crisis. We call it ‘Dumsor’.

They are so unlike you, these leaders: Visionless. It's really heart wrenching, Osagyefo, to witness how disconnected from the masses these people become soon after we transfer power from our thumbs into their hands. What it means to serve seems to be so lost on them. I remember Mr. K.B. Asante telling us at an event, about how you eventually made the weekends a part of your working days: You and all your ministers. In true leadership style, he says, you set the precedent. Now if that isn't dedication, selfless servitude, then I wonder what that could be called.

Today, our president does nothing but insult our intelligence. Ministers of State mock and disrespect us, blatantly and constantly, all the while, looting our taxpayers money, and participating in the rape of our resources.

Things are bad now, Osagyefo. Very bad. So bad that some of our own people, Ghanaians, Africans, have expressed their desire for...wait for it...a return to colonial rule. Despicable! Preposterous! But it only goes to show how shambolic things are. It's as shameful as it is saddening how these puppets perpetuate the silly and ridiculous assertion that we are incapable of governing ourselves.

Talking about some our people indicating their want for a colonial government (which I find rather ignorant) reminds me of the bit of our people who blame our current state of affairs on you for having made the colonialists leave "way too early." What a laugh!

What haven't they done to taint your image! Now you have some brainwashed misinformed 

ones thinking you're the "worst leader Ghana has ever had." Ah, the sacrilege!

Just a few weeks ago, they reared their heads again: descendants of the traitors, making unfounded claims, publishing letters and all, trying to win sympathy; trying to play victim(s); trying to distort history. But they forget, it seems that there can be only one absolute truth. They call(ed) you "heartless", a "dictator." I laugh and say "it's only a fool who will make a dog bite them, when they have a stick in hand." Besides, it's not like they wouldn't do much more than what you did if they had numerous attempts made on their lives.

Kids playing around a fallen statue of Kwame Nkrumah

All of this sounds so grim and disheartening. Exactly so. But don't you worry, Osagyefo. There are some of us who have sought the absolute truth and found it. Thank you for writing. How immensely it's helped. And thank goodness the enemies weren't able to burn all your books and writings. I can only imagine how many facts and how much knowledge would be buried from us. 

Once again, thank you for writing. We will try, till the death of us, to represent what you stood for, and keep the struggle going.

The struggle for the realisation of your dream: A United Africa, totally liberated, rid of anti-people, profit centered capitalism. An Africa devoid of any form of imperialism and colonialism. 

Your sacrifices shall not be in vain.

Rest well, Osagyefo, and do send us some strength, dignified ancestor.

WHAT A ‘WOW’ FROM DELEGATES

I envy political party delegates especially when the political cycle is in motion. They are the royals who decide on whose head the crown finally rest. They are the elders, the king makers, the wise men of the party (s). And like elders, wise men and king makers, they act with tact, in a paternalistic fashion.

Political Party Congresses are also their ‘cocoa season’- a political season in which they get ‘rewarded and appreciated’ in style for their work. Some say these delegates get bribed, induced, influenced and persuaded via monetary and other tangible ‘rewards’ by candidates in an effort to win their ‘hearts and minds’ so they vote for them. Usually, it is said that, the highest bidder gets lucky and sweeps the votes. We have seen the opposite happen as well.

It is for this reason that I have considered becoming a delegate when I grow up.

And so it came to pass, without much surprise that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Executive Delegates on Sunday, overwhelming voted for the favourite candidate, Nana Akuffo-Addo at their Super Delegates Congress.

 

Nana Akuffo- Addo

The results are as follows: Nana Akuffo-Addo (81.78%), Alan Kyeremanten (7.98%), Francis Addai Nimo (2.98%), Joe Ghartey (2.98%), Osei Ameyaw (2.17%), Asamoah Boateng (1.76%), Kofi Konadu Apraku (1.35%)

The Super Delegates Congress had about 740 delegates voting to choose five (5) candidates out of the seven (7) to vie for the Presidential Candidate slot for 2016 National Elections in October 2014.

The declared results has evoked debate among two schools of thought. One group argues that, based on the results from the Super Delegates Congress, Nana Akuffo-Addo should be declared the presidential candidate by acclamation. For them, the National Congress in October is a waste of resources.

Others hold the view that the NPP Constitutional provision must be followed. This means, there should be a National Congress come October. Side stepping the provision will be against the letter and spirit of their own constitution.

However, there could always be an exception. It is up to the Council of Elders of the party to choose the right approach.

DELEGATES AND THEIR ‘WOW’ SWAG

One thing that I find puzzling is when defeated candidates go about complaining about the deceptive nature of delegates. I’m often surprised that after all these years of practicing democracy in Ghana; candidates fail to note the ways and means of delegates.

These candidates, on their nationwide visits, will be brimming with confidence telling us they have the delegates in their pockets. That, all these delegates have assured them of their unflinching support. That they would vote for them en masse.

These promises by the delegates most often doesn’t come to pass, leaving the delegates blood eyed. This deception is something I find interesting in the sense that they believe these delegates when history shows delegates can’t be wholly trusted.

 

Alan Kyeremanten

I heard Nana Ohene Ntow, spokesperson for Alan Kyeremanten on Citi FM, expressing his ‘surprise’ at the results although delegates had assured his boss of their support and votes.

‘I am a bit surprised at the result we have received… because the indication that most of the delegates gave is completely different from the results that we are getting’, Nana Ohene Ntow stated.

HMMM!!!

POLITICAL FUTURE OF ALAN K

Should the NPP settle on the option of foregoing the National Delegates’ Conference and acclaim Nana Akuffo-Addo as their presidential candidate come October (which I doubt will happen), then Alan Kyeremanten, would have only one thing to hope or wish for: That Nana should lose the 2016 General Elections.

The presidential aspiration of Alan K hangs largely on the outcome of the 2016 Elections in that a loss for NPP in 2016 would mean another chance for him to take a shot at the flagbeareship slot of the largest political opponent of the incumbent National Democratic Party (NDC).

He would stand as the overwhelming favourite. A well known face. A very marketable candidate.

But, should Nana Addo win the 2016 Elections, Alan K would have to reconsider his options. Nana Addo will have a 4 year mandate which will end in 2020. He stands another chance to be elected afterwards. By the end of his 8 year tenure as president, Nana would be 80 years old.

Should Nana Addo choose not to contest after 2020, then the likely candidate may be his Vice President, who may have another eight (8) years as the president (if these assumptions are to hold). Even if Nana Addo serves his full term, his Veep may take a shot at the presidential slot. 

Should the Veep win, then Alan has to wait some more years for his chance.

This means that the next time Alan will have a chance to compete for the position of a flagbearership position; he may be about 77 years. This won’t augur well for him as his ambitions would have evaporated.

CONCLUSION

The NPP have cracks within their ranks which they have to fix quickly. The Akyem – Ashanti divide is real, though many will pretend it’s fictitious; a figment of an opponent’s imagination.

That division has been identified as a growing tumor within the party that must be cured. Dr. Arthur Kennedy in his (in) famous book Chasing The Elephant into the Bush highlighted as a big challenge. Other political analysts have come to the same conclusion.

It is said that a party in opposition, with a chance or hope to win power must stand in unity. Their house should be one of peace and stability. But as my good friend Ekow Atta-Aidoo remarked, if the NPP continue with this nonsense (in-house bickering, suspicion and camps), then he doesn’t see them winning in 2016.

He is not the only one who shares such an opinion.

‘THE TROUBLE WITH NIGERIA’ IS NOT ONLY A BOOK FOR NIGERIA

This pocket size book, authored by the famed Nigerian literary giant, Chinua Achebe is brief, concise and insightful. The 63 paged ‘epistle’ (under ten chapters) diagnosis the issues that confront Nigeria and finally concludes with authority that ‘the trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership’.

Despite the book highlighting some of the major draw backs to Nigeria’s growth and development, the reasons articulated mirrors the challenges that afflict many African States.

Chinua Achebe points out that a visionary, goal-oriented, compassionate, brave and fearless, non- ethnocentric, honest leader is what Nigeria desires if she is to prosper economically and politically.

He chides the inherent expression of ‘cooperation’ among legislatures on different divide when it comes to their welfare, writing “ while the electorate is thus emasculated by such instigated divisions, the successful politician will link up even with his tribal enemy…in order to promote measures of common interest to their new elite class’’.

This observation is not only peculiar to Nigeria. It is a feature across many African political landscapes. 

Chinua Achebe made an appeal to the electorates to rise above tribalism and elect the politician who will advance a nationalistic course. Electorates should ask the politician ‘Why do you want my vote?’ adding that the electorate ‘must treat the easy answers of politician (to this question) with appropriate scepticism’.

In his view, the educated elites have a major role to play in the politics of Nigeria by holding the politician to account on behalf of their fellow countrymen. The educated class should not give the expression ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ a breath of life.

The Trouble With Nigeria is a blistering, uncharitable vitriol on the political system of his country. One could sense the “Things Fall Apart” author’s frustrations, indignation and pain as to why Nigeria and its people continue to ‘perform below our potential’.

The reader could also detect Achebe’s unflinching anguish at the treatment the Igbo’s were subjected to during and after the decade long  Biafran War especially under the Gen. Gowon led administration. He lashed out at Chief Awolowo for his high-handedness and deliberate machinations to cripple the Igbo people both economically and politically.

The writer also singled out Mallam Aminu Kano whom he likened to Mahatma Ghandi for praise. A man with a ‘selfless commitment to the common people of the land’

The Trouble With Nigeria was written by Chinua Achebe, the Nigerian for Nigeria. But the fundamental issues discussed in the book are peculiar to Africa as a whole. That is, Nigeria was employed as an example to highlight the larger problem many political watchers have identified as bane to the continent’s viscous movement towards development- LEADERSHIP

THE TRUTH

'' Much of what is going on in some of these (African) countries is fully explained in terms of the normal lust of human beings for power and wealth. The stakes are high. The office carries power, prestige and money. The power is incredible. Most West Ministers consider themselves above the law, and are treated as such by the police.

Decision-making is arbitrary. Decisions which more advanced countries leave to civil servants and technicians are in those countries made by Ministers, after without consulting expert advice. The prestige is also incredible. Men who claim to be democrats in fact behave like emperors. Personifying the state, they dress themselves up in uniforms, build themselves palaces, and bring all other traffic to a standstill when they drive, hold fancy parades and generally demand to be treated like Egyptian Pharaohs. And the money is also incredible.

Successful politicians receive, even if only elected to Parliament, salaries two to four times more than they previously earned, plus per diem allowances, traveling expenses and other fringe benefits.  There are also vast pickings in bribes, state contracts, and diversion of public funds to private uses and commissions of various sorts. To be a Minister is to have a lifetime’s chance to make a fortune’’

This was the observation of Sir William Arthur Lewis, a West Indian Scholar (Development Econmist) on the conduct of Politicians in newly independent Africa in 1965. Sir Arthur Lewis, a 1979 winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics