I read the unfortunate attack on the Vice President by a group claiming to be from Mr. Alan Kyerematen’s camp calling the Veep weak and the subsequent denial by Mr. Kyeremanten and I asked myself what is happening to my great party. As a party activist, it saddens me when I notice that instead of some aspirants and their supporters selling their candidates to the delegates, they are rather engaging in unnecessary slurs on individuals.
But Prince Armah, the alleged leader of the group and those who think like them, should hear what a renowned American Professor of psychology has to say, that ‘’humility culture and respect for one’s adversaries is the surest way to carry a group of people along your thinking’’.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama’s respect for a fellow Ghanaian, humility and his unbearing demeanour are being misconstrued as weak. There are those who in their desperation are asking for an autocratic leader who will rule with an iron fist in order to force Ghanaians to respect the law better. Such people ask for a ‘‘strong’’ leader/President; someone who is demonstrative and tough talking. While giving all these prescriptions to the person to occupy the Presidential Seat, they have branded personalities who are perceived as humble and not temperamental as fully not equipped to face the stubbornness of the Ghanaian. But these people should read Research conducted by Scientific individuals who think that the world is moving from the forceful leadership style to a humble leadership style, to these researchers, the global phenomenon has greatly change the dynamism of world governance to a fatherly style-non confrontational.
I have no qualms with these people, for there will always be differences in opinion on some of these issues partly due to our individual upbringing and background. . There is no denying the fact that some Ghanaians are hard to deal with but in the same breath, Ghanaians are generally regarded as the most understanding and lovely people if only they are treated fairly and with respect by a leader who is firm but modest and trustworthy.
It is significant to point out that there is no scientific evidence to show that people, who are often described as charismatic, vociferous, action-man etc, have been able to change society. There are present/past Leaders/Presidents who have transformed society and their persona had been that of a calm personality. The former Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Bin, was very calm, talks little, humble etc but was credited as having turned the economy of Malaysian round. Our own Mr. Kofi Annan was very focused, calm and did not react unnecessarily to situations. Today in Asia, Europe etc Mr.Kofi Annan is well respected.
In their quest to promote a perceived actionman, strongman, charismatic leader (and frankly they are right to make such submission) have classified Alhaji Aliu Mahama as the least to claim such a tag. It may be true that Aliu Mahama is not the demonstrative and outlandish type but his calm demeanour has all the qualities that every leader should posses: talks fluently, smart in appearance, and extremely focused. I can say for sure that those who see Alhaji Aliu Mahama as soft, and not strong, may have been away from Ghana for the last 20years and have not had access to news from Ghana and hence have not heard Aliu Mahama speak or examined his actions.
One significant thing about Alhaji Aliu Mahama is his caring nature for the ordinary person. He has throughout his years in leadership position showed empathy for the disadvantaged in society and teaming up with the rich in society to help alleviate the suffering of the masses. Since becoming the Vice President, Aliu Mahama has shown a desire for openness and displayed a caring attitude towards all Ghanaians. Throughout his speeches, he had repeated the message of unity; to him countries strive and develop on unity. Rev. David Kyeremeh (President of Faith Ministry in the USA) said ‘’one thing I like about Aliu Mahama is his compassion for the ordinary in the rural areas’’. With the current economic dispensation and the forecasts being made about the growth of the Ghanaian economy, Aliu Mahama is right person to carry on with what he helped to start. He is also the best person capable of uniting the country after the 2008 elections. A former construction magnate who can construct a Team of Ministers to achieve results and help emancipate Ghanaians from our present level to a comfortable destination.
One of the enabling factors for good governance is when a President shows due respect and appreciation for the work his Ministers put in. Aliu Mahama’s attitude has been that of humility and not the one to lord it over his lieutenants. He has really created the atmosphere of allowing individual to be creative and innovative without trying to take credit for it. Alhaji Aliu Mahama has inculcated discipline, hard work and team working ethics amongst his staff. It is generally believed that the Vice President’s respect for individuals has won him a corresponding ‘obey you Sir’ response.
There is a feeling that our democratic journey to make this country secure is not yet mature. And this means that we need a President who with the assistance from his Ministers will be able to protect the country. A confidential whisper from the Security Services recently admitted that the security services are prepared to work with whoever is elected the President from 2009. According to this confidante, they are extremely happy with the current peace been enjoyed in the country and will never succumbed to dangerous adventures to turn our country to an uncivilised situation and this confidante has lauded the excellent contributions made by the Vice President Aliu Mahama and the NPP government. To him there is a believed that they will not be comfortable with a leader who purports to know everything and throws up temper tantrums. Thankfully none of the leading NPP presidential aspirants is that type. It is significant to note that Alhaji Aliu Mahama has demonstrated the highest commitment to allow the security professionals to protect the country as they deem fit and has maintained an excellent relationship with the security services whenever President Kufour is away on international duties (go and check). Protecting this Nation from intruders and saboteurs demands tactfulness and vigilance and this Aliu Mahama acknowledged, when in the presence of a visiting US Military Personnel, said that the NPP government will never allow any foreign elements to destroy our young democracy.
On the question of Ghanaians being stubborn and therefore needing a ‘strongman’ President to suppress them to obey the laws of the country, this approach is certainly not the panacea. The country’s problems stem from our susceptibility to corruption and ‘I don’t Care Attitude About Development’. It becomes monotonous when you repeatedly stress the fact that our underdevelopment is down to the failure of our state institutions to function effectively and also decades of undue interference from the Executive. If the leadership sends a strong signal to the Police, civil servants and the public to work hard to achieve targets and the President and his Team create the infrastructure, we will certainly not need a ‘Tackashi man’
Ghana will certainly be a safe haven if corruption is reduced. Corruption is our greatest enemy and it is the single cause of all our woes. When the rules are bent and corruption dominates, it is the poor in the society that suffers and majority die as a result. This is the concern of the Vice President Aliu Mahama, who has made it a crusade to fight corruption and to help the disadvantaged in society. The country is very fortunate to have this noble son from the North whose desire is to see a free society as his major priority.
Having been concerned about indiscipline in our society, on assumption of office, Alhaji Aliu Mahama launched a National Crusade against indispline. Although, the message has not exploded as expected, the difficulties that hindered its full swing has been examined and hopefully it is certainly going to be become a National Philosophy from 2009 under the NPP government. Many societies have been destroyed because of a bunch of indispline few and for sure a new society with a new thinking is likely to emerge.
Research indicates that Leaders who are calm in turbulent situations and show a good composure generally do better in persuading the people to follow their agenda. Not surprisingly many political and social commentators have tagged Alhaji Aliu Mahama as “Gentle Giant 2”, after his boss President Kufour. Considering how the country has been managed, and the tremendous progress made under President Kufuor, with Aliu Mahama as his able Vice, then it is a matter of fairness and natural justice that the Vice President ascends to the top position when it becomes vacant.
The evidence on the ground shows that Ghana is likely to become a middle-income economy in the very near future. This will require a lot of hard work and persuasion for the Ghanaian worker to accept the necessary changes and sacrifices. There is no better person to do this than the Vice President. Aliu Mahama’s sober and fatherly skills will undoubtedly be a good advantage in convincing workers and students that an atmosphere devoid of rancour and prejudice is what we need and that it pays to use dialogue to resolve our differences. The militant and confrontational posture won’t do one any good.
In clamouring for Aliu Mahama, I have scrutinized the current political dispensation, interviewed Church Pastors, Imams, Workers, party activists, women, children, retired workers and students and the findings are what influenced my thinking.
Pastor Emmanuel Sackey (Agona Swedru) said ‘’the Nation is boiling and Aliu Mahama’s sobriety will surely calm tempers down.’’
Madam Dade Sacketey (from Somanya) ‘’Aliu Mahama is also a Ghanaian why not give the seat to him and see what will happen in the next 4years?’’
Mr.Daniel Mawuvi (Juapong ) ‘’I am a CPP supporter but if I was a member in the NPP and powerful, I would have made Aliu/Nana as my men for the castle but you see Aliu Mahama’s innocent face and gentle face and you quickly take to him, hence my vote for him come 2008’’
It is most regrettable that there are allegations of money dominating the leadership campaign. Times I do not blame the Aspirants too much for when there is no limit set by the National Executives as how much each Aspirant can give to potential delegates as Transportation expense, then each Aspirant gives out as he deems fit. One US Republican candidate once used as his campaign slogan “wealth for the people” as opposed giving money to individual people to buy their votes. Let us not use dubious means to give power to person but rather use information on the ground to make an informed decision. Neither should we accept money from agents of some of the aspirants for anyone who wants to “buy” the Party leadership is not worth supporting. . It is our divine duty to help the country develop and never succumb to money influence and other unwise strategy to win power; disaster is what you bring to yourself and family if you do that.
Finally, it is time to put a stop to the insults; it is time for people to tell us about the experience they have and what they can do. That is what we want to hear and the wisdom from the maestro Mr. Dan Botwe to all Aspirants and their supporters is timely and must be listened to. The NPP is one family and whoever is elected in December will be supported, for this is a great party that supporters must be proud of.
FORMER NPP TESCON PRESIDENT LONDON, UK
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