A Guilty-By-Accusation Approach: Nana and the NPP’s Propaganda Strategy
It appears Nana Akufo Addo and the NPP have no clear campaign messages to support their quest for political power. As such they have resorted to accusation, falsehood and propaganda as a means to that end. There is a growing body of evidence that point to a concerted campaign to prepare the minds of unsuspecting Ghanaians that all is not well with the country for which reason they must change their government. But the facts, as many Ghanaians are aware of, do not support what Nana Addo and the NPP want Ghanaians to believe.
Between January 2009 and now, November 2012, there have been tremendous improvements in so many areas of our economic, social and political development as a country. Talk of economic stability, infrastructure development, improvement in health facilities, agriculture modernization and mechanization, rule of law, good governance, road constructions, and improvement in public sector wage, to mention but few. Today, no one mention Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) debt any more, no more cry from the rail workers for unpaid salary, and acute shortage of water has been mitigated. All these point to the fact that the NDC government is determine to confront our collective challenges with all the seriousness they deserve. The conclusion some observers are drawing is that the opposition New Patriotic Party is apprehensive of the ruling National Democratic Congress’ achievement over this short period of time compare with the former’s eight years in government, hence the strategy of “a guilty-by accusation- approach” to make the government look a-non-performing-one.
In a long press statement dated 26 May 2009 entitled “Reviewing the current situation in Ghana”, Nana Addo stated “I say to President Mills today: if you say that the system is broke, fix it! Every government inherits assets and liabilities”. He also asked the government to act to restore confidence in the management of the economy. That was barely five months after the NDC wrestled power from the NPP. It was obvious that Nana Addo acknowledged at the time that the Ghanaian economy was really broke under their leadership for which reason he was asking the late President Mills to fix it. The NDC government took the challenge thrown by Nana Addo and today the economy is fixed and more progress being made to the admiration of key players and the international community but to the disappointment of the New Patriotic Party and its flagbearer, Nana Akufo Addo.
It was therefore not surprising at all at this time for Nana Addo, a man who aspires to be the president of Ghana, to accuse his own country for harboring arm combatants to carry out subversive activities against Ivorian government. This behaviour has a tendency to mar relationship between the two countries and raises serious security implication for the very country Nana Addo wants to lead at all cost. Nana Addo at the last IEA debate has demonstrated that he has very little knowledge of what is happening in government or does not want to know because it does not matter to him. His mannerism and posturing was that of aggressor who is “fighting” for no apparent reason. Nana Addo and the NPP appear to be suggesting that the only challenge Ghana faces in her development quest is lack of free SHS as such all his answers at the IEA debate has “free SHS” as the magi cube it. God help us! Nana Addo and the NPP could have done better by acknowledging the achievements of the government and then suggest alternative ways, if any, of doing it better and how. Instead they have resorted to fabrications, lies and planting concocted stories wherever they have the opportunity in a bid to create disaffection for the ruling National Democratic Congress and its government.
It is important we uphold the peace in the country as we draw closer to the December elections. Let us remember that we have come far as a country in our journey and determination to build a country that we can all be proud of, and which will remain as a great inheritance for generations yet unborn.
By: Alexander Bediako.