Are we really naive as a nation, and people? Or is our concept of democracy a
construct of imaginary ideological latitudes wired into our brains by certain
experimental leaders who exploit the public’s growing infantilisms as a way to
extend their influence across the corridors of power in the face of cyclical
non-performances? Against whom do the constant contrivances we see in our
nation’s politics affect? In contemporary Ghanaian partisan politics, there are
very little grey areas for plurality. There is little room for objectivity.
Sadly, those who are affected, the most, by the nation’s elitist politics are
the ones who continue to throw their support behind their party even when
reality proves that their leaders have failed them. For how long can we continue
to allow ourselves to be fooled by our political leaders? The preceding are
important questions that twenty-first century Ghanaians must ask themselves.
In recent times, a lot have been happening in the ruling National Democratic
Congress as some activists of the party keep calling on her Excellency the
former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings to contest for the leadership
position of the party in the forthcoming congress. The activists believe
strongly that Nana Konadu can offer the nation a decisive leadership that the
NDC is known for and as such are resolute in their call for a change of
leadership. The intrigues and the pronouncements from the top hierarchy of the
party that have followed the call by these activists are just incredible to say
the least.
Not a single day goes by without the party leadership denying the existence of
these unsung heroes whose toil brought the party to power. Entertainingly, not
an hour passes by without these “footsoldiers” being criminalized for expressing
their democratic right. I personally find it quite comical to listen to
stalwarts like Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, Yaw Boateng Gyan and
others call for the arrest of “footsoldiers” of the ruling administration for
making legitimate call, when in fact, the party has actually benefited from the
activities of these unsung heroes. The growing dishonesty we see in Ghanaian
politics today is just revolting to say the least.
Just last night I was told by a reliable source at the Kokomlemle headquarters
of the party that, the leadership is putting together a retreat for some
selected delegates of the party at GIMPA. Retreat for selected party delegates?
Not only am I stunned by this latest shenanigan, I lament over the unbridled
hypocrisy of our leaders, and the failure of the party to adhere to the same
party constitution that they seek to espoused.
Not too long ago, the youth wing of the party organized a forum in Ho and issues
were tabled for urgent action. As I write this piece, nothing concrete have come
out of the communiqué issued at that forum yet the party leadership is
considering organizing similar retreat at GIMPA for whatever purpose, your guess
is as good as mine. What actually was the rationale behind the Ho youth
conference? What did the Ho conference achieved? What benefits has the party
derived from such conferences except for the purpose of enriching a selected
few? Take for instance the Winneba Tein Conference. Was it really a Tein
Conference as it was portrayed or it was a forum for the vice President to
verbally assault the founder? Can we be serious for once and find better ways of
whipping up enthusiasm into the rank and file of the party rather than the usual
money wasting events of this nature?
If this forum is not another meeting of doling out cash in an attempt to
bad-mouth the former first lady Nana Konadu, as has been the norm this days,
then what is the purpose for the intended retreat that is being contemplated for
only a selected delegates? What exactly are the people in the helm of affairs
up to? Why is it necessary to gather selected executives members of the party at
a one location for the sole aim of scheming against a supposed contender of the
leadership mantle? Is this not against the party’s own constitution? Is the
party constitution not alien to such parallel structures? Apart from the
National Executive Committee which has the mandate to meet as and when
necessary, which other organ of the party has the mandate to bring some selected
executives from various regions under the guise of a retreat? Is the intended
retreat under the auspices of the National Executive Committee of the party?
We have seen similar occurrences in the past where delegates were organized by
the National Organizer on the pretext of doing party work yet became a forum
where Nana Konadu was denigrated and party people asked to run down the former
first lady in exchange for cash and other incentives.
Can someone educate me on the exact benefits of these conferences and retreats,
which has rather become a drain on our scarce party resources? How does the
party leadership justify the organizations of these retreats, forums and
conferences, when all indications support the finding that it has never added
anything to our fortunes in the last two years? Definitely the NDC will be saved
a lot of money, a lot of productive time and a lot of serious politics if the
love for this retreats, conferences and talk shops are put away. These so-called
conferences are nothing but a “chopshops” where selected party patrons are
rewarded with pillages. There are too many things wrong with the many
conferences, retreats and “chopshops” that have found its way into the NDC which
hitherto are uncommon to the party. There are lots of legitimate questions that
arise from the organization of these conferences and we must not allow our
experimental politicians to get away with their greedy ways at our expenses.
Like our colonial masters, some old-schooled NDC politicians mistake the
ordinary members of the party for injudicious preschoolers in need of parental
tutelage. Unbeknownst to them, these activists has maturated, and understands
the implications of policies, even better, than some of the nation’s
“unqualified” politicians who have swamped the centre of power for economic
paybacks and kickbacks. I say the above not as a way of showing my condescension
toward our leaders, some of whom are people with integrity. However, the lack of
consistency and the hypocrisy being displayed by the party hierarchy worries me.
While there some who would contend that the party leadership is at liberty to do
as it pleases, we cannot mortgage our party’s development by entrusting the
affairs of the party into the hands of a leadership that reels under a
siege-mentality, in a century of increased openness, and sees dissenting
opinions or groups as enemies of the party.
Each one of us has a role to play to effect needed changes. As a party, we can
either choose to dance to the lyrics of the “new order” or to bring
consciousnesses at the grassroots level to build a cohesive party that has the
energy to curtail official criminality. Those who entertain the thought that
today’s corrupt harvests will be enough to sustain them, and their families, for
the rest of their life, must rethink their position. Those who see leadership as
heaven’s gift for politicians, and as such would not challenge the political
leadership, will die without a whimper. Party activists who allow themselves to
be used to serve a selfish cause have no one to blame for their wretchedness,
but themselves. Change must, and will, come, and it surely will.
We shall be back!
Emmanuel Dela Coffie
www.delacoffie.wordppress.com