The stony silence of the rather loquacious NPP Flgabearer, Akufo-Addo, in the wake of President Atta Mills’ vintage performance at the Editors Forum last Friday, has given enough cause for political watchers to conclude that the NPP Flagbearer is not speaking because he has been mesmerized by the captivating performance of the NDC Leader.

According to opinion sampled, it is rather unusual for Akufo-Addo to be quiet almost a week after the President dazzled Ghanaians and the world at large. Akufo-Addo is known to jump at every opportunity to have his voice heard and his silence is making it abundantly clear that the NPP Flagbearer has woken up to the realization that President Atta Mills is miles ahead of the him (Akufo-Addo).

According to one of the watchers of Ghana’s political landscape, it is not expected that Akufo-Addo will openly commend President Atta Mills but in view of the fact that the NPP Flagbearer’s men have been all over the place making noise on certain issues that came up at the Forum, people are of the opinion that Akufo-Addo should be the lead spokesperson for the NPP. “He is the Leader of the NPP and the person who intends to lead his party into power come 2012 so it is very critical that he should be the one leading his party’s commentary on the issues that popped up when the President interacted with the media” the political watcher said. “For example, the NPP is making so much noise about the TOR Debt and the President’s call for the NPP to apologise to Ghanaians for saddling the nation with a huge debt. Now, on an issue like this, it is Akufo-Addo who should speak; it should not be Sir John, Samuel Abu Jinapor, nor the NPP MP’s who should be the lead speakers” the political watcher said. “For goodness sake; Akufo-Addo is the one who wants to become President and not Sir John and co” the political watcher added. The Ghanaian Lens has spoken to certain radio and TV journalists who have also confirmed that it is wrong for Akufo-Addo to be allowing minnows like Samuel Jinapor to be the ones talking on his behalf on major and sensitive issues. According to the journalists, all attempts to get Akufo-Addo to speak have proven futile and they are surprised at the behaviour of the NPP Flagbearer. “You want to become President and you are running away from media interviews on critical issues?” a senior journalist asked rhetorically. “Your part has been accused of saddling the nation with a huge TOR Debt and you are pretending not to have heard?” the journalist asked again rhetorically. “Honestly, If a single solid outing by President Mills is enough to send Akufo-Addo into hiding, then the NPP have a lot to worry about going into the 2012 election” a senior radio programme producer said.

“Akufo-Addo has refused to personally make a comment, and some of us are left with no other option but to believe that he is in a state of shock after the President produced a wonderful performance” a radio news anchor told The Ghanaian Lens.

According to the consensus that is building up, Akufo-Addo has chosen to keep quiet because in his heart of hearts, he has nothing to say.

“As we say;, it is better to keep quiet and not expose your foolishness than speak for everybody to know how foolish you are” is the way people summed up Akufo-Addo’s silence on President Atta Mills’ vintage performance last Friday.