By Kofi Thompson

There are some political analysts who insist that it was the extraordinary carelessness of certain key individuals in Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo's inner-circle, which resulted in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) becoming complacent to a degree that negatively impacted the outcome of the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections, for the party.

It would appear that those smug individuals - hardliners who have successfully hijacked their party, unfortunately - have still not learnt any lessons from their party's December 2012 election debacle.

It seems that it has still not occurred to those too-clever-by-half individuals - as they collaborate with their allies in the professions employed in the public-sector to "actualise" their plan to "make Ghana ungovernable" - that they ought to take into account the opinions of the moderate, independent-minded and discerning Ghanaians, whose crucial swing-votes now decide who wins presidential elections in Ghana.

As those fair-minded and nationalistic individuals observe the ratchetting up of the unremitting and ruthless politricks being deployed by this small group of extremists in the midst of their main political opponents, to destroy public confidence in President Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, a thought keeps recurring to many in this key electoral demographic.

The question many of those fair-minded and patriotic citizens often ask themselves is: How curious that those who are so insistent on leading Ghana, seldom focus on telling Ghanaians what in their view will enable their country overcome its numerous problems, and improve living standards for the citizenry - but rather choose to expend all their energies in endless criticism of the NDC government: some based on half-truths and plain falsehood?

Where, one wonders, in the endless high-decibel chattering on the airwaves of Ghana's many television and FM radio stations, are the NPP's concrete alternative economic policies, which will provide the much-needed jobs for Ghana's teeming unemployed young people?

Would such an approach not redound to the NPP's benefit in the December 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections?

Instead of creating a crisis of confidence in Ghana and frightening away potential investors, who could create jobs for Ghanaians, why do those who say they love Ghana and must rule it at all costs, not rather take advantage of the many opportunities coming their way to show the kind of leadership they can offer Ghanaians with innovative policy alternatives?

Like their fatally flawed campaign for the December 2012 presidential election, this desperate attempt to win the hearts and minds of Ghanaians - particularly the fair-minded, the discerning and the independent-minded in our midst - will also fail.

The government of a President elected to a 4-year tenure, and less than six months in office after his swearing-in, cannot be said to be a failure.

And now that the writing is on the wall, those NPP hardliners who sought to remove President Mahama from office, with the help of the Supreme Court, are shifting the goal posts. Again.

Now they are apparently wishing for a military coup. Or, failing that, a mass uprising of the populace.

Well, let them dream on. Neither will happen. And some of them could end up before the ICC someday too, if they do not stop before it becomes too late to do so.

They know that neither principle nor fairness informs their actions. It is all "political" - to quote a genius. And that is why they will fail again - just as they did in December 2012.

The real truth is that they think it is an abomination for any of them to be ruled by a northerner. Pure nonsense on bamboo stilts, that antedelluvian notion in 21st century Africa.

They had better get used to the idea: by God's grace, President Mahama and the NDC will rule Ghana for the full four years their tenure lasts for.

As time goes by, the corrupt in high places will be dealt with. And the rebalancing of the nation's finances will eventually be successful.

Yes, these are hard times for many - but better times will definitely come for all Ghanaians. The President must remain focused and steadfast.

But enough is enough. It is time he stopped trying to be nice to the Gabby Asare Otchere-Darkos of our nation.

He must see them for what they really are: a clear and present danger to Ghanaian democracy - bent on removing him from power through fair or foul means.

Ghanaians and their nation will move on. Those who do not accept electoral defeat in a democracy do not deserve power.

As things currently stand, the NPP as presently constituted (dominated as it is by a small clique of extremists) definitely does not deserve to be in power. Yes, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo himself may be a good and decent gentleman. But his party as presently constituted has nothing different or better to offer Ghanaians.

Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com.