Barely a week after resigning as a member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), the controversial son of Ghana’s first President, Dr Sekou Nkrumah has made yet another political somersault by declaring support for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its Presidential candidate for the 2012 general elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
In interview with the Daily Guide Newspaper over the weekend, Sekou, Nkrumah who touts himself as a political animal, said as a politician he could not operate in a vacuum or in isolation, stating that “the poor performance of the of the NDC government leaves one with very little choice in support of government in power, that is if we are looking at what is in the interest of Ghana at the present time”
He noted: “I think it will be in order to declare support for Nana Addo”, adding that the NDC government had failed Ghanaians and for that matter did not deserve another term in office.
He was however not forthright on the question of joining the NPP, since he did not share in the philosophy, arguing that “at some point, we all need to put Ghana first and sacrifice for that”.
Sekou disclosed that President Mills and his government had not been able to impress him along with millions of Ghanaians who thought their living conditions would be better under an NDC administration.
“At least there were a few initiatives done by the NPP” he said, citing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).
“They (NPP) came up with a few idea initiatives that when NDC came to power could even continue with and build on”, he stated, adding, The NDC didn’t seem to have a plan before coming to power. ”
He said this reflected what he described as the ideological bankruptcy of the NDC” which was becoming very clear now.
He noted that though the NDC was founded on the ideals of its founder and former President Rawlings “even he himself cannot define or explain that vision; what he represents”
For this reason, “I think a support for Akufo-Addo’s Presidential bid or ambition will be in order and I can put my services at his disposal,” an obviously disappointed former boss of the National Youth Council (NYC) said.
Sekou encouraged Ghanaians to vote for the NPP and Akufo-Addo in the next elections.
“It will be hypocritical to promote or support the NDC for them to continue being in power,” he said, stressing commitment to join Akufo Addo’s campaign.