Opinions of Monday, 19 September 2011

Columnist: Tawiah, Francis

Boakye Gyan To Reconcile With Former "Wife" NDC

The former Spokesperson of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), Osahene Boakye Gyan has staged come-back through entrancement to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) as he picked nominations forms for the parliamentary primaries for Jaman South Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Boakye Gyan, who exercised many critics of his former boss, Flt.Lt.Jerry Rawlings, is said to be the only person who picked the forms at the close of the nominations last Friday.

The outspoken leading member of the AFRC's staging come back has generated political debates among all angles of political divide considering his entrenched position against the founder of the NDC.

Osahene Boakye Gyan, who contested the 2008 general elections as an independent candidate, is now taking another strategy with the aim to set a record by breaking the NPPs monopoly within the Jaman South constituency in Brong Ahafo Region.

The ex-serviceman who is said to have a very tight and sure relationship with some big wigs within the NDC like the Ahwoi family, told a publisher of a newspaper that it was unfortunate that former President Rawlings claims ownership of the Party.

The NDC parliamentary hopeful when asked, why he chose to reconcile with the NDC, had it a bit tough to answer so he had to laughed with resistance before responding, ?I am coming home but I want to tell you that if the NDC is founded, based on the ideals and principles of June 4th, then I can assure you, we are at the right side. We planned and implemented June 4th and it is on that note that I will support any group that exists to prosecute the ideals of June 4th, he said.

Boakye Gyan in response to why he wanted to lead a party which he has been "picking a bone" with its founder, he said the NDC as a political party was not for any individual. ?The NDC is bigger than anyone,? he maintained. Like Nkrumah, my people put pressure on me to join a solid party and being a founding member of the NDC, taking that decision was not difficult at all.

He further called on all individuals who believe in social democracy to support the NDC for victory in 2012. He moreover hinted holding a press conference in Sunyani or in his constituency to explain again vividly why he joined the NDC and why he is contesting the seat.

According to the NDC General Secretary when contacted about Boakye Gyan's issue, the party is joined at branch levels and if Jaman South constituency executives say he is a member with good standing, then he can utilize and enjoy his membership advantage.

*** "I hope Boakye Gyan will not be a hungry goat who will graze into the forest," and therefore be able to differentiate Democratic rule from Military rule, if he happens to be mandated.

FRANCIS TAWIAH (Duisburg - Germany)