“There is a crisis looming in the air, very much like that of Greece and other turbulent economies worldwide, yet an un-budging bunch of ‘I-know-it-all politicians’ exhibit nonchalance towards the suffering of the masses” (Fadi Dabbousi)

Leadership is influence according to John C. Maxwell. It is in this regard that I want to particularly acknowledge the leadership role of Mr. Fadi Dabbousi, a true patriot, businessman, writer and political activist.

In the struggle for Ghana’s ‘second independence’ in the just ended presidential and parliamentary elections, his influence by my estimation was and still is, immeasurable. If it is true that “a nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure” according to Abraham Lincoln, then a political grouping will hardly if ever, repeat its successes if it does not appreciate its heroes. I feel obliged to celebrate this gentleman for all he has done and continue to do for the New Patriotic Party (N.P.P).

As a young activist of the New Patriotic Party, I got inspired from the writings of this great Ghanaian. I think reading his insightful, thought-provoking and revealing articles from online news portals like ghanaweb and modernghana is about the first or second thing I do every day in the morning. He stood up to the propaganda, deceit and outright lies of the N.D.C ‘babies with sharp teeth’ and sent most of them to total hibernation and others to their reformation.

Initially, I didn’t even know that he was light-skinned or a business magnate who could get out of this country upon the slightest discomfort. When I discovered his personality on facebook, I became dumbfounded. Since ‘knowing’ Fadi, he keeps inspiring me more indirectly through his countless write-ups.

At a point in time, President John Mahama, the N.D.C and the Bureau of National Investigation considered Fadi as a serious political threat and arrested him under the guise of maligning the president. Unfounded as these allegations were, he was later released from BNI custody.

All those who thought that Fadi will be deterred by this arrest were later disappointed as he upped his criticisms of the government and called for its rejection in the elections. He followed his write-ups with actual campaigning all throughout the country. He exposed the incompetence and corrupt nature of the N.D.C government wherever and whenever he had the opportunity to interact with people.

I fell in love with Fadi but I had this believe that most people in top echelons of society were snobbish so it produced some inertia in me from contacting him. One day, I gathered courage and approached him on facebook with a chat message.

He immediately responded and even exchanged contacts with me. The following morning, he called to say hello and to enquire about the political temperature at my end-Nalerigu.

That took us into a very lengthy conversation. He, by this time knowing very well that I was an N.P.P member, went ahead to tell me about Nana Addo’s vision for Ghana and the youth like myself.

He dispelled all the nasty propaganda that was going round about Nana Addo’s dislike for certain ethnic groups and religions. He told me an insider’s story of the true Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo- a humble, humor-filled, visionary, energetic and incorruptible man willing to serve his people and bring them to prosperity.

I almost wept when I heard something like sobs from Fadi’s end of the phone when he was still telling me who the true Nana Addo is. If for the love of Ghana, a Ghanaian with Lebanese roots is weeping, what about me a typically typical Ghanaian? I asked myself. That conversation ignited the fire for change of government in me more than molten magma could ever do.

I couldn’t be like the Fadi whose writings motivated me if I didn’t try to write like him. To write impeccable English like him will be a tall mountain to climb but at least I could still project my party even with my ‘disjointed English’. I proceeded to write articles for publication in several online news portals including ghanaweb and modernghana all to either defend my party or project it.

Thankfully, even though I’ve never showed any of my articles to Fadi before publication, he has constantly been my number one motivator and mentor. Through that, a lot of my colleagues also got inspired and we all took after Fadi; all trying our best in our little ways to put the party in a better position for the electorate to choose-which they did anyway.

Already, His Excellency the president has already begun dropping names of some of his appointees. The list so far is replete with a lot of humble servants, experienced people and erudite scholars. I have no reason to doubt that they will deliver. My only hope and prayer is that His Excellency Nana Addo should complete the jigsaw of competent, loyal, hardworking and Ghana-centered people; men and women who believed in Ghana like President Nana Addo himself.

I trust the discretion of the president so I’ll leave it at that. However, I don’t need the approval of the president or even the N.P.P to thank Mr. Fadi Dabbousi for his invaluable contribution to the victory of the party and to the eventual emancipation of the country from the claws of corruption, incompetence and poor governance.

As William Arthur Ward puts it, “feeling gratitude and not expression it is like wrapping a present and not giving it”. Ti puusiya pam Fadi (Mampruli: to wit, we thank you very much Fadi). Naawuni ni yo samni (God will adequately recompense you).

Long live Ghana, Long live President Nana Addo and long live Fadi Dabbousi. Author: Suayam Simon