Opinions of Wednesday, 12 December 2018

Columnist: Harry Kwasi Awuah

Exploring seas of unity; case of Kufour, Obasanjo, Akufo-Addo and Afoko

President Akufo-Addo and Former NPP Chairman Paul Afoko President Akufo-Addo and Former NPP Chairman Paul Afoko

Tranquil 8th December ! Stately 80th Birthday! Bright Saturday ! August Occasion ! .....  awe-inspiring sights and wondrous moments witnessed to the pleasure of history's belly !

The halcyon days of camaraderie, mutual trust, esprit de corps, friendship and loyalty among venerable elders of the New Patriotic Party would betide in the residence of His Excellency, President John Agyekum Kufour- indeed a great sight to behold !

'Six out of Ten' of the many Ghanaians who trooped to the residence of President Kufour were highly expectant of and perhaps on 'hindsight' hoped for a moment that would bring President Akufo-Addo and Chairman Paul Afoko. Indeed, the most extraordinary moment some way, some how, bechanced.

Seated next to His Excellency former President Kufour is Ghana's current serving President His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo - flanked around them were elders, Ministers and executives of the governing NPP. In the course of the birthday occasion,  the immediate past National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Chairman Paul A Afoko walks majestically in to the residence of course to congratulate and extend his best wishes to the celebrant President Kufour.

Modest, gracious, self effacing, and unassuming; well composed Chairman Afoko suddenly and naturally would become the object of attention as people present strained their necks to look steadily and intently as the perfectly poised Mr Afoko beaming with infectious smiles shook hands with the cheerful President Nana Akufo-Addo.

That moment was priceless and important to both parties and the New Patriotic Party. Scores of party elders were spotted with Mr Paul  Afoko in a manner that suggested appreciation to Chairman Afoko for that kind gesture. Should the wide smiles and warm handshake between President Akufo-Addo and Chairman Paul Afoko be construed in normal English stance as AGREEMENT ? Me think, YES , an AGREEMENT TO EMBRACE THE WIDER SEAS OF UNITY !

Politics is a human and social enterprise. Thus, it's inevitable that differences in opinions would exist. The utmost and approved solutions to conflicts arising from opinions has been TOLERANCE and RESPECT for divergent views. Like Da Rocha reflected on Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia “Even though Busia was many years my senior, I never felt uncomfortable disagreeing with him." After the 1996 elections,  Mr Peter Ala Adjatey, then National Chairman of the NPP hauled candidate John Agyekum Kufour (as he then was) to the National disciplinary committee over 'wicked' allegations- famously known as the Concordia Ventures.

The committee which had current serving Attorney General and Justice Minister Madam Gloria Akufo as member, cleared President Kufour from any wrongdoing. But Mr Kufour as President appointed Peter Ala Adjatey to the third most powerful position as Speaker of Parliament. Incredible! 

Few weeks ago, veteran and great statesman President Olusegun Obasanjo publicly forgave his long time enemy who happened to be his vice President , Atiku Abubakar. Not only that, Obasanjo expressed his willingness and commitment to make Atiku win the 2019 elections and form the next government as President. Unbelievable, innit? 

This is how it's supposed to be. No Permanent enemy in Politics ; but permanent interest. We hope President Akufo-Addo together with messrs Paul , Kwabena and Crabbe sit together and work things out in the interest of Ghana and NPP for One day, we'll have to stand before the god of history and we will talk interms of the things we've done !

Let bygones be bygones!

Let's make progress!