RE: Addo Kufuor Is A Political Nuisance

My attention has been attracted to an article by one Okoampa Ahoofe Jr. which was posted on the Ghanaweb on Monday, July 23, 2007.

I must say that I am greatly taken aback by some of the cheap, populist, and clear untruths and contradictions churned out by the writer. Some of these include quotes like “sibling rivalry” between the humble but enterprising former minister and his junior brother, the sitting President. Does the writer know that twin brothers presently occupy the President and Prime Ministerial positions in Poland? Are they wiser than we are? Let’s please stop some of these infantile arguments that cannot stand the test of time.

On the issue of what he describes as “tactical distancing”, he says “popular perception may not exactly gibe with either the constitutionality or his right to gun for the presidency more than a year before he vacates it”. Upon what statistics or empirical survey is he drawing such a conclusion? Who determines when it is timely for one to contest for a position or otherwise? What are the so called rules of politics that he talks about?

In attempting to downplay Dr. Addo Kufuor’s achievements at the Defence Ministry, he goes ahead to rant that the former minister cannot take credit for the landmark achievements at the said ministry during his tenure. To him, it is a collective effort. What about the other candidates, one of whom he definitely supports. Have they achieved anything significant, and should such feats be credited to them?

In any case, Ahoofe fails to provide a single shred of evidence to substantiate what he deems as “shameless schemings” by Dr. Addo Kufuor. Such sweeping, but unsubstantiated statements should not be countenanced. Or are such expressions borne out of mischief and sinister attempts to give the dog a bad name, simply to hang it?

I must express my disgust at the strenuous attempts by the writer and others of his kind to impute and fan ethnocentrism and tribalism into our body politic. Knowing the devastating harm this canker has caused to countries like Rwanda and Serbia, the last thing any lover of peace and democracy in the country should do is to play this dastardly, but self-defeatist card. Such recklessness should be condemned in no uncertain terms.

I must stress here that proven competence and commitment to national developmental are what should be our benchmarks in appraising candidates and not tribal, ethnic, or blood ties concerns. Since when did it become a criminal offence or a breach of the constitution to contest for an office simply because a relation of yours has once occupied the same office? Should we sacrifice competence and constitutional requirements on the altar of petty and untenable concerns like affinity to a president and tribal considerations? Come again, Ahoofe. This one was way below the belt. Have you monitored the comments to your article? I pause for reply.