; Nana Addo, Alan’s Slippery Path

NPP partly lost the 2008 elections mainly due to suspicion of bad blood between the main front liners of the party and polarization of the party’s front as the party failed to close their ranks in the run up to the 2008 elections. The perceived disunity was so grave to the extent that some had the premonition of being excluded from the party even though they are true and true blue chip NPP members. The close shave and narrow loss the party suffered has since left a sour taste in the mouths of many NPP supporters. The fallouts of the 2008 elections and subsequent assumption of power by the NDC really put NPP members as second rate citizens as members are treated with disdain and scorn. One therefore would have thought that the so-called disunity would be far -fetched and a thing of the past considering deep seated adverse effect the culmination of the perceived polarization has caused the party. I must say I am really cringing when writing this piece as the nostalgic feeling of the outcome of 2008 elections is distasteful and mournful. The 2008 elections one stop elections that every NPP believed the party easily gave out power to the NDC on a silver platter, thanks to complacency, internal power play and perceived division. One would have therefore projected the NPP would be guarded against falling prey to these Achilles hills of the party. But sad and regrettable to say, it appears the party hierarchy is repeating the very avoidable things that caused the party’s electoral defeat in the 2008 elections. Again the party has not learnt from the mistakes and debris of the Achilles hills which still haunts the party’s survival as the party guards its loins for the 2012 elections. To be blunt and say it the way it must be said with no holes barred that the run up to the NPP National Delegates conference, some candidates are linked to Nana Akuffo Addo and Alan Kyeremateng; the two main contenders and protagonists of the perceived factions that has been created. The concern that must seek the attention of all is how some individuals are overtly or covertly aligning themselves to these strong contenders to better their chances in their bid to grab a position in the party. The danger of this turbulent development is the increasing depth of cracks and division that is scattering the bond that exist in the NPP as one united force. The NPP today remains the most envious political entity after Prof. Mills and the NDC has failed to meet the aspirations of the people and woefully proven to gain mastery in the divulgence of lies and propaganda and failing woefully in delivering of their unachievable promises; their actions and inactions have greatly attested to this belief. The chorus on the lips of the masses today is calling on the immediate return of the NPP back to power to prevent the total depletion of our resources and to forstore the scattering of the economy beyond repairs. This is the cry of the masses whose grimace shows that of regret for gambling with their lives by entrusting their destinies in the NDC who have proven to be visionless and embedded with mediocrity. Many have vowed never to forgive the NPP if they allow this factionalism to grow and allow power to elude them come 2012. It appears Nana Akuffo Addo and Alan Kyeremanteng do not see the depth of danger that these seeming factionalism could have on the chances of the NPP of grabbing power come 2012 and therefore do not seem to be bothered about it. The effect of the factionalism is presently at the simmering stage and will soon hit the climax where nothing could be done about. I want to use this platform to signal to Nana Addo that the NPP fraternity does not want him to be Flagbearer only. What they crave for is to see him conduct a thorough house cleaning and get himself ready to lead the NPP to rule Ghana. Nana has been seen him as Flagbearer before, Ghanaians want him as president so he should begin to initiate move that will eventually give the power. This could only be done if he ready to assert himself and put his house in order. I challenge Nana Addo to come out boldly and dissociate himself from those who are aligning themselves to him to better their lot as they seek position in the party else he will be doing a great disservice to the party’s unity. No one needs to be told about the manner in which some contestants in the presently on-going party elections Regional and National Elections have used and are still using the names of Nana Addo and Alan Kyeremanteng in achieving their avowed political objectives much to the chagrin of some party faithful. One classical example is the case of AVULATEY who displayed on his posters that a vote for him is vote for Nana Addo. It is obvious that the continuous use of Nana Addo’s and Alan’s names in campaigning is still deepening the perceived disunity of the party. The continuous silence of the nana Addo and Alan; which in itself is a tacit endorsement of what is going on will do no good but will continue to deepened the disunity. For instance, It is widely believed and held perception that Jake Obetsebi Lamptey who is vying for the national Chairman of the party is heavily supported by nana Addo and that Jake is riding on the so called popularity of Nana Addo. This held perception has continued for some time and Nana Addo surprisingly has not issued a statement to set the records straight as it was. In much the same way, it is an open secret that Alan Kyeremanteng has put his weight behind Steve Ntim who is also vying for the Chairmanship of the party. This continuous silence by both Nana Addo and Allan Kyeremanteng is fuelling the perception and deepening nana ADDO is succetiple to losing he so called disunity of the party. There have been practical instances where some candidates contesting at Regional levels have used nana Addo name openly on their posters and eventually lost the contest. By this stretch of the argument, it stands to reason that that Nana ADDO is succetiple to losing in the Volta Region in view of the reality that Avu-Lartey represented Nana Addo and lost judging from Avu-Lartey open usage of Nana Addo’s name in campaigning.. Another case in point is where Yaw Osafo Marfo, a close confidant and an ardent supporter of Nana Addo’s bid for the Flagbearership for 2012 is purported to have organized a meeting at Premier Hotel for three constituencies and in the process endorsed the candidature of one Kofi Lartey on behalf of Nana Addo as Chairman for the eastern region in a contest which eventually had Dr Annor as the victor. Meantime Dr Annor is said to be an acclaimed image of Alan Kyeremanteng. In such a situation how does one find the unity that the masses are craving for? The challenge on the two main forces in the body politic is to delink themselves from what is going on and allow the regional elections and more importantly the National Elections to go in other to foster peace in the party. Is also true that Nana Addo has endorsed a slate team which is said to be his men for the upcoming Delegates Conference. What would be fate of Nana Addo should his preferred and endorsed slate team lose the contest. It appears Nana Addo and Alan Kyeremanteng are treading on slippery and dangerous grounds in overtly or covertly supporting some Candidates for the upcoming Delegates Conference. Why would NANA Addo embark on such a slippery permutation by supporting Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and other slate team at the expense of others contestants? Must the other non supporting contestants also rise up against Nana Addo and campaign against him? It saddens me that Nana Addo would embark on this gamble at a time that virtually all the foot soldiers believe Nana Addo should be given the nod on the ticket of NPP for the 2012 General Elections.

ARTICLE BY KWABENA NTOW NPP FOOT SOLDIER, ACCRA