Ghana’s former consul to Dubai, Ambassador Daniel Osei, has stated that the inner team of former president Mahama do not believe in hard work that will deliver the 2020 victory.

According to Ambassador Osei, the actions of the former president’s aides point to the fact that the party is not ready to win the 2020 elections as they do not want to work with the grassroots.

In his latest write up, the former ambassador revealed that former president Mahama on one occasion had to complain about the approach of his team to him.

”In the last few days I’ve been reflecting on some of my conversations with his team and happenings on the ground and it dawned on me they are executing their plan flawlessly and we are letting them do it. If I were convinced their plan will ultimately win us power in 2020, I’ll not just support it, I will work with them with all my energy. I am not convinced because they do not believe in the ground game.

They don’t believe in the hard work necessary to win the hearts and minds of the electorate and no lesser person than JM himself, shared that with me. His entire campaign reflected exactly his approach.’’ He noted.

He further described the aides to the former president as attack dogs as they constantly abuse anyone who disagrees with themverbally.

Read the full statement below

Ambassador Osei writes:

Exactly a year ago today, On the 12th of December 2016, we commenced a granular research project to find out reasons why we lost and compile a detailed, informative and ‘constituency specific’ document for the party to use in reorganizing for the gargantuan fight ahead of us in 2020. It was during discussions for that project that Kojo Bonsu birthed the idea of walks at some point.

We had two teams, one in Accra and one in Kumasi. We covered over 20 constituencies in Ashanti and about ten in Accra. Unlike the KB committee approach, we did not invite people, we went to them. We visited them at the branches; in their homes, in their work place and others on their farms. We took videos of our conversations and wrote reports on the interactions. Subsequently the KB committee was formed and we were advised to stop. I got in touch with Prof. KB and sent him some of the videos and offered my help. Our first day of work was the 12th. Exactly a year today.

I financed the team’s movement. Prior to starting, we knew JM will be contesting. For us, it didn’t matter. We just wanted to get back power regardless of candidate and I told the people in his inner circle as much. However, I also emphasized party more than candidate. Some of them were not too thrilled. Nonetheless, I thought it respectful to go and announce the project to JM before setting off. I tried unsuccessfully to gain access. We set off all the same.

In the last few days I’ve been reflecting on some of my conversations with his team and happenings on the ground and it dawned on me they are executing their plan flawlessly and we are letting them do it. If I were convinced their plan will ultimately win us power in 2020, I’ll not just support it, I will work with them with all my energy. I am not convinced because they do not believe in the ground game. They don’t believe in the hard work necessary to win the hearts and minds of the electorate and no lesser person than JM himself, shared that with me. His entire campaign reflected exactly his approach.

I mentioned in the previous write up that they are counting on the patience of you all for a successful imposition of their candidate. Our being patient and calm and tolerant and obedient is part of their calculus.

Some have said or written that my initial write ups were “very good and inspiring” I am sure they will agree others including senior comrades who read them also saw same. Have you seen any senior Comrade or executive sticking out their neck and even saying “I agree” or even using an emoji to show their position? No. It’s not for nothing. Nobody wants to fight and get their hands dirty. It’s too risky. What I am doing is not the most convenient and I know if I shut down and go quiet, there is no other voice out there willing to speak truth to power.

Many senior comrades text me quietly to express support. When I ask them to let their voices be heard to inspire a good conversation, they holla; nooooo.

What I am doing is not fun stuff. I am sure you’ve seen the insults from the attack dogs on platforms and Facebook etc. I can certainly do without the insults but I am not perturbed. I am working for the party’s interest. Have you seen any of their attack dogs discuss the substance of my write ups? Even those who suggest peace and calm, what prevents them from discussing the issues raised in the write ups? It is better to take specific issues and discuss them on the merits and help generate solutions accordingly.

They are counting on the timid and peaceful nature of our culture to facilitate their plan. We can’t and must not let them. It’s too risky a preposition to go into the next election not just with the same team but also the same strategy.

In 2009 we announced plans to create new districts. We delayed until 2012, changing the dates several times. In 2010 we announced early primaries for orphan constituencies. We changed dates many times and had them in 2012, needlessly wasting two years in delaying. We were told to stop everything and wait for the KB report and we did, only to be told the report is a secret and we humbly accepted and asked what the way forward is so they gave us a timetable to appease us. We agreed. Time and again, we allow them to abuse our patience and obedience.

The branch elections were slated for November and December and we are in the second week of December and not a single branch election has been conducted. After a little bit of noise they say we should be getting the booklets soon and nobody is even asking what is the relevance of the booklets to the branch elections. We are just going along. They know we are patient and obedient and they are using it against us in a most corrupt way and we shouldn’t permit it.

You’ve all been members of the party for years and may have participated in branch elections before, when did we ever need this booklet for registrations before branch elections? This registration business was introduced as part of the biometric registration gig and culminated into a big and chaotic primary season the likes of which we’ve never seen before and we saw the results. We’ve removed the word biometric but we are doing the same thing and it will not help our efforts. Membership registration should be an open, year long and continuous activity separate from our elections.

We exist as a party to win elections and the NPP are way ahead of the game and ready for their constituency elections next month. What is this needless albatross of an activity? Its sole purpose is to help them control every step of the process. When members names were purged from the register, what did those individuals do? Nothing. So when booklets turn up with different names what will people do? Nothing. And the results will be accepted and we will move on. We can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results.

This fight is for the party’s chance at victory in 2020. Those manipulating the system to impose their candidate, and the candidate himself do not believe in hard ground work and that hard work is our only hope! “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time” (Maya Angelou). They won’t change.

Don’t focus on money. We didn’t have the resources of NPP in 2008 and they didn’t have our resources in 2016 but we know who won in both elections. It’s time to be bold and honest. Good night.