The mantra is as simple on the lips as any nursery rhyme. Breaking the Eight… The task though is as challenging as getting the Elephant to rise from where it is resting on its four. That is why those touring the country with foul words in the name of the party ought to be careful. The Elephant is a mighty name which puts everybody contemplating picking the form when nominations are opened at the Asylum Down head office in Accra, to weigh themselves before they are put on the scale.
Do I have what it takes to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the 2024 presidential election? It is a simple question with multiple answers. All that glitters cannot be gold. That is why I am intrigued that nobody at the party headquarters is calling people with foul mouths shouting on sworn words and threatening mayhem to be allowed to take the party flag into the elections and hasten the movement of the Elephant into the bush, to order.
Like the founder of Christianity once warned, it is easier for the camel to go through the eye of the needle than for some of those threatening to bring the party down on the likely event that they fail the acid test, to be counted among those leading the party into the next vote.
In the 2007 presidential primary, 17 people contested for the right to take the NPP symbol into the race in an abortive attempt to replace then siting President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary at the time, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, labelled them 17 thieves.
What still intrigues me is that none of the contestants challenged that label. And they all fell by the way side, giving Dr. Arthur Kennedy, a contestant who polled only one vote, to chronicle the events into a still contentious book- Chasing the Elephant into the Bush.
Suffice it to state that it took another eight years and a challenge at the Supreme Court for the men and women of the Centre-right political party in this land of our birth, to cajole the Elephant from the bus to Jubilee House.
Now another group of people, apparently without any sense of history, are hitting the streets on empty slogans and hell-bent on driving the Elephant into the bush once more. I am sorry, but presidential materials are not made from straw, however wealthy those shouting the slogans might be.
At the last count, nine people are already on the streets shouting their intention to move behind the Elephant on its journey into the bush. Sitting Vice-President Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia has already laced his boots for the confrontation. So has long standing contestant Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the man they call Alan Cash. I do not know how his cash nick-name translates into cedis, or the American version which Uncle Sam has put a biblical tag on its fortunes -In God we trust. These two are widely regarded as the front-runners.
There are seven others so far. Maverick Kennedy Agyepong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central is leading a pack, including Mr. Boakye Agyarko, one-time Minister of Energy, Dr. Afriye Akoto, recently resigned Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Joe Ghartey, Minister of Railways Development in President Akufo-Addo’s first term, Mr. Francis Addae Nimo, one-time Member of Parliament for Asante Mampong, Dr. Konadu Apraku, veteran contestant in the NPP presidential primaries, and Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, one-time Press Secretary to then President Kufuor, who is making his second attempt at the Presidency.
Nine is already a tall figure, but knowing how fast things move in things of this nature, I would not be surprised if more contestants come forward.
One-time Finance Minister Joseph Henry Mensah, certainly one of the best Parliamentarians this country has ever produced in terms of debating skills, once said that before any person puts himself forward for any venture, that person ought to check himself.
Since they are not doing so, I am opting to put all these contestants on the weighing scales for them to get an idea of how they ought to look at themselves.
Mr. Kwbena Agyapong is a very good friend. He was about the only Ghanaians political animal who came to my house in Tottenham to visit me when I was in exile in London. Since I came back, we have corroborated on a number of issues. He has a good command of the English Language and is a good debater.
He has not fully recovered from the agony of losing his father to the Rawlings tyranny, when three high court judges were abducted from their homes on June 30, 1982, and slaughtered at the Bundase Military Firing Range in the Shai Hills. Kwabena has a nice personality, but I cannot see how that could translate into votes at the NPP presidential primary.
Mr. Agyapong lost his position at the NPP Secretariat under circumstances which have still not been resolved. How does he expect the party and its delegate to see him in another light is a contentious issue, which reminds me of a typical Asante proverb. Yane No Yese Nne So. Wose Kyenkyen A Mene Nkyen. (They say you should not ease yourself on the latrine. But you insist you would ease yourself by the side.)
If my good friend has enough money to pick up the form, he is advised to wait and use the money on a rainy day.
Mr. Joe Ghartey is another good friend. The last time he contested the Essikado vote, he had a hell of time. People thought he had held the seat for far too long. There are those within and without who fondly refer to him as ‘Essikado Mugabe’. I do not think he would make much of an impression on the delegates.
When I heard that veteran Dr. Konadu Apraku and Mr. Francis Addae Nimo were contesting the presidential primary, I thought that April Fools’ Day had come a bit too early. Both have contested a number of times. They made no impression on the delegates. I would not advise anybody looking for a few cedis at the lottery to stake on them.
Mr. Boakye Agyarko was shot and left for dead during the era of the men on horse-back. When Jerry Rawlings’ murderers loosed on those opposing his adventures of June Four and December 31, Mr. Boakye Agyarko was shot at several times and left for dead. His survival is a miracle personified. It is unfortunate that things failed to work out for him when he was handed the Energy portfolio in President Akufo-Addo’s first term.
I do not know how heavy his war chest is in this era when money appears to have taken over the preferences of most delegates in Ghanaian politics. I do not believe he has much chance at the Delegates’ Conference.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto is listed among the President’s personal friends, but I do not think that is why he is contesting. According to the ground rules, the sitting President cannot do much for any contestant, but that is not the issue. Mr. Akoto is the son of the late Linguist at Manhyia who founded the National Liberation Movement in Ashanti in those days preceding independence for the then Gold Coast.
There are ugly noises though from Kwadaso, the constituency that provided the base for the Parliamentary ambition of the former Agric. Minister. Dr. Afriye Akoto has resigned his portfolio to convince the NPP delegates to allow him to face the National Democratic Congress for the right to occupy Jubilee House. I do not believe the delegates will fall for him.
I cannot, for all the world, fathom why Mr. Kennedy Agyapong should put himself forward as a presidential candidate. Yes, he has money, and just like Donald Trump, he believes he could convince the NPP delegates to vote for him.
His utterances do not portray him as presidential material, though. We need no acid mouth to contaminate Jubilee House. Trading insults live on radio and television does not make one presidential material. He may have taken on Anas Aremeyaw Anas and won, but that does not polish his mouth enough to lead the NPP into the polls. He is uncouth, simplicita!
Alan and Bawumia are the only candidates worth the effort, I am afraid.
Ebo Quansah in Accra
