The sharp contrast between the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) lies in the excitement with which John Mahama and his allies welcome news of coups and violence in some parts of Africa.
We know that to be forewarned is to be forearmed, so say the sages, but it is difficult to comprehend the logic in comparing Ghana’s circumstances to the situation in Kenya. If wishes were horses, we would have a drastic turnaround in our economic fortunes post COVID-19.
The NDC elements know that as a result of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, all the economies of the world are on their knees and that it would take collective action by all to return to the winning ways of 2017 to 2019.
The NDC can tickle itself and laugh that President Akufo-Addo has dragged the country into a ditch. Granted that certain actions of the government have not helped to make life worth living for Ghanaians. Needless, to remind the NDC, John Mahama and their allies in the media, civil society, academia and the clergy that nation building is not a tea party and the jamborees that were associated with NDC’s electioneering in 2016.
We do not engage in propaganda to hoodwink the electorate to vote for the NPP’s presidential candidate, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. Ours is backed by facts, figures and the reality that the economy is making a rebound. Whatever the circumstances, we will refrain from the posture of election doomsday prophets.
Not too long ago, the NDC celebrated coups in our neighbouring countries and now they are wishing that the Kenyan bloodshed happens in Ghana. The NDC has violence in its members DNA. Anybody who disputes our standpoint should just listen to what the Speaker, Alban Bagbin said about the Kenyan violence at the weekend.
He is reported to have warned that recent events in Kenya must serve as a wake-up call to Ghanaian leaders, especially as the country prepares towards crucial elections on December 7. Where we strongly disagree with the Speaker is his assertion that the situation in Kenya is not different from Ghana’s circumstances. But Mr. Speaker, what is the semblance beyond your dream and those other NDC apparatchiks for the collapse of the Fourth Republic, while your candidate, John Mahama is begging the people to vote for him to return to power?
We have warned those calling for the Kenyan way that they may not survive the marksmen’s bullet, no matter their status in Ghana. The NDC and their leaders are walking contradictions, and it would serve us better if for the third time, the voters reject John Mahama and the NDC at the polls because they love coups but not democratic governance.
One thing is very clear from the actions of the NDC, and that is its attempt to regain power is not appealing to the people. For the reality of John Mahama’s reign from 2012 to 2016 is a very scary one. So far, John Mahama has not been able to convince majority of the voters that their expectations can be met by the NDC. More than four years of dumsor under John Mahama still haunts power consumers, especially when almost eight years now, President Akufo-Addo has managed to stabilise power, in spite of the phenomenon or era of “dum sie sie”. That is why many Ghanaians see more opportunities in the leadership of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia than the scary experience of John Mahama.
We urge Ghanaians not to be too surprised about calls from NDC circles for the democratic process to be derailed. Everyday in their dreams and prayers they prefer a coup d’état to the democratic process that offers hope to the rest of Africa. Anybody who believes in participatory democracy would not ever dream of a coup, no matter our circumstances.