The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is a big family made up of the low and high of our society.
In a mass party such as the NPP, although the cardinal goal is to win power and govern the country, the supporters have various reasons to belong to the party and to mainly advance personal aims. Thus one can hear popular refrains from supporters of political parties that have formed governments that they were not taken good care of by their leaders.
This singsong was popular among the rank and file of the NPP during the runoff to the November 4, Congress. Now that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is in the saddle, he must do everything within his mandate to mute those concerns. For even those who followed Jesus Christ had similar concerns. The Apostle Peter in Matthew 19: 27-30 chimed in thus, “We left everything and followed you. What do we get out of it?” Jesus replied, “Yes, you have followed me. In the re-creation of the world, when the Son of Man will rule graciously, you who have followed me will also rule, starting with the twelve tribes of Israel. And not only you, but anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields— whatever— because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, …” This admonition goes to all; party leadership and the grassroots supporters.
The rank and file have reposed their confidence in you despite desperate attempts to classify you as an establishment candidate. Dr Bawumia, by your sweet but hard victory across the length and breadth of the country, you have put to rest that tag and assumed the accolade as a grassroots person.
This has not been bestowed on you but you worked hard for it. You are aware of the task ahead but what matters to the rank and file is working hard enough with all party supporters to ‘break the eight’ so that President Akufo-Addo hands over to you on January 7, 2025.
Quite a Herculean task but NPP can achieve it if you provide the needed leadership.
Dr. Bawumia is aware that the NPP is coming against a formidable opposition in 2024 desperate for power and to avoid a third consecutive defeat for John Mahama.
The NDC is approaching this contest as a wounded lion and the NPP must have the antidote as a good marksman to tame the lion. Election 2024 would be the fiercest contest in the history of the country, but need we remind the Vice President that, “It is Possible.”
First the government must put in place measures to address the challenges facing the country. Though the books vindicate Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister that we are turning the corner, the naysayers think otherwise and are throwing dust into the eyes of the public.
Food crop prices have plummeted at most marketing centres, but prices are still very high in Accra and other cities.
The NPP is aware that many of its opponents like Professor Gyampo do not want to hear that COVID-19 dislocated our economy, although he stayed home without teaching but got paid. The Veep must spearhead a public education to get Ghanaians to understand the present global economic challenges and their impact on Ghana.
The outcome of the contest shows that no delegate in the remotest part of the country was intimidated but they voted according to their conscience.
Now is the hour that Dr. Bawumia must demonstrate by word and deed that that he has no ill-will against his opponents and open his arms to embrace all.
From the results, about a third wanted a new face to lead the party but the majority still kept faith with Mr. Bawumia, whose leadership skills are needed now to keep the party together.
We know you to believe in inter-faith harmony and for which we urge you to learn some of the leadership ethos in the Bible to guide you in this heavy responsibility.
In Matthew 20: 25-28, Jesus tells His disciples that leaders should not exercise authority over people. Instead, whoever wants to become great must lower himself to be servant.
Leaders should realise that serving others is the only way to lead with a pure heart, free of pride and arrogance. This way, Veep’s tenure would not be an oxymoron but a great one. The road is rough not smooth; first to ‘breaking the eight’ to become President of the Republic and improving the well-being of the people. Better days are coming if our leader provides the right direction.
Like Jimmy Cliff said, “Better days are coming” …when, “Troubles will be over, all our joys come over.” The Veep is familiar with the terrain when he said leadership without followers is like a walk, but if he does not want a lonely walk then he must place the needs of the people above all considerations.
Now is the hour to prove all skeptics wrong that with you in the saddle Ghana is in safe hands unlike the alternative that is abominable.