RE: We Have A Tradition: Alan Is Next

I have read an article published on peacefmonline entitled “We Have A Tradition: Alan Is Next!” in which the author sought to promote Mr. Alan Kyerematen by making incoherent propositions based on erroneous inferences. Even though it is nearly impossible for someone to factually prove how Mr. Kyerematen is a better choice to lead the NPP than H. E. Dr. Bawumia, I still find it very necessary to make commentary on some erroneous concepts introduced by the author of the above article.

Reading through the text, it will be realized the author spent over two-thirds of his write up basically narrating how Mr. Kyerematen, as alleged, founded the Young Executive Forum (YEF) in the 90’s to help the party win power in 2000. He concluded by drawing a very weak inference from Mr. Kyerematen’s role above that “Truly, truly I say unto you, in a crucial election like that of 2024, unless a man knows the roots of NPP he cannot carry it into victory.”

Whatever he meant by “…knowing the roots of the NPP..” only him can tell but it is obvious that H. E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who is considered the favorite to the lead NPP In 2024 cannot be accused of being “ignorant” of the roots of the NPP. In fact, it will be laughable and actually ignorant for someone to make such an assertion. The reality is that, an important consideration that has always been key for choosing leaders in the NPP is someone who identifies with the tradition of the party, committed to serving the party and most importantly stands the greatest chance of winning the ultimate for the party. The case of Chairman Freddie Blay who for sometime identified as an Nkrumaist but was elected to lead the party as vice chairman and later chairman is one that readily comes to mind. He has since his election from Vice Chairman and then to Chairman proven to be very instrumental to the victory the party secured in the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Furthermore, the population of Ghana is largely a youthful population mostly abreast with post 2000 political trends in the country. It is this same youthful population that are always at the forefront in defending party and Government policies. During the period after the year 2000, political trends became more complicated than it was because of advancements in technology. The world became more of a global village particularly with the proliferation of the internet and advanced media techniques. Thus, the impact of personalities on the party and country post 2000 is what is considered very crucial to the future.

To this end, H. E. Dr. Bawumia has with admiration proven to be an indispensable asset for the NPP and Ghana post 2000. He has been the focal point of a majority of the youth of the party and a major source of inspiration for them that there is hope for the future. Due to his industrious and impeccable economic prowess, he was made a Deputy Governor for the central bank under the regime of President Kufour. On this score, it is an undeniable fact that one of the success points of the Kufour Government was the Economy and the Bank of Ghana which is an important arm in the management of the Economy contributed significantly to this success.

Furthermore, the ingenuity brought to fore by H. E. Dr. Bawumia ever since he was chosen by H. E. President Akufo-Addo as a running mate in 2008 is something not denied even by the “enemy” from the NDC. Prior to his nomination, the NPP always performed poorly in the then 3 Northern regions. But a careful look at the trajectory of the votes following subsequent elections from 2008 shows how the nomination and hard work of Dr. Bawumia proved to be the magic that gradually transformed the North into a battleground for both parties. This singular advantage is something that should not be lost since a mistake in this direction is likely to take us several years back into the days the NDC could literally go to sleep and yet comfortably win the now 5 regions in the North.

In 2012 when the party had to go to court over the election results, H. E. Dr. Bawumia was someone who put his credibility on the line to mount the witness box presenting the case of the party. This case which was the first of its kind saw the brilliance of Dr. Bawumia and impeccable credibility as a witness win the opinion of 4 Justices of the Supreme Court. To appreciate how the credibility of H. E. Dr. Bawumia is unmatched, read the comments of the SC Justices on the 3 witnesses presented by the NDC in the 2020 election petition.

Yet again prior to the 2016 elections, H. E. Dr. Bawumia became a household name in Ghana following how he literally forced the campaigns to be one based on issues particularly the economy. His beautiful and factual lecture series was one of the biggest arsenal used against the Mahama administration. To the surprise of many, he earned accolades from top NDC people who were expected by the NDC foot soldiers to challenge him. Again his hardwork saw the NPP improve massively in the North. And truly truly, many people who claimed neutrality actually voted the NPP because of the potential the Akufo-Addo Government had with Dr. Bawumia being the head of the Economic Management.

His efforts in Government since we won power in 2016 is something that is not hidden. Most progressive policies and digitization of the economy/institutions were spearheaded by him. In fact it will take us volumes of articles to enumerate the achievements of Dr. Bawumia as Vice President and head of the economic management team.

The author surprisingly and in a self contradictory statement said he previously campaigned against Alan Kyerematen on the basis that it was not time for him and that this is now the time for him. I shudder to ask, who decides what time is for individuals of the party? And has he forgotten President Kufour was not the second in the primaries of 1992 but emerged flag-bearer in 1996?. Or he has forgotten the roots of the party he claims favors Alan Kyeremanten? Furthermore, what time will we say will be for the likes of Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku? Or the author is using two different scales to weigh his favorite and other people?

As a committed member of the party, I believe it will be in the interest of the future of the party to avoid the incoherent and self-contradictory path taken by the author of the article which is the subject of this rejoinder. This great party has a huge potential to break the 8 year chain which has somehow characterized our democracy since 1992. H. E. Dr. Bawumia is someone who even the opposition NDC acknowledge within themselves that he has a huge potential of breaking the 8. As a member of the party, ask yourself why the attacks of the NDC is always directed at the personality of H. E. Dr. Bawumia and not any other person. In fact, most of their serial callers and social media commentators occasional campaign for Mr. Alan Kyerematen. The NPP should make hay whiles the sun shines by using Dr. Bawumia to break the 8 in 2024 In Shaa Allah. It is possible to break the 8 and I am very confident the NPP will give H. E. Dr. Bawumia the chance to achieve this important goal for party and country.

Thank you

Written by:
Dr. Issah Imoro
(issahwuni@gmail.com)

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