|
Celebrating the Bui Dam minus Kufuor?
By Dr. Michael J.K. Bokor
Friday, May 3, 2013
Folks, former President John Agyekum Kufuor is seething with
anger, making it known as such on some radio stations in Accra,
because he has been slighted and not invited to participate in
the commissioning of the Bui Hydro-electricity Dam.
I agree with him a zillion per cent. By slighting him this way,
the government has done him a huge disservice, which rubs off on
all those in his government who worked hard to take the project
off the ground.
Why am I saying so? It must not be difficult to fathom that
Kufuor did marvelously well in ensuring that the project could
be revived, many years after the Great Osagyefo had identified
the Bui area as suitable for an addition to the country's
hydro-electricity generating capacities.
I haven't been keen in supporting Kufuor, but in his singular
effort to add this project to the Akosombo dam and to actualize
the Great Osagyefo's dream, he deserves more than has been meted
out to him.
What would the government have lost had it invited Kufuor to
participate in today's ceremony? NOTHING!!
Instead, the government has lost face and goodwill by slighting
him. Of course, one might be tempted to think that including him
in the programme might revive the NPP's face-saving agenda of
"boycotting" everything associated with President Mahama and
that not inviting him at all would cut everything short.
But I differ. Having already proved to his admirers in the NPP
that he has risen above narrow partisan politics to consider
himself as a statesman who will participate in events to serve
the national interests, he should have been invited.
At least, the government could have benefited from his inclusion
inasmuch as it would give us all the chance to see things being
done above narrow partisan political limits.
No one can wash away his role in the project, and the best
honour to have been done him, which should go to prove the
government's appreciation for his vision, was to give him the
visibility that the commissioning of the project entailed.
Unfortunately, someone in the corridors of power thought
otherwise. This mistreatment to Kufuor confirms fears that our
national politics is still characterized by needless acrimony
and wanton disrespect for others' political persuasions. How can
we ever work together to build the country if we behave this
way?
Were Dr. Nkrumah alive, would he have been invited to
participate in the project? Certainly, yes! Because he would be
regarded as the brain behind it.
What hasn't Kufuor done on this project to warrant his being
recognized and appreciated? Don't tell me that former President
Rawlings wasn't invited either, so there is nothing wrong with
what Kufuor is complaining about.
I think that the government has lost a good opportunity to
endear itself to the hearts of even its critics. That is not how
politics should be done in this 21st century.
An unconditional and unreserved apology should be given Kufuor
for this disrespect shown him. In future, those in charge of
handling such protocol arrangements should be more level-headed
so as not to repeat this faux pas.
Meantime, we hope this project will add value to the energy
sector and all efforts made to complete it on schedule. Welcome
to Ghana, BUI!!
I shall return…
E-mail: mjbokor@yahoo.com
Join me on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/mjkbokor
|
