|
What about the NPP makes it
attractive? (Part II)
By Dr. Michael J.K. Bokor
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Go to Part I
We continue our discussion of reasons why some elements in the
society will prefer to align with the NPP and not the NDC, as is
evident in the allegations from the NDC quarters against leaders
of identifiable civil society organizations for hiding behind
their organizations to do politics in favour of the NPP. We have
identified some factors to buttress our arguments on those
allegations.
4. Other factors
There are many other factors, some of which have to do with the
very militant nature of the NDC (of course, tracing its origin
to the military savagery that brought it into being under the
Rawlings euphoric governance style), which repels some sections
of the populace. Victims of the “unprecedented revolutionary
action” of June 4 and 31st December are still nursing their
grievances and infecting others with their anti-NDC sentiments.
The practical reality of the situation under which some have
suffered adversely as a result of the government’s draconian
policies scares other segments of the population away from the
NDC’s cause. Some also consider the NDC as not a political party
worth their bother because it sprang out of one man’s morbid
desire to rule Ghanaian according to his own “dreams” (and after
nearly 20 years on the throne, the situation didn’t change for
the better. Thus, despite the killing of those accused of
plundering the economy or committing other anti-state
activities, the situation at the end of Rawlings’ rule wasn’t
any better. Corruption has, thus, remained a major national
canker).
Solutions
Those castigating leaders of civil society groups, the clergy,
journalists, chiefs, and all others identified as sympathizers
of the NPP should spare us their noise and help solve the
problems that turn such people away from the NDC. Instead of
complaining, they should help re-strategize to make the party
attractive.
The NDC leaders can tackle these problems and re-engineer the
party to attract followers if they and re-direct their energies
and resources toward refining their strategies for the political
game. The rough edges that repel people should be smoothed and
better strategies devised for that purpose. The days of
“TAKASHI” are over, and must not be revisited. That
understanding and change in outlook should be effected through
in-house conscientization/sensitization exercises.
That is why a proper approach toward membership drive must be
adopted. Indeed, the party’s leaders themselves have to be more
amenable to change and must ensure that the factors that promote
in-fighting are eliminated. One major factor is the murderous
greed and insensitivity to the plight of the party’s
foot-soldiers on the part of those leading the party.
As I have already hinted at, it is clear that the benefits of
party work don’t trickle down to reach the foot-soldiers. Even
the crumbs that are expected to fall from the high tables for
them to pick up don’t.
One will be mistaken not to admit that the NPP does better in
this regard. Just consider the fact that under Kufuor, there
seemed to be a tacit agreement by which the benefits trickled
down the line to reach many. The sharks took their lion’s share
but left the crumbs for the small fries to enjoy. The fact is
that no matter what happened, the NPP leaders didn’t hide their
activities. If they went for the spoils of politics, they did so
in the open and boasted of their acquisition. Did they not boast
of their landed property and others?
On the contrary, it seems the NDC hawks are more eager to snatch
everything with their talons than bending over to make room for
others beneath their upper rungs on the ladder. They behave as
if the benefits of politics are reserved for them alone. They
strive hard to cover their tracks, fearing to leave behind any
trace that might expose them as thieves. Of course, aren’t they
haunted by the “revolutionary spirit” that swept some off their
feet many years ago?
They know how not to expose their deals; but from the goings-on
(the judgement debt payments, the corrupt practices being
revealed at SADA, GYEEDA, NHIS, and many others), we know that
they are even not the angels that they might portray themselves.
Their problem, however, is that they don’t have the spirit of
sharing, which clearly separates them from the NPP. And which is
why they can’t prevent those they are accusing now of shunning
their party for the NPP. I am being brazen here and don’t have
any regrets for being so.
I have also observed that the NDC can easily neutralize the
NPP’s machinations if its leaders and activists adopt better
strategies than what they have been using all these years. Take,
for instance, what happens in the various districts,
municipalities, and metropolises, where the Chief Executives are
more poised to lock horns with anybody with dissenting opinions
and strategies for local governance.
Many instances of their total disrespect for the traditional
leaders and public figures and opinion leaders have occurred,
leading to demonstrations against the government or the causing
of disaffection among the people. Such government functionaries
can’t win support for the NDC or the government if they turn
themselves into matadors goring every “cow” they come across.
They must be educated properly on how to attract goodwill and
not alienate the people. The spate of demonstrations against the
President’s nominees for those positions is another example of
how the lack of consultation creates problems for the party. The
right thing isn’t being done.
No amount of shouting themselves hoarse will solve the problem.
The fundamental problems that repel people from the NDC must be
identified and tackled. Then, concerted efforts must be made to
solve those problems to make the party more attractive.
For instance, instead of standing toe-to-toe with political
opponents or critics to exchange hard words, the party’s
activists can be diplomatic in reacting to criticism. Blatant
and outright uncouth behaviour won’t win anybody’s heart.
Respect for authority is another area. In most areas of the
country, those in the NDC still wear their so-called
“revolutionary fervour” on their sleeves and carry themselves in
a manner as to alienate people. They can’t understand that times
have changed and that doing politics successfully in
contemporary times calls for dialogue and rapport/rapprochement
and not head-butting. Of course, old traditions die hard. Having
emerged from the militancy that ushered Rawlings into office,
these “cadres” are at pains to shed their spots. Well, the
tiger/leopard/cheetah in them is still active, but its impact
isn’t beneficial and must be toned down.
The party/government must find better ways to conscientize its
followers. Diplomacy does it all. Consultation at all levels
should be enforced so that unity can be attained and group work
encouraged for the good of the party.
If these problems are not tackled, they will continue to nag the
party and make it unattractive. In that sense, then, those who
are not well disposed toward it will dig in and make
pronouncements and take actions to the detriment of the NDC.
What has been identified by Dr. Percy may be just one of those
strategies. The good old adage (“A stitch in time saves nine”)
still holds good. And for the NDC, it must serve as a
forewarning for which to be forearmed.
I shall return…
• E-mail: mjbokor@yahoo.com
• Join me on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/mjkbokor
Go to Part I
|
