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Kufuor - the beginning of the end of
an era
News analysis, Ghanadot.com
E. Ablorh-Odjidja
Accra, Dec. 22, Ghanadot - When it was his turn to speak at
the NPP Congress, President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday
observed that the event marked "the beginning of the end of
me."
As frank as the statement was,
coming from the mouth of a sitting presidents it also meant
that it brought home a tinge of the nostalgia to come for
many in the hall. President Kufuor has been good for
his country and his party.
Also present at the gathering
were members of the Council of State; Diplomatic Corps; the
Clergy, the Council of Elders of the the NPP and others from
the opposition parties.
The president used the occasion
to remind those who were sparing in the political contest
about the importance of party unity and urged them to ensure
they all marched in rank to the tune of one voice after the
winner had been chosen..
"No matter what happens' he said
" let's leave this congress more united than ever.
Lets remind ourselves that a house divided against itself
can only fall."
The Extraordinary National
Congress to elect the Party’s Flagbearer for Election 2008
took place at the University of Ghana. All 17
aspirants were there; each hoping that he would be the one
to get the nod.
The occasion itself was a unique one. Never in recent
political history has a party been so successful in its
administrative efforts, and never has the country enjoyed
the abundance of peace it had experienced so far under
President Kufuor's leadership. No wonder there were 17
aspirants hoping to continue the good work.
President Kufuor noted that it had always been the tradition
of the NPP to engage in vigorous competition in candidate
selection. He cited his own experiences in 1996 and
1998 and how the losing aspirants in the end rallied behind
him for the final victory in 1998.
"I was lucky to have enjoyed the
support of all the losing aspirants when I won in 1996 and
1998...I will, therefore, support anyone of the 17 aspirants
who emerge as Flagbearer of our party after this congress,"
he told the 2,326 delegates at the Congress.
Obviously, he expected only one
candidate to be selected out of the 17. But
President Kufuor offered them a glimpse of their own history
as stalwart party members.
Only one candidate would be
chosen, he emphasized to the candidates. But his
promise was that each of them already had secured for
himself a chance to have his name written in the party's
history as a strong and committed leader of the NPP.
He called on all candidates, for
each to continue to use his resources and professional
expertise, to support the party structures throughout the
country, even if he were to be passed over in the selection
process.
President Kufuor maintained his
role as the father of the party by providing guidance, even
though he had declared that the Congress was the beginning
of the end for him. As generous as that admission was,
it still missed the point that, for the purposes of history,
he would still remain the founding father of the modern NPP,
the most successful political party in Ghana since Nkrumah's
CPP.
And he was concerned about the
country's future after the 2008 elections.
"Look beyond your parochial interest and consider the
national interest when you vote to elect our new Flagbearer
and do not fail the Party and the nation," he said.
The President noted that his party chances for victory in
2008 would depend on his government performances so far.
He needed not to have worried based on the facts on the
ground alone.
The fact is a lot has been
achieved by this government and much more will be done
throughout his last year. That is the reality.
The perception, however, is a little muddled, thanks to
recent political marches and protests and all. But the
NPP has itself to blame for the poor work it has done so far
in selling its own achievements.
President Kufuor listed among the achievements of his
government the Capitation Grant for schools; National Health
Insurance Scheme (NHIS); National Youth Employment Program;
free bus ride for school children; all programs that a
die-hard socialist would have loved. The president,
however, is not a socialist. So no one has taken to
street demonstrating the support for these compassionate
programs.
The national economy, president
Kufuor said, had received a huge boost under his
administration: The reopened Accra-Tema rail track and
the commencement of the Bui Dam Project, and the success of
the West African Gas Pipeline Project among other things
were listed as landmark achievements of his government..
And even providence, he said,
had chimed in on the side of his administration with the
discovery "of three billion barrels of oil;" a feat which
was aided hugely by the political stability in the country
and without which prospectors would not have had the
confidence to sink so much money in the search for the oil
deposits.
Thus, President Kufuor noted,
that his party had a solid record to stand on for the 2008
elections. But he warned " let us not do anything at
this congress to jeopardize our chances."
Finally, and like the gentleman
he was, President Kufuor apologized to all those he might
have offended within the party and said if he did anything
wrong "during period of my stewardship, please note it was
not deliberate and was without malice."
He then walked, as tall as ever,
to his seat.
There were others, apart from
NPP party stalwarts, present. In a cordial atmosphere
they wished the NPP well. Mr. Kofi Adams, Deputy National
Youth Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC),
expressed the hope that the NPP would select a leader that
would lead them to defeat.
Naturally, Mr. Adams' hope was
greeted with derision and boos.
E. Ablorh-Odjidja,
Ghanadot.com . December 22, 2007. Based on report from
our reporters on the scene.
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