PISSING-IN PISSING-OUT: A Ghanaian political term of art…

 

The equivalent of washing Dirty Party Linen in Public; dirty linen must be washed but be careful washing in your rival’s washing machine.

Many are concerned about the spate of media “revelations” and allegations that have characterised the NDC National Election particularly the Youth and Chairmanship contest.

My concerns are more about the where, Asempa FM Ekosiisen and Joy FM or TV unlike Power FM ask follow up questions with a view of stoking the fire even where there is no smoke.

The composition of the advertised Multimedia Panel for the NDC National Executive elections gives their agenda away.

I will attempt to use personal experiences to put in context the recent media banter and possible legal remedies being sought by contestants in the Regional and National elections of the NDC.

I have contested in the last three Parliamentary primaries of the NDC and felt firsthand the unpleasant experience of being cheated…

It is on record that, Ade Coker and some others cheated me out of three (3) Parliamentary primaries.

I was unhappy yet beyond petitioning the Party and being dissatisfied with how the Party handled my petitions, each time, I refrained from going to court beyond complaining internally…

That does not mean that Brogya Gemfi or anybody else should not go to court to seek redress, I just hope their public media including social media discourse will be measured as they head to court.

I supported Sam George and Kpakpo Quarshie when suspension notices were issued in the name of the Regional Party through the media without due process because they had altercations with the Regional Chairman.

I recall, now with a smile, how Ade Coke nearly got lynched after he admitted at a meeting, why he cheated me in the Ablekuma West Constituency Parliamentary primaries for Victoria Hammah…

Ahead of this year’s Greater Accra Regional Executive elections, I hosted Chairman Ade Coker and my Constituency Executives [all delegates] in my house at my own expense, to prove I did not bear him any grudge and gave him an opportunity to answer the numerous questions that the Constituency where he lived, had for him…

I want to believe that we should be beyond the bitter acrimony and even grow beyond constantly contesting like it is our bona-fide…

Interestingly, some people automatically expect me to contest the Ablekuma West Constituency seat against Ursula Owusu because they know I can easily beat her…

My decision will soon be known;

I intend to support any NEW CANDIDATE FROM WITHIN THE ABLEKUMA WEST CONSTITUENCY NDC but not any of those who had a chance to contest Ursula Owusu and did not give it their best shot…

failing to get a NEW CANDIDATE preferably a woman, I WILL consider…

I believe in giving new people opportunity;

I have reduced significantly my appearance on Television and Radio so new faces, voices and views will emerge…

In support of the paradigm shift from a few people appearing on Television and radio, I decided to write daily to guide those [especially the new] who may appear on Television and Radio, many of whom used to call for reference material…

I have seen many young people rise to the top of the National Politics and expect many more to rapidly rise to the top.

I have seen Hon. Haruna Iddrisu and Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah rise from being student leaders to become leaders in national politics and hopefully one day rise further to become CEO of Ghana and the NDC respectively.

I knew Sam George when he was working in Hon. E.T. Mensah’s office.

I have followed his elevation from protégé through to unseating in the Ningo Prampram Constituency in the most acrimonious contests ever…

I would have wished that Hon. E.T. had in place a Succession plan, mentored his protégé and smoothly handed over to him…

Sadly, when Hon. E.T. Mensah after losing his seat, attempted to run for the Council of State position of the Greater Accra Region, some saw it as pay back time and vilified him till he aborted the first attempt, winning the next attempt.

Hon. E.T Mensa has now been pushed from the NDC into the waiting arms of Akufo-Addo…

I have known Dr. Omane Boamah and Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) very closely from Dansoman during their student days.

I have watched them smoothly transition from student politics successfully to national politics, become Ministers and hopefully to higher heights.

I knew Sammy Gyamfi through Kojo Bonsu, through to his becoming SRC President of GIMPA where he pursued Law.

I recall when he consulted me at home, prior to contesting for the National Communications Officer position of the NDC.

I advised him to contest the Deputy Communications officer position and grow into the substantive role, he contested and won…

We have since worked closely, in the NDC Communications team and even in AriseGhana with Brogya Gyemfi…

As for Pablo, George Opare-Addo, we have been friends before he became DCE…

I have many friends in the NDC; one I remember fondly beyond Prof is Dr. Kwabena Adjei who many wrongfully thought was my father because of our common surname [Adjei] and our very close working relationship especially helping him win his Tamale National Chairmanship bid…

I recall also when we advised Dr. Kwabena Adjei in his Nkonya residence not to contest again, he did and lost…

I recall how together with Fred Agbenyo, Alex Doe, Tom Brown, Ayensu, Mustapha, Muhammed and other cadres we tried to convince Dr. Kwabena Adjei to end his political career on a high note and failed.

I recall also rather fondly at the former NDC National office at Paloma, how Dr. Kwabena Adjei, after consulting with his General Secretary, I was asked to accept the DFP Youth Organizer position offered me by Dr. Yao Obed Asamoah.

The DFM was formed when some aggrieved members broke away from the NDC after the Koforidua Congress.

The mission was to bring the DFP back to NDC before the next election and ensure collaboration during IPAC.

Lawyers Nii Okaija Adamafio, Bede Zieden were among a number of DFP stalwarts who together with other members have since returned to the NDC, after my Press Conference, that prevented the DFP as a political party, entering an electoral alliance ahead of the election…

As for my encounters with the NPP especially stopping then President John Agyekum Kufuor from illegally annexing prime State Lands, will be for another day…

I do not hate NPP folks, I have many friends in the NPP.

Who would believe that John Boadu ever slept in my house?

Who will believe that the AFAG President, Hon. Dr. Ayew Afriyie and I were the Founders of the National Health Students Association of Ghana [NAHSAG] which is the umbrella group under the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) responsible for all Health Students Associations, Medical, Pharmacy, Nursing, Laboratory Technology…

The formation of NAHSAG was an assignment given by then Director General of the the Ghana Health Service, Prof. Agyeman Badu Akorsa to myself and Dr. Ayew Afriyie.

I was then a Director of Healthy Ghana and a youth group called Club Vision Ghana and Dr. Ayew Afriyie then a student of Medicine at Korle Bu and TESCON President.

We are first and foremost Ghanaians before politics…

LET’S PROMOTE THE YOUTH;

Let’s reduce the acrimony;

AND HELP EACH OTHER UP.

Let’s not monetize our politics and as much as possible use politics to do good and make Ghana better and Ghanaians enjoy the best of outcomes.

My book will which is well underway, highlight the details of my exploits in and out of politics, among others.

STAY TUNED.

By Prince-Derek Adjei