Opinions of Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Columnist: Quaye, Stephen A.
From, Stephen A.Quaye,Toronto-Canada
Everything that happens under this big sun hanging in the sky in our present stage of the world can be traced to similar happenings which took place thousands of years ago that have been recorded in the book of life, [BIBLE]. Disrespect to kings and elders are not taking place only in our time as it started long ago and were recorded in the book of life as well as what one should do in order not to attract punishment that goes with it.
Same way prostitution, armed robbery, tax fraud, rape, seduction, adoption, slandering and politics of insults are not happening only in our time but have happened several thousands of years ago with the punishment that went with all in the book of life.
But let me talk about the politics of insults and slandering political opponents who are currently going on in our country between the two most powerful political parties New Patriotic Party [NPP] and National Democratic Congress [NDC].
One may ask why these members belonging to these political parties trading insults everyday in the media, on political platforms and evening carrying it to our homes, market places, work places, schools, hospitals and even at a point in our churches.
As everyone following the situation can point to one plain fact, there is no need to go round the point. Simply put struggling for power and in their campaign activities engage in character assassination, physical insults where sometimes even some people engage in blows.
But do not be surprised that all these things are happening during our time as far as politics is concern because even in thousand years ago it happened and within some few minutes I will show you how.
Just open your bible to 1 Samuel 17 and read the story about David and Goliath. We all know the story very well about how the Israelites waited for forty days and forty nights before responding to fight the Philistines. A giant measuring over nine feet tall and wearing full armor came out each day mocking and challenging the Israelites to fight and his name was Goliath that David not pleased with the way he was defying the name of God stepped forward to fight him.
Let us take note of this particular portion where Goliath kept on defying he armies of God which was the Israelites which states,” the giant cursed at him, hurling threats and insults at him”.
David said to the Philistines, “ you come against me with swords and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied….today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the whole world will know that there is God in Israel ……it is not by sword or spear that the lord saves; for the battle is the lords, and he will give all of you into our hands”. From these exchanges of words, we all know what happened where Goliath moved in for a kill and David slung one of the stones at Goliath’s head which sank deep that made him fall face down on the ground.
That is what is happening presently in our political atmosphere in Ghana where there are a lot of political insults against the NPP flag bearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo that some people claim he is a drug addict and what have you. David instead of calling Goliath bluff by also hurling threats and insults at the giant, he rather raised his hand and started to glorify God of which the power of God came upon him which made him to defeat Goliath. The Philistines have been defeated several times by the Israelites and for that matter they knew they were going to be defeated again by the same Israelites therefore made the giant Goliath to lead them and scare the Israelites with his height and full armor on.
That is the strategy the NDC has adopted just to slander, threaten, insult the flag bearer of the NPP and his followers but looking at what is happening on the ground, those insults hurled at the Akyem man are rather making him popular and winning support for his presidential bid come 2012.
Instead of hurling back insults at his opponents who attacks him, he is not speaking vile rather intensifying his house to house campaign explaining to the electorates the importance in electing him as the next president. Has the NDC as a party realized their march to defeat by these politics of insults it members engage their friends in the opposition? Have they observed the precious time they are wasting by sitting down to just insult whiles the NPP keeps implementing its 2012 victory campaign strategies?
They should note that since generation no body seeking any type of office through insults has ever succeeded therefore it will never succeed through politics of insults come 2012.
Professor Adu Boahene struggled for the presidential seat with insults and he never got it. Jerry Rawlings and Alhaji Issaka Inusah attacked Kufuor with insults and they never succeeded in pushing him aside from the presidency. President John Evans Atta Mills must be made aware that if he wants to retain his presidential seat then he must advice his followers to refrain from politics of insults otherwise one slung of stone from Akuffo Addo, will let him fall.
A word to the wise is enough.