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Opinions of Thursday, 1 December 2011

Columnist: Kabu, Solomon

Anyidoyo Undo NDC Veil Covering President Mills At Asempa Fm

I was really surprised and shocked when I listened to Alhaji Bature, managing editor of the Al haj newspaper on 24 November, saying "Adakabre and Adom Fm will destroy Ghana". He went on to say Adakabre Frimpong Manso intentionally picked portions of the interview Koku had with Focus FM in London out of context. And wonders why Adakabre asked his listeners if Koku's comments constituted a threat. Koku who later called into the show thanked Alhaji Bature for apparently chiding Adakabre. As if that was not enough Koku went on to say Adakabre's persistent efforts to paint the NDC government black will fail. He alleges that Adakabre couldn't destroy President Mills in his first year so he will continue to fail. Strangely, the Communication Director of the President publicaly admonished Mr. Kwesi Twum, CEO of Multimedia Group Limited to be wild awake about the activities of Adakabre.

The level of hypocrisy in our politics especially during political discussions is really worrying. Not too long ago, the same Alhaji Bature on Asempa FM told listeners Koku Anyidoho was unnecessarily bringing pressure to the President when the infamous "token or "gift" by Regimanuel Gray Limited came up. As usual of Koku he attacked Peace Fm, Peacefmonline.com and threatened a laughable court suit. Alhaji Bature, I humbly ask between the infamous "token" or "gift" and the threats by Koku daring Nana Addo, Jake and Mac-Manu to make a wrong move and they will be first to join their ancestry, which is of high magnitude and puts pressure on the presidency? Yaw Boateng Gyan, the National Organizer of the NDC who condemned Koku's comments earlier on bend back to support the same thing he condemned on Asempa FM in the afternoon. When the tape was played on Citi FM he shamefully admitted it was his voice but didn't know the person he was speaking with recorded him. I was disappointed because I respect him a lot and he has failed the litmus test in his interview with Shamima Muslim who brilliantly quizzed him.

The Communication Director, Koku Anyidoho persistently is cheapening the dignity of the high office of the presidency. This same Koku has ones insulted Nana Addo, President Kufour, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, what is it!? Not to mention his unwarranted attack on media houses. Why should the spokesperson of the President be seen doing that? Koku grow above this for Christ sake you are the head of the President communications. The veil the NDC propagandists and apologies have covered the President with does not reflect you and your utterances, Koku! You have unveiled what was hidden by President Mills to the public. Though I don't buy in the leadership style of President Mills, I thought it was highly irresponsible, reckless and needless to say the least for a spokesperson of a President to expose his boss this way. On the same day Koku made those revelations that what he said was coming from the presidency and he spoke in his capacity as the Director of Communicator. I later tuned my radio to Hot Fm and I heard a panelist say the President should condemn Koku's comments. I sent a text message to the panelist reporting what Koko said few minutes ago and they were taken aback. This is how low Koku has reduced Ghana's presidency to. I can vouch for the integrity and respect of Kwenena Agyapong and Andrew Awuni that they wouldn't dare commit such faux pas under the President Kufour's leadership.

I am not surprised loud mouths like Felix Kwakye, Ofosu, Kojo Twum Boafo, Okudzeto Ablakwa are supporting Koku whilst Alex Segbefia, Rashid Pelpuo and others are dissociating themselves from Koku's reckless and empty comments. In my honest view, President Mills' leadership is weak and it's obvious the center is not holding. When people say this, you usually hear NDC apologies saying because they (NDC) are not arresting the NPP and putting them before court that's why people say President Mills is weak. This is ridiculous and infantile if putting people in prison will show a strong leadership. In any case there were seizure of cars including Nana Addo's car, physically preventing Asamoah Boateng and family from travelling, detaining NPP functionaries without right to counsel and many more. The point is that, the President admonishes Ghanaians to eschew politics of insults and lies within few hours his appointees disregard him publically because they still insults and assassinate characters in even alarming rate thereafter. The Communication Director of the presidency and the young ministers especially throw their weight about and he says nothing. If he cautioned them in private why are the insults and lies continuing? I remember very well I was outside the country and was with my colleagues when I heard the President appointed some youths in his government. I was elated and praised President Mills. Instead of the President putting his feet down and dealing with these young appointees he condones it and now the country appears to be without a leader because everyone especially those in authorities talk anyhow. I believe the likes of Iddrisu Haruna and Mahama Ayariga have so far respected the office they occupy. And I say kudos to them.

The level of despondency in Ghana now only requires leadership with vision, urgency, boldness and decisiveness to inspire the countrymen that there is hope for them and Ghana. That is the leadership Ghana cries for and not a hand-off leadership.

Solomon Kabu. [email protected]