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Opinions of Thursday, 16 April 2015

Columnist: Superior, Musa

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; thank you for choosing

Musah Superior.

Kojo excites me. Yes he does. As a former broadcaster/radio presenter and working for one of the most prestigious radio stations in Africa, he anchored one of the most listened to radio programmes in the country; Joy FM Super Morning Show. He replaced, the late Kobla Dumour, who had been poached by the BBC. Kobla was undoubtedly, one of the world's finest journalists. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

The manner, Kobla steered the programme meant that the managers of Joy FM crucially needed an equivalent replacement or someone easily trainable. Lo and behold, this young man, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah was handed this herculean task. It wasn't easy, I guess but Kojo wonderfully and admirably excuted the task without turning his back. He was eloquently articulate with an audible voice. Kojo was just brilliant in the role. He introduced his own style and wowed his listeners with delightful mornings. I listened to Kojo every morning. My day never started without Kojo's show. It was fascinating in his days at Joy FM.

Kojo's drive and passion to lead the early mornings conversations; engaging the expects and ordinary Ghanaians further explained his person. He was enthusiastic, engaging and asked key questions. Kojo researched thoroughly on the topics/issues to be discussed and delivered his job as the host with the quality of adequacy and great admiration.

Now, this fine gentlman; currently a Businesses Executive, I am told, has decided to go into active politics. He is seeking to become a Member of Parliament and on the ticket of my Party, the New Patriotic Party. Great news for my Party. I am full of excitement!

Declaring his intention to contest the Ofoase Ayirebi NPP primaries on his Facebook wall last week, Kojo wrote: "I will like to officially announce that I will be running for the Parliamentary Candidature of the New Patriotic Party in the Ofoase Ayirebi seat."

He continued: " My decision to run for public office is not one I have made lightly. I have weighed the calls and encouragements to run against the potential risks and discomforts of Political life".

Clearly, this is a man who is desirous to serve his community and country. His keenness, straightforwardness and bluntness in the the statement he issued on his facebook wall to announce his decision gives me hope and quenches my pessimistic views about our country.

Kojo talks about POTENTIAL RISKS, emphasis mine. I inform him that the risks involved in the manner Politics is done in our country are real and huge. In fact, Politics is misunderstood by some people as a "dirty game". I am happy and encouraged that, Kojo's decision to offer himself "to be part of the process of fixing these ills". He deserves comendation for such a BOLD and PATRIOTIC decision.

The exciting part of Kojo's Parliamentary ambition is that he has chosen to run on the ticket of the NPP. This has triggered mixed reactions within and without the Party. The discussion has been one of surprise, mischief, ignorance and propaganda.The NDC members are enraged and are at their insinuatory best. I won't fault them. For such a huge, decent and intelligent personality to chose my Party over them is curiously worrying for them. Love or loathe him, Kojo's stature in our country is competitively significant.

That is why I was extremely disappointed in the Ofoase Ayirebi NPP Constituency Chairman for his recent radio interview, "disowning" the celeberated former radio presenter and a young successful Business Executive. The local Constituency Chairman should have known that, the constituency Party has been heavily "freighted" by Kojo's interest in the job.

The NPP at the constituency levels and its relationship with big talents who for some reasons are unable to be involved in the Party's activities openly must change. Prosaically, we dissuage very blossomed professionals from seeking to work for our country through our Party. The position and outburst of the Constituency Chairman was unnecessary and demotivating.

Finally, Kojo's fellow contestant, Obiri Yeboah must be commended for publicly disagreeing with the posture of the Constituency Chairman. He stated in an interview with Starr FM that: "I believe that they should allow whoever wants to contest to come on board. It's a battle; let's do the game and let's see the people's choice".

I doff my hat for this democratic. Obiri Yeboah has demonstrated his love for our Party. He is a respecter of due process.

May the best person win.