By Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese
(Youth Imam from Laribanga)
0244198031
There is a silent call for Gonjaland to show its face in the upcoming 2024 general elections. The land is strictly standing for a life-long test. To make or unmake Gonjaland is how we collectively respond to this call. The whole country is watching us and particularly our brothers in the other parts of Northern Ghana. Let those who will classify this call as ethnocentric do so with one eye closed.
It is painfully hypocritical that the very people who shout to us that tribal politics is forbidden in Ghana are the frontrunners when it comes to tribal and ethnocentric politics. When Napo looked in the faces of voters in Kumawu and shouted without blinking that the people of Ashanti region do not need that much, all they needed were T shirts and that would settle for their loyalty, how do we describe this?
I wish to submit that if development in its real sense alone were the standard measure and the metric to voting pattern of a people, I shudder to say that the people of Ashanti Region will throw their support behind President Mahama. The fundamental reason being that John Mahama in his four years in office has developed (infrastructure development) the Ashanti Region than the cumulative 16 years of the NPP in office (Kuffour and Akuffo-Addo combined).
The game of politics is complex and must be seen and treated as such. Indeed the progress of democracy has never been seamless. To want to assume that by calling for Gonjaland to support their own son, H.E John Dramani Mahama is a call for all Gonjas or Gonjalanders to subscribe and become card bearing members of the NDC is misplaced and perhaps, mischievous. When the Nayiri said that his sole objective subsequent to the election of Dr. Bawumia as Flag bearer of the NPP is to ensure the latter becomes President, should we say the Paramount chief was calling on all Mamprusis to be NPP?
Our Northern Neighbors especially, our playmates (Kasenas, Bimobas, Sisalas, Builsas, etc.) do not only tease us, but some of them literally insult us. They wish they had the opportunity God has given Gonjaland without stress. To have a son to rise to the apex of politics is just an unsolicited blessing. Although, we do not have the numbers, but to show our love and support should and must necessarily reflect in the small numbers we have.
Charity they say begins at home. This is a call first to all key stakeholders in the Savannah Region, beginning with the regional executives and the seven Parliamentary Candidates. Your conduct and actions in the remaining two months must be geared towards uniting the party in order to attract first, those who are still sitting on the fence and second to others who are not extremists and are ready to consider voting for John Mahama. Where you people (key stakeholders) are able to demonstrate this, it surely will trickle down to those of us at the peripherals.
Let it be told that our support or otherwise for John Mahama will set the pace for the future of any politician in Gonjaland. The way we will handle John Mahama especially in this upcoming 2024 election will determine how any serious political party will see Gonjaland and decide as to whether to, in the future, elevate anybody to either a running mate or a Presidential Candidate. Once we send the signal that we do not like and will not marshal our support around one of our own for the obvious reasons will thus, imply that when given an opportunity, Gonjaland will always betray their own.
So, let this message reach the doors of Hon. Abu Jinapor, Dr. Ing. Braimah Clifford, Dr. Achanso, Hon Saeed Muaz Jibril and all the frontrunners of the NPP in Gonjaland that what becomes of John Mahama and his chances today will reflect in multiple folds when it gets to their turn. If they amplify their negative voices and antics towards John Mahama, they should be rest assured that we, the young ones, will learn very fast under their unconscious and unsolicited tutelage, and will definitely double up and master the game of amplification and negative energy towards them when duty calls in the future.
This humble and harmless call equally goes to our revered traditional authorities, beginning with Jira Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale 1 and his paramount chiefs. As custodians of our land, gods and customs, the chiefs owe it a duty to demonstrate their love for John Mahama for him to ultimately lift the image of “Kegbanye” and the spear up and above the skies. There is no need to hide behind the unfairness of the law requiring them to stay out of “active politics” to throw their own flesh out for the general public to mock at.
At least, the Tolon Naa has shown the way – that there is no limit to political participation. In fact, he said he is ready to put his traditional regalia down, put on NPP paraphernalia and join Bawumia on the campaign trail. For the meantime, we must have to acknowledge and commend the bold public commentary of Bolewura Kutugefeso, Kpembewura Banbamge and Mankpanwura Jakpa Borenyi on how Gonjalanders ought to approach the upcoming 2024 general elections. We are still waiting for the rest of the Paramount Chiefs (Buipewura Jinapor, Busunuwura Jonokpowu, Damongowura Seidu Kelly Boresa, Kusawguwura, Wasipewura Kabagsagya, and others) to show their faces and get counted.
When the polls are closed and the numbers start trickling in, Gonjaland (Savannah Region) ought to get counted for how we expressed ourselves at the polls. It will be an insult and embarrassment for H.E John Mahama to check the percentages from Savannah and may not be able to raise his head among the decision makers at the table. To whom much is given, much is definitely expected. So, let no one feel entitled that even if we fail to demonstrate our support for John Mahama, once he is our son, he will be bound to give his all when it is time to share the cake.
Indeed, Gonjaland should not expect the Voltarians, Bonos, Dagombas, Frafras, Kasenas, Sisalas, Dagatis, to sweat and die for John Mahama to become President only for us to want the first and sumptuous share from the meal. The first step must be taken by us, and that is to step all out in support of our son. Politics has always been business and a game where competing interests form the foundational rules. For this, Gonjalanders must approach the 2024 elections as business and a game of competing interests where ones expected outcomes will depend on his inputs.
Today, the Volta region has become the world bank of the NDC not because of the party colors, but largely because of the name and image of JJ Rawlings. Even in his grave, the Ewes still hoist an ordained obligation on their necks to protect his image, and the story is not different with the Ashantes.
It is not just because of development, so called, that the Ewes are standing flesh-to-flesh with the NDC, although they are minded about development, but it is largely to protect the image of their Late Son, JJ Rawlings. In much the same way, on a normal day, an Ashanti will look you in the face and tell you that he/she was born into the NPP because the party was birthed by their ancestors at the Manhyia Palace, so they cannot betray their forefathers. The time is here for Gonjalanders to make an example out of these two scenarios.
The biggest legacy H.E John Mahama will ever leave for Gonjaland is not only development, although, that will surely be the anchor of his second coming, but to leave the land as a stronghold for the NDC. This is so imperative to our collective interest. So that in future, Gonjalanders can stand proud in the midst of the crowed with the believe that we will forever be united and never betray Jakpa.
To my NDC members who really matter (Regional, Constituency, Branch executives, ordinary members like us and very key stakeholders) whose conducts whether deliberate or otherwise, may/will/shall stand in contrast with the agenda 7/7, may your deliberate, convenient, self-seeking conducts be exposed before H.E John Mahama and those who really matter at the highest decision-making level. And let it be said vociferously and clearly that, shouting agenda 7/7 on platforms is not enough an effort, let your conduct in the quiet go in sync with the platform art works.
As the strong hurricane of change is sweeping across the country, the Dagombas have accepted John Mahama; the Ewes are leading the charge for his second coming; the Bonos are doing everything possible to get him back in government; the Frafras are pledging their absolute support for him; the Dagartis/Walas/Sisalas/Brifos in Upper West Region are promising him 11/11 in the region; our play mates (Kasenas, Sisalas, Builsas, Mos, Bimobas, ect.) are waiting patiently for us to mess up again for them to swallow us alive. I put the question again, where do we stand as Gonjalanders? Let John Mahama feel proud to identify as a royal of the land. Ultimately, let him safe to run back home when he is being pursued from outside.
We must not shame Jakpa this time around. Shalom!
