Opinion: “Mrs Hudson leave Baker St.? England would fall!”
This quote got my attention for one simple reason. It rang well with how I feel about what is happening in the New Patriotic Party, (NPP)
This heading is a quote from Sherlock Holmes, the world-renowned fictional detective of England. Mrs Hudson, his landlord and housekeeper, is shaken by one of Holmes’s escapades with Dr. Watson, his sidekick.
Watson, in considering what would best help Mrs Hudson recover, suggested she leave their famous 221B Baker Street House for a bit. Sherlock Holmes, in his retort, could not conceptualize their home without the irreplaceable Mrs Hudson, hence his retort, “Mrs Hudson, leave Baker Street!? England would fall!’
This quote got my attention for one simple reason. It rang well with how I feel about what is happening in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and what some people in the Party do not seem to realize.
The NPP is not just for winning power. It is not just for politics; the politics of power or of outdoing the opponent. The NPP is about making the lives of Ghana, Ghanaians, West Africa and Africa better.
But we seem to have forgotten that. More so in our recent actions over the last few years into this new year of painful losses for the presidency and in parliament.
The history is clear. The history of our “Mrs. Hudson” – our rock – is clear. Our “Mrs. Hudson” are the principles and values we stand for.
The United Gold Coast Convention is our root. Somehow we seem to have forgotten that!
Why did JB Danquah think his thoughts of independence?
Why did he think of working with Paa Grant?
Why did Grant accept to finance and chair the UGCC?
Why did Blay, de Graft Johnson and the host of over 50 people who signed on at the first UGCC Conference in Saltpond on August 4th 1947, choose to join forces?
They were business people. Some educated. Others not. There were traders – market and agencies. There were lawyers. There were farmers. There were religious leaders. There were Nananom.
All these professions and personalities covered all of the territory that was the Gold Coast and would become Ghana. Why did they choose to join forces?
We became Ghana Congress Party because we evolved, reading the times and following the desire of the people who understood what we stood for.
Our fold multiplied even when those who fought against us had power and used their ill-means to undermine us to reign. Our forebears stayed steadfast regardless.
Under the banner of the United Party, “united” was the clarion call. Leaders of all kinds – Niimei, Togbui, Naas, Nananom, Princes, Family Heads, Religious leaders, the business community regardless of ethnicity or social background – still made up the frontline of our thought and direction.
The nouveau riche joined them. They all knew what was good for the future of the country. They were not selfish, avaricious, or heartless. The mission was about the welfare of the citizens and the future.
When the nation finally came to terms with what we had to offer, the Progress Party took the mantle. The principles had not changed. The values had not changed. The support base was intact. Selflessness still had a priority place on the list of our values. The tradition lived!
When the values lost traction, we lost power and authority. The people showed us the door before we could get in. It did not matter that we were United National Convention or Popular Front Party! If we were not together in the manner they knew us, we were not fit to be in government and the nation would fall.
Our leaders came back to their senses. The All Peoples Party was born. Born to lead us and the nation to the better place. There was a value to that action. When we stay united, we are a Party worth reckoning.
The interruption of the Rawlings abyss was defeated because of those from our own who stood and fought through the turbulent times to bring us back our democracy. The JH Mensahs, Adu Boahenes and co. were a united team.
We are given the impression that Rawlings, out of some seeming benevolence, brought back our democracy. We forget that it was the agitation from our leaders, locally and internationally, that brought us the democracy of today.
Because we do not tell our story people and opportunists, who have no understanding of who we are, infiltrate our ranks and divide us. It is those among the UP philosophical descendants who understood who we are as a nation, who stood against the Rawlings regimes. This we must take credit for.
We have had leaders in Busia, Kufuor and Akufo-Addo who have sought to bring real progress in our lives. They all hold one link and trait; an understanding and appreciation of the principles of our forebears.
Losing that direction – the principles and values that stand us out from the rest – will lead us out of reckoning in the politics of Ghana.
We must not lose our constituency. We have been the ones to support and court the strongest base – Traditional Authority, Religious leaders, Business and industry, Market traders (especially the women), and the youth. We are the tradition that creates, grows and develops the economy. It is the reason we have lasted the longest as a political tradition.
Instead of courting our strongholds further, we alienate them! They should be our focus. If we do not reel them back into our fold “England will fall”.
We do not need the appointment or nomination of a presidential candidate 3 years ahead of elections, or tailoring the party structure around the candidate, or giving the Party the image of a monetary based party wanting and depending on perceived money bags instead of the socio-politically resourceful, principled patient leaders who understand who we are, that will win us power. If we do so we will fail!
Our “Mrs Hudson” is our principles and values. Our party is our Baker Street. Our mission is Ghana. If our principles and values are not our guiding light, through which our party stands, we will fail the people, again.
We must remember it is about the people, something we seem to have forgotten over the last few years.
“Principles and values leave our party? We will fail our nation! We will fall”.
Nana Fredua-Agyeman Ofori-Atta
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