Western North falls to “Fellow Ghanaians”
The sterling leadership qualities of President Akufo-Addo shone brightest when the deadly coronavirus most threatened Ghana’s very existenceshone brightest when the deadly coronavirus most threatened our existence
As fire purifies gold, separating the gangue (waste) from the precious metal, so does crisis show a leader. Crisis is the truest test of the depth of leadership of any man, short or tall, rich or poor.
It was in a crisis – on 10 July 1940, during the Second World War, as Nazi Luftwaffe bomber planes sought to burn down Britain – that the leadership qualities of the 65-year-old Winston Churchill shone brightest. In fact, Churchill’s charisma and tenacious character were what stood between Great Britain and defeat. It takes a Goliath to unearth a David.
The sterling leadership qualities of Ghana’s president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, shone brightest when the deadly coronavirus posed the greatest threat to Ghana’s very existence.
From day one, the president showed that he knew what to do. With a calm and steady hand resting on the presidential lectern, conspicuously clad in his carefully patterned African waxprint shirts, Akufo-Addo rallied a trembling nation with his intelligently crafted Sunday-night COVID addresses. Using the power of the internet and broadcasting, he inspired a dejected continent.
Profile in courage
He said: “Fellow Ghanaians, I assure you that we know how to bring back the economy back to life. What we do not know is how to bring people back to life.”
Like the case of Churchill, the corona crisis energised Akufo-Addo. I dare say, if America had a man the like of Akufo-Addo in the White House, that country would not have had such an urgent need today for a vaccine to counter COVID-19.
The people of the Western North Region have communicated, through their chiefs, their utmost respect and appreciation for the honest, wise and courageous leadership shown by President Akufo-Addo in these perilous COVID times.
On Saturday 26 September 2020 in Bibiani, in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai constituency, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, paramount chief of the Anhwiaso Traditional Area, addressing the president, said: “To us the chiefs and people of Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, the December election is a thank-you vote. We shall vote to thank you for your sterling leadership traits.”
Man with a steady plan
And so they cheered him, from Akontombra to Bodi, from Bechema Nkwanta to Dadieso, from Juaboso to Enchi, and from Awaso to Anhwiaso to Bibiani, all chanting: “Four More for Nana!”
In response, President Akufo-Addo said: “I want you all to know that I am an honest man. I didn’t come to power to deceive or lie to you. Unlike some people, I will not cut the sod for projects without first securing funding for it.
“You all bear witness to my handiworks. I did not come to power to experiment with the destinies of the Ghanaian people.
“I had and still have a plan. Please give me FOUR MORE YEARS TO DO MORE FOR YOU.”
The charged gathering took the celebration another notch higher when the President introduced the parliamentary candidate for Biabiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Alfred Obeng.
Seated versus sidelined
As I walked away from the blaring speakers on the durbar grounds to answer a call from my mother, I overheard a stray comment by a decent young man leaning against a motorbike, probably in the okada business.
He said: “This old man is wise ooooo. See, Kwabena Agyapong is seated behind him on the stage, but President John Mahama has sidelined Chairman Allotey Jacobs. How can we win? No wonder we are building mortuaries in the zongos.”
By the grace of God, Ghana has steadied the tide. Our health systems have not been overrun by the coronavirus. We may not be out of the woods yet: COVID-19 is still here with us. But so is our “Fellow Ghanaians”.
He has warmed the hearts and minds of the good people of the Western North. The evidence on the ground bears witness that almost all nine constituencies in the region – Aowin, Bia East, Bia West, Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Bodi, Juaboso, Sefwi Akontombra, Sefwi Wiawso, Suaman – have fallen to President Akufo-Addo, the Fellow Ghanaian.
Michael Nana-Sasu, Danquah Institute (DI)
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