I believe in the capitalist orientation of job creation. When a capitalist oriented person governs the state, the private sector expands hence employing majority of the youth and reduces the tundra of youth unemployment.
In 2008 when I registered as a first-time voter, of course I had completed SHS that same year. I was desperate to further my education and for that matter, I didn’t want to make a mistake in exercising my franchise because I knew very well that the decision I was going to take will certainly impact my life someday.
Being the first time for me to vote, I did not really know whom to vote for. I liked Professor Mills outward attitude and I liked Nana Akufo-Addo’s tone of speaking especially the Queen’s language; of course these have nothing to do with good governance.
As a young dreaming lawyer, I had gotten the opportunity to read some books which had Nana Akufo-Addo’s legal quotes being cited on countless times. This didn’t influence me because I come from a family dominated by both NPP and NDC (Professor Kwaku Danso Boafo – former Ghana’s High Commissioner to Britain is my uncle). I know that because of Professor Kwaku Danso Boafo, people will link me to the extended family of Nana Akufo-Addo. Well, they may be right but that wasn’t an issue to me. Even Dr. Owuraku Amofa was a strong NDC (I say this for he broke away).
Because it was my first time to vote and as one of the most acknowledged government students at OPASS, I didn’t want to disenfranchise myself neither did I want to vote on any worthless issues such as tribe, religion, perception, political attributions and physical looks (stature, complexion).
For this reason, I decided to make a thorough background search of the two leading candidates. I realized Prof Mills was a brilliant student who had his PhD at age 27 very encouraging but those days isn’t today; you know what I mean. You could easily gain scholarship for further studies and the cost of education wasn’t so high compared to today. I also realized that Nana Akufo-Addo is one of the eminent lawyers in the country and has trained many lawyers from which some are judges at the superior courts of the land. Also, the Attorney General at that time – Hon. Joe Ghartey also passed through Nana Akufo-Addo’s Chambers.
I also realized that Nana Akufo-Addo a successful businessman employing thousands of Ghanaian youth. You agree with me that many were those who got employed when the Buzz mobile communication network came to Ghana. I also realized that at age 34, he (Nana Akufo-Addo) was an influential youth in Ghanaian political front who played a major role in the formation of the Peoples Movement for Freedom and Justice – a movement that stood vehemently against the UNIGOV decision by the to fly on to exile because his life was in danger. You know how risky it is to fight a military regime.
As though not enough, I realized that Nana Akufo-Addo has not fought anyone before but political opponents have succeeded in tagging him “arrogant” because he led the famous “Kumi Preko” demonstration in 1995 – a demonstration which sort to deepen the nation’s democracy.
I realized again that Nana Akufo-Addo, in his political carrier as Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister never took salary, allowances or any other political benefits. He never used a state car or house. Of course candidate Mills took all his salary when he was Vice President to former President Rawlings and his running mate (Mahama) never skipped a pesewa of his salary and allowances as MP and Minister.
My conscience began elucidating to my thoughts as Nana Akufo-Addo is not in politics to enrich himself rather, he is there to serve his country Pro Bono (Credit to Sarkodie).
Still, I was not convinced I decided to access the political parties these two gentlemen stood for individually, their campaign messages and ideologies. I came to realize that the NDC hang its ideology on Socialism while the NPP is on Capitalism. I love capitalism because I always want to do it my own. I think socialism breeds laziness – my opinion though. But these are just ideologies.
I came to realize that although the NDC claim to be socialist, there was no social intervention which could trace its root to the NDC. All the social interventions were initiated by the NPP government under the leadership of the then President J. A. Kuffour which Nana Akufo-Addo was key in the government. Social interventions such as NYEP, NHIS, School Feeding, Free Maternal Healthcare, Metro Mass Transit, Cocoa Spraying, MASLOC, PSI etc were helping Ghanaians a lot.
One day, I heard Vice Presidential Candidate Mahama saying “for the NPP to tell Ghanaians that they have built schools, hospitals, stadia, interchanges, pipes, and other infrastructure, it is an exercise in mediocrity. Every government does it”.
I said to myself; if every government puts up infrastructure then let me see if I could see any initiative that can be pointed to 19 years rule of PNDC -NDC other than the mediocrities. Unfortunately, I the NPP, aside what Hon. Mahama termed as “mediocrity”, had achieved other successes.
I got convinced after hearing Nana Akufo-Addo throwing a challenge that he is not corrupt, has never been corrupt and will never be corrupt. Transparency and accountability are his basic fiscal principles. Political opponents tagged him “litigant” but he has never indulged in negative litigations. I once heard him saying “my political opponents are saying I’m a litigant. They are just getting me wrong. I’m not corrupt and I don’t condone corrupt practices. I want my resources as well as resources of the state to be used efficiently. For this reason, if you embezzle or misappropriate any resource, I will let you refund it. Enjoy what you have worked for not from the state, you block the chance of one poor child succeeding”. I shouted “wooooow”! Corruption is dwindling Africa’s development and for that matter Ghana. This is the man we can entrust with our resources.
I therefore concluded that if Nana Akufo-Addo could sacrifice his youthful life for Ghanaians as he fought military rule, if Nana Akufo-Addo as opposition member in the 1990s could establish companies to employ thousands of Ghanaian youth, if he served Ghana without his due salary and allowances etc, then Nana Akufo-Addo is ready to serve Ghana for no bid. Remember Jesus said “whoever wants to be a leader must be a servant”. Above all, if Nana Akufo-Addo could help President Kuffour to achieve other successes aside what Hon. Mahama termed “mediocrities” then the man Akufo-Addo has something good for Ghana.
I belong to a school of thought that believes the government successes and failures are best measured using social intervention policies. For that matter, a government that fails to initiate social intervention policies is a failure.
This is why I decided to vote for NPP and Nana Akufo-Addo in 2008 and 2012. I will vote for him again coming 7th December and entreat you to join me make this visionary man our next president! God bless Ghana.
I believe in Nana Akufo-Addo’s political, social and legal experience.
I believe in the practical economic endowment of Dr. Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia.
I will go for 1 District 1 Factory.
Nothing is beyond the capabilities of a wise leader.