In life, no season remains forever and similarly, situations also change one after another.
When a storm emerges in an ocean, it creates violent wind and heavy rains, sometimes, causing a dreadful disaster but after some tone there prevail a reign of calmness. Though the storm disturbs the man’s life, it will not remain for a long period as it soon disappears and calmness prevails everywhere.
This is the story of John Mahama, the humble lion and one of the most powerful and intelligent Presidents Ghana has ever produced.
When he announced his intention to seek for re-election in 2020, his traducers derisively asked: “what exactly does John Mahama want? Why is he so desperate to become President? Must be President again?
But not anymore. Things have now changed with many Mahama detractors shocked at the momentum his third coming effort to win the 2020 presidential poll has started gathering.
An objective and impartial analyst would see that the key indicators to determine who flies the NDC’s flag at 2020 poll lie more on how their campaigns have progressed, how their popularity have been perceived and how their messages have resonated with the people.
Pundits have predicted a massive win for John. This conclusion stems not just from the way John Mahama has managed to project himself to a level in which he is seen as capable and well prepared for the task ahead, but also because the messages of the other aspirants or contenders are not well received by the people.
From grapevine, many hints on the likely outcome of Saturday’s presidential primary are emerging. Almost all the NDC MPs, former appointees including former MMDCEs are receptive to John Mahama’s aspiration because they see him as the only one with the capacity to rebuild the party and ensure that it takes over power in 2019.
Beyond what may be playing in the realm of underground politics, the political situation in the NPP strongholds is clearly cloudy. Political loyalty is shifting very fast. The harsh economic situation means unconscious political reappraisal.
Indeed it is no longer news that in the strongholds of the NPP, many are uncomfortable with the grinding paralysis that has come to signpost president Akufo Addo’s economic programmes.
As much as the President is loved in NPP strongholds, there is a gradual realignment targeting John Mahama who they see as the next president amenable to welfare politics and inclusive governance. It is impossible to ignore the successes recorded by John Mahama as MP, Vice President, President, and even before his foray into politics.
While John Mahama made references to visible achievements to his name and his NDC government, other aspirants made and are making big promises, sometimes pledging to build bridges where rivers do not exist.
As a team player, John Mahama never shirked responsibility nor abdicate his chosen path of greatness. Humble, unassuming, articulate and trustworthy. This disposition is consistent with the yearning of Ghanaians from all facet of our National life – to raise the bar in public service and sustenance of a legacy of honour.
The former President’s submission on the economy and other crucial national issues have been applauded as a timely up call, since his words bear close resemblance to the aspirations of the citizenry, who have for long yearned for his kind of leadership and policies for a new Ghana.
The abysmal performance of the current administration vis-a-vis the unprecedented achievements recorded under Mahama has made the 2020 Mahama comeback smooth and straight.
John Mahama is a pragmatic politician who understands quite well that, in opposition, you do not play the game with the template of the western world.
People in Ghanaian are struggling with poverty, discrimination, injustice, and other social evils that make everyday life unbearable. I am ashamed of the fact that under a human right activist’s presidency, Ghanaians are being killed and maimed by hoodlums who operate under full state protection.
The 2016 election was a referendum on John Mahama’s administration, whose administration was widely viewed as corrupt, clueless and incapable of addressing our problems including security threats, economic hardship, unemployment, etc. Akufo Addo promised Ghanaians promised Ghanaians heaven and came into office promising to crack down on corruption, but the level corruption, nepotism, insecurity under his administration is unprecedented and escalates every day. Ghanaians now know the difference between the former and the present administrations. Every right thinking Ghanaian should crave for peace and unity. It would take a man with strength of character and clear conscience like John Mahama to rebuild and foster unity in Ghana.
By: Col.(Rtd). Dr. Emmanuel Asenso (Tunis)