The die is cast. The incumbent MP of Asokwa has obtained for herself the opportunity to contest the seat again, unopposed.
She does not seem concerned that her constituents are chanting her incompetence out loud, nor that she is becoming somewhat of a “Mugabe” in that part of town.
Questions continue to linger on the lips of NPP supporters. The youth question their future within the party that prides herself with huge democratic credentials. “This is not fair!” “This is so unlike the NPP!””I cannot bring myself to understand what they just did!” etc are some of the remarks that greeted the announcement that no one is contesting the incumbent MP for Asokwa.
Others also wondered; “why did you take his money if you were going to continue an agenda to protect the woman?”
There were press conferences, press statements and protests. All for what?
The party that touts her democratic credentials from coast to coast is now sinking under the heavy burden of autocracy, ‘Moneycracy’ and favouritism. Party faithful are invoking deities because they have lost hope in the party’s justice and redress mechanisms. The future of the party is being slaughtered on the bench of convenience and the “who you know” syndrome.
Even when constituency, polling station and other grassroots executives of the party were complaining, cautioning, protesting, they still ignored them (for they do not matter). They said all they wanted was a fair contest and not a win at all cost for any particular candidate. But even a fair contest was denied them. Their cries were heartlessly ignored. They said they would vote skirt and blouse in the absence of a contest but the big men said amongst themselves; “let us force our way through, they have no choice but to fall in line later. We will appeal in the spirit of reconciliation. We have nothing to lose but everything to gain”. We will see how the threats of the party members unfold and how the insensitive leadership of the party manages their way through this, bearing in mind that this goes beyond Asokwa.
As a non-partisan observer, I was awed at how a party can gang up against a promising young politician who has lived and breathed NPP together with his entire family all his life and essentially deny him a clear-cut shot at the parliamentary seat.
Dr. Francis Nana Yaw Boakye; a medical Doctor at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital after carefully assessing his stature within the NPP and his contribution to the same party and with solid advise from political sages and relevant advisors embarked on a parliament-bound journey on the vehicle of the ruling party.
Various surveys indicated the ground was fertile for him. He threw in his all only to be shown a tilted playing field. Essentially, he was still sure of victory on this tilted turf but was denied participation based on frivolities. I witnessed how he was denied nomination forms at his constituency and regional levels of the party. I also recall how he struggled to submit his form at the constituency and regional levels. With hindsight, it would seem that he was being indulged even at the national headquarters where he picked his forms. I recall how the party office would suddenly get locked when it was time for him to perform any of the relevant activities leading to the acceptance of his nomination as an aspirant for the parliamentary seat. I remember his numerous trips to Accra.
I remember how he was grilled over trivialities while his contender had a walk in the park during their vetting.
In all this, party youth showed him great support and wanted him to be given a fighting chance. Hopes were kept alive until an announcement was made that took away all hopes, and for what? On what grounds? “Nurturing the constituency” they say. What is more “nurturing” than completely reconstructing a classroom block that had been destroyed by rainstorm? What is more “nurturing” than using your profession as a medical doctor to hold various health screenings for your people? What is more “nurturing” than treating sick party members with your own resources free of charge and transporting more serious cases to the hospital and personally ensuring their welfare and even bearing the cost of surgeries for some? His being the head of the party’s medical team was not enough? His showing at every major party event countrywide was not enough? Oh, when a grown medical doctor comes together with his family to make a donation to the party, they say it is his father’s contribution and not his? Wow! Lest I forget, they also at a point said he was not qualified because according to them, he lived with his parents. This is far from true but SERIOUSLY? Well…
The big question however is; IS THAT ALL?
From ghanagong.com’s last check, he had not even been reached after the on-air announcement regarding the announcement or what should be expected. Is that how a party disrespects their own?
In the face of a disclosure that there is amongst a section of the constituency executives, a succession plan, will another four-year wait be worth it? If it is, will the dynamics be any more favourable to him?
What is the young doctor’s next card?
Will he contest as an independent candidate considering the great support he has? Will he hesitate for fear of throwing his family’s long-standing NPP heritage to the dogs? What is his future in politics?
Something tells us the answer will be out soon. Keep following.
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