Though Dr. Arthur Kennedy, the former Communications Director of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's campaign team has received a lot of flaks from his own party members over his controversial book, "Chasing the Elephant into the Bush", he has been awarded the political personality of the year 2009. The award was conferred on him by Uncle Ebo Whyte, the CEO of Roverman publications, a publishing and theatre production company based in Accra. Speaking to The Chronicle Tuesday, Uncle Ebo Whyte said despite the public reservations about the book, it has provided a platform for leaders in the country to be circumspect about their actions. According to him, if our leaders get to know that their actions would be published for posterity, they would avoid mischief in the supreme interest of the nation. "I awarded him the political personality of the year based on his book 'Chasing the Elephant into the Bush'. I know the book has some short-comings because I have reviewed it, but it makes interesting reading," he said. Ebo Whyte believes that the decision by Arthur Kennedy to let the cat out of the bag was an indication to prevent leaders from doing things in secrecy or to hold public office holders in check. To Uncle Ebo, the courage of Arthur Kennedy to come out to catalogue internal party matters was commendable. He also awarded Mr. Anas Aremeyaw Anas, one of the nation's ace investigative reporters, the personality of the year award. According to Uncle Ebo Whyte, the exposé of Anas were admirable. Dr. Arthur Kennedy hit the head lines when portions of his book were published ahead of its official launch. In his book, he revealed a number of chilling accounts ranging from Mr. Kufuor's inability to unite Nana Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyerematen for victory in 2008. In the book he also accused Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, the 2008 presidential candidate for CPP of deceiving the party, after he (Nduom) served under President Kufuor in the NPP government for so many years. At page 142, he said, "Within a few hours after the results were announced, I learnt that Nana Akuffo-Addo had contacted Dr. Ndoum. “While we were in Kumasi, the two exchanged phone calls and my impression from Nana Akufo-Addo was that Dr. Nduom would be supportive. We heard that he was on his way to Ho to campaign -for us. When he finally got there, Dr. Nduom talked of 'Nduom for 2012'" Taking Dr. Nduom on over his reflections after the 2008 general elections, the physician turned politician stated, ''The part of Dr. Nduom's reflection that should concern us is his implications that people voted in response to financial inducement. He compounds this by implying that if he had resources, he would have done the same. “Even if his initial view about the influence of money on voting by ordinary people was supportable, he should have condemned the practice, instead of wishing he had the resources to indulge in it." He continued, "While Dr. Nduom's point on the influence of money applies significantly to primaries in all parties, its role in general elections is dubious". After launching a blistering attack on Dr. Nduom, he sought to proffer suggestions to the former CPP flag bearer. According to him, to make another credible run, Dr. Nduom must rebuild bridges with his party and prevent the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from appropriating the symbols and history of his party. "Indeed, in my judgment, the central tasks facing the CPP are the ability to get credible candidates on the ground, their ability to unite with the PNC and the need to prevent the NDC from presenting itself as the inheritors of Nkrumah's legacy." At page 119 of his book, Arthur Kennedy, touching on the DCEs wrote, "As in every campaign, local issues and the candidates mattered. “In many places, DCEs were seen by the public as the face of the party and where they were unpopular, the voters punished the party for their perceived arrogance. “For example, in the Central Region, a few days before the second round, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Kwamena Bartels and I met the Regional house of chiefs to persuade them to support the NPP. “During the meeting, one chief reminded us that the DCEs were our primary links with the people and that in many instances; our party had been ill-served by our DCEs. “He said that on many occasions, he had tried to see the DCE for his area but had not been successful. However, while waiting to see the DCE, young women, scantily dressed were waltzing in and out of the DCE's office. This account was backed by many of the assembled chiefs," Arthur K. stated in his book. Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle