He may have had his misgivings about the fight. He may have wondered his fate after his pastor whispered some dreadful consequences if he fights. But Ayittey Powers overcame his fears and showed up - even for defeat.
Some other group of people also had their doubts, harboured pessimism and heard whispers of an impending IMF bailout - but decided to boycott a forum which Ghanaians like this Bukom Banku vs. Ayittey Powers fight, were expecting to see them contribute.
Call him names. But methink Ayittey Powers showed better faith than the NPP.
Fine. Money was at stake for him, but development was at stake for us. And this prospect even if faint should be compelling enough for the NPP to attend.
I still don't understand how the NPP would hold out from the Forum.
The reasons - it's a PR gimmick, invitation arrived late, our views are disregarded in a more legally binding parliament - these reasons work for you when you are talking to your base.
Just like the alleged "akuko sa kyerε akro ma" thing Mahama was telling his base. They understand him but apparently the nation didn't.
So the pretty shoddy NPP reasons are award-winning reasons when you are talking to your own people. Firing up your loyalists who see things in only black and white - the government being black.
But if the whole country was an NPP stronghold, they would not be in opposition.
So there is this group, this average Ghanaian, this care-free youths who only want to see bi-partisanship at every single opportunity when Ghana is at stake.
And if Dr.Apraku's stated need for floating voters is important to you guys, then this is a wierd way to go about it.
Guys- you goofed.
Take this reason about late invitation. The party couldn't prepare well because the invitation came late. Good point until you add the fact that you guys said the position you will be taking at Senchi is already what you have been saying in Parliament and at Central Univiersity all unheeded to.
So then what preparation did you need for Senchi when you have been 'prepared' at Parliament? All you have to do is dust of Dr. Bawumia's lecture notes on the economy and just go.
Sure, I'm not surprised the invitation came late. This government's chronic sub-standard fantasy with mediocrity in organising national events is pretty déjà vu, you know?
Sometime ago this same issue came up after the NDC sent late invitations for a certain national event.
But if government officials prefer to act like babies - you, be the mother - after all mother's day was just last Sunday.
And take this PR gimmick for instance.
The greatest PR gimmick in Ghana is an assembly of 275 MPs freely christened 'honourables' have been doing nothing but talking about what they are about to do.
The speaker has drawn several touchline warning but every time anybody crosses the line, nothing touches them. 'Tweeaaa parliament. Parliament has been warning, warming up to warn and - warning to warm up but to date - you guys have been toothless at doing anything nationally recognisable.
See only 8% of over 2,500 respondents think you are doing a good job. And you know you are not doing much. Sure the institutional framework of parliament is guilty of shackling you guys.
But as Paul Scholes told Arsenal's Jack Wilshere recently, you can't keep using injuries as an excuse for not being a top player after showing some much potential at 17 years.
So you want a PR gimmick? You really want a PR gimmick? Forget Senchi - and hear yourselves when you say 'heeeeaaaarrrrr, heeeeeaaaaarrrrr'.
And now take one more reason - our views have been disregarded. Government uses its majority to push us over.
First of all - take Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC). The NPP have been pushing for reforms at IPAC quite strongly and despite disappointments, they have never boycotted elections since 1996. The last one they boycotted came at a great price.
So despite cynicism and disappointments at the pace of electoral reform. You guys showed up at the polls, believing and hoping it will be different.
So when power and votes are at stake, you know how to show up. But when the country is at stake, well that's no stake?
Look - if your views are disregarded in parliament it is because parliament is bi-partisan. Only the NDC is there with you. And being government - come on - they are free to disregard your views.
But Senchi had civil societies, think-tanks, objective people, patriots, lovers of progress, people who don't give a damn about NPP-NDC. People who would listen to your views and find those views in the consensus. It was a perfect opportunity to lobby - and sneak up your recommendations in what you would call a 'sucker-punch' to government.
Stick them with the bill and see if they will implement them.
And it's also an opportunity to make a case to non-partisan elements there so they appreciate why your views have not been taken on.
But apparently, strategy is a word for 2016. And lobbying is a skill which despite being parliamentarians, many have not muster.
See if you have a beef with government, have that beef, keep that beef - you can even fry that beef.
But if you want us to have a beef with government so we change them - then you need to carry us, cajole us, lobby us so we all together take that god-damn partisan beef to government.
Now you are the only one with the beef - keep it. And eat it.
Here is your problem - You are showing symptoms of suffering from delusions of grandeur - a certain over-hyped self importance, like an unaccomplished university student who feels the world owes him a seat on the big-boys' table and because he is the best thing to happen to his country.
Remember the Ayew brothers? Remember Sulley Muntari's ungraceful rant at his substitution?
That's you. And remember after the bust up with Coach Dr.Kwesi Appiah, the bashing they got? - That's you too.
Dr. Kwesi Appiah is government representing Ghanaians.
NPP and NDC are like trying to fit into Dr. Kwesi Appiah’s World Cup team. You want the number 9 jersey (be in government). You got number three (opposition). No need to fight with the number 9 player.
Refusing to play your position because anytime you give the striker a pass he bundles the chance, is your quickest way out of the team.
Give that pass. Give it again. And again. And again - until the coach sees a problem with his striker and drops him - then you go to the coach and tell him your perfect passes come from perfect feet and if he puts you upfront - you can get perfect goals.
Not naaa. Not NPP. To hell with strategy, patience and opportunity.
Remember how awkward you looked to Ghanaians after you boycotted the vetting proceedings of parliament following the bitter loss in 2012 presidential elections?
These boycott is such a selective instrument that accomplishes maximum effect such that it must be thought out very very carefully and used sparingly.
See - the participants; they are full of people who have reached a certain level in life, according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs - self-actualization.
Dr.Patrick Awuah, President of Ashesi University, your own Kwame Pianim, former GIMPA rector Stephen Addai, NPP's deputy Finance Minister now deputy GIMPA Rector Nii Ashong.
These folks just want to serve their country. Give something back. They don't care about you if you don't care about what they care about - Ghana. Heard of this saying; "the best to show love to people is to care about the things they care about"?
So stripped to its real essence, this whole boycott is just plain politics - at a time when real problems are affecting real people.
So now what do we have here if NDC also replicates this while you are in government?
The last time a queen snubbed a King's request to see her, she was deposed and a Hebrew teenager, Esther was made to take her place.
Methink, if you continue like this, then Ghana needs to place an ad for a serious opposition party.
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