The wind of political activism is blowing boisterously at the parliamentary primary level as the landmark election of 2016 marks time to take center stage just at the crow of the year 2016.

Like a hurricane, the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primaries came to pass with new faces “dethroning” some astute and elongated Members of Parliament to “shamefaced-smiles” and to frown. We patiently await these new entrants to see if they can secure the national seats to represent their various constituencies and to make the needed impact.

The National Democratic Congress has had its wind blowing in the same direction but yet to be determined come November 7, 2015. We have seen the fun-filled picking of nomination forms to vetting at the various regional residencies since the beginning of October. A few ones have gone unopposed (which makes theirs unexciting) though, all awaiting final voting or confirmation or acclamation or endorsement.

Some of us have followed the process with keen interest – from expression of interest to denial but later to be confirmed hopes, to insults and to press conferences.

But one constituency that has succeeded in getting me glued to their activities although I am no more a voter there by virtue of my relocation is the Korle Klottey Constituency in the Greater Accra Region. Unlike Afari Gyan or Asiedu Nketia, I am limited to define the geographical or electoral boundaries of this constituency – all I know is it covers Adabraka, Odawna, Official Town, Asylum down, Tudu, Osu etcetera. In fact it is the center of politics in Ghana. Until recently, it housed the seat of government, the Christiansburg castle (popularly known as the Osu castle). Talk about Nkrumah Circle (metamorphosing into an interchange now), Oxford Street, Independence Square, Accra Sports Stadium, Accra Psychiatry Hospital, Ridge Hospital, Boom Junction, State House, Conference Center and the list is endless. This is no mean constituency.

Back in the day we were paraded on the streets with miniature flags (of course as students) to wave at some world leaders who visited Ghana. I saw the likes of Nelson Mandela when he was released from prison, Louis Farakhan and Brother Muamar Al Gadarfi(May his lion soul rest in peace). With nostalgia, I remember we represented Korle Klottey sub-metro at the annual Independence Day celebration March pass at the independence square (particularly the 40^th anniversary gymnastics display, which I think happened at the sports stadium). These events made us very patriotic and will still wish to die for our dear country.

Politically, the Korle Klottey constituency has been a hotbed. All the demonstrations that took place on that stretch of the street from Nkrumah circle to Hearts Park saw our active participation. I remember as a boy, following some supporters who were chanting slogans and singing funny songs for Professor Adu Boahen, in the heat of the campaign season towards the 1992 elections. I was there some!

The parliamentary seat in the constituency can be described as a swing seat although the NDC has occupied it in most times. In 1992, it was occupied by Nathan Tetteh Mensah of the Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE) party, 1996 by David Lamptey of the NDC, 2000 by Nii Adu Darku Mante of the NPP and 2008 till date, by Nii Armah Ashietey. But any true constituency member will never forget this independent candidate who moved the constituency along with him anywhere he went. His impact was so great. Some of us believe if he had won the seat with his sanitation campaign, no case of cholera will be shamefully recorded in Accra as the case has been. We carried brooms and followed him (since that was his symbol).Anybody who goes to the Osu Cemetery should look for him and salute him, his grave is fancy and conspicuous. I am talking about Hon. Tei Okunor, God rest his soul. “Ak33 w) kaaa b33, w)n b33”, to wit in the  local ga language, “ They said we should not sweep but we are sweeping”.

Sorry to have bothered you with this long walk through the constituency. It was to get you to appreciate the seat in contention and the aspirants better.

I have and continue to listen to all the aspirants of the other constituencies just to weigh the expressions of their motivation for seeking political office. I must confess some have nothing to offer their constituents. I am really sorry but that is my observation. Some are contesting for the mere reason that they have served in their parties for the stipulated years and they think the constituents should reward them by getting them into parliament.

The least said about those who want to double and quadruple the votes for the president, the better- you want to be a legislator so you could increase the votes for the president in the next election? Lord have mercy! I concede there is a correlation between the votes the parliamentary aspirants garners and that of the flag bearer but I believe the flag bearer would rather you told them about the policies of your party and how you intend to implement them at the constituency to better their lots rather than increasing votes.

My hunch was right when I saw on TV Dr. Zenator Rawlings’ active role in the June 3 flood disaster rescue and restoration efforts. Little wonder therefore that a few days past and rumours started making the rounds that she wants to enter parliament. Frankly, I loved her passion but I tried to be objective by not linking her humanitarian drive to political capital. Well, the stark reality today is that she wants to serve the people by representing them in the legislature. Zenator says she was responding to calls from the constituents but “you and I were not there”.

This bold decision is in itself rewarding if I were serving on a panel interviewing her for a job offer. Since her decision, she has been consistent with her communication on her passion for her people. In her I see Yaa Asantewa, I see Hawa Yakubu, I see Margaret Thatcher, I see an entrepreneur, I see a mobilizer and unifier, I see development officer, I see women and children advocate(mostly the marginalized). One word that runs through all the communication she has had with the media or public is ‘COMMUNITY”. She will definitely by coming on the ticket a political party be obliged to rake in political dividends for the party but her spirit which is the driving force, is obsessed with helping her people to develop the community.

Recently on TV3 evening news, this young lady was at the Korle Lagoon (the one behind the Osu Castle not lavender Hill) with her teaming youth supporters exploring avenues by which they can turn the chocked  lagoon into a tourism site. She was talking speed boats, bamboo fencing and other possible means of turning this “dead water” into something to preserve the environment and nature as well as creating jobs for the people. So I asked, does that mean all the past Members of Parliament of Korle Klottey never saw this lagoon or maybe they saw it as only a defecating site? If this young lady can see beyond the horizon by beginning to identify smaller opportunities like this, I have no doubt she will see bigger things and rally the people towards their attainment.

I am mentioning this lady because she comes across as the candidate that has most odds against her. This was evidenced in press conferences that were held for and against her when she made her intentions known. Some have questioned her membership with the party as well as her commitment and participation but I guess she was cleared by the regional vetting committee of her party to contest.

I say the odds are against her for the mere reasons being the following;

She comes with the baggage of Papa Jerry Rawlings and Mama Konadu Rawlings. We are talking about the founder and his wife. The anti –Rawlings’ will naturally see it as an offshoot to perpetuate their relevance in the NDC party. She will therefore not be viewed through her own lenses of potential and capabilities but that of her parents. Of course she must ride on their glory and goodwill but will the people see her as her own self?

Again, one would say she should have gone to her hometown in the Volta Region, which would have been as we say in our local parlance – “cool chop”. It would have been a very safe seat, no struggle, no sweat. She is daring to snatch a seat that is traditionally for ga indigenes. This is bold!

The gender factor also comes to play. She is the only woman contesting after the last woman did so many years ago.

Dr. Rawlings is only Thirty Seven (37) years as compared to the other contestants whom I am sure have passed retirement and ex-gracia. She is young.

Zenator is a political neophyte. No political experience at all except to hang around daddy and mummy when their political cronies came home to talk and plan politics.

Lastly, having known almost all the MP’s in this constituency, I think they came in as people who were well to do and self-made. Some were business tycoons, Industrialists, lawyers and consultants etcetera. Arguably, we can say Zenator is also self-made but I think she is now starting life. Unless the parents are filthy rich to handle all the financial demands of the campaign (are they?).

But nonetheless, with the above-mentioned seeming odds, I am convinced she will make a fine legislator and also move her constituency forward in the right direction. To describe her in two words, I say she appears COMPETENT and SELFLESS.

She carries this pure heart to help her people. I see genuine passion in her. I will rather all our parliamentarians have this kind of heart. It should be about our people. It should be about our communities and that should be the air we breathe so that each word that drops from our mouth is for the good of the very people we are serving.

It should be about the community first, then the party. The party exist because of the people and the community. When you are selfless, the people will love you before they see the colour you are wearing. God bless our homeland Ghana!