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Statesmen, Politicians And A ‘Headmaster’: How Did We Get Here As A Nation?

Feature Article Statesmen, Politicians And A Headmaster: How Did We Get Here As A Nation?
JAN 10, 2018 LISTEN

Must I be tinkering with this academic exercise when Kwaku Ananse-- the erratic character is on a sabbatical leave? Is this time the right time to talk about this subject when the nation’s economy appears to be imploding and the yawning gap between the rich and poor is as deep and wide as the Gulf of Guinea ?

If this isn’t a good time, then when is the right time?

Our nation is young. Young as in terms of the period she gained independence from foreign domination and young as in practising democracy a few decades ago. Perhaps, for most Ghanaians this is the first time in post-independent Ghana that we’ve had three former presidents around us—still alive. In April 18 2017 all three statesmen for the first time in many years had the opportunity to meet with a sitting president at the Flagstaff House. This was the First 100 Days of Mr. Akufo-Addo’s presidency.

Isn’t that beautiful and a blessing?
In fact this is also the first time Ghana has had a civilian government for 25 years running --uninterrupted. There’s been no political upheaval, no uprising, no coup de ’tat, no revolution and no insurrection (whatever you may call it) since the nation returned to constitutional rule in 1992.

What does that say about us as a people and nation?

It means we’re on the right track in the midst of numerous problems and challenges. But we can do better if we put our act together.

Sometimes it is not the big stuff that draws the world’s attention but the little ones. Those considered as unimportant. Not a big deal. Had I known is always at last, they say. When a child sees Mom and Dad nagging, she senses right away that something is wrong in their home. Of course that child needs nobody to tell her what’s going on, especially if it becomes a pattern.

At the recent celebration of Ghana’s Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Fourth Republic at the Independent Square thousands at the venue and perhaps millions that saw the cold handshake President Rawlings gave President Mahama on their TV screens and on the Internet might still be wondering. And there seems to be more questions than answers.

Among the dignitaries that attended the Thanksgiving Service were three of the nations’ former presidents ---John Rawlings, John Kufuor and John Mahama. First to show up was immediate past President John Mahama.

He was the early bird so to speak. And I think he showed up early in order not to incur the anger of the ‘Headmaster’—Mr. Rawlings. Yes, he’d l probably learnt his lessons from Ho on the occasion of the 36 anniversary of the31st December revolution. Things didn’t turn out well in Ho the Volta regional capital, though Mr. Mahama managed to wear an untroubled face—performing a rendition of musician Ewura Ama Badu’s 1970’s hit song ‘Medofo Adaadaa Me’. He was literally reprimanded by President Rawlings.

“He has not leant his lessons of how not to be late for functions. Each time they keep me waiting just because of him. Ladies and gentlemen don’t worry he will learn,” Mr. Rawlings said.

And if one thought what happened in Ho would stay there and die there, it didn’t. It appeared the former presidents have a bone to pick. As the gathering was peaking President John Kufuor arrived. He extended handshake to President Mahama and they crowned it with a hug. Some minutes later President Rawlings turned up seemingly wearing a stone-faced. He greeted Mr. Mahama but there was virtually no eye-contact. That cold handshake has since led to a rumor mill. Most people believe, there probably exists a problem between the two former presidents.

However, Mr. Mahama has dismissed that claim making rounds as unfounded. His reaction followed the viral video .

“I don’t have any problem with President Rawlings; he gave me my opportunities in life. When I came in as a young member of parliament it was his appointment as Deputy Minister of Communications until we left office in 2001, and so I don’t have anything against President Rawlings. Sometimes he’s in a mood where he doesn’t want to engage in any conversation...” President Mahama explained.

So Mr. President must we believe it’s a mood swing that’s causing all this brouhaha?

Yes Mr. President you may not have any problem with your predecessor –President Rawlings but have you found out from him if he thinks the same about you. Were you not in Ho? And did you not hear him complain about how he always had to wait on you before he could do anything? Didn’t you hear Ambassador Victor Smith?

The former Ghana High Commissioner to the UK Victor Smith says Mr. Rawlings has problem with respecting his peers. And he backed his claim with some historical facts about the former president’s behaviour pattern.

“Former President Jerry John Rawlings is the only President who uses public platforms to chastise and ridicule people, even his party people. He has attained the position of a headmaster who only chastises but refuses to be chastised,” he said.

Rawlings doesn’t have respect for those that came after him and this is evident in what he wrote in the late President Mills’ book of condolence. Look at the things he says about former President Kufour and now see how he’s treating, John Mahama,” Mr. Smith pointed out.

I’ve no idea what Mr. Rawlings wrote about President Mills but I intend to find out. And trust me if or when I get it you’ll get a piece of the cake too. I will share it with you. That would be our brunch! Interestingly it doesn’t appear that our former presidents are in this complex relationship syndrome alone. Elsewhere in the United States it thrives there too.

America has five presidents still alive. And for some time relationship among some of them was cold. Steve Holland a Reuter’s reporter wrote this in 2009: “Their rivalries have helped to define American politics for more than a quarter of a century despite the seemingly complex relationships among them. They have called each other names and blamed one another for the nations’ problems.”

Mr. Holland reports that when they’d a rare meeting in Dallas 2009 for the opening of former president George W. Bush‘s library and museum they smiled for the cameras. And there was friendly chatter by President Obama and former presidents- Bush, Bill Clinton, George H. Bush and Jimmy Carter.

Indeed it’s this kind of camaraderie that many expected from President Rawlings. Thank Goodness the cameras didn’t miss some of the goodies at the Square—the refreshing handshakes, the hugs and smiles from Presidents Kufuor and Mahama. But for this, I think all the talks and the chit chats about the event would have been centred on the superficially ‘Cold War’ between Messrs Rawlings and Mahama.

What’s Political Statesmanship? How did we get here as a Nation?

A statesman is defined as a person who is skilled in the management of public or national affairs. Statesmen lead. They don’t bow to pressure. John Adams once said: “Always stand on principle even if you stand alone.”

What’s the difference between Statesmen and Politicians? According to the World Book Dictionary a politician is a person who gives much time to political affairs—a person who’s experienced in politics.”

Please note the two key words here---Skilled and Experienced. Politicians are experienced whereas statesmen are skilled or skillful.

Politicians follow a crowd. Their yes is not often yes; it can be mortgaged based on conditions and situations. Again, note not every politician can be a statesman and not everyman statesman is a politician too.

The two aren’t the same though they’re seemingly woven by a common thread. The founders of the United States of America weren’t politicians. It’s said James Madison and John Madison almost no political experience when they were selected to serve in the Continental Congress “Experience no. But they had education, ideas and conviction,” one author wrote.

The two men gave citizens of America their liberty ‘and the most brilliantly devised system of self-government in history.”

So what legacy are our statesmen bequeathing us? And how do they want to be remembered?

I know Ghanaians are not asking our leaders to put a million dollars in our pockets. But we demand freedom and justice. We demand equal rights as citizens. We demand basic human rights. We demand basic social amenities—good roads, good railroads, good hospitals, good education. We demand equal opportunity, equal access to health care. We demand corrupt free governments. We demand responsible governments etc.

Mr. Presidents please let there be a ceasefire. And for Christ sake if you cannot iron out your differences, save the nation the trouble and embarrassment of having to watch our statesmen displaying pettiness at the full glare of the world. Mr. Presidents you’re role models to our kids, you’re our fathers and you’ll forever remain leaders even when you’re dead and gone. So please do this for us!

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