Ex-President John Kufuor’s recent plea to Speaker Alban Bagbin has provoked thoughts and questions about partisanship and the priorities he appears to emphasize. The plea seems selective in its focus, stimulating concerns as to why Ex-President Kufuor would choose this particular moment to speak out while remaining silent on other pressing national issues. Let’s analyze why this plea has come as a surprise to many, explore its motivations, and implications.
1. SILENCE ON CRITICAL ISSUES AND SELECTIVE PLEA
It is troubling that Ex-President Kufuor has remained silent during many controversial events under the current administration, only to make a statement now that speaking will inure to the NPP’s advantage. Many Ghanaians remember the absence of any public condemnation fromthe Ex-President in response to:
Election Violence and Human Rights Abuses: The killing of eight civilians during the 2020 elections, the unresolved violence from the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections, and the lack of accountability from the government have worsoned public concern. Yet, H.E J.A. Kufuor has not commented on these incidents, which many view as significant breaches of human rights and democracy.
Electoral Manipulations and Transparency Concerns: Allegations of voter manipulation, the refusal of a forensic audit of the Voter Register by the EC, illegal transfer of voters from constituencies to constituencies and more recently, the printing of thousands of extra ballot papers in the Ashanti Region have intensified suspicions and inprinted mistrust of the democratic process on the minds of Ghanaians . Despite these serious issues, ex-President Kufuor has remained silent, leading many to question his current criticism of the Speaker.
Environmental and Social Issues: The ongoing environmental degradation due to illegal mining (galamsey) and the arrests of demonstrators who protested against it have highlighted governance failures and disregard for public outcry. Again, ex-President Kufuor’s lack of comment on these matters adds to the shock surrounding his recent statement.
For many, these silences imply that President Kufuor may be more concerned with protecting his party’s interests than with speaking out on behalf of the public good.
2. THE EMPHASIS ON SPEAKER BAGBIN’S “PERSONAL RECORD”
Ex-President Kufuor’s appeal to the Speaker’s sense of legacy and personal record feels unusual and even somewhat manipulative. By urging Bagbin to consider his own legacy, ex President Kufuor seems to imply that Bagbin should prioritize his reputation over his constitutional duties. By that, is the ex President indirectly suggesting that Bagbin “keeps the peace” by acquiescing to the majority or avoiding actions that could jeopardize his legacy, even if doing so might go against his responsibilities as Speaker?
This approach suggests a prioritization of personal legacy over constitutional integrity, as though Ex-President Kufuor wants Bagbin to prioritize his own image over the interests of Ghanaians. For many, this feels like an appeal to personal ego, rather than to principles of leadership and democratic accountability.
3. IMPLIED PARTISANSHIP
By focusing solely on Speaker Bagbin’s role in what he describes as parliamentary “disarray,” President Kufuor’s plea appears one-sided. It implicitly ignores the actions of the Majority Leader and the majority caucus, who have also played significant roles in recent tensions within Parliament. Some Ghanaians interpret this as an attempt to shift blame onto the Speaker while ignoring the role of the majority, his own party, in contributing to the disunity.
President Kufuor’s selective critique could be seen as subtly pressuring Bagbin to yield to the majority’s demands, potentially compromising his duty to uphold the Constitution and act in the interests of all Ghanaians. This creates a perception of bias which lends credence to the belief that Mr. Kufuor’s plea is not a call for genuine resolution, but rather an attempt to tilt the balance of power in favor of the majority, his party.
4. AVOIDANCE OF CRITIQUE ON THE SUPREME COURT’S ROLE
Another surprising aspect of Ex-President Kufuor’s action(s) is his lack of response to recent judicial interventions. The Supreme Court’s rulings, particularly in matters involving parliamentary procedures, have caused public uproar about judicial overreach and separation of powers. Legal scholars and the public have questioned whether these rulings amount to interference in legislative autonomy, a significant issue for any democracy. Yet, Kufuor’s statement ignores these concerns entirely, focusing instead on Speaker Bagbin’s supposed role in parliamentary instability.
By omitting any comment on the Supreme Court’s involvement, Kufuor seems to either downplay or avoid questions about the balance of power in Ghana’s democracy. This omission may mean a tacit endorsement of these judicial actions, pouring oil on the “burning’ perceptions of partisanship.
5.PRIORITIZING LOYALTY TO PARTY OVER COUNTRY
Taken as a whole, Ex-President Kufuor’s public plea appears to be an act of loyalty to his party, the NPP, rather than a balanced appeal for national unity. The absence of comment on the many issues created by this administration, especially those that have favored his party, supports the assertion that President Kufuor’s statement is driven more by partisan interest than by concern for Ghana and its democracy.
The shock many feel stems from a sense that President Kufuor, a respected statesman, is placing party interests above national integrity. For those who believe that a former president should advocate for all citizens and stand above party politics, his recent statement is a disappointment.
IN CONCLUSION
Ex-President Kufuor’s plea to Speaker Bagbin is shocking to many because it appears to be selective, partisan, and perhaps even manipulative. While he appeals to Bagbin’s personal record and legacy, he remains silent on critical national issues and human rights concerns, leaving the masses in the woods about his true motivations. By focusing solely on the Speaker while ignoring the actions of the majority and the Supreme Court, Ex-President Kufuor’s statement seems to be biased toward the interests of his party.
As Ghanaians, this moment reminds us of the need for impartial leadership that holds national interests above party loyalties. It is importance that Ghana’s leaders, especially elder statesmen, champion democratic principles, transparency, and accountability across all branches of government. In a time of heightened political tension, Ghanaians are looking to their leaders, past and present, to embody unity and integrity, advocating not for party advantage but for the nation’s long-term stability and welfare. Unfortunately, this is lacking in the respected ex-president’s plea.
May the Lord bless the people of Ghana.
May the Lord bless Ghana.
Thomas Elleamo Yankey(Nobody)
Secretary, NDC USA.
Atlanta, U.S.A
