Now the Day is Over and Four Years is Drawing Nigh

1810hrs Saturday January 3, 2009

A new Era begins for a new Administration

As you can see from the corrupted first line of the famous hymn, the title of this message indicates that Ghana has actually crossed the precipice that was looming over our political journey and we actually crossed it without having to dig a tunnel through the mountains. We did not need to look out for any ambush along the path and believe me, the glory that Ghana has brought upon herself has in turn brought in its wake, peace and tranquility that passeth all political understanding.

This day, the EC under the leadership of Opanin Afari-Djan came out to say that I listened to both sides when they were squabbling, I continued doing my work whilst my scientists were using their oscilloscopes and titration burettes, I watched the people of Tain dance their way, even if half-heartedly, to the polling stations yesterday, then I stayed up till late, whilst my boys used the good facilities of the Nsawkaw church hall to count the ballots fiili-fiili.

Afari-Djan continuing said - This morning I woke up to my usual red-red breakfast and some nice hot okro-soup desert and I say unto thee, verilly verily it has come to pass. everything the schoolboys brought before me is typical school boy antics.. I wont change the report cards so as for me I want to tell all parents that Agya Atta was first and Nana was second. they have all done well, they have run a good and nice race, but it is my duty to name Agya Atta as House Prefect for the next four years. Thank you. everybody go home.

I shall now return to Eno's kitchen to eat my well deserved Jollof Rice with grilled guinea fowl, and my nice small calabash of home brewed pito.

Thus ended the saga of the EC side of Election 2008. and the beginning of the reaction side of Ghanaians and the political parties to Election 2008 Round Two.

The crowds have started milling in town. Earlier this afternoon, I saw this yellow Hummer convertible with an NDC umbrella the size of a single room with chamber on the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange. the trucks and the cars and the motorbikes and the bicycles and the boys with roller skates all over from teshie, Nungua, Tema, Ashaiman, all the way through Independence Avenue to Osu. It looks like the people are more than ecstatic with Agya Atta's victory.

It is absolutely beautiful that Nana has come out to congratulate Agya Atta this afternoon. But it looks like, there is a possibility that NPP might persue this election through the courts, as provided for in law. I do hope that this would not spur the NPP supporters to take the law into their own hands, nor lead either side's foot soldiers from engaging in political scuffles of any kind.

I am all for the scenario that people will recognise that we have one country and that the taunting and bickering - no matter how passionate or dispassionate - would be seen to have ended once the election is over until the next parliamentay and legislative political season begins in approximately 2011 or 2012 according to, or depending on, their party constitutions.

As far as I am concerned, the real work now begins on Wednesday with the need and obligation of NDC keeping faith with the people of Ghana, via the implementation of the NDC manifesto, the continuation of critical and ongoing national programmes and projects etc. I do hope that the NDC, as promised by Agya Atta, does not come out with any agenda of political vindictiveness and ensures that its apparatchiks don't even think about same.. People are ready to hold NDC (and all political parties) to their word. The Ghanaian political landscape has been changed with this election.

I am sure the NDC has now dusted off their plans and activated their transition team. This afternoon, I heard names that have been lost for the past eight years on the Ghanaian political landscape. I do hope they are there to work not simply think that their time has come.

It is not what you do, how well you do alone that would make us come out to give our thumbprints to you but it is the message, how well you present it, how well your message is perceived alongside your punch.. remember the Barry White song - how well we perceive you to be practicing what you preach. It certainly is a tall order - so no one should take the Good People of Ghana for granted at all. Our political maturity is now moving towards the level of the unequalled. Moderation, selflessness, national duty, patriotism, Ghana-first, me second should be the order of the day for the NDC and all political parties. I trust that they will all live up to expectation.

I take this opportunity and for the first time in this blog to send out my personal congratulations to President Kufour for the leadership in bringing serious infrastructural and governance related programmes and projects to bear on this country. We certainly have come very far since 2000 and the evidence is manifested throughout the country.

It is equally gratifying that President Kufuor not only provided the assurance of seeing a smooth change-over on wednesday January 7, 2009, but also expressed his personal willingness to abide by the constitutional provision of a two-term maximum presidency. Ayekoo, your Excellency. we trust that you will now enjoy your retirement as a former Head of State.

I do also hope that now that Ghana is finally to be blessed with two former Heads of State, Agya Atta will find time in his prospective tight schedule to convene a wisdom and knowledge sharing session with the Two Johns before the next John, Uncle Jerry and Wofa Agyekum, as soon as possible.. what a benefit, this nation stands to gain from them.

Ghana is indeed blessed with Johns at the helm of affairs.. Perhaps, we all should change our names or simply add a John to our names.

John Evans Atta Mills - Welcome to the seat of state. Nana Akufo-Addo, Thank you for your contribution to our political dispensation.

May God Bless our Homeland Ghana and make it great and strong, and turn it into the cynosure of all Africa and a beacon of hope that IT CAN BE DONE..


Good Evening

Bla Elik