Local Government Minister
Competence sometimes appears an anathema in the vocabulary of the many members of the opposition National Democratic Congress. Wallowing in mediocrity is their pride; and competition for the vulgar, their mission since Founder Jerry John Rawlings and Professor Evans Atta Mills exited the leadership scene of the party.
How true our assertion is, is manifest in the vehemence that went into their campaign against the candidature of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2008 and, since then, potions of venom that had been extended to other distinguished and accomplished lieutenants he has been working with.
Victims
Those who had subsequently been in their line of fire have included the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, former Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia and, more recently, Dan Botwe, who dead goats in the NDC are making a scapegoat for their inability to win the Hohoe Central seat and the presidential elections, as a consequence.
While it is refreshing that these accomplished citizens took the NDC’s infantile attacks in their strides, because Ghanaians are the better judges in matters of good governance and corruption, it is imperative that, day by day, as the barking dogs and Rottweillers repeat their invectives, we remind them of the seeds they are sowing, for the sake of the records.
Dan Botwe’s competence
Anybody who has been around since 1996 would admit, in particular, the kind of asset Dan has been to Ghana and the governing New Patriotic Party in terms of research skills and knowledge of the countryside.
As a young man working with his seniors, including former President JA Kufuor, Dr Safo-Adu and Dsane-Selby as well as Peter Ala Adjetey and Nana Akufo-Addo, he proved his mettle as the true General who knew every community and its demographics.
Of particular importance was his understanding of how people vote the way they do, and how the NPP would employ that research information in invading the previously impervious settler communities in areas like Fanteakwa, Asamankese, Adeiso, Afram Plains, Asuogyaman to contain the propaganda of the NDC.
Creation of new regions
While we may not have invested enough resources in maximally igniting economic activity in the six newly-created regions, there is massive evidence that residents approved of the initiative on the part of the government to create the six new regions. That showed in their massive Yes vote to welcome the idea to create new regions and the independence and hope that came with that wave of development in freedom.
Endorsements
That is why we are not surprised hearing that traditional rulers from about eight communities, including Akpafu, Lolobi, Santrofi, and Likpe, have endorsed the nomination of Dan Botwe as the Minister-designate of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development.
The leaders of these communities are also calling on Parliament to ignore the noise being made by NDC-sponsored groups with no known credibility and go ahead to okay the nomination of the Minister-designate.
According to them, a petition filed to the Appointments Committee was misplaced and contents unwarranted and suspicious, and for which reason that petition should be treated with contempt.
Our opinion
In the light of the politics of pull him down associated with the NDC, we add our voice to the call by the traditional leaders to the Appointments Committee to ignore the rabble-rousers.
The NDC benefits, politically, keeping Ghana ‘rural’ and underdeveloped when it wins power. We at the Daily Statesman, however, believe Ghana must go forward.
We therefore urge the Appointments Committee to do what is honourable, in giving Dan Botwe the green light to serve his country in the capacity he is best suited.
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