No matter the promises anyone gives, ensuring they come true is what makes or breaks one’s reputation. I must profess that it had not been an easy ride since 2017, but the manifestation of social intervention policies, usually, are the determining factors of success or failure. Nana Akufo-Addo’s vibrant implementation of his flagship programmes eased the fiscal difficulties that many families were experiencing.
His most important one, the Free SHS, brought so much relief to families and struggling students that many who had retired their fate to selling on the streets finally found hope. Thousands went back to school and continued on to University. Thousands graduated from university last year, bringing hope and respite to their families, siblings, relatives and friends. Yes, because at one point in time, any of the associates mentioned above might have had to pitch in one way or the other to assist the students who had made it to university.
Of course, it cannot be said that the tenure of His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo was flawless. No! There were challenges with some unpopular decisions that Cabinet was directly responsible for. Mind you, the blame can hardly be apportioned to the President. He had to go with counsel given especially if that came from seasoned politicians and economists. A pertinent example is the E-Levy that Dr Bawumia rejected totally, but had to bear the flak for since he was the head of the Economic Management Team.
The resolution of the Dagbon crisis and the ensuing peace that has held until now is another laudable feat. Listening to the people regarding the demarcation of extra regions to bring equal share of the national pie to the entirety of the nation met with euphoria and massive approval ratings. Nana’s hands of goodwill were everywhere, and when it came to the covid 19 pandemic, his wisdom helped curtail the disaster that was foretold about the disease ravaging Africa. It is worthy of mention that when it mattered most, his empathy and love for Ghana surfaced to embrace all. Free electricity to the people for some nine months and free water for some 18 months. That bolstered his worth among world leaders. Ghana became a case study on how to control a pandemic and how leaders must show their people love.
So, his legacies will be upheld and protected in spite of some shortcomings that have made me sad. Loyalty must pay somehow, but it remains a source of worry and sorrow to me that manifestation of same was limited only towards people who hardly had the party or the Presidency at heart. Altruism must be rewarded somehow, and I pray that posterity will remain true to the legacies of this great man, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankiwa Akufo-Addo.
I say to the cowards and opportunists in the NPP who turned their backs on him that your day of reckoning will soon be nigh. Do not think that dancing with the devil will get you off the hook. My job will begin soon because I will not sit idle to watch the desecration of legacies written with Nana’s sweat and sleepless nights. You never came to his office at night and found him having fun discussions. This man burnt the midnight oil working right through until dawn in many cases!
GOD bless you Nana, and in spite of everything, I will not relent in telling your story!