[ 2010-09-01 ]

The defeat of“terrorism” at Atiwa
It is all over now! The Electoral Commission of
Ghana has officially declared the New Patriotic
Party’s (NPP) Candidate Kwasi Amankwah- Attah as
the winner of the Atiwa by-election. He polled 75%
of the words to beat the National Democratic
Congress (NDC) Candidate, who had a measly 22 or
so percent!

It must be acknowledged that, the journey to the
elections was characterized with lots of
tension-with the NPP and NDC throwing accusations
and counter accusations about. It was even
reported in the media that, Macho men were
imported into the constituency to terrorize the
electorate and to also snatch ballot boxes.

The NPP was able to provide evidence to the effect
that, the NDC was out for bedlam in the
constituency. Though the constituency is an NPP
strong-hold, and there was no way the NDC could
win that by-election, they still were determined
to win it by all means to boost their collapsed
image.

It was reported that, used cloths popularly called
“Oburuni Waawu” were transported in huge
quantities to the constituency to entice the
electorates to vote for the candidate of the NDC.
Developmental projects suddenly sprung up in all
parts of the constituency. Tarring of roads
started in earnest and electricity poles among
other projects commenced all geared toward winning
the seat.

The National Disaster Management Organization
(NADMO) was in action in the constituency to
distributed relief items to the people who were
not confronted with any disaster in the first
place!
Barriers, it was reported were erected near the
home town of the NPP’s candidate to prevent the
electorate of that place from voting for their
son. Cutlasses and gun shots were at work in the
constituency- all geared towards intimidating the
NPP supporters from casting their votes for their
candidate.

It was even reported that, the National Women
Organizer of the NDC and the Deputy Eastern
Regional Minister Baba Jamal drove their vehicle
into NPP supporters wounding them in the process.
It was even reported that, two of the supporters
of the NPP had died (This is yet to be
confirmed).

In all these occurrences the very desperate NDC
was quick to allege that, they were rather under
attack. The question to ask is that: “why should
it be you under attack yet NPP supporters are
reported wounded and even dead?”

What has happened in Atiwa comes with two messages
and lessons: firstly, no amount of intimidation
and harassment can subdue suffering masses! If the
NDC had done their very best to create jobs at
Atiwa, and make Atiwa a better place for the
people-they would have reciprocated by giving the
seat to them. The people showed the NDC that,
their new slogan of “ways and Means off killing a
cat” do not apply to them.

The second lesson from Atiwa is that; election
2012 will not be an easy work at all! Evidence
abounds that, the NDC will use all ways and means
to kill a cat, including even killing human beings
if need be to kept power. Atiwa is just the tip of
the iceberg. The NPP must decide how to counter
this terrorism in 2012 immediately!

Ghanaians must see election 2012 to be second
independence for Ghana. Like the independence
struggle in the 1940s and 50s Ghanaians must be
ready to get this Chelsea tea drinkers and
“Chinchinga” eaters out of the Jubilee house- The
party that only performs very best only on radio
and TV stations while the majority of Ghanaians
are faced with excruciating suffering every
second!

The Ghana Police Service and other security
agencies that helped to provide security at Atiwa
must be hailed. They must however be told that,
they are Ghana Police Service, not NDC police
service. They must not sacrifice professionalism
for political orders from persons who have no idea
how policing works! Atiwa I think has given them a
hint about how election 2012 will be. So, do
prepare for that in advance.

The Electoral Commission of Ghana must also be
commended hugely for doing what it knows
best-Conduct of free, fair and transparent
elections. Kudos!! To all those who worked in one
way or the other to make the election possible in
the midst of the terrorism that was at play- God
is protecting you and will continue to protect you
if only you continue to stand on the side of the
truth.
And to Kwasi Amankwah-Attah congratulations! I
look forward to seating next to you in the next
parliament.

Source - Akilu Sayibu UK

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