[ 2010-11-26 ]

What about smoking the weed, Nana Akufo-Addo? aska Ali Salifu
It was reported on all the major Ghanaian websites
that NPP’s 2012 flagbearer, Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo
has dared his critics to prove with empirical
evidence that he had either tasted or sniffed
cocaine or shut up. The news which came like a
bolt from the blue was not only shocking but
unexpected. Reason being that Akufo-Addo has been
dogged with the question of being a drug addict
all his political life but he has never gathered
the moral and political courage to address this
issue.

Therefore, when Akufo-Addo finally and partially
addressed the drug issue by daring his critics to
prove their accusations, the media jumped on the
story. Who would not have done that after
Akufo-Addo had kept mute over this issue for so
long much to the displeasure of his own party
faithful. If you read through the story and you
are an Akufo-Addo supporter your heart will be
gladdened that this man has finally come out of
his cocoon to bare his heart out. But if you on
the other side of the isle you will say, “wait a
minute, it’s too little, too late”, and a cosmetic
way by Akufo-Addo to get this albatross off his
neck.

But if you are also someone who looks beyond party
lines and has Ghana at heart, you will ask
yourself why Akufo-Addo was ‘very crafty’ in
mentioning only cocaine but not the weed. To the
best of my memory many Ghanaians including the
“Big Mouth” Kofi Wayo have variously accused
Akufo-Addo of being a wee smoker in addition to
sniffing cocaine. Therefore, in an attempt to deny
the allegations, one wonders why Akufo-Addo will
only deny ever sniffing cocaine and not also deny
smoking the weed.

This issue I bet is not going to go away. It has
rather set the stage for people to probe for more
answers from Akufo-Addo. By not denying smoking
the weed, does it mean Akufo-Addo indeed smokes or
had smoked the weed before? Or does Akufo-Addo
think the weed is the same as cocaine, therefore,
denying one amounts to denying both?

And the most bizarre question that has already
started making rounds is why Akufo-Addo chose to
address the drug issue this week when many people
in his own party would have loved that he
addressed the issue many years back. And some
school of thought want to know why Akufo-Addo did
not hold a press conference to address the issue
so that the media can ask follow-up questions to
finally put the issue to rest.

Another thing that catches your attention after
reading the Akufo-Addo story on cocaine sniffing
denial is why he is daring critics to prove with
empirical evidence. The word empirical means
practical, experimental, observed or pragmatic,
therefore, to prove that Akufo-Addo indeed had
either sniffed or smoked the weed; an accuser has
to come forward with real evidence such as a
photograph capturing Akufo-Addo in the act. And
since Akufo-Addo knows that there is no way
anybody can come out with a picture of him
sniffing cocaine that may have been his reason of
calling for empirical evidence. This is classy
lawyerly talk.

It was also reported that Akufo-Addo was fuming
when he dared his critics to prove their
allegations. Na who cause am? Akufo-Addo has
himself to blame. It was not only yesterday that
Akufo-Addo heard about these accusations. Even
some prominent members of NPP have quietly accused
him of that act. So if Akufo-Addo is indeed
genuine about putting this issue to bed, he should
have done it many, many years ago and not wait
until this week to address the issue. What
Akufo-Addo probably is not aware of is that the
way he had grossly dodged the issue have confirmed
the fears of many Ghanaians especially the swing
voters that there may be an element of truth in
the accusations that is why Akufo-Addo has ran
away from the issue all this while.

And to make matters worse Akufo-Addo addressed
only one part of the accusations. Was it
deliberate or a calculated political move on his
part? Was Akufo-Addo thinking that no one will
catch that he never mentioned the weed? In
politics when your back is against the wall, it is
better to come out and admit a mistake, apologize,
ask for forgiveness and move on. But if you
stonewall as Akufo-Addo has done all these years,
you hurt your political base and also the swing
voters who may hold sway over your political
fortunes.

Those handling Akufo-Addo should do a masterful
job by asking him to face the media to address all
issues relating to drugs once and for all. It is
not uncommon for some politicians to turn around
from their youthful miscreant. Former President
George Bush who was known as an alcoholic was able
to turn around from his drinking habit to become
the most prominent leader of the world. Therefore,
it is not too late for Akufo-Addo to do same.
Sometimes, you become strong after admitting a
mistake and moving on. Stonewalling had never
helped anyone. If I were Akufo-Addo I will take a
cue from what King David did by admitting to
plotting the killing of Uriah the Hittite after he
had slept with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. King David
became strong after he admitted his guilt to the
Prophet Nathan and asking God for forgiveness. A
word to a wise………….

Source - Salifu Ali

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