AMISSAH ARTHUR’S NEW FOUND MOJO
Since the beginning of the fourth
republic in 1993, Ghana has seen various technocrats transitioning from the tie
and suit type to becoming seasoned politicians who blend their ‘book-long’ orientation
to the field reality they face in the political sphere.
Late President, Evans Atta Mills for instance had
served as a law lecturer and sports administrator before becoming president.
When Atta Mills came to the scene it took the Prof a
lot of time to impose himself in the political game. He was your geek at the
party which really affected his chances at the 2000 elections but Prof as he is
affectionately called would take on a new and vibrant mojo. He did it his own
way. He positioned himself as a man of peace in contrast to his opponent Nana
Addo who his critics claim was arrogant.
The critics of Nana Addo were up in arms about his
personality, so the NPP and it flagbearer had to draw a card and that was Dr. Bawumia.
He is the darling boy of the NPP. He is an Economist and a former Deputy Governor
of the Bank of Ghana. He came on board and dazzled many observers and taunted opponents,
the NDC for years irritating them.
He had his detractors but also won admirers who point
out his use of figures and data coupled with his Central Bank experience, his
take on the economy was generally trusted.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and some Think
Tanks rebuked his use of selective data in his presentations and still accuse
him of sacrificing his professional training for partisan political gain but to
the New Patriotic Party (NPP) faithfuls, Dr. Bawumia is a gem and the real deal.
His brand has also grown steadily with time.
It’s safe to say Dr. Bawumia was and is still not one NDC
communicators love dealing with or countering. His lecture, using the Central University
as a platform was strategic. It offered the NPP and Dr. Bawumia a safe haven to
attack the government while being within academic remit.
The NDC had to find an answer to Bawumia and so they
dug deep into the registry of the NDC to pull out Mr. Amissah Arthur. Just like
when Bawumia was announced as a running mate, Amissah Arthur’s announcement was
a surprise, finally the umbrella family found someone with credentials to
balance the sheet.
Amissah Arthur was appointed and assumed office on 6th
August, 2012 and became the 5th vice president of the fourth republic. Many analysts
claim he was appointed to tame some of the country’s economic challenges.
Amissah Arthur will finally come face to face with
Bawumia at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) debate in 2012 where both
men excelled in their presentation but the political spin will favor Bawumia
with many arguing that he was aggressive and spontaneous than Amissah Arthur.
After the debate, many Ghanaians formed an opinion of
Amissah Arthur as a ‘lame duck’ and very reserved. His image in the media did
not project him as someone who can even succeed President Mahama and this was
made more vicious when some NDC supporters started agitation for his
replacement as the Vice President for President Mahama’s second term bid. It
took the boldness of Mahama to maintain Amissah Arthur.
But for some reason, Amissah Arthur seem to have found
his feet in the political arena for some few months now. The reserved Vice-President
now looks more cheerful, vociferous and very cocky to the surprise of many
political watchers.
The Vice-President has been unveiling a temperament
that the NDC supporters have been yearning for especially on the campaign train
and many people are noting his transition. First, he’s promised to tackle and
correct Bawumia on the economy. He took the opportunity of the NDC manifesto
launch to showcase his jabbing skills.
Amissah Arthur’s actions will be welcomed by the NDC
supporters and if he handles his new found mojo may prove to be a great
elevation, as he eyes the presidency in 2021. For now, it may be out of touch
but just as we saw Prof Mills and Dr. Bawumia transition, so is Amissah Arthur’s
time to be hatched.
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