�In Defence Of Randy Abbey

It is a known fact that the current first family (the Mahamas) and Metro TV�s Randy Abbey have been friends long before 1992 when the NDC and the NPP came into being. Like true friends, inspite of the fact that they decided to support different political parties, they have not allowed partisan politics to destroy their friendship. No one can fault another for joining a particular political party. Indeed, everyone has his or her reasons for supporting a political party. Daily Post�s own investigations unearthed the fact that while Randy�s siblings are NDC, he chose to support the NPP because his father was a victim of the Rawlings revolution. It is quite understandable therefore that he opted to support the NPP � it is just a son�s loyalty to his father. Over the years, the relationship between the Mahamas and Randy Abbey has gone beyond mere friendship to family. Randy is seen as a member of their family by the Mahamas. And he has earned their trust per his own character and loyalty to them in spite of their political differences. Must politics divide friends and families? How many families in Ghana do not boast of both NDC and NPP supporters? One cannot forget that NPP king-pin, Osafo Maafo, is brother of Adjei Maafo who was in charge of Cocoa Affairs in the Rawlings Administration. There is the Adjetey family; Larry Adjetey is an NDC stalwart while his father, Peter Ala-Adjetey of blessed memory is NPP. Some marriages have one spouse belonging to the NDC and the other to the NPP. Brothers of the same parents belong to different political parties. Must all these family relationships be sacrificed for political reasons? What about normal friendship? Are NDC and NPP persons not friends in their churches? Many in the NDC have their former classmates in the NPP and vice-versa. Must they refuse to talk to each other because of their political differences? Randy Abbey is family to the Mahamas and with the bond that is between them, it will be an act of betrayal for Randy to have continued supporting the NPP while JM is President. When JM became President on July 24, 2012, close supports of Nana Addo knew they were going to lose Randy because his loyalty to the Mahamas is untainted and unquestionable. Circumstances make people support a course. The circumstance that made JM becoming President has made Randy NDC even if it is against the young man�s own inclination. In the run up to 2012, he played no mean role in ensuring the NDC wins the elections. Those who know this within the NDC have quietly and quickly warmed up to him. The kind of NDC figures who were at his mother�s funeral just this weekend attest to this fact. Randy is far from the classical opportunist who will switch political allegiance because of what he will gain. He is an example of a man who has no choice than to switch political alliances because of his loyalty to a friend. The Mahamas and Randy Abbey definitely understand Mario Puzo�s assertion that �Friendship is more than government. It is the equal of family.� They cannot sacrifice a friendship built over three decades on the altar of political expediency. Randy has not strayed into the NDC. He has not switched alliance like others because of bread and butter. He is in the NDC for the very reason that at this very moment in history, many are in the NDC; that is to ensure that the Mahama government is a success! What is more, Randy�s presence in the home of the Mahamas has nothing to do with politics. It has all to do with a friendship that was transformed into family long before the NDC and the NPP were both born.