Jake's Biggest Handicap . . . - Kwesi Pratt Reveals

Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has pointed out what he considers to be the biggest drawback of former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party Jake Obetsebi Lamptey in his illustrious political career.

Commenting on the demise of the NPP stalwart, Mr. Pratt noted that though the opposition party's former National Chair played an instrumental role in Ghana's politics, his inability to speak any Ghanaian language was his "biggest handicap".

Mr. Obetsebi passed away in London on Sunday, March 20.

Following his death, several political figures, socio-economic commentators and Ghanaians have glowing paid tribute to him.

Adding his voice to the tributes, Kwesi Pratt was however critical of the fact that though the deceased was married to a Ghanaian and had close friends of Ghanaian descent, he failed to learn the local dialect.

His biggest handicap is his inability to speak any Ghanaian Language. It beats my imagination. It remains his biggest handicap. I don’t understand why a person who has lived in Ghana, having Ghanaians friends and married to a Ghanaian couldn't speak any Ghanaian Language. I didn’t understand it but it was his biggest handicap.

He however commiserated with the family of the deceased, touting some good works of the late NPP guru.

Mr. Pratt noted that due to the astuteness of Mr. Obetsebi, the latter was made Chairman of a Joint Action Committee which comprised three parties namely the National Reform Party, Convention People's Party and the main opposition New Patriotic Party.

He was eulogized Mr. Obetsebi for being the brain behind the NPP's victory in the 2000 and 2004 general elections, and also composing one of the best campaign song during the then Kufour regime.