Kwesi Jonah, a former research fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has stated the National Democratic Congress (NDC) risk losing election 2012 should the open criticism of President Mills� administration by ex-President Rawlings continue.
He said the development is likely to result in apathy among NDC supporters who idolize the former President and founder of the party. When apathy sets in these people according to the renowned political scientist, would not work as assiduously as they did during the 2008 elections, thereby jeopardizing the party�s fortunes.
Mr. Jonah made these observations in an interview on Boss FM in Kumasi on Monday. He noted that there was no denying the fact that ex-President Rawlings commands a large constituency in the NDC, and therefore disenchantment on the part of his supporters would obviously affect the party�s chances of retaining power. He said it was about time President Mills and his associates realized that whenever Mr. Rawlings speaks he does so for a greater proportion of the party�s support base, not just himself.
According to him, many people in the ruling party would want to speak the same way ex-President Rawlings does but have failed to do so because they lack the requisite resources. Stressing that the NDC has an uncompromising electoral battle in 2012, Mr. Jonah observed that the earlier the NDC finds a way of placating ex-President Rawlings, the better.
Mr. Jonah opined that the continuous open criticism on the current administration clearly depicts that the ex-President has lost an avenue to speak with President Mills behind closed doors, adding it has the potential of boosting the presidential ambitions of Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah. He said perceptions that the Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO) is now in Mr. Rawlings� good books will further enhance Dr. Spio-Garbrah�s plans.
Addressing a durbar on Saturday at Aflao in the Volta region, ex-President Rawlings took another hefty swipe at President Mills� government accusing it of dissipating the confidence the electorate reposed in the party.
He said the joy and excitement that characterized the party�s victory had disappeared over a period of time, adding Ghanaians were disappointed with President Mills� style of administration. �This government is almost one year in power and the energy and excitement that greeted its victory in the last elections have all dissipated. Our people may be quiet, but there is a lot of seething anger and dissatisfaction about the manner we have accepted what we inherited and sometimes we seem to embrace that with open arms,� he lamented.
He attributed the current administration�s inability to perform satisfactorily to the fact that the President had surrounded himself with sycophants. Ex-President Rawlings started his open criticism on President Mills immediately he assumed office, describing his style of leadership as lacking the necessary bite.
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