Breaking Sad News: Kwesi Pratt & Nana Akomea Clash Over NPP Issues in Latest Debate.

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:07]Yesterday on the front page of the Hawk was an article, you know, some news article which simply said that those who are going to contest those who are contesting elections from the polling stations upwards, mhm?

[00:00:24]They are getting visits from persons who claim and I'm using my words advisedly, who claim to be agents of the presidential candidate warning them to stay off because the presidential candidate does not like them or says he cannot work with them and so on.

[00:00:44]There's no evidence to suggest that that is what is the presidential candidate is actually the one who is doing this.

[00:00:51]Because it may well be that people are using his name even without his knowledge, but this is happening.

[00:00:57]You understand? There was one gentleman who is contesting for communications, head of communications, you know.

[00:01:07]Who is cited as having been approached and told to step down because the presidential candidate does not like him.

[00:01:14]Yesterday, Nana Akufo-Addo spoke on that matter and Nana Akufo-Addo said that look he advised the guy to step down not because Dr. Bawumia doesn't like him but because in his view, Miracles would be a better head of communications than him and so on.

[00:01:33]So, all of these are happening in the party, but something interesting was also published in the Hawk of yesterday.

[00:01:41]>> [clears throat] >> That there were some mediation efforts in one of the constituencies in Accra.

[00:01:48]And then one of the national vice chairpersons actually led that mediation effort.

[00:01:54]And then when he left the meeting seven masked men caught him and gave him the beating of his life. Why an MPP? Yeah.

[00:02:05]Oh, really? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yesterday.

[00:02:09]So, my immediate reaction was to associate that with the elections, you know.

[00:02:16]But then quickly I was told that oh, there was another reason for his being beaten, which had nothing to do with the election process. Yeah, the real danger now. Okay. Given all the stories that we are being told and reading from the newspapers and so on. The danger is that eventually you might end up with a political party structure which is alien to the MPP.

[00:02:45]The MPP has always prided itself as guaranteeing internal democracy.

[00:02:51]And flag bearers not until recently had to listen to to others, you know.

[00:02:58]The party moved on the basis of consensus as well.

[00:03:02]When you get to the position where whatever the flag bearer says becomes law, then the party is in danger, you know. Then the party is in serious danger.

[00:03:13]And I want to believe that not all the stories we are hearing are true.

[00:03:18]Yes. Well, people in the party have a responsibility to themselves to ensure that democratic practice is entrenched at the very core of the party.

[00:03:29]You understand? Gentlemen, I'm I'm told that uh the the Nana Kwamia, who is the chairman of the communications committee of your party, and also former MP for Kwaku West South, I believe, is on the line. Apparently he has some reaction to to give on something that one of our guests said, uh today. So, I want [snorts] to be clear who said what so that uh That's fine. And Nana Kwame Addo, good morning. Thank you very much for joining the show.

[00:03:57]>> Good morning, Moro. And long, long, long time, boss.

[00:04:00]Yes, sir.

[00:04:01]Yeah, good to hear from you. Now, we understand you have some reactions to give. What exactly are you reacting to and who said what?

[00:04:10]Well, thank you, Moro. I am I'm sorry I have I hadn't been following the uh discussions, but so, forgive me if uh my my understanding is wrong, but my understanding is that Kwesi Pratt says is saying that there was something about an assault on an NPP uh executive member.

[00:04:35]And I had then brought a message that the member was assaulted because of uh some woman.

[00:04:45]Uh is that is that a correct thing that he said? Oh, it was about the it was about the story that broke a few days ago and it had to do with your the second vice chair of your of your party, one Alhaji Haruna.

[00:05:00]And >> Yeah, I know. I was on that discussion with Kwesi Pratt. I'm saying, did he say that I had concocted some message?

[00:05:07]I don't recall him saying that. I don't recall him saying that.

[00:05:11]>> Yes. Who said that he was beaten because he had been warned to stay off a certain woman and he was not staying off the woman. That's why he was saying So, it was a message you read? Yeah.

[00:05:20]That's what I said.

[00:05:21]Yeah, it's not it's not even a message.

[00:05:23]It's a news item. Kwesi read a news item from some newspaper.

[00:05:28]Mhm. And I also saw an a news item on the same matter and I also read it. What What is the problem with that? There's no problem.

[00:05:36]Yeah, so that's it.

[00:05:37]What is the problem? There's no problem.

[00:05:39]You read >> you said there's a there's a problem with that. No.

[00:05:43]You read from your phone news item, message, or whatever, which indicated that he was not beaten because of a party disagreement.

[00:05:51]>> Yes. And that he was beaten because he had been warned off a certain woman and he had not heeded that warning.

[00:05:57]>> Yes.

[00:05:58]>> That's all. That's what happened. So, you read it. It was It wasn't your explanation, but it was something read on on an online >> is the problem with that?

[00:06:06]I understand you, Kwesi. You say there's a problem with that. No, no, no. He didn't say that.

[00:06:10]Nana Kwaku Mia.

[00:06:12]Nana Kwaku Mia. What I'm saying is that the allegation initially was that he was beaten because of party dispute.

[00:06:19]>> Yes. Okay. Yes.

[00:06:21]To read a press statement, news, whatever, which indicates that he was not beaten because of a party problem, but because of a woman, raises another problem. It's not your problem.

[00:06:33]How is that your problem?

[00:06:35]No, I understand you are saying that there's something wrong with the news item that I read. No, he said that he's he How is this this being beaten because we are humanizing and edifying and glorifying thing?

[00:06:51]Nana Kwaku Mia, I'm here. So, if he said that, I would have defended you. So, you know, And in any case, why would I attack Nana Kwaku Mia for what purpose? Yeah, so whoever whoever called him please. Yeah, I'm here. So, if he said that, I would have defended you. Because I know you won't speak like that.

[00:07:06]Okay, like I said, I wasn't watching the program. You were told. You were told.

[00:07:12]You were told. But moreover, I also heard I've also been told that Kwesi said Sorry.

[00:07:19]>> I had said somebody should not stand for election and it was not appropriate. Did he Did Kwesi say that? Yes, he did. No, no, let me tell you what I said. Nana Kwaku Mia.

[00:07:28]What I said was that there was a gentleman who was mentioned in the article in the Hawk as aspiring for the position of head of the communication whatever structure and so on.

[00:07:41]And that you said that the person had approached you for your support.

[00:07:45]And you had advised him that Miracles Aboagye would be the best person for the position, and therefore you wouldn't advise him to contest. Did you say that or you didn't say that? I said so. So, what's the problem?

[00:07:58]>> I said so. I said so in response to the insinuation that people were being asked not to contest because Bawumia didn't want them to contest.

[00:08:12]And I sought to kill that mischief.

[00:08:15]Because this gentleman that we are talking about is a very key supporter of Bawumia. So, there is no way somebody will go and tell him that Bawumia doesn't want him to contest. And I gave you an example that the gentleman that you mentioned Explain what you said.

[00:08:32]What is the problem?

[00:08:33]>> me, and I told him that I felt that he should let Miracles go. Not because Bawumia has said anything. That was my opinion that I gave, and I'm sure you go around other people, they also give him their opinions. But I didn't say that you said that you stopped him because Bawumia told you to go and stop him. All I'm saying is that you told him that Miracles would be better for that position than him, and therefore he should stay away. What's the problem?

[00:09:00]Don't let people be calling you to come and make such, you know, unnecessary statements on this platform. But anyway, uh If people are calling you at moral Yes, sir. Well, thank you for the opportunity. No worries. I'll take my time and watch the your playback, okay?

[00:09:15]>> please do.

[00:09:17]Oh, no, no, no, no, no. We're waiting for you.

[00:09:19]>> All right, [clears throat] moral. We're waiting for you, sir. Thank you very much. I'll take my time, but you you there's a playback, so I'll take my time and watch.

[00:09:24]>> Yes, but I'm just but I also say we're we're waiting for you, sir.

[00:09:28]Oh, oh, moral. Uh the audience the we're we're we're tired of we're tired of explaining to our audience why you're not here because you you people are the pioneers and they're the pacesetters as far as this show is Yes, sir. I'll make time and come on Wednesday so I can meet my friend Quissy.

[00:09:47]>> okay. So, you can come with Uncle Quissy.

[00:09:50]Yeah, yes.

[00:09:51]Yes. Yes.

[00:09:54]Okay. But I'll take time and watch the program.

[00:09:58]Pastor Just a second. Quissy is on.

[00:10:00]Please please please I'm here. You're not a small boy.

[00:10:04]You You have reason to become Minister of Information.

[00:10:08]You've had many important positions in this country. You're one of the key persons in the Bawumia campaign team.

[00:10:15]Don't sit at home and make people call you and tell you fairy tales for you to be calling into programs. It's not good, Nana.

[00:10:24]Uh Morrow Yes, sir.

[00:10:26]I have said to you that I will take my time and watch the program myself.

[00:10:31]>> Okay. Today. So, don't worry. Thank you.

[00:10:33]And that next week Wednesday you're on.

[00:10:36]I'll come myself on Wednesdays to to to to take part in your conversation.

[00:10:40]>> That's fine. Okay. Thank you.

[00:10:43]>> [laughter] >> So, he's just made the announcement.

[00:10:46]Nana Nana Akomea is back. So, Wednesdays he'll be with us here.

[00:10:50]>> [clears throat] >> Nana, thank you. Thank you for for announcing that return on Good Morning Ghana. Thank you very much. Anyway, So, again, Nana Akomea, and who is now the boss of communication, the Tsar of communication, actually got a text message. It was some message on his phone and began to read it.

[00:11:08]Oh my God.

[00:11:13]What did he say?

[00:11:15]The explanation for his being beaten >> [laughter] >> was that there is a particularly beautiful lady around that place and he's been warned several times to stay away from the lady and he can't help himself.

[00:11:32]So, this watchman will actually enforce us to ensure that he stayed away from the woman. So, so this has nothing to do with the party. Yeah, but but but you see Is that about his private interest?

[00:11:42]Maybe. Maybe, [clears throat] you know.

[00:11:45]But what shocked me was that party leaders were ready to go public with this explanation.

[00:11:52]You know, in order to exonerate the party.

[00:11:55]>> [cough] >> This is the first I'm hearing of it.

[00:11:58]This is the first time.

[00:11:59]>> Oh, you know, the story was very interesting. Oh, but don't we see Is it Is it Is it a bad thing? Huh? Is it a bad thing to to save your party?

[00:12:08]Even if you have to tell stories like that.

[00:12:10]It's a very good story. Uh-huh. Very good story to tell.

[00:12:14]>> [laughter] >> So, your vice chairman is going to circulate this meeting in the party.

[00:12:19]>> [laughter] >> And and he can't help himself because there's a particularly beautiful woman in the area.

[00:12:25]And uh so on so on and leads to some serious beating by a watchman. Yes.

[00:12:32]It's all not healthy. It's better than that. That's not >> The aesthetics are not good. Mhm. I know, but it's better than saying that a party is a violent party because of election-related issues. So, you're throwing him under the bus.

[00:12:44]You say womanizer. Why do I get the feeling He's chasing other people's wives.

[00:12:48]>> the feeling you don't you don't believe the story?

[00:12:51]Oh, it's not a question of whether I believe it or not, but I'm just saying that the aesthetics both way. Doesn't look good. I don't agree. Okay. You know, that the aesthetics are not good at all. All right. So Well, well To be honest, in that kind of environment, obviously, I don't know if my observations are right.

[00:13:07]Well, I think it depends on the circumstances. It depends on what you're looking at and so on.

[00:13:15]For the individual, I think it's always better to be honest and candid because it saves you the the trouble of to end up to lie over and over and over again. Right. You understand? If you lie once, you have to lie again and keep lying and so on. So, it's more relaxing, it's more pleasure, and so on, just to speak your mind.

[00:13:38]But, there are consequences for speaking your mind.

[00:13:43]Because not all of us have the same interest.

[00:13:46]Not all of us even agree on the facts.

[00:13:50]I mean, right now, over the last couple of months, there's been a huge debate among scientists and astrologers as to whether or not Pluto is a planet.

[00:14:02]So, even in the simple question of whether Pluto is a planet or not, there are several competing facts, there are several competing analysis and so on. You understand?

[00:14:13]And uh for some people, their very life and existence depends on particular narratives.

[00:14:22]So, if you attack particular narratives, or if you don't hold certain particular narratives, you've crossed the red line.

[00:14:30]>> Mhm. They see it as an attack on on on their being and whatever they have aspired for and so on. And they come they come back fighting, you know.

[00:14:41]So, look, it's it's it's a tricky world.

[00:14:43]We live in a very, very tricky world, you know.

[00:14:48]If you come to the area of religion, for example, I mean, all religion is undoubtedly superstition.

[00:14:55]So, you're talking about competing superstitions.

[00:14:58]And when it comes to superstition, facts are not important.

[00:15:03]Empirical evidence is useless and so on.

[00:15:06]So, when you're dealing with superstitious people, where is the truth and where is the lie?

[00:15:14]Because superstitious people don't operate within the regime of truth and lies.

[00:15:18]>> Mhm.

[00:15:19]They operate mainly Faith and belief, that's it.

[00:15:24]>> on the platform of of belief.

[00:15:27]So, when you're dealing with superstitious people, how how do you deal with them?

[00:15:32]Are you going to insist on facts? It doesn't matter to them.

[00:15:36]Are you going to insist on empirical analysis? It doesn't matter to them and so on. So, the most important thing to recognize is that we live in a very complex world.

[00:15:46]This world is a very very complex world.

[00:15:51]And in this complex world, the ability to survive is is accentuated by by a thorough understanding of the society and the dynamics that keeps it going.

[00:16:08]To be safe, Mhm?

[00:16:10]>> Mhm. to be safe in this world, you you you have to be and I know that some people will disagree, but you have to be a Marxist.

[00:16:23]To understand reality in its fullness, okay? And for me, the most important thing in understanding this world is is the law of dialectics.

[00:16:35]Which sees the interconnectedness of all things.

[00:16:38]So, once you begin to understand the interconnectedness of all things and so on, nothing is strange.

[00:16:45]Nothing is inexplicable and so on.

[00:16:49]So, that's the advantage of of being a Marxist.

[00:16:52]Because the science of dialectics then aids your complete understanding of the world. You cannot be a Marxist without understanding the world in its complexity and in it in its fullness and so on.

[00:17:07]So, you've asked a very difficult question. There's no straightforward answer.

[00:17:11]It just leads us to a very complicated world.

[00:17:16]Professor, in all our spheres of endeavor, all that we do in our lives, we we ought to take feedback because without feedback, we all agree you can't do better because it's almost like you're working in the dark alley in the shadow.

[00:17:33]But, for some reason, feedback is very difficult to take, you know, and especially for our politicians who are in the business of constantly interacting with people and so on.

[00:17:47]And you respect that when a colleague says, "Hey, watch it."

[00:17:52]Rather than rather than listening to what the person is saying, we're more interested in who is saying it in order to place premium of value or importance on what the person is saying.

[00:18:05]I mean, how can you be a successful politician or even a human being without listening to what people are saying? Of course, that's not to say take everything people are saying, but you've got to be able to decipher.

[00:18:17]You see, Moro I I don't get it. But, people don't want to hear the truth. No, Moro, you again you again >> Honestly, on several occasions, even on this platform, where you have called people out, whether NDC and NPP, and I'm saying, "Watch it. It's bad. It's the blah blah blah." And they'll call me and say, "Why do you guys put this man on?

[00:18:33]You know, he's making us unpopular and blah blah blah." I'm like, "But, then that's your problem."

[00:18:38]>> [snorts] >> But, you see, they don't want to hear feedback.

[00:18:41]Moro, there's again there's again a very big problem.

[00:18:48]I mean, the assumption is that feedback is good, and so how do you determine a good and bad feedback?

[00:18:56]Exactly. Or whether even the feedback you're getting is sincere. I mean, 2 weeks ago, I put out something on my Twitter page.

[00:19:04]>> Yes.

[00:19:05]What is it? I'm driving through the streets of Accra.

[00:19:09]Somebody, a street vendor, stops me and says, "I haven't eaten the whole day.

[00:19:15]You know.

[00:19:16]So, can you give me 10 CDs to buy some coco and so on?" So, I had 10 CDs, I gave it to the street vendor.

[00:19:24]Then, he immediately launches into serious attacks on the MPP.

[00:19:30]How the MPP is responsible for all the problems we've had and so on.

[00:19:35]And I said to him, "Well, look, I am not an NDC person."

[00:19:40]>> [laughter] >> Instantly.

[00:19:44]Instantly.

[00:19:46]He flips.

[00:19:47]And all the attacks on John Mahama.

[00:19:50]How he has brought back doing so and so on.

[00:19:53]So, what is the mechanism for determining whether the feedback you are getting [clears throat] is genuine, [snorts] truly reflects the views and evaluation of the people who are giving the feedback? Very important question.

[00:20:09]Uh how how do you treat feedback? It's a huge problem, you understand?

[00:20:15]Now, I've been around in this national political thing for some time.

[00:20:23]You understand?

[00:20:25]And I'll give you one example. There was one election, I think that must have been in the 1992 election, where a candidate lost the election. It was declared at the polling station that he had lost the elections.

[00:20:41]And he saw his polling agents take off his party t-shirt.

[00:20:47]And beneath his party t-shirt was the opponent's party t-shirt.

[00:20:52]And his polling agents started jubilating.

[00:20:55]They were jubilating because he had lost, and they were his polling agents.

[00:20:59]And they had two t-shirts on.

[00:21:03]As I So, basically, and and he should know, he's been around for some time. He should know.

[00:21:10]Party allegiance.

[00:21:12]The same person wearing an NDC t-shirt in the morning, in the evening is wearing an NPP t-shirt.

[00:21:20]So, it's difficult for you to determine whether he's fully NDC or NPP. He knows that if they if they aspiring parliamentary parliamentary candidate comes around, he will get a little cash.

[00:21:34]So, when the aspiring NDC candidate comes, he wears the NDC t-shirt to collect some cash.

[00:21:40]When the aspiring NPP politician comes around, he wears the NPP t-shirt to get some cash.

[00:21:47]So, increasingly, it's becoming difficult, you know, to evaluate feedback.

[00:21:54]Increasingly. You understand?

[00:21:57]I mean, look.

[00:22:00]You go to social media today.

[00:22:04]It's a wash with campaigns for presidential hopefuls and so on.

[00:22:11]Do you believe what you see on social media?

[00:22:14]Many of them are doing it because he knows that this guy, if I praise him and say that he will be the best presidential candidate for 2028, at least my breakfast will be catered for.

[00:22:27]Huh? That's true. When he's given a chance to vote, he will not probably vote for the person he's making noises for and so on. This is the country we have built. That's true.

[00:22:38]This is the politics we have developed.

[00:22:41]So, it's very difficult to tell. And I've been in a situation where there's there's a chap in the NPP that I'm very close with. And I have many friends in the NPP, you know, very close.

[00:22:56]And I heard this chap actually on radio full of praise for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and how he will be the best president of Ghana and so on.

[00:23:07]And I know the person So I was wondering in the afternoon the person stops by the office. I say, "Well, I heard you this one say Oji Awase."

[00:23:17]Like he can't be what?

[00:23:18]>> [laughter] >> You understand? So this is is is the country we have built. I mean, today it would take enormous courage huge courage for anybody in the National Democratic Congress, minister, deputy minister, member of parliament, whatever to publicly disagree with President John Dramani Mahama.

[00:23:47]It It's almost impossible.

[00:23:49]>> Yeah. It's inconceivable. Inconceivable.

[00:23:53]And that is why when in the Akufo-Addo regime a number of parliamentarians took a firm stand against the appointment of the finance minister and so on. It became a big issue because it doesn't happen.

[00:24:06]It doesn't happen. Everybody just knows the line.

[00:24:09]Line of least resistance, hm?

[00:24:13]Line of rewards and so on. That's what many people are engaged in.

[00:24:18]So if you happen to be a little different and you speak your mind, you stand out.

[00:24:26]People think you're doing something extraordinary. It is not It shouldn't be extraordinary. And you know, in most cases >> Speaking your mind [laughter] shouldn't be extraordinary at all. And in in most cases, the people who are speaking their minds have actually turned out to be vindicated.

[00:24:40]Yeah, but who cares about being >> must lift a big stone and doesn't give it to them? But But who cares about being vindicated?

[00:24:46]The concern is not about being vindicated.

[00:24:49]The concern is not about making history or standing on the right side of history. You betrayed the party, that's all.

[00:24:54]>> No, the concern is being able to live a life of comfort. That's the concern.

[00:25:01]Mhm.

[00:25:02]So, whether we are vindicated or not, for as long as we are living a life of comfort, we have achieved the objective.

[00:25:09]So, vindication doesn't really matter.

[00:25:11]>> You know, and I don't like claiming vindication.

[00:25:16]As you see, the claim of vindication usually comes after the destruction has taken place.

[00:25:22]>> That's true.

[00:25:23]You see something is very dangerous, you speak about it, everybody comes at you, and then two, three, four years later, you are vindicated. But, the harm has already been done.

[00:25:35]So, claiming vindication is >> You can't help it. You can't You don't You can't help it.

[00:25:40]You don't have to claim the vindication.

[00:25:41]Yeah. Somebody can claim the vindication on your on behalf.

[00:25:45]>> And then what? The harm has been done.

[00:25:47]The destruction has been done.

[00:25:48]>> listen to you, Al-Ghazali.

[00:25:50]They didn't listen to >> But, you think that when we are vindicated, anybody is going to listen in the future?

[00:25:54]>> Anyway, well, that's true. It don't matter. That's true. The whole point is, look, how am I going to pay my children's school fees?

[00:26:00]My salary is not enough to pay the school fees of four children.

[00:26:03]>> And then I make more money.

[00:26:05]More.

[00:26:07]I'll give you a small test this morning.

[00:26:11]After we leave the studio, let's walk with us downstairs and see something for yourself.

[00:26:18]Normally, there'll be about 20 to 30 people standing there waiting for panelists on this show. Yes. And as soon as you get there, they go, "Oh!"

[00:26:27]Hm.

[00:26:28]They start heaping accolades on you.

[00:26:32]The best politician Ghana has ever seen.

[00:26:34]Future president, and so on. You know that.

[00:26:38]Those who gather at the radio stations and television stations to do this, whether they look at you, they're just looking for enough money to go and buy his breakfast.

[00:26:46]But, unfortunately, some of our leaders take these things seriously. I I they come to Metro TV, they sit on this platform, they get down there, there are 20 people shouting their praises and so on so that they can get 200 CDs in the morning.

[00:27:00]And they take it so serious, they go and declare their intentions to become president. They are idiots.

[00:27:08]Mr. Kwesi Pratt for president Hey, my friend, I beg you. I beg you, my friend.

[00:27:13]I have no interest. to you. I think you've nailed it uh for me.

[00:27:19]But let's do this uh just let's do this in a few minutes before we move on to a similar more substantive issues for the day. So, I was asking about your general secretary aspirations. How's it going?

[00:27:28]Like we say it in our in pigeon, hobby grounds now.

[00:27:31]Well, the party is going through its own internal elections.

[00:27:35]As you're well aware, every elected officer's tenure comes to an end this year.

[00:27:41]So, we started with the polling station elections.

[00:27:44]From there to the coordinator electoral area coordinators, then to constituency, region, and national.

[00:27:51]So, I mean, we are waiting for the delegates list.

[00:27:59]Cuz um others will contest, others won't contest. Some have passed away, some have moved on. So, we have to wait till maybe middle of July thereabout when all the elections would have been conducted for the cuz they form a substantial chunk of the of the of the of the of the of the of of the of the delegates.

[00:28:19]>> Okay. constituency executives. That'll be 19 executives times 276.

[00:28:25]So, we're waiting for that to be in place [clears throat] before we can then, you know, start canvassing the country.

[00:28:31]So, that is where we are now.

[00:28:34]But before that, I've met with all the constituency chairs, some regional executives, the constituency secretaries, assistant secretaries, women organizers, their deputies.

[00:28:44]And that's where we started. And then the top-down approach came in and then we had to stop for the flag bearers to the the aspirants, you know, for them to go around.

[00:28:56]So, we're just waiting hopefully by middle of July hit the road again. Mhm. I've also seen I've also seen some pictures where you had a hearty um chats or interactions with the former president Kufuor and the former president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and even the current flag bearer of the NPP Patriotic Party.

[00:29:16]Um that's I guess that's it.

[00:29:19]Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. How did all those meetings or engagements go?

[00:29:23]>> Well, it's part of the whole part of the of the consultation and consultation process. I had to meet Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo to inform them of my intentions.

[00:29:37]And also had them They also had their words of advice for me and um lately the Vice President who was here, the former Vice President, who was here had to travel out of the country immediately after the primaries. I think he was away for about a month or 5 weeks.

[00:29:54]So, I had to wait for him to come and officially saw him I think on the 22nd of uh April.

[00:30:01]Yes, to also formally inform him. So, I'm waiting to also inform Parliament when they resume.

[00:30:07]And then I will then I will then start, you know, visiting other I've I've also been visiting some other party people, but they're not as prominent as these three gentlemen.

[00:30:20]So, that is where we are.

[00:30:23]Would you say the the engagements were fruitful?

[00:30:25]>> Oh, very fruitful. Very fruitful. Very fruitful.

[00:30:28]All right. And finally, the Eugene knows he knows better than me Mhm.

[00:30:34]when it comes to this competitive politics and so on.

[00:30:38]And so far, all the reports indicate that he's doing very well on the ground. I'm sure you've heard those reports and so But Ugen, my friend, don't forget that in the final analysis, what is going to be the determinant will be the size of your pocket.

[00:31:01]Don't overlook that.

[00:31:05]That is what our politics has become.

[00:31:11]Look, in some of the election, of course, you are aware of the studies empirical studies which have been done which suggest that uh to be president in Ghana, you need about a hundred million dollars. One hundred million dollars. Now, are you combining the primaries and the general election or just No, I'm just I'm just saying that that's how expensive our politics has become.

[00:31:34]>> Oh, yeah, yeah. From primaries to general election, yes. Even more. Yeah.

[00:31:37]Well, internal election, internal [clears throat] elections, the estimates are staggering.

[00:31:45]Yes, you know. About 30, 35 to 40 million people They're dizzy. Internal [clears throat] elections.

[00:31:52]In some parties, the flagbearer in election, which is an internal election, can cost you as much as twenty million dollars.

[00:31:59]>> Absolutely.

[00:32:01]You understand?

[00:32:02]So, it's not a simple task you have taken upon your shoulders.

[00:32:07]You obviously, and I've known you well over the years, want to serve your country and so on.

[00:32:13]But the people with the power to give you the opportunity to serve your party and country, it's not all of them who are driven by the same motives.

[00:32:22]>> Of course.

[00:32:23]You understand?

[00:32:25]So, I pity you.

[00:32:27]That's [laughter] all I can say for now.

[00:32:28]I really pity you. It's It's part of It's part of the of the process.

[00:32:33]>> [laughter] >> Thank you very much it your concern. But I'm will be done. Can you raise 20 million US dollars? He doesn't He doesn't need He doesn't have to raise that much, but some people do it in the The flag bearers >> [clears throat] >> The presidential candidates were meeting police station executives according to I was just restricted.

[00:32:52]>> That's what you said. Yes, yes. You know the constituency executives.

[00:32:56]The regional executives. In your case, do you have a So that's fine. It's for It's for flag bearer ship, I guess it's true.

[00:33:00]But in your case, are you very clear in your mind how much you're supposed to raise? No, probably No, please. It's not But I'm not talking about public consultation.

[00:33:08]It's not public consultation. For him to come and sit here and say, "I want to raise so much."

[00:33:13]Even the internal revenue is going to go up.

[00:33:15]>> [laughter] [clears throat] >> If he speaks honestly about how much he has to raise, the GRA should go up. No, no, no.

[00:33:23]You you It was not going to get anything out of me. You know what I mean?

[00:33:26]It was not going to get anything out of me. Because yes, you're right. The delegates The number of delegates for the flag bearers election was I think 210,000. Okay. delegates.

[00:33:37]Okay. I would say it's about 5 to 6,000.

[00:33:39]Okay.

[00:33:40]Okay. I would say it's manageable.

[00:33:42]Yes. [clears throat] It's manageable.

[00:33:44]So so starting committee status sector Just imagine.

[00:33:49]They're giving each Just imagine.

[00:33:56]That on election day there were about 250,000 people uh eligible voters on election day.

[00:34:06]And as you and I know, some candidates pay up to 500 CDs per delegate. Some pay more.

[00:34:13]So 500 CDs multiplied by 250,000.

[00:34:18]That's 10 million straight. That's just on the day of the elections.

[00:34:23]It doesn't include the logistics like petrol, fuel, you know, vehicles and so on, food, creating mobilization, food, and so on. It doesn't include it.

[00:34:33]That's how much you are putting into the pockets of delegates.

[00:34:37]That's how much.

[00:34:39]So, 500 CDs times 250 delegates, 250,000.

[00:34:44]>> That's more than 10 million.

[00:34:46]That's on one day, one day's expenditure. Mhm. Crazy.

[00:34:51]Crazy, crazy, crazy.

[00:34:52]Mhm?

[00:34:53]But, so so you're standing and the sector committees, they've been formed.

[00:34:56]We've seen all kinds of uh I for me, I think it gives me a sense of uh the the the parties' ministries that intense because I've seen some interesting additions and some interesting uh subtractions. So, you look at finance committee, you look at uh electoral affairs, you look at disciplinary, you look at policy committee. I can go on and on and on and on. I mean, some people think some people have no business being here and uh there there've been all kinds of >> [snorts] >> um misgivings which have been expressed by some party folks, some of whom have actually called me personally to say well, they don't understand why this person is there, this person doesn't even mean well for the party, and so on and so forth. I mean, I don't know what you've also been picking on the grounds.

[00:35:42]Um is it is everything okay with this committee that's been formed?

[00:35:45]>> Yeah, I think when it comes to well, once a decision has been made by NEC and national council, it's binding. So, that's we must all respect the decision of council.

[00:35:56]But, I think on from Friday all the way through the weekend, there were various concerns being raised by our members. These are some prominent members of our party on social media um also raising concerns.

[00:36:15]Uh well, we feel that there's a the list is not exhaustive.

[00:36:19]There's going to be a more comprehensive list by the by the 25th of May. So, then it begs the question.

[00:36:27]If the list is not comprehensive, why did the party put it out?

[00:36:32]Yeah, one school of thought would say >> get it? Do you get it? Do you get the point I'm making? You're right. One school of thought would say if not comprehensive, why put it out? One school of thought is saying that this is a So are we going to call National Council NEC again to come and approve the additions?

[00:36:44]>> But you know, like I said, it's a decision of National Council.

[00:36:48]>> So we are not going to We are not here to reduce it to you said we said this one said that. Okay.

[00:36:55]>> and see what will transpire [clears throat] on the 25th of May. Mhm.

[00:36:59]That's the day that's the day that's been put out as official inauguration of these committees. Okay. So um it's all about, you know, the reorganization of the party.

[00:37:12]Some of us raised the issue of timing.

[00:37:14]We are in the midst of We are in the middle of uh internal elections. Why couldn't we wait? Why have we waited all this while to do it now? Now, you know, these are all concerns expressed on social media. But >> like I said, once the National Council >> Mhm.

[00:37:29]you know, takes a decision Okay.

[00:37:31]>> Well, that's the That's the second highest decision-making body outside of Congress.

[00:37:36]>> Okay.

[00:37:36]>> or conference. Okay.

[00:37:37]>> Once a decision is taken, we must all abide by it, respect it. We may have our views, you know, like a Supreme Court ruling or judgment. We all have our views to talk about, but the decision has been made. Mhm. Yeah.

[00:37:48]>> We Let's move with it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:37:50]So that's all I can say on the matter. But in terms of spokesperson, these are listed in the party's constitution. You know, we started You know, as a member of Parliament, yes, I was, you know, I was a spokesperson for employment Yes.

[00:38:04]Yes. Yes.

[00:38:04]>> So these are these are automatic positions. Once you become Now they are ranking members. Some of you are still chair. Once you become a chairman or a ranking member there are about 20 spokespersons that are that are admitted into NEC meetings possibly National Council meetings by virtue of the fact that they hold the chairmanship of a committee or the ranking member of a committee in parliament. So, that is also that. So, let's wait. I mean, I don't think we should we we should run away. Unless we Unless [clears throat] we wait till the 25th of May. Okay, so that is all foolish foolish, okay. But, it must all be guided by unity. Okay.

[00:38:41]Everything we do must try and bring everybody on board, to ensure that we are all moving in the same direction.

[00:38:47]Yes. Okay. Okay, so You see >> [cough and clears throat] >> Excuse me.

[00:38:52]The newspapers were very interesting yesterday.

[00:38:55]>> Yes.

[00:38:56]Very very interesting.

[00:38:57]But, the newspaper that I found most interesting yesterday was the Hawk newspaper, and I'll explain why.

[00:39:05]You see, most of the newspapers put out the story that these committees have been formed by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer.

[00:39:17]You agree?

[00:39:17]>> I Most of the newspapers said these are committees Right.

[00:39:21]which have been formed by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Actually, he was congratulated for bringing those who contested him for the flagbearer position into mainstream party as chairpersons of the committees.

[00:39:35]>> Yes.

[00:39:36]So, the question which arose was that does he really have the mandate to form these committees?

[00:39:43]And the response that came out, especially from Nana Akufo-Addo, who's now chair of the communications committee, and so on, was that, "Oh, he only nominated, and that eventually, because national council approved, it became the the decision of national council."

[00:40:02]And that even in the process of forming the committees, there were about 20 people who were involved in the consultations and shaping things, and so on. That was Nana Akufo-Addo's explanation.

[00:40:15]But, be that as it may, It brought back memories of the debate before the flag bearer elections. You remember? This top-down approach and its consequences and so on. That is what is happening.

[00:40:28]In a few months, we are going to elect a national executive including national chairman who now is supposed to be head of the party.

[00:40:39]You are forming committees now.

[00:40:41]And the the newly elected executive is going to be confronted with a fait accompli.

[00:40:47]The committees have been moved. So, what are they going to do?

[00:40:49]>> That's an interesting question.

[00:40:50]>> Exactly. Are they going to be confronted with a fait accompli?

[00:40:54]And if they are going to be con- con- confronted with a fait accompli, what is their value? What are they going [snorts] to do when all the appointments would have been made even before they assume office?

[00:41:06]Now, this brings back the issue of the top-down approach and the various positions we are taking. I remember my good friend Botchway Jaco arguing seriously that the elections needed to start from the polling stations all the way up.

[00:41:24]And that possibly the flag bearer elections should be the last.

[00:41:29]Because if that was not done, the likelihood was that whoever is elected as flag bearer would dominate these processes. And the party's identity would be subsumed, you know, under the cloud of of of the flag bearer and so on.

[00:41:48]I I I I I want to suggest very strongly that that is what is happening now.

[00:41:54]And yesterday on the front page of the Hawk was an article, you know, some news article which simply said that those who are going to contest the those who are contesting elections from the polling stations upwards, mhm?

[00:42:11]They are getting visits from persons who claim and I'm using my word advisedly who claim to be agents of the presidential candidate warning them to stay off because the presidential candidate does not like them or says he cannot work with them.

[00:42:31]There's no evidence to suggest that that is what is the presidential candidate is actually the one who is doing this. Yes, it may well be that people are using his name even without his knowledge, but this is happening.

[00:42:45]You understand? There was one gentleman who is contesting for communications head of communications, you know.

[00:42:54]Who is cited as having been approached and told to step down because the presidential candidate does not like him.

[00:43:01]Yesterday, Nana Kumasi spoke on that matter and Nana Kumasi said that look he advised the guy to step down not because Dr. Bawumia doesn't like him, but because in his view Miracles would be a better head of communications than him and so on.

[00:43:20]So, all of these are happening in the party, but something interesting was also published in the Hawk of yesterday.

[00:43:28]>> [clears throat] >> That there were some mediation efforts in one of the constituencies in Accra.

[00:43:35]And that one of the national vice chairpersons actually led that mediation effort.

[00:43:41]And that when he left the meeting, seven masked men caught him and gave him the beating of his life. A ruling MPP? Yeah.

[00:43:52]Oh, really? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yesterday.

[00:43:56]So, my immediate reaction was to associate that with the elections. You know.

[00:44:04]But then quickly I was told that oh, there was another reason for his being beaten which had nothing to do with the election process."

[00:44:14]So, again, Nana Kumia, who is now the boss of communication, the Tsar of Now, so far, so good.

[00:44:32]To my best of knowledge WITHOUT ANY BIASES, I attend TV.

[00:44:38]>> [applause]