By: Johannes Jafo Akunatu [0247019099; akjafo@gmail.com]
Within the last couple of days, videos of the two most powerful political leaders in our constituency have gone viral on social media platforms. Hon. Adam Mutawakilu, the former Member of Parliament and now the Managing Director of Ghana Water Company Limited, and the current Member of Parliament of Damongo and former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Abu Jinapor. These are not common men in the history of politics. They are men who have served, sacrificed and moulded Damongo in one way or another. This is why the public banter is disillusioning and redundant.
The rivalries of politics are not new in Damongo. On the contrary, the rivalry among political parties, though at times healthy, has contributed to sharpening ideas and encouraging participation over the years. But what we are witnessing now feels different. It feels personal and emotional. And it feels unnecessary
This is not about who started what. It is not about party colours, past elections, or unresolved rivalries. It is about leadership, and leadership is not proven by who speaks loudest on radio or who lands the sharpest jab. Leadership is proven by restraint, wisdom, and the ability to rise above personal differences for the greater good.
Damongo is problem-stricken. The condition of our introspective streets is indicative of the negligence the suffer. Damongo continue to grapple with the problem of accessing clean drinking water. Unemployment among the youths is a menace that has been frustrating the young and energetic youths. Farmers are constantly grappling with the issue of encountering the rise in the cost of inputs. Our mothers have to wake up every day not knowing what the prices will be in the market. Such are the true struggles that will receive the attention that the deserve. These are the battles with which our leaders should unite.
When high-ranking personalities engage in exchange of words, the impact is not limited to them alone. It goes down the ranks. It gives strength to insults. It allows party foot soldiers and communicators to turn disagreements to verbal battles. The social media platforms become battlefields and radio political programs lose their significance.
The youth of both the NDC and the NPP are watching kneely. Many of them admire these two men. They quote them. Defend them. Fight for them online and offline. But when leaders choose confrontation, the youth learn confrontation. When they show maturity, the youth learn discipline. This is why words matter, especially when they come from the top.
Political competition is healthy. Strong debate is necessary. Democracy is characterized by disagreement. However, there is a distinction between healthy engagement and public ridicule. That border has already been crossed on too many occasions, and it is high time to retreat.
Hon. Mutawakilu has served as a member Parliament for this constituency and now holds a very valuable national portfolio that directly addresses water supply which is a pressing demand of Damongo currently. He is playing a critical role in nation development and has not lost his ties to Damongo. The current MP, Hon. Abu Jinapor has also been at the pinnacle of government as deputy chief of staff and also as cabinet minister and has done a lot in the development of the Damongo constituency. He is under constitutional obligation to represent the people of this constituency. Their legacy is attached to the same soil whether they embrace it or not. History will not judge them based on party slogans and jabs. It will judge them on the basis of their impact.
They have more in common than they have in differences. They both know the needs of Damongo. Both have influence. Both have access. Imagine what cooperation could achieve. Imagine the signal it would send to the youth if both men chose calm over conflict and progress over pride.
This is also a call to we the youth. Passion is good. Loyalty is fine. But insults, name calling, and character assassination weaken our course. They do not defend our political parties. They only expose a lack of discipline. We can argue without abusing. We can support without demeaning and we can disagree without destroying reputations. When we insult today, we erase tomorrow’s cooperation and and when we spread hate, we close doors we may need to walk through one day.
What the people expect is simple. Decorum, respect and maturity. Let disagreements be handled with dignity. Let engagement be issue based. Let leaders lead, and let the youth follow examples worth following.
This moment does not require winners and losers. It requires wisdom. It requires silence where noise has done enough damage. It requires values that will make Damongo proud of its political class.
History is recording. And Damongo deserves better than public quarrels from its finest sons.
