Introduction
Since launching ‘the President Ghana Never got,’ Manasseh has been on a spree of media appearances, visiting most of his former colleagues to essentially build patronage for his book. Interestingly, one such efforts is his presentation to Mathew Opoku Prempeh, the vice-presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party and the erstwhile Minister for Energy, who received copies of the book on behalf of the NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. In a rather interesting turn, I take notice of the fact that the event has widely been published across social media with Channel One fully covering same.
It is amazing how NAPO and his team could not predict that accepting to any open and public engagement around Manasseh’s books in that manner which they did, does not bode well for his own political fortunes and that of the party that he is leading as its running mate. The best NAPO and his team could have done was to insist that they would run this publicity or accept to host Manasseh only when they have fully finished reading the book. Even if they don’t have the appetite of reading, the sheer title of the book and the pre-launch interviews by Manasseh on the book should have given them a clue that Manasseh’s project essentially discredits the presidency and person of the administration, whose fortunes the NAPO’s team will be seeking to benefit from, going into the 2024 elections. At least, this would have saved them the embarrassment of having to subtly endorse a book project that cast aspersions, allegations and categorically state that the political legacy NAPO is seeking to benefit from is nothing but a monumental failure.
Bundle of Contradictions:
During his unveiling, Mathew Opoku Prempeh’s comments that President Nana Addo has the best developmental track record and legacy sparked outrage across the country. His mistake was to offend the ancient platitude of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s legacy. He had described the former president and the founder in a most disparaging terms, one which was completely needless and unprovoked. NAPO, as he is affectionately called, had mentioned in substance that Nana Addo’s legacy could not be matched by any president since Ghana’s independence. Aside from the controversy this statement poked; people used the statement to further discredit the former energy Minister, further drilling into perceptions that he is arrogant. By this statement, Napo did not just draw widespread condemnation from the opposition National Democratic Congress, who are seeking to latch onto the government’s negatives, but he also infuriated individuals who have been fanatic about everything Nkrumah.
Accepting to meet Manasseh in that open encounter to take copies of a book that discredits the legacy of the person, whose legacy, he claims to be unprecedented, is the worse form of contradiction. Truly, this singular action undermines the very essence and credibility of NAPO’s statement that had courted him so much public backlash. Besides, it also gives a clue about the loose and laxed exercise of discretion within NAPO’s camp.
Manasseh is Cashing-in on their reputations
There is absolutely no doubt that, thus far, this book is Manasseh’s most successful book project. He personally admits in an interview with Benard Avle that the book has been designated as a Bestseller on Amazon, days after its publishing. Truly, this exercise and the timing of same is more commercial than national. Unlike his previous work on the former president, Manasseh appears to be enjoying all the largesse and applauds that have come with this book. There is no way to convince any right-thinking person that the book was not launched at the time that it did for Manasseh’s own political and financial leverage. In this wave, its interesting how some people are allowing themselves to be used in this process. It’s always interesting that the very person who claims the current political party has made it difficult for him to thrive as a journalist is the same person who has all the laxity and freedom to move around to present his book to the people who form the core of that party. In his best mischievous elements, Manasseh sought to squeeze an endorsement in the process by putting this up on his X account:
‘‘I said the book would be helpful to them as they aspire to take over the reins of power in December. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh said I did “a great job writing what, normally, leaders don’t want to hear.” He said those who aspire to leadership would read and learn from such books.’’
NAPO’s Unforgivable Blunder
It is based on this that I am unable to forgive NAPO and his team for committing yet another political communication blunder. Given his mastery at catching people unawares for his own parochial interests, Manasseh has succeeded yet again with this. Yes, even if NAPO was picking up the books based on instructions from his boss, he could have taken deliveries of them without the whole publicity bit, especially when he have not read the contents therein. While Napo’s intention for opening his doors to Manasseh may be pure, the fact that Manasseh sought to use that opportunity to build publicity around the book should have been anticipated by Napo’s team. I find this rather unconscionable exercise of discretion, especially when the contents of the book do not augur well for the political legacy that NAPO is seeking to hinge his political fortunes and future on. May be there is an inalienable pact between the two that will take only time to reveal. But without the benefit of hindsight or clairvoyance, let me just accept that this is a political communication blunder, that, as usual benefits Manasseh and discredit NAPO and his political tradition. Whoever cannot see this has no business seeking the highest office of the land: the presidency.
Conclusion.
Let no one be deceived. Nobody should get it twisted. Even with my modest understanding of political issues, I find it therefore interesting and almost unconceivable that an individual who is seeking to benefit from the legacy of the Nana Addo led government will subtly endorse a book that counts this administration as a monumental failure. The fact that the people around NAPO did not anticipate that their action could be construed as constituting a betrayal of the political tradition on whose heels they seek to benefit from is most unfortunate. This is indeed a blunder. Yes, one that, as usual, benefits Manasseh, and leaves everyone else in the trenches.