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I was not only amazed as to how Greenstreet won the election, but I was also intrigued at the margins.<\/p>\n
Greenstreet obviously had the mind of a winner. He had the grassroots appeal, believed in loyalty and portrayed himself a true unifier. He was committed to the party\u2019s vision.<\/p>\n
His main opponent, Samia, who obviously thought was ahead of the game, resorted to another strategy.<\/p>\n
She believed the influence of the media would aid her course and thus used it as a tool to project her message.<\/p>\n
I also believe there were real factors that contributed to Samia\u2019s defeat other than her flawed vote-buying accusation against Greenstreet.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s not forget that prior to the congress; the party\u2019s 2012 Presidential Candidate, Abu Sakara, in publicly stating his reasons for leaving the party, said there is a clear attempt to establish a dynasty in the CPP, where persons related to the Founder of the CPP will have the sole right to lead the party.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sole purpose of this seems to begin a process of leadership by dynastic succession\u201d a portion of Dr. Sakara\u2019s resignation letter to the CPP said.<\/p>\n
Although he did not mention names, it was obvious he was referring to Samia Nkrumah, who had been widely criticised by some party members of deploying a divide and rule tactics.<\/p>\n
I am sure the CPP delegates are poised to make a statement in the November polls and would not like to have a presidential candidate who may diminish their chances of winning the election especially when the party has gone into previous elections on a divided front.<\/p>\n
They might have opted for Greenstreet because they felt they needed someone who would unify the party, and increase its chances of winning the general election.<\/p>\n
Samia should reflect on the real factors that contributed to her defeat rather than resorting to baseless accusations of vote buying.<\/p>\n
What she needs to remember is that, the same delegates she alleged were paid to vote for Greenstreet, voted for her when she was vying for the CPP\u2019s Chairmanship slot.<\/p>\n
Physical harm\u00a0shouldn\u2019t be a barrier<\/strong><\/p>\n I must also say that I love Greenstreet\u2019s confidence. His desire to lead the CPP and efforts towards winning in the hotly contested race is highly commendable.<\/p>\n He was forceful and determined to chalk that feat and he did that successfully.<\/p>\n Greenstreet\u2019s victory reminds me of the touching story of Farida Bedwei, a celebrated software engineer in Ghana who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of one.<\/p>\n Bedwei, who refused to let her ‘deformity’\u00a0affect her career trajectory, is considered one of the most influential in financial technology on the continent.<\/p>\n Many of us today do not have any physical harm or deformity, yet we struggle strenuously in achieving our goals and dreams.<\/p>\n The lesson I have\u00a0gleaned from the Greenstreet story is that, one does not have to allow anything to hinder his or her ambitions. Whatever you want, just go for it.<\/p>\n –
\nBy: Marian Ansah\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
\nFollow @EfeAnsah<\/a>
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