Dear Uncle Ebo,
Last week, I was awakened from sleep by an "ADOM FM" reporter with the news that you have honoured me with the above. Even though I have not received official notification, I have since confirmed this in The (Ghanaian) "CHRONICLE" and my mother always advised me to thank people who are kind to me.
That advice was particularly relevant since in the last few months, I have been pilloried from Axim to Zebilla by those who had not bothered to read "CHASING THE ELEPHANT INTO THE BUSH". Indeed, lifelong friends decided to do what is safe by disowning me while the punditocracy opined breathlessly that I had committed political suicide and would be nothing more than a footnote in our history.
At a point someone called me "Ankonam" and I had to point out that I was sure the same God who took me to political exile twice and brought me home safely was still looking out for me. My joy is increased immeasurably by the fact that there was stiff political week when nominations closed and I knew that if Obama deserved the "Nobel Prize", I too, deserve this one. I have earned a few awards, from North America and one from the great people of Abura-Asebu� Kwamankese but this will have a special place, in my heart, on my resume and on my shelve.
In a larger sense though, this award was never about me. It is a rebuke to the "do-nothing" politicians leading our nation. My selection is a breath-taking illustration of the fact that so many of those invested with power to solve the problems confronting our nation are doing little. Over the last year, there have been no bold policy initiatives--- to create jobs for our youth, to educate them or to make us healthy.
Despite a global financial crisis of historic proportions, our nation has been focused on invitations to BNI instead of invitations to meetings on development, on ex-gratia for politicians instead of pensions for workers and on the scramble to control toilets instead of the technology of development.
I am particularly delighted that you cited my courage in conferring the award because in my view, it is the first of the leadership qualities. Finally, I am waiting for the award ceremony so that I can dedicate this award to the few courageous friends who never doubted my intentions, the good members of the NPP who have reached out to me and urged me to stand firm, for truth and accountability in our party and our country, and to J.B. Danquah, one of our founders and an author in his own right who would be scandalized at the idea that some in his party would seek to destroy a book and its author without reading it. He knew the pain of having one's books destroyed.
Be sure to invite my good friends, Malik Kweku Baako, Gabby Otchere-Darko and Egbert Faibelle Inr. It will be nice to celebrate this with them and other friends. Do not worry about transport. I will get there in my "one-car" convoy and police out-riders will not be necessary.
My speech will address courage, candour, sycophancy, intolerance and accountability in our politics! Accountability for those who seek power but do not use it for the common good. I cannot wait to deliver it.
Afterwards, I will celebrate with the people but those coming should bring their own "Fanta" and �Chinchinga" --- only water will be served.
Thanks once again for your kindness and the honour.
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