Did Dr Kofi Portuphy, the just-elected National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), sincerely require the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Alliance for Accountable Government (AFAG) to remind him of the need to step aside soon after being elected? In fact, should he not have even attempted to do so way before he decided to contest the chairmanship of the party?
Whichever way, he is comfortably in office and one should hope that he is listening to what the opposition NPP is telling him. I agree with Sammy Awuku that his continuous presence in the disaster management organisation sets a very dangerous precedent. And here is why.
As the name of the organisation suggests, its primary aim is the management of disasters and similar emergencies across the country. NADMO is directly under the office of the Minister of Interior and it engages in the following activities: preparation of national plans for preventing and mitigating the consequences of disasters; monitoring, updating and evaluating national disaster plans.
It also ensures that there are appropriate and adequate facilities for the provision of relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction after every disaster; as well as coordinating local and international support for disaster and emergency control relief services and reconstruction.
The main sources of the funding for the organisation include money provided by Parliament as well as grants, donations and aids from other sources.
Considering the crucial role played by this organisation, one would expect that it would be headed by an apolitical or at least someone who is not overtly political. But here we find ourselves in a situation where the head of the organisation has just been elected as the chairman of the ruling NDC. The question on the lips of many is “whether there would be fairness and equity in the discharge of his duties.” It is important to remember that this is not the first time that questions of this nature are being raised regarding NADMO.
There have been many instances where NADMO and its officials have been accused of being selective in the distribution of obviously scarce resources to party loyalists and members.
Should there be any disaster or mishap that requires the distribution of relief and aid materials for affected people, I dare say that his presence by way of his sheer present capacity would hamper the integrity of the distribution process.
Closely linked to the above is the question of efficiency. After his election, he assured the rank and file of his party in the following words “I want to assure all of you that we shall be available day and night, rain or shine, fire, whatever storm, we’ll make sure that we are available and that you don’t need lamps to look for us in the night.”
If indeed he is going to be available to the party members at all times as a result of which they would not need to have lamps to search for him and his executive, then it is an acknowledgement of that being a party leader is an arduous task. Indeed, it would be foolhardy to suggest that the quest to, in the case of the NDC, maintain and consolidate power is child’s play. It’s not the least!
The question that needs to be answered therefore is how he is going to manage the affairs of the organisation in the light of the promises that he has made to his party folks that he would be available day and night, rain or shine, fire or storm. I believe him because he is a man of his words
And if the NDC party folks are not going to use lanterns to search for him, then viewing this conundrum through the lenses of opportunity cost, then certainly those in dire need of aid and assistance are going to go through the ordeal of seeking after him with a lantern.
I do not think this is an issue that people deserves any contestation. I think the best thing he can do the organisation, for himself and the NDC is to simply step aside and concentrate on his new role.
And touch wood, should there be a scandal in the organisation any time soon, is the NDC prepared to have on board a chairman who is saddled with such loads?
Certainly not! Once again, Dr Portuphy must simply appreciate that with his election as NDC chair, he has come to the end of the road with NADMO. It’s best he gives way!
