When Mr. Stephen Ntim decided to stand for election as the Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) this time around, those close to him wondered why he should waste his time again. They felt that with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in power, he stood no chance.
But, a persistent Mr Ntim didn’t want to be persuaded out of the race. Not even the fact that President Akufo-Addo has once said he cannot work with him. What perhaps, those who didn’t like Mr. Ntim were doing was to blow out his light for that of their friends to shine. But in the backstreets of Nairobi, the matatu (public transport) drivers say, “ya mwenzii Ili yako ionekane”. This means, it is not necessary to blow out the other person’s lantern to let yours shine. But we need to know that if God is on your side, no one can blow out your lantern.
In spite of all the hatred shown to him, it is clear that Mr. Ntim’s love for the party kept pushing him. He might perhaps be guided by the scripture that says in Numbers 23:19 that, God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
The blessings of God has been upon Mr. Ntim all these years, he kept the faith that he will one day take over the mantle.
The lesson that Mr. Ntim’s success give us is that we should not be deterred by what people say to us, because they are not God. Men could hate you and decide to put cogs in your while but the Almighty God will always lead you to your promised land.
The Swahilis put it in a nice way, “adui was mtu ” in other words, the enemy of man is man.
Another thing that Mr. Ntim’s success has taught us is, the Swahili proverb that, “thamani ya taa ni Giza kiingiopo.” which is translated to mean the value of light is noticed when night falls. At this time of the party’s low showing among the public, the NPP will value the light that Mr. Ntim is bringing. Admittedly, COVID19 and the Russia-Ukraine war has contributed to the hardship that the country is facing, but the public will not buy this. Sadly, the party executives have lost every credibility to help rally the population behind the government.
Mr. Ntim’s endorsement by the delegates will give him the opportunity to lead a new crusade to draw support for the government to fight the economic war facing all of us. Again, Mr. Ntim is bringing his experience and expertise to make true “breaking the eight.”
It is possible some people in government may not like his face. This is true of human beings but, it is important that these people re-examine themselves in the interest of the party.
As for President Akufo-Addo, he has no choice but to embrace Mr. Ntim. He must understand what is said in the streets of Nairobi that, “asiyekosa hayupo”.That is simply the fact that
there is no one who does not make mistake.
If he doesn’t accept Mr. Ntim, the party cannot move forward. We saw the same thing at play after the government decided to go for an IMF bailout. The trade minister, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, who has not been given any prominence place in the media, was one of those who were going round defending the government. At the time, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, who has made himself the heir apparent was nowhere to be found.
That is life!
By:Haruna Nyarko
