Ghanaians have a date with destiny in about four months' time. They will be deciding whether Nana Akufo-Addo should stay another term in charge of affairs in their motherland or to discontinue their experience under him and bring back Mr. John Dramani Mahama, the immediate past president who is still entitled to one more term, after his administration was abruptly paused by losing to the incumbent four years ago. It is going to be a historic experience, with several factors set to determine where the pendulum will sing in December. One of such key factors (apart from the regular politicking between the parties, the ruling NPP and opposition NDC) is the influence of some notable personalities like HRH, Oscar Yao Doe; the influential frontline businessman and philantropist.
Back in 2016, he was one of the major pillars that supported Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP to power, but today, he is channelling all his influence and energy in support of the re-emergence of John Mahama as Ghana's president-elect come December. HRH Doe is one of the key backers, financiers and long-time supporters that Akufo-Addo and his party lost after failure to manage their victory from the 2016 elections.After a seemingly flagrant show of power and witch-hunt against them by some people who apparently have personal axes to grind with them, these notable individuals including the Doscar Group Holdings chairman, were left with no other option than to dump the president who failed to wade into their issues in appreciation of their past efforts.
Glaringly, it took HRH Doe a lot of reluctance to turn his back against Nana Akufo-Addo whose family he once shared a very strong bond, and whose elections he funded since 2007. In a very unusual twist, the business mogul who is hardly seen or read about in the media talking about politics, brought out his strong know-how of the use of the media.
For the most part of 2019 he made strong-worded publications that made big headlines across the country, to call attention to several cases of lies, deception, witch-hunting, power-grabbing and abuse of government power (against perceived enemies) that have characterised the Akufo-Addo administration.
He repeatedly called the attention of the administration, and the public to the troubles brought on Ghanaians by the actions of certain officials of the government, particularly the collapse of many local banks and businesses owned by Ghanaians who were perceived not to share similar ideas with the administration.
Licences of these banks and businesses were revoked following a controersial audit exercise carried out under the supervision of the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Attah and the Bank of Ghana, led by Dr. Ernest Addison. HRH Doe confronted the finance minister, and a former Senior Partner at KPMG Ghana, Nii Odoidoi who at the heat of it, reported him to National Security, claiming alleging threat to his life. The case was disposed off immediately for lack of substance. The collapse of those locally-owned financial institutions has hit the Ghanian economy hard, resulting in rising cass of unemployment.
Towards the end of the year, the seasoned businessman announced his decision to dump Akufo-Addo after several years of loyalty and support. By January 2020, HRH Doe had already announced his big decision to throw his support behind the candidacy of Mr John Mahama and his party, NDC in the December 2020 presidential election. This decision marked a great loss for Nana, his family and the NPP. They didn't just lose a big figure and strong pillar, they also lost a multitude of Ghanaians who will go anywhere the philanthropist points to. These are the beneficiaries of his many kind-hearted gestures, those whose lives have been blessed by the successful businessman over the years.
Apart from creating opportunities for people in companies under his Doscar Group conglomerate, the royalty from Volta region has been involved in philanthropic activities for over two decades. He has invested so much in people's welfare and over the years, gained a multitude of followers and admirers across Ghana and beyond. He wields a great influence on these people.
Since he announced his support for Mahama, HRH Doe has been a massive, positive force selling the message for Ghanainans to reject Akufo-Addo and let Mahama return to finish the agenda he started before losing reelection in 2016. He has been so critical of the current administration. On social media (where he has a large followership, he has dedicated all his posts to exposing the rots inside the Akufo-Addo presidency.
Losing HRH Doe at such a crucial period is a big mistake made by the President Akufo-Addo and the NPP. It is however, such a big plus for Mahama and the NDC. His coming in to support the Mahama campaign means a lot. And going by past experience, talking about how he has supported and financed Akufo-Addo's campaigns since 2007, the enormity of what the president and his party men have lost is better imagined than experienced.