As I stare at the blankness of MS Word on my computer screen, searching the depth of my mind to find the right words to present a vivid representation of what I witnessed at the S.R.C vetting of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
I can’t but have a smile light up my face in joy for not only the future of politics in Ghana, but in the short term the future of the S.R.C in K.N.U.S.T. The vetting took place at the Republic Hall JCR, from the evening of March 28 till the afternoon of March 29. The panelist involved in the vetting were individuals of keen intellect who have left a mark in their chosen field and had the ability to intimidate and ask questions that brought out the true intentions of the prospective candidates.
Indeed, given the strictness and detail oriented nature of the panelist, all candidates I must say gave a good account of themselves especially the crop going for the ultimate prize which is the presidency of the SRC. From the likes of the articulate Lenin Agyei, to the calm and collected Samuel Amoako Kusi, to the visionary David N. Anto, to the not so well known, but equally prolific candidates like Bernard Asamoah, Mandella Pizarro Sheriff, and Kotey Edwin. Yet amongst these titans, one man clearly stood head and shoulders above all in my own personal opinion, and thus deserving of the title of this piece “A man of the people”. I speak of no other than the indefatigable Boakye Nyamekye Isaac lovingly called (B.N.I) by his followers.
Being the last of the candidates to be interviewed, he endured quarantine for almost twenty four hours. But when his turn came he did not disappoint. As a proud affiliate of Unity Hall, he entered the hall followed by his supporters to the rhythm of the Continental anthem. Every student of KNUST knows what this anthem does to proud Continentals. The initially dull atmosphere became electrified as the Continentals filled the air with their morale lifting sounds of “eiiiiiii”,”eiiiiiiiii”,”eazzyyyyyy”.
The noise seemed to have no end, but with one raise of the thumb from B.N.I., silence was restored and he undertook the necessary formalities by greeting the panelist and the audience. His curriculum vitae was as expected awe inspiring, and even the usually critical panelist could find no faults but issues with spacing. The panelist tried to rattle him by going after his running mate by the name Opoku Agripah. The panelist accused him of not fulfilling all necessary modalities for the resignation of his previous post held as the College of Arts and Social Sciences as Vice president. Agripah provided the necessary documentation but the panelist still were not satisfied as they claimed he was not supposed to be in possession of his letter of resignation.
Boakye Nyamekye then displayed unflinching solidarity by chipping in to further expatiate on the due process undertook to effect his running mate resignation from his previous post and promised to forward any other necessary documentation. He answered the subsequent line of questioning with vigor and clear understanding, but what left me convinced about his abilities was when he was asked to address the audience and explain his policies in thirty seconds. What followed was nothing short of brilliance, given the short time. Paraphrasing, he said “thirty seconds is not a lot of time to explain my policies to you, but it is also not a lot of time for a female student to run when she is about to be raped, not a lot of time for a student in Africa Hall to run away from mosquitoes due to torn nets, not a lot of time for students to learn when lights go off at the various halls…” He ended by reiterating how positive he was that he could deliver solutions, and how positive he was that he could effect change. Need I tell you that his campaign slogan is “I am positive”?
The panelist cut him after thirty seconds, but he had clearly conveyed his message and won the students support. As soon as the panelist brought the proceedings to an end the audience ran up the stage to lift their man and carried him all the way to his hall of residence.
It was indeed a sight to behold. I am by no means anointing a winner of the S.R.C presidential elections of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, but I believe that amongst us and as witnessed by the student populace, a man of the people has risen once again. Ghana as a nation can take respite that though the political scene of today has been tarnished with incompetence and dishonesty…that at least in one of its tertiary institutions, young leaders are showing they have what it takes to lead Ghana come the tomorrow we all patiently wait for.
