The Rise And Fall Of Tarzan

�A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is done above you��C.S Lewis.

The title of today�s piece was borrowed from the film, �The rise and fall of Idi Amin�. The film sought to give a graphic description of the former Ugandan leader. The story of Idi Amin tells us about someone who rose from grass to grace, and then back to grass. Sadly, so is the case of Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, aka Tarzan.

I had the occasion to eulogise Dr Brobby in an article titled, �Tarzan- an unsung hero�. I still stand by that piece; but I�m also of the conviction that the �unsung hero�s� latest actions have helped move him from hero to villain among his party people.

Tarzan�s academic prowess is not in doubt. That he is also one of the finest energy gurus that this country has ever produced is also not in doubt. His name can never be omitted when the history of the struggle that led to the Fourth Republican Constitution is written.

On the political front, he played a major role in the formation of Alliance for Change (AFC) � a political pressure group that organized demonstrations against the introduction of VAT in 1995. But what endeared him to most of his compatriots was when he dared to tread where none could. His compatriots woke up on December 19, 1994 to the sound of refreshing music blaring from the radio via Radio Eye 96.2 FM � a feat he accomplished from the comfort of his bedroom. His action unnerved the government so much that the then Minister of Information, Kofi Totobi Quakyi, rushed to Parliament on the 4th day of the radio broadcast and described him as a �Modern-day Tarzan�. That was how he got the name �Tarzan�.

When Asomdwekrom opted for multi-party democracy as her preferred mode of governance in 1992, Yours Truly was then in the Sixth Form. One of the persons that made the �Osono� attractive to me was, Dr. Wereko-Brobby. I admired his many qualities such as his determination to succeed despite the smear campaigns; his courage in fighting for his right and that of others; and his forthrightness on issues.

Like all humans, Tarzan has his faults. One of his greatest weaknesses is his dislike for tact and diplomacy in dealing with others. And this weakness has proved to be his greatest undoing. It has cost him the opportunity of ever being the flag-bearer of the Great Elephant, where he would have had a realistic chance of leading this country. Indeed, he is a presidential material; and it is an open secret that he has been nursing a presidential ambition since Mawu knows when.

When in 1996 he had a disagreement with the party, the problem could easily have been solved amicably if he had been tactful and diplomatic. But he decided to wash the party�s dirty linen in public, leading to a divorce. Till date, many still believe the real reason that made him leave the party in 1996 was because he wanted to contest the 1996 presidential polls at all cost. He subsequently formed the United Ghana Movement (UGM) and contested on its ticket. He failed woefully in the 2000 presidential elections.

He, however, reconciled with the party in 2000 when the Great Elephant won power. Many have described the act as hypocritical and opportunistic. I don�t know about hypocritical, but I see nothing wrong with one seeing an opportunity and grabbing it. Only a fool would do the contrary.

Since then, the party has supported him through thick and thin; and he in return, tried to tow the party�s line. However, what seemed to have raked his old sore was the chairmanship contest he lost to Chairman Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey. He did not take the defeat kindly and he waited for the right time to pay the party in kind. And what better time to put sand in the party�s gari than now.

He first wrote a piece condemning the party for seeking redress at the Supreme Court. He likened the party�s action to closing the door after the horse had left the stable. He claimed the party lost the 2012 elections and put the blame squarely at the doorstep of the party�s national executives.

Ironically, he who said the party was closing the door to the stable after the horse had left, made a complete turn-around to accuse the party of doing a bad job at closing the door. If Tarzan really believes that the horse has already left the stable, of what use is it to him how the door is closed? Whether well-closed or not, it should not matter to him because the horse is already gone.

You see, the obvious truth is that Tarzan is making all these noises for one reason only: To put the party�s national executives in a bad light and cause disaffection for them from the party faithful. Simplicita!

Just as I�m not ashamed to profess my admiration for the Tarzan of old, so I�m not afraid to proclaim my disdain for his �I-know-it-all� attitude. Like in 1996 when he left the party, he has once again goofed big time. It is unfortunate he has not learnt any lessons from the 1996 episode. It is even more unfortunate that he has allowed his hatred for the current party leadership to cloud his sense of good reasoning. It is indeed a big shame!

Tarzan, be reminded that a little arrogance isn�t a bad thing. But when one is filled with pride, then he will have no room for wisdom.

See you next week for another konkonsa

Source: Agya Kwaku Ogboro/Daily Guide