TwoCents

Bright Agropah

Author. Speaker. Reformist

Date

Sep 14th to Sep 26th

This Session has closed

About Bright Agropah

I have written and published books and taught on them on many platforms. I have mentored countless student leaders who are currently excelling in their respective fields. A chunk of these mentees are currently lawyers

INTERVIEW

QUESTIONS

These interview questions were brought to you by TwoCents and Chinomso Uzoeto

Let’s get real. It is public information that vote buying plays a huge role in African politics. What would you say are the biggest enablers?

Bright Agropah

Poverty, ignorance and greed.

Given that many voters in Africa are poor, they are easily bought with money.

Again, many people are ignorant about the implications of receiving money to vote. This is used against them.

Thirdly, some people are greedy so much that they become conduits of vote buying.

TwoCents

You write speeches for politicians. Can you take us through your thought-process when drafting such? What goals do you intend to achieve with the speech?

Bright Agropah

Speech-writing is contextual. I therefore tailor my writings towards the activity and what we want to achieve. But generally speaking, I always make it a point to appreciate the audience to be able to catch their attention.

I acknowledge their challenges and assure them in the speech that we are with them and committed to addressing the challenges identified.

I assure them in the speech that our doors are always opened and they should feel free to come to us. As started earlier, every activity dictates what should be written. Sometimes, the politicians give you the specific message and I just write the speech.

TwoCents

Gerontocracy still prevails in many African countries, and young people are kicking against it in different ways. Do you believe that we should have younger leaders from top to bottom? Or does it not matter since some developed countries (like the USA) have most leaders in their late 70’s and above?

Bright Agropah

Leadership is not a preserve and reserve of old people. Some young people are competent enough to hold positions and it would be ridiculous to deny them merely because of their young age. Old people in my observation seem to be losing their critical abilities with time unlike young people. We need people who would be critical, pragmatic and solution-oriented and that is why I believe young people should be involved in leadership at all levels. Again, Africa has a youthful population and it would be absurd to deny these young people the opportunity to serve when they feel the impact of leadership more.

TwoCents

You have been involved in efforts to get more youths involved in politics and leadership. What qualities do you believe are most crucial for a young person to possess in order to be a successful politician?

Bright Agropah

1. Confidence

2. Humility

3. Negotiation abilities

4. Communication skills

5. Selflessness

TwoCents

Why did you decide to go into politics?

Bright Agropah

I was born into a family that is very political. I was therefore socialized unconsciously to like politics. I opened up myself to serve in leadership portfolios during my basic, secondary and tertiary education. As I grew and understood the concept of purpose, I embark on a discovery of my assignment on earth. I discovered convincingly that I have an assignment to impart lives through politics. I believe men and women of courage, character, integrity must venture into politics to cause the needed change. It is not enough to complain about our political system. The more I grow, the more I get to know that so much depends on politics. I have thus committed myself to politics to be able to contribute more.

TwoCents

As an insider, what are the lessons you have learnt about politics, which you notice that non-politicians don’t realize?

Bright Agropah

1. Learn to keep some secrets. A political friend can be an enemy when interests change and secrets shared could be used against you.

2. To excel in politics, you truly need a Godfather or Godmother. It is difficult to rise without an already established person in it.

3. Politics is extremely spiritual just like life. If you are not spiritually fortified, you may not survive. Never forget this.

4. Loyalty pays. However, be loyal to the right person. When you are loyal to the wrong person, he or she would only use you.

5. Internal politics can be deadly than external politics. Be on guard.

6. Politics is money intensive. Make money and associate with people who will be willing to support you.

TwoCents

When you think of the African leadership scene in the next 10 years, what do you hope to see?

Bright Agropah

African leadership keeps worsening but I choose optimism over pessimism. In the next 10 years, I hope to see more young people taking active interest in politics because politics controls us aside God. I see many young people entering politics but I hope to see more. These young people should be people who are poised to make impact and not people who only want to fill their deep pockets .

TwoCents

As someone who has been involved in campaigns, what qualities of an aspirant or candidate have you found to be the easiest to drum support for them with?

Bright Agropah

1. Approachability and friendliness

2. Good communication skills

3. Wealthiness. You may not see this as a quality but it is

4. Humility

TwoCents

In places where people are used to selling their votes, have you ever seen a case where the same people refused to sell their votes? If yes, why did that happen?

Bright Agropah

I have seen many people refuse to sell their votes just as I have seen many others sell their votes. These people were people of integrity and they didn't see the need to sell the votes. They wanted to hold leadership accountable and that felt selling their votes would deny them such right. As a matter of fact, some of them consider it disrespectful to even attempt buying their votes.

TwoCents

There seems to be a wave sweeping Africa where more experienced and older politicians are losing to younger and inspirational candidates. It has happened in Zambia and now Kenya most recently. Do you predict that this wave will continue? Or do you still see the old guard holding on in some countries, including yours? And why?

Bright Agropah

Many young people are getting tired of seeing old folks occupy political positions. They are therefore doing their best to unseat many of them. It will take time to see many young people beat the old folks but it shall eventually be the order of the day. If young people become a little sound financially, they will be able to capture more seats. The old folks would be powerless no matter how deep their pockets are at that point. So yes, I see the new wave continuing.

Emelia Coffie Brand Promoter @ Shrewd Communicat...

Tema, Ghana • Sept. 16, 2022, 7:52 p.m.

Can you elaborate on the Negotiation Abilities a young person needs to possess to become a successful politician?

0 Answer requests

Bright Agropah

Author. Speaker. Reformist

Accra • Sept. 16, 2022, 8:33 p.m.

Just like life, politics largely gives you what you negotiate for. One important ability needed for negotiation is the ability to listen. To be able to respond rightly, you need to listen rightly. Thinking ability is equally important because you need to critically weigh options in the course of negotiation. Self confidence can also make the other party believe in your judgement and accept.

Hero James

Lagos, Nigeria • Sept. 20, 2022, 10:26 a.m.

You said having Godfather and Godmother in politics is good. Don't you think it's a wrong approach to politics, considering the fact that having them comes with a clause which is mostly centered on their selfish desires ?

0 Answer requests

Bright Agropah

Author. Speaker. Reformist

Accra • Sept. 22, 2022, noon

Having a political Godfather and Godmother is not in itself a wrong approach. It is how it is done that must be looked at. A sound Godfather or Godmother would not introduce you into ignoble things. He or she would rather protect you from exploitation. Anyone who would introduce in a clause that is exploitative has no business becoming your Godfather or Godmother. So in choosing a Godfather or Godmother, be wise and be discerning. Choose to the right people

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