NSOR PHILIP AYINDOO, A MAN WHOSE PILLARS WERE ERECTED ON THE ROCKS OF TONGO.

NSOR PHILIP AYINDOO, A MAN WHOSE PILLARS WERE ERECTED ON THE ROCKS OF TONGO.

Yesterday was the birthday of Hon Philip Nsor. Indeed, as a result of busy schedules, the euphoria eluded me as my pen could not be put to use to eulogise him as known by me. You see I have made this a habit in line with my believes and principles of motivating and encouraging young and promising leaders to continue to act for the general welfare of society. Many, including me, have always posited that there is a general leadership conundrum in Ghana and Africa at large. This assertion is manifested in our national politics. In approaching this threatening new development, we must use  the" catch them while they are young" adage. We must recognise those who are trying in their best to live piously. Then and then, we can encourage many others to develop the right attitudes and that in the long round, society will be naturally reconstructed for good.

Philip Nsor was my course mate back at St. John Bosco's College of Education from 2007 to 2010. Reminiscing the good old days, one thing I vividly recall about him is he profound usage of "big words". In the same class where I was known to be good at Language and social studies, sometimes I had to argue with him on the usage of some of his words. It is interesting recalling! Even as our course rep, he would sometimes make the class very warm and lively by suddenly throwing in flamboyant dictions at the least expected moment. It was one of those moments that he was nicknamed " Isotope"
Thinking that we were making mockery of him by that name, Philip was making a brand with it and when it was our time to contest for SRC positions, Philip had already branded himself. "Isotope" became the most popular name at the time. Through vetting, reading of manifesto to the election itself, he continued to use his nickname and his profound sense of humour. That in my view helped him and he won the election decisively. In the very elections that I also contested, and many referring to me as a small boy of language, the political environment did not give favour for such but I became the deputy Agriculture, Sanitation and Environment Prefect. I was again given the task of being an editor for the College Megazzine.


It was from that elections I learnt about branding. Philip is a naturally gifted political strategist. Even when we were opposing some of his decisions with me being very loud at General Assembly, he still made his way through, by his cunning usage of Language and humour. There was no smart politician like him!! He was the man of the year.

I was privileged to have heard from him through a friend after we departed ways after completion. I heard that Isotope had used same tactics to become very popular in the NPP fraternity in the Upper East Region.
I expressed my wish to meet the gentleman again since I had loss his contact.

God on my side, he gained admission into the University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi. I heard he was searching for me and I also started the search. When we finally met, our short encounter was full of captivating vocabularies. He told me I am now overgrown in language and politics, we reminisced the past and laughed over it.
He had however promised that he would fight my records in writing and communication since those were the very strengths I used to penetrate the ever complex student politics.

Philip contested for the SRC president and loss twice but I believe many will bear with me that he is counted as one of the most influential and popular student in student politics. It is undebatable that he again used diction and humour to gain this enviable fame. Even when he appeared for vetting where I was a member of the vetting committee, I had to push him for a challenge on vocabulary. At least we shared some few there, humorously.

The University Student Politics has some additions to what we knew of, making the political environment highly unfavourable but at least he has paid his dues. Even though we are not very much closer like we used to be, perhaps because of busy schedules and now our obvious political inclinations, we are still very good friends. It is my hope that we shall one day meet in national politics.

In the spirit of friendship, principles and believes I would have been the most ungrateful person if I failed to evince my profound heartfelt gratitude and felicitations to this gentleman of great parlour, distinguished student leader, laconic icon, and a strong force in the comity of student activism, as he celebrates his milestone. It is my humble prayer that many more will learn from the political tolerance of Philip, his approach to issues and his commitment to vision. Even in very challenging situations, one cannot read the state of this gentleman. He is very strong and his usual scintillating smile is evident enough to tell you even in a first encounter.

Let me also use this opportunity to admonish my boss, friend and mate never to relent in the politics of Ghana because of the political excesses that make it extremely difficult for young and visionary men to contribute to societal progress. We must be determined to push harder because our generation cannot fail the future of this country. There is light at the end of the channel, to summarily put it.

Philip, I wish you a belated happy birthday. I still believe that I will be invited for the jollification. I am available to share the grace if it is yet to be done.

God bless your struggles.


Denis Andaban
denisandaban@gmail.com