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Ghana’s Election Petition: Why
Peace is a Must
Derrick Owusu-Kodua
Ghana, being the last vestige of hope for a continent riven with
conflicts and wars following elections will again prove to the
world of its ability to uphold the unflinching tenacity and
perseverance to maintain peace. For the first time in history
Ghana’s nascent democracy is being tested amid ongoing
presidential election petition marked with obstruction. While
the ongoing presidential election petition has stirred up a
whirlwind political atmosphere, it could also strengthen and
promote freedom and prosperity for the West African nation.
However, the actions of the political leaders could drift
reality, paving way for discord and chaos to fill the void. The
aftermaths of elections which in most cases seem to be an
insuperable obstacle to maintaining peace in most African
countries could also find their way to the Ghanaian back doors.
And Ghanaians should be concerned more about the aftermath of
the verdict of the election petition than their own political
affiliations. Despite the protracted legal wrangling of the
presidential election petition and the lingering resentment in a
country deeply fractured along partisan lines, how political
leaders interpret the verdict to ordinary Ghanaians could go a
long way to determine the country’s future in the civilised
world.
Millions of Ghanaians’ hopes of earning a decent living like
their counterparts in other parts of the world have been
truncated. Despite the country’s attainment of a middle income
status, many people still live in excruciating poverty. Ghana
has successfully elected government in a democratic manner since
1992, yet the country still heavily depends on foreign aids for
even the most basic needs. A conflict in Ghana will compel
individuals to seek for foreign aids themselves as we have seen
in most African war-torn countries. Is that what politicians
want for ordinary Ghanaians who entrusted them to the positions
they are now? Good governance and leadership has been the
linchpin of every advanced country. The political leaders are
responsible for maintaining peace as their actions and
influences are sine qua non of the creation of conducive
political atmosphere for the nation to thrive.
Both the National Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic
Party (NDP) led the country before, yet the country saw no
significant changes in economic and social development. The era
of governance of both parties was characterised with corruption,
poverty, high rate of youth unemployment, widening gap between
the poor and rich, just to mention a few. Although Ghana gained
independence in 1957 which is considered as still a young
country, Ghana cannot use this as an alibi of its failure to
rack up considerable economic and social development. Countries
such as Singapore and Malaysia have all made it, but they are as
young as Ghana. These countries’ leadership was the driving
force behind peace, economic growth and social development. With
Ghana in a grip of the mire of poverty, political problems such
as the one the country is facing now need joint effort from
these two big political parties in ameliorating. Political
leaders are elected to serve the interest of the people. At
least if political leaders cannot formulate policies that will
propel economic and social growth, they should be able to
promote peace. The essence of peace cannot be compromised and
the current political situation should not be utilised for
personal and self-centred gains at the expense of ordinary
Ghanaians.
Ghanaians have trust in the country’s Judiciary system to
execute its duties and pass a fair verdict. If the political
leaders truly seek peace and prosperity for the nation, then
undoubtedly peace will prevail. However, with Ghana political
positions and appointments associated with perks such as fringe
benefits, the reactions of the political leaders of the NDC and
NPP to the verdict of the country’s highest court are
unpredictable. Whatever decisions the court will take, political
leaders of both parties need to abide by them and seek peace to
resolve any issue arising. Ordinary Ghanaians are in a better
position to prevent such issues from happening in future
elections. Empowering every Ghanaian will help in promoting free
and fair elections. A boiling of discomfort and hopelessness
inside many Ghanaians could be a true sign of a stoic tolerance
of the political atmosphere. However, the mendacity of the
Ghanaian political system stirs up vitriolic memories of the
colonial-era in many Ghanaians swimming in abject poverty.
Politicians should be ashamed of themselves for living better
while many live in appalling conditions.
The policies politicians make today will go a long way to
enhance the Ghanaian electoral system. Today the NPP is
complaining about election fraud, next time who knows it might
be NDC or any other political party. All political parties
should cooperate in creating new policies that will ensure a
transparent electoral system. On the other hand, the actions and
responses of all Ghanaians after the verdict of the Election
Petition, withal, could transcend patriotism and maintain peace.
Ghana should move forward to serve as a paradigm to other
African countries. The role of political leaders could determine
the country’s future on a continent marred by conflicts and
wars. Long Live Ghana!
Derrick Owusu-Kodua
E-mail: drickok@yahoo.com
Research intern at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
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