Most secure democracy assures basic necessities

Last week I suggested that we had much to learn from events in North Africa. Lack of democracy and human rights certainly had a lot to do with the strong dissatisfaction of the people. But I cautioned that we should not be taken in completely by the western media which ascribed the people’s wrath mainly to denial of freedom.

Lack of jobs and other necessities were mentioned by some demonstrators but this was not highlighted enough. The exodus of Tunisians to Italy for jobs and a better life underlines the real frustration of the people. The lesson therefore is that important as human rights, democracy and the like are, they cannot replace food, shelter and the other simple necessities of life.

What should we therefore do to ensure that our present democracy and freedoms continue and improve and that life is not only just bearable but grows more pleasant? Fortunately, we do not have to go outside Ghana to find out what we should do as is the usual practice. Our own constitution tells us what to do.

Those who drafted the Constitution did a good job and we were wise to adopt it. Of cause it can be improved upon. But that is not the priority at the moment. Our problems are not due to the shortcomings of the Constitution but to our inability or refusal to capture its spirit and move forward with it as a living testament. In this particular instance of understanding the wind of warning from the north, our Constitution is explicit.

Art icle 36{2} it states:
“The state shall in particular take all necessary steps to establish a sound and healthy economy whose underlying principles shall include:

{c} The recognition that the most secure democracy is the one that assures the basic necessities of life for its people as a fundamental duty”

I do not think we pay adequate attention to “The Directive Principles of State Policy” in the Constitution. The quotation above is part of the Directive Principles.

The directives are not as precise or legalistic as other requirements of the constitution. For example it tells us precisely when a person is qualified to be a member of parliament. If any attempt is made to elect or install an unqualified person the protests would be intense and passionate.

We do not however question whether “the national economy is managed in such a manner as to maximise the rate of economic development” as Art 36{1} requires. It is true that we fervently discuss the inflation and the like produced by the state’s economic management.

But we discuss these indices as ends in themselves. After all you can have high inflation when the economy is managed to maximise the rate of economic development. The important question is how the adverse effects of maximum growth are contained so that the “maximum welfare freedom and happiness of every person in Ghana” are promoted.

Such discussion and arguments will draw the best ideas of our gifted people and we will then talk less and think more.

With regard to education Art 38{2} requires parliament within two years after it first meets to draw up a programme for implementation within the following ten years for the provision of free compulsory and universal basic education.

However, chapter six is silent about the more important issue of an economic plan which will make it possible to implement the policy on education. Perhaps this was done to avoid ideological debate. But I would gladly join in a discussion to amend the constitution so that the state takes such economic measures as to enable the education, health and other social objectives to be met.

The Constitution however is alive to the fact if its laudable objectives are to be met, the state must implement plans which will require implementation beyond the four year stay of a government. It therefore states in Art 35{7} that “As far as practicable governments shall continue and execute projects and programmes commenced by the previous governments”

It is interesting that the next article states that “The state shall take steps to eradicate corrupt practices and the abuse of power”

One reason why projects are not continued is that they are often not straight-forward contracts. Friends and party big wigs are favoured and money changes hands. The new government therefore scrutinises projects before it continues them, lest it gives money to its opponents to undermine it.

Our leaders and politicians should learn from events in North Africa. The hiding places for stolen money are becoming fewer and fewer. Public office is for service not for personal gain.

We should not be nervous about events in North Africa. If anything at all it tells us that we should continue strengthening democracy and uprooting corruption. We should above all create an all-embracive economic policy and practices which really give hope to the verandah-boys and foot-soldiers.

Genuine leaders and politicians who strive to bring about this should not be troubled about garning position and wealth for themselves. Even when they are more we may say in the language of the English Poet Laureate Robert Bridges.

“Rejoice ye dead, where’re your spirits dwell

Rejoice that yet an earth your fame is bright
And that your acumens remembered day and night
Live on the lips of those who love you well”