John Dramani Mahama and Ghana’s Presidency: A Test or Testimony

Ethnicity as a symbol of identity has been a tool for mobilising people in Africa for many reasons. Ethnicity has shaped African political and governance history from the times of independence struggles till date. Many of these historical accounts of ethnicity in African politics are linked to conflicts, wars, discriminations, and marginalization among others. Notable in these accounts are the apartheid in South Africa, the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the civil war in Liberia, the 2007 Kenyan elections violence and many others. Ghana, due to its democratic success for the past two decades, has been seen by many as a pacesetter in democracy, governance and peace in sub-Sahara Africa. Despite our relative success in electoral democracy and peace, we should not underestimate the potential of ethnic tensions, discriminations and marginalization in undoing these positive developments in the country. Some analysts have referred to the observed ethnic entrenchment in the country and have termed it a time bomb.

Institutional ethnic politics was brought to an end in the country as a result of the Avoidance of Discrimination Act in 1957 (C.A.38). The act did succeed in putting an end to institutional tribal politics in Ghana. However, tribalism and ethnicity have found alternative roots of entry into Ghanaian politics especially with the inception of multi-party democracy in the country. The “ethnicization” of the term north is deeply rooted in the country's political structure. Northern Ghana is a complex geography with vast land and varying ethnic groupings and tribes numbering more than forty (40). Despite the diversity and the complexity of the north, comprising of the upper east, upper west and northern region, the term northerner is commonly used to denote people coming from the northern part of the country instead of Gurushi, Mamprusi, Wala, etc. The reverse is the case in other parts of the country where people are most likely to be called Ewe, Fante, Ga etc. instead of southerner for instance. It is the view of the author that the ethnicization of a complex and diverse people of the north is motivated by political expediency aimed at treating the entire north as one constituency, compounding the historical discriminations and marginalization that have bedevilled the north since the colonial period. Key political parties in the country have reserved the north as a constituency of vice presidential candidates in national elections. The emergence of his Excellency John Dramani Mahama (JDM) as the presidential candidate of the ruling National Democratic Congress has brought to the fore again the questions of the fitness of a northerner to rule the country. Some people have in open and private conversations expressed their disapproval of a northerner ruling the country since the nomination and subsequent election of his Excellency, JDM by the National Democratic Congress (NDC). This piece will examine the historical factors that have accounted for the north-south divide in the country, outline the contributions of key political parties in sustaining this divide, make a case for true democratisation and equal opportunities for all, and cautioned well meaning Ghanaians to be ware of those who will use ethnicity as a political tool in the coming elections.

The Historical Divide: Roots Of The Problem.

The socio-economic and structural division of Ghana into south and north takes its roots from the colonial legacy of the European masters who ruled the country for at least a century. The advent of the Europeans to the country through the Atlantic Ocean made coastal Ghana a suitable and strategic location for comfort and trade to the European adventurers and later colonial masters. The settlement along the coast facilitated trade mainly the import of foreign goods and the export of local goods including slaves across the Atlantic Ocean. Forts and castles were built to accommodate the European traders and their goods. These forts and castles provided natural habitation for the European masters in the advent of colonization. Northern Ghana had very limited physical interaction with the white European traders and later colonial masters. Emissaries who helped in the exchange of the white man's goods for mainly the slaves of the north mediated such interactions. This trend continued during the colonial period by the establishment of commissions with few white representations that handled the administration of the north and reported to the central government in the south. The concentration and presence of the colonial administration in the south had significant impact on the creation of the north-south divide. The European masters were able to explore the southern environment in detail that led to the development of the human and natural resources of the south such as the establishment of schools, creation of gold and precious minerals mines, development of cocoa plantations and many others. The north did not have this opportunity. This meant the natural and human resources of the north, such as the Shea industry, the agricultural potential; the mineral deposits, human education, etc were neglected for a long time.

The analysis above seeks to indicate that the concentration of attention of the colonial administration on the south helped in turning the active human resources of the north into labour for the southern cocoa plantations and gold mines. Therefore the energetic youth of the north in search of livelihoods, especially during non-farming seasons thronged to the south to satisfy the labour demands created by the emerging industries in the south. This, in the opinion of the writer, set the agenda for the structural dependence of the north on the south. The forefathers of the current generation of northerners had served the south by labouring in the plantation farms of their southern clients; their fathers played their part by serving as security/watchmen, drivers and messengers in order to protect and provide comfort to the rich southern clients of theirs. The current generation of northern youth have found themselves in this web of master-servant southerner-northerner relationship by assuming the positions of messengers, drivers, security, and deputies in the more advanced and dignified settings. Many, for lack of education and opportunities due to poverty, are carrying wares in the principal markets in the south for wages. The master-servant or perhaps the first-second citizen relations between the southerner and the northerner, as a result of historical conveniences, decisions and indecisions, and marginalization, has become an internalised truth to many Ghanaians including some northerners. Therefore the quest of JDM to rule the country as an elected president to some is a test, which has no testimony other than that of failure. Our political system through the activities of the major parties, has contributed to this phenomenon.

Tribalising Politics: The Role Of Key Political Parties In Ghana

As stated in the introduction, the end of institutional tribal politics in Ghana in 1957 did not in fact end the phenomenon in its entirety. The organization, form, decisions, actions and inactions of political parties have contributed to sustaining tribal sentiments in our body politic. A brief comparison between the NDC and NPP, the parties that have and still hold the potential to rule the country into the foreseeable future, will help us understand how ethnicity is playing out in Ghanaian politics and the potential dangers associated with this. Since the return to constitutional democracy in 1992, the NDC is the first of the two parties to field a northerner as a presidential candidate for national elections in the person of his Excellency, JD Mahama. It's no doubt that the choice of Mahama as a presidential candidate of the ruling NDC is more of an accident than a plan. However, one wonder how the NPP would have reacted if the same circumstances that led to Mahama's candidacy had happened during the regime of his Excellency J.A. Kuffour and Aliu Mahama. This never happened and for that matter anyone can argue for any possible action the NPP could have taken. However, the fact that the NPP has not faced the circumstance faced by the NDC does not mean we can't do meaningful judgement of the realities and possibilities. Kufour hand picked Aliu as a running mate for 2000 and 2004 elections. Aliu in his 2008 congress manifesto remarked that he had ruled the country for two years in the 8 years of Kuffour's presidency. We know it's a common tradition worldwide for presidents at the end of their constitutional rule, to support their vice presidents to win power unless in few cases where there have been an impasse between a president and his/her vice. Such did not happen in the case of Kuffour and Aliu, but the big question is why did Kuffour dump Aliu and went for Kyeremanteng? If this was not motivated by ethnic reasons, it certainly could not have been for the incompetence of the person of Aliu. Because just like Bawumia, Aliu would have been noted to have something to offer the party unless his choice was only to satisfy a constituency of the north.

The form of the two parties presents characteristics that draw out clear lines for people to see. The NPP has Akan dominance, an estimated Akan membership of 65-75% across the country. The NDC in contrast, has no single tribal grouping that can boast of up to 30% of its national membership. This was clearly manifested in the 2008 national elections where in the case of the closeness of the contest, the NPP had actually won in only the three Akan dominated regions of the country. In an open confirmation, Nana Addo in his all “die be die” speech openly alluded to the Akan stance of the party by using the term “yen akan-four”. This has made it increasingly difficult for one to contest the view of some analyst that the NPP is a tribal party. A rise in ethnic hate speeches within the political system in recent times deserves an acknowledgement. Events building up to this year's national elections have seen open political hate speeches, all of which are notably from the NPP. Among these are Nana Addo's call to akan-four to rise and fight, Fanteakwa (Kwabena Amankwa Asiamah) MP's referral to northerners as “violent and lazy” and the declaration of war by Kennedy Agyepong on the Ewes and Gas of Ghana. On political commitment, decisions, actions and inactions, there are significant things to note about NPP's policy. The intention to go HIPC was motivated by the extreme poverty of the north, however, after 8 years of NPP administration, studies have documented that only 17% of HIPC funds were invested in the three northern regions (first 4 years) (See Akologo/SEND Ghana, 2006-Where Did Ghana HIPC Funds Go?). The Tamale regional and teaching hospital was on NPP's promised policy plans for 8 years that Kuffour ruled the country but nothing practically happened. Such diversions of national development projects to the south and the negligence of the north by the NPP administration cannot have objective justifications other than on ethnic preferences. Within the past year, the Tamale teaching hospital has been given a face-lift with the construction of new hospital block and the continued renovation of the entire hospital to meet the standards of Korlebu and KATH. There are many other obvious events that are linked to ethnically driven politics in Ghana mostly connected to the NPP.

However, my analysis above is not to make one party look pro-north and another pro-south. The observations above are to point out how ethnicity is playing out in our body politic and the potential dangers inherent in such a political system. To me, a party that neglects southerners or particular ethnic group(s) is as bad as a party that neglects northerners or particular ethnic group(s). The dangers of ethnic driven politics are numerous, as we have seen in many African countries. I am by this piece, bringing to the attention of Ghanaians the happenings in our political system that may not seem obvious to many, and the challenges that these happening pose to national unity, cohesion, development and the sustenance of our young democracy. Ethnic entrenchment and the sharing of resources and power on the basis of ethnicity are dangerous and unsustainable in the long run. These often lead to conflicts and destructions as we saw in Rwanda for instance.

Tribes Or Traits: The Big Question For Ghana's Future

Ethnicity and tribalism are useful tools of identity and mobilization. They are useful in that they allow for understanding of uniqueness, diversity, and traits of a people. This understanding provides opportunity for peaceful cohabitation meaningful interactions among people of different ethnic backgrounds. It is also possible that ethnicity can provide avenues for the destruction of civilizations if it's employed for the wrong causes. This is more so in political systems where ethnicity becomes the basis upon which power and resources are shared. Such political systems cannot stand the test of time. As an emerging democracy, Ghana should strive to build a system that embodies the true principles of constitutional democracy; rule of law, respect for human and people's rights, the creation of equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of ethnic, tribal, social class etc. and the guarantee of equal rights provided by the law. The country must provide for equal opportunities and self-realisation for every citizen irrespective of gender, ethnicity, social class, religion, etc. To be truly democratic and progressive nation, our systems should reward talent, intelligence, hard work, innovation, determination, potential etc. traits that are universally achievable by all and not linked to ethnic and or socio-economic or religious backgrounds of people. America presents a good example for us. The ability of the American political system to overcome its racial discrimination and to have a black president today is a demonstration of a system that gives equal opportunities to paupers and the rich alike. Ghana's political system should therefore not allow an Akyim any superiority over a Fulani, a Manprusi any advantage over a Fante, prefer a male over female or a physically fit person over a disabled person.

The candidacy of JD Mahama for presidency of the country has led some people to question the ability of a northerner to rule the country. The fact that this question is ethically motivated is the more worrying and deserving of attention of well meaning Ghanaians. Candidate Mahama is in no doubt a distinguished politician in his traits of gentility, humility, political tolerance, outstanding leadership and a symbol of unity. He has never raised an accusing finger against his political opponent; never use derogative or insulting word on an opponent. He has remained, since his entry into politics, very objective in his political debates and analysis. He is no doubt, one of the few politicians in Ghana who commands respect beyond his political party supporters. He has been commended by distinguished personalities of the country even before he became a national political figure. It's without doubt that his personality won him the confidence of the then candidate Mills to pick him as a running mate in the 2008 elections. Many will agree with me that JD Mahama stands tall among his political contenders on his statesmanship and his potential to lead Ghana to the promised land of unity, prosperity and equality.

The election of JD Mahama as the NDC's presidential candidate for the December election is a demonstration of the party's commitment to national representation and equality for all irrespective of place of origin. It's the singular party among the key political parties in Ghana to have a wider regional representation-Volta, Central and Northern-in terms of presidential candidates for the past 20 years. Whilst we commend the NDC for its national appeal, we call on the NPP to reform itself to reflect the character of a national political party and to ensure its membership of equal opportunities. Issues, ideas, promise and show of present and past records should guide the 2012 general elections. We should guard against the enemies of the country who will trumpet ethnic sentiments for political expediency.

H.S. Wumpini
[email protected]
+44783809012