Ghanaians, “The Victor in Peace, Stability, Unity and development”

Mother Ghana was reborn into multi-party democracy in 1992 after a long history of intermittent political systems and regime changes.

She gained independence in 1957 from western imperialism and colonialism into a united native-controlled Ghana. But seven years after the republican day of 1960, the shadows of imperialism supported some indigenes into the execution of the first ever military coup on February 1967. The pillar surrounding African “Socialism, Nkrumahism and Pan-africanism” finally fell like a tree; perhaps waiting for a supernatural resurrection and resuscitation. Unity began to shake but the dispensation of “Busiaism” brought some relieve.

Dr. Busia also began a work at his “political sunrise”- with capitalist and liberal ideas leading the way but he like Nkrumah could not get to his “political sunset” when the ghost of coup making manifested itself in flesh and incarnated into the mortal being General Kutu Acheampong. The doctrine of “acheampongism” was finally installed. It was a political doctrine that sought to promote a united Ghana without party politics or multi-party democracy. It was ready to eliminate the canker of partisan politics and usher the age of nationalism and patriotism. Many Ghanaians perhaps thought that this was the end of our political woes- But that was not so for the “Union Government” also fell through a palace coup.

Suddenly, the image of Acheampong disappeared in the presidential seat. Infamous as it was to some, other elements of the military began the journey back to democracy. The supreme military council II of General Akuffo made efforts to install back multi-party democracy but before Ghanaians could sail through; another military come back shocked the nation like a political electrocution. It was indeed a mass on June 4th 1979 led by Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.

Nevertheless, their coming back was only temporary and finally the first president from the north Dr. Hilla Limann ushered in the Third republic since the political age of Dr. Busia in the second republic.

“Limannism” also began well but gradually some elements described it to be too slow in governance to the extent that the government's own party voted against its budget. Limann could not discern the signs of the times to realize that his endtime was drawing nigh.

Before the president could comprehend any invisible illicit act; his reign had been frozen on 31st December 1981. Limann was ousted out of power not through electoral defeat but by the barrel of the same gun that allowed his election two years before.

Ghana's political stability was still shaking as a result of spasmodic regime changes and counter dynamics. But finally, the charismatic and populace doctrine of Jerry Rawlings came to stay for long. Ghanaians were happy, but some were sad. It was a paradox of realities because for the first time in our history, a military regime has been in power for long without any successful military coup. Though Ghana was making some great strives in structural adjustment programmes under this regime, the call back to constitutional democracy was becoming imminent.

Finally, finally in 1992, multi-party system of governance was restored. Ghana transited from the darkness of military rule to a fully fledged democratic light. All the military gurus were now in civilian attire just for political leadership sake. All their guns and artilleries now became a metamorphosis of ballot papers, ballot boxes- political campaigns by the mouth and an electoral vote by the thumb.

Ghana has achieved a lot from 1992 to 2012. She has been locally and internationally recognized as the pride of African democracy and political stability and we cannot afford to loose this long fought credibility and integrity.

Whether Rawlings political doctrine from 1992-2000 or Kufour's political dogma from 2001-2008, Ghanaians are the victor in peace, unity, stability and development. Whether the NDC's better Ghana agenda or the NPP's own development plans and programmes, Ghanaians are still the victor in peace, unity, stability and development.

Governments are temporary as political scientist tell us and are always transient but Ghana has existed since its birth in 1957 and will always exist until perhaps the apocalyptic future of the worlds final annihilation and subsequent blissful transformation.

Nkrumah's regime, Busia's regime, Limann, Rawlings, Kufour, Mills (May he rest in peace) and now John Mahama have done their own best but are all temporary. Only Ghana holds the sword of permanence. Peace, unity, stability and development are in our very hands like an egg waiting to be hatched by the mother hen.

Mother Ghana is pregnant with the child of peace; ready to deliver at the hospital of 7th December. Only the thumbs of eligible Ghanaian voters (and not the gun or machetes) can determine whether mother Ghana will have a safe and peaceful delivery or the miscarriage of war. Ghanaians are the midwives of peace to ensure that this child of peace will cross-over to the shore of a peaceful 2013. Whoever comes to power or which party wins; it must not be forgotten that Ghanaians have only one Ghana. The victory of peace over war, unity over disunity, stability over instability and development over underdevelopment lies in our very electoral hands.

Now to the peaceful oracle of poetry!!!
We have only 'one Ghana'; oh yes we have only one Ghana
This is because

Gold Coast was the ancient name
When western colonialism came
The secret of the little coast
Was just the plenty of Gold

Because minerals were abundant
The British saw the place important
Metamorphose in imperial woolen
Until the 1950's going

But the natives could no longer stand it:
For this colonialism was never worth it!
Oh, 'but who could face this Leviathan',
To make grand freedom and justice stand

Alas, United Gold Coast Convention,
United some of the natives
Nkrumah and Co. came out of the captives.
And on 6th March 1957 cleared
Ghana's independence was declared.

Since then the natives have been controllers
Both civilian and military rulers
Until the 1992 elections onward
Democracy began to move forward.

We can now boast of our beloved State
From West Africa and International gates
I believe, with the leaders of this fourth republic
Ghana will always be prominent in public.

Yea! Some brought VAT, GETFUND and others
Health Insurance, School-feeding to assist our mothers
Reducing many tattered schools under trees,
Single-spine and more are coming in full breeze.

Oh Ghana, now remember this!
Whether capitalist or socialist
Development is all the people want
Ideology should not conceive any conflict
To hamper progress in our entire polis

Oh Ghana don't be shrouded with nepotism
Partisanship and self-centered favoritism
Just apply the eye salve of loyal patriotism
And you will see and flee from every toxic ism.

Bear in mind that every leader did his little best
Just support the current on the challenging test
For Ghanaians have “only one Ghana”
Let us unite and support forever.

Samson C. Agbelengor
Government Master, Dega Senior High School
New Longoro, Kintampo North District