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23.09.2014 Feature Article

Come Hell Or High Water?

Come Hell Or High Water?
23.09.2014 LISTEN

Politics, rightly or wrongly, has ballooned into having a big say in Ghana's peace. Recounting how close to the brink it brought the country in 2012, this goes without saying. In the thick of it then was Nana Akufo-Addo's 'all-die-be-die' speech. It came as a relief after the 'overrun' into the petition persuaded the Supreme Court (SC) to say; 'enough is enough'. Since then, the demeanour of Ghanaian politics has been under tight scrutiny. So the return to the rhetoric of that period, as this writer argues, is among other things letting down the nation's democracy.

Ghana's rating as an African democratic heavyweight after all is not a publicity stunt. Akufo-Addo to be blunt got-off lightly with his belligerent pledge that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will win 'come hell or high water'. Politics is not a 'free license' for politicians to say or do what they want. Ghana may have moved on from the free-for-all of yesteryears but the danger still lurks. Akufo-Addo of all people should know better having been a petitioner in addition to hopes that he would turn over a new leaf by denouncing his 'all-die-be-die' diatribe.

As Africa's chequered history demonstrates, the politics of confrontation is not her greatest forte. Rwanda is at peace today but the 'political powder keg' that triggered the genocide is a lesson for all. Ghana is not short of selfish, perverse and rogue-type politicians that promulgate milder forms of such extremism. Ghanaians so far have stood firm in a huge statement of their reverence of peace and stability. However, the situation cannot be taken for granted if hints of a semblance between Akufo-Addo's 'all-die-be-die' mantra and the latest offensive are founded.

The state's authority in its aversion of those using politics as an excuse to break the law is there for clarification. Ghanaians by way of the constitution should assert their rights without fear, intimidation, coercion and so forth. Akufo-Addo's latest bombshell is fighting talk that amounts to regression in a democracy. Moreover, it is out of touch with today's Ghana where the notion of building 'political bridges' is gathering pace. Dr Kobina Arthur Kennedy's recent comments about Akufo-Addo's bad record for violence therefore cannot be written off as internal party squabbling.

Ghanaians are politically tired and in need of political inspiration not rhetoric to tempt fate with 'blind-following'. The petition's conclusion even more has not changed anything in terms of the SC's final touchline warning. As such, lessons must be learnt from past mistakes. At the end of the day, confrontational politics is a 'costly business' on the record of the counter measures required to reassure voters. The law of wilfully causing financial loss to the state may even come into force as a deterrent if this is what it takes to restore sanity in Ghanaian politics.

As the Right Reverend Professor Emmanuel Martey said recently, fixing Ghana's problems, calls for 'wise and intelligent' leaders. His point easily applies to the foul rhetoric used without thought. 'In Akufo-Addo's case, this isn't a new kid on the block but a former Attorney General.' Are Ghanaians to believe that this is the same person being paraded by his supporters as a man of peace? Political leadership's nuance of the 'head calling the shots' is not trouble-free as seen in 2012 when NPP supporters besieged a building in Dzorwulu on what was proven to be wild claims.

Ghana is a democracy not a war zone for politicians to place their selfish ambitions above that of the state. As the Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante Antwi highlights, elections have become political hotbeds for conflicts. Not long ago, some politicians were heard advocating the 'Arab Spring' in the context of Ghana's problems. Who in the right mind, seeing the lawlessness and persecution of Black Africans by the Libyan militias for example, would want to exalt or politicise such evil? The political tight rope with 'foul-mouth' politicians running the show promises nothing but doom for Ghana.

Akufo-Addo may see 2016 as a 'come-hell or high-water' affair after two failed presidential bids but he is not joined in this enterprise by well-meaning Ghanaians. Having vowed to make Ghana ungovernable, it is ironic that the NPP now finds the chickens coming home to roost on its doorstep. Worst, the infighting, death threats and so on does not augur well for Ghanaian politics. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) by not 'pushing the boat out' after the result of the poll and SC petition is living up its commitment to peace in the hope that the rest will follow suit.

Ghana is blessed as a nation and is more than capable of achieving her aspirations. But she needs civility and humility on all fronts not just in politics. Peace, prosperity and development certainly do not reside in the 'come-hell or high water' parody that Akufo-Addo is preaching. Politics has enough on its plate without being burdened by further helpings of such 'demonic' rhetoric'. Nonetheless, the best antidote to the mindset behind this political evil is a people-led democracy where efforts are conversant with advancing the lot of the nation leaving no room for anything else.


Richmond Quarshie

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