Curing The ‘Lethargy’ In Ghana’s Multiparty Democracy: Is A Third Viable Force The Answer?

Since the coming into force of the Fourth Republican Constitution and multiparty democracy that came in its wake, what Ghanaians have witnessed is the alternating of power between the two main political traditions. The reign of power, has only alternated between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). While the NPP is for example leaning to the centre-right and rooted in capitalist beliefs; the NDC is leaning towards the centre-left.

Even though these two political parties’ philosophies are rooted in Social Democratic and Liberal (stand to be corrected) democratic ideals respectively, exigencies and prevailing socioeconomic times have compelled them into being pragmatic in the ways and manner they pursue their development policies.

This is to be expected because, even in jurisdictions where socialist or capitalist policies are seen as a no! no!, governments are increasing probing such boundaries in order to remain relevant to the political and socioeconomic conversations of their countries. With the increasing global economic instabilities and melt-downs, even ultra-capitalist economies like the US are all pursuing socially-driven policies. With socialist countries like Cuba and China pursuing capitalist’ economic policies, it is okay when there is an ideological and policy conflation between the two political traditions in Ghana. The question is: have these two political traditions (over these years) made any conscious, committed and genuine efforts to transform the socioeconomic well-being of the Ghanaian?

While this question-as usual-is expected to elicit different responses, just like the polarization in our political conversations, the overriding concern is: are we happy with our current socioeconomic status? This question might sound absurd to some people, since development is not an event but a process. However, while we all acknowledge that development is not an event, there are clearly defined indices to show that countries are pursuing the right mix and combination of policies to improve the welfare of their people. Take for example the ranking of countries with the relative ease to do business in? Look at where we are placed in terms of Global Corruption Perception Index. All these are indicators that can help us frame our conversations into proper perspectives. Beyond all these “grammar”, have we even taken a distance to reflect on how the over-politicisation of national issues has corrupted our moral ecology? These are the germane issues.

Lack of a viable third political force

While most critical observers of the Ghanaian political atmosphere agree that a third viable force is needed to reinvigorate our multiparty conversations, happenings in political parties that have the potential to serve this purpose leave us with more questions than answers. Despite Nkrumah’s shortcomings, I am one of those who believe that the seeming lack of vitality and synergy between Nkrumahists is one major reason for the lack of a third viable force. The coming into power of a political party with Nkrumah’s philosophies has been long overdue. There are fine, well-informed and sophisticated people who share in Nkrumah's ideals. However, the lack of consensus in their front has cost them very dearly.

If they can break the barriers that divide them, then they stand a greater chance of becoming a formidable alternative. With a united front, they can become the rallying point for the teeming disgruntled and disenfranchised youth who think they have had enough of the two major political traditions. There are a whole lot of youngsters out there who through literature, have come to appreciate what it means to have national policies rooted in Nkrumah's ideals. Nkrumah's ideals and beliefs dwarf the exploits of most immediate post-independent African leaders.

Nkrumah has become a phenomenon to the point where Institutions of Higher Learning in some East African countries have mounted Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in his name. That is how respected Nkrumah's values are held. Shaka Ssali; a renowned VOA Broadcast Journalist always points out how people like Nkrumah would have done things differently; compared to the corruption, patrimony and outright disrespect for the dignity of the African that is flagrantly being perpetrated by African leaders and their political cronies.

Unfortunately, while such ideals are being associated with Nkrumah elsewhere, back home it is becoming nearly impossible for those who share in his ideals to work together for a common purpose. No wonder for over twenty years since the inception of multiparty democracy in Ghana, there has yet to be a government formed and rooted in Nkrumah's beliefs and philosophies. I am glad conversations (as I am made to believe) are currently ongoing in some circles to find plausible ways of making all the Nkrumahists come under one umbrella in the coming 2016 general elections.

A “new” third viable force oriented in Labour Union Ideals

With all the labour agitations in the country, I am wondering why Labour Unions in Ghana are not conceiving the thought of forming a political party that has at its core, the welfare of labour unions and its membership. Or, find a way of playing key roles in the affairs of any of the major political parties, so that they can be in the pole position to influence how policies in such parties are formulated and executed. Such strategies have helped in shaping policy decisions in other jurisdictions.

For instance, even though the Labour Party in UK is gradually trying to wean itself off, from the increasing influence of labour unions, these unions continue to shape conversations around socioeconomic policies. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) still remains a dominant force in the political conversations in South Africa. With their affiliation to the African National Congress (ANC), they use their sheer numbers to influence how especially labour reforms are carried out.

Similar projects can be pursued by organised labour in Ghana, so that their united front can become the bargaining chip for influencing policies relating to their “nokofio” and other necessities that revolve around the general well-being of their members. Where they are even unable to directly influence political parties, they can decide to form a new political tradition that is genuinely and wholly rooted in the ideals of their unions. After all, they have a larger front; all that would be left is: how to develop party manifestos that resonate with their members. They can even influence policy from the position of “king makers”: where parties need the support of another political party organisation(s) to win power.

Going Forward

If for over twenty years, since Ghana adopted multiparty democracy only two political traditions have formed government then, something serious needs to be done for a third political force to emerge. With the two major political traditions unable to meet our development needs halfway, a third political alternative is needed to wake the two major parties from “slumber”. They need to be reminded that there is a possibility for the rise of another alternative force. They (NPP and NDC) have remained in their comfort zones for far too long.

The presence of a third force would surely trigger the creative juices in them to pursue policies that are not “mediocre”; but policies with the potential to respond to the ever challenging and frustrating socioeconomic hurdles bedeviling the ordinary Ghanaian.

The rise of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in UK, has begun to rejigger conversations around which party is the most credible, when it comes to the welfare of the ordinary Brit. Such a political culture is what Ghana badly needs. A political environment where there are no “guarantees” irrespective of the ethnic or tribal affiliations of political leaders. But, judgments passed solely and wholly on the potential of governments to deliver on their development promises. May God bless our homeland Ghana.

Inusah Mohammed Awall

Twitter: @Wagoooni