Is Not Fear That Is Keeping Our Peace But Justices

PEACE
There are many excellent definitions for peace, but to me: peace means Freedom from civil clamor and confusion, AND a mental or spiritual condition marked by freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. That is, calmness of the environment, mind and heart.

Most people think of peace only in relation to the civil society, leaving human emotions, which is even more important. How do you find peace in the midst of injustice? Will you ever be peaceful feeling cheated?

People talk of peace as if it is something on its own; peace is a fruit of justice, law and order. Ghana has been peaceful over the years because of our democratic principles to ensure justice, law and order. As long as our democracy continuous, as long as we continue to ensure justice, our peace will be protected. The former first lady of Ghana, Mrs. Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings said this in a television interview: peace comes as a result of justice, therefore, if we want to maintain our peace, we must continue to ensure democracy and justice.

We are preparing for an election in November, as usual; every Ghanaian wants a peaceful election. Many prominent people of our dear country have started campaigning in the media, churches, seminars and other places, just for a peaceful election. We congratulate and urge them on in the good fight to maintain peace in Ghana.

Stephen Appiah the peace ambassador and former Black Stars captain, during the organization his UNITY CUP organization a couple of months ago asked Ghanaians a question. He said, “Whenever there are wars in other countries, people run to Ghana for protection, where do we go as a people if ever we have war in Ghana?”

We all must take part in this fight against war. To me; Justice, Law and Order are the best weapons for this battle.

Clearly, we all need peace but the route is what many do not know.

The HOLY BIBLE in various verses has stated clearly the way to peace in our country and in our hearts. This holy book points out to us that the only way for man and for that matter a nation to know peace is by doing the right thing and observing the laws. That Great peace have they who love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (psalm 119:165, Isaiah 59:8, Isaiah 32:17).

The HOLY QUR'AN: 2.193. Keep on fighting against them until mischief ends and the way prescribed by God prevails. But if they desist, then know that hostility is only against the wrong-doers.

The two greatest books on the planet are reminding us as a county that: if our destination will be peace, then our vehicle is justice. This fact is indisputable. There are evidences around us to look at.

Our neighboring country Burkina Faso for instance, had been a peaceful country just like Ghana until October 2014. Only one thing broke their peace; INJUSTICE. The Burkinabé uprising was a series of demonstrations and riots in Burkina Faso in October 2014. They began in response to attempts to amend the constitution to allow President Blaise Compaoré to run again and extend his 27 years in office. Police used tear gas to deter the demonstrators, yet they broke through police lines to destroy government buildings, including the city hall building, and the ruling Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) party's headquarters. Burkina Faso lost lives and properties but the people never stopped until they stopped the then impending unlawful act. Compaoré dissolved the government and declared a state of emergency before eventually fleeing to Côte d'Ivoire. That is the relationship between justice and peace. Justice is peace. NO PARTY CAN WIN POWER BY FORCE IN THIS COUNTRY.

In our search for a peaceful election, let us remember the principles of justice. How do we as country ensure a free fair and credible 2016 election so as to maintain our peace? Whose responsibility is it?

It is the responsibility of the electoral commission, the security forces, the political parties, the media, religious bodies, the general public and youth as well as you.

THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF GHANA
Over the years, the electoral commission has always organized and supervised free, fair and credible election in Ghana independently. This we demand again, anything less will be dangerous for our dear country. The trouble with being a perfectionist is that anything less than perfection displeases everyone. The electoral commission must be independent, just, and transparent as always. Our last election ended up in court, though we passed that test on our democracy, it wasn’t the best for us as a country. This was due to MISTRUST, and that is what we must avoid this year. The electoral commission must build trust among the various political parties and all Ghanaians. Making them understand that as always, Ghana is the interest and not one party or the other.

The recent voters register saga saw a number of accusations of favoritism on the part of the electoral commission. Though a good counter response from the electoral commission was made to assure stakeholders of its loyalty, it must not be the end. There must be a closed door discussion with all the political parties, to assure them that no party will be favored or cheated in the coming general election. Someone must win and another loses. To accept the win everyone can, but to accepting the loss or not depends very much on TRUST. Peace is what Ghana needs, and the way forward is a free, fair and credible 2016 election. The electoral commission is the mandated body to see to that, all political parties and Ghanaians must trust the electoral commission to deliver.

POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITICIANS
To ensure a peaceful election, political parties must trust and cooperate with the electoral commission to organize a free, fair and credible election. The commission has Ghana as its greatest interest and not a single party, and it must be trusted for that.

If there are issues, now is the time to discuss and settle them, not after the election. We have to stop politicizing every decision the electoral commission takes. Ghana’s election cannot be organized by any other commission from any other country but that of Ghana’s, so we have the responsibility of making it work again.

No party should try to win favors from the commission, campaign to the electorates not the commission because it is not for the commission to choose the leaders; it is the people who decide. The Electoral Commission is an independent body, and must remain as such to perform its functions to the fullest. Every party is contesting to win, but each party must also learn how to lose an election.

To our dear politicians; as we campaign, let’s make it “politics of issues, of ideas, of manifestoes, of visions and of policies” but not politics of personalities, not of tribes, not of religions, or regions. Our democracy has grown too much to have such things.

We are one people, given the mandate, every party has the goal of eliminating poverty, improving infrastructure, creating jobs improving living standards and make Ghana a better place for all. This country is bigger than partisan politics, as such, we must be careful when campaigning. If Ghana is still in this state with all the resources we have, then we have only our politicians to blame. Do not destroy the little that has been built, by throwing Ghana into chaos with your words.

(....to be continued: request for the full piece)
CAESAR KABA KOGOZIGA
[email protected] (0545510713)

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA