GHANA WILL NOT BE ANOTHER KENYA OR ZIMBABWE- Ghana will be Ghana
The international community is now focusing its full attention on Ghana regarding the forth coming Presidential and Parliamentary Elections that will take place on December 7, 2008. The international community is very concerned about the outcome of the elections so as not to create another situation such as that in Kenya and currently in Zimbabwe. The will of the people of Ghana to test the fragile African democracies will be tested. It is the considered opinion of this writer that Ghana will not turn out to be either Kenya or Zimbabwe. Ghanaians are very good in carrying out their legitimate rights and more importantly avoid any kind of situation that will cause national tension and bring about political confusion and agitation. The times of Malam Tula, Kofi Latrine etc are over.
Those who perpetuated the wave of political violence, crimes and uproar, throwing bombs here and there are over. The perpetrators of these crimes have had their ways and formed governments and some of them are currently in the present government. I am sure they will not agitate for such crimes or political uprisings and disturbances in the country to interrupt the peaceful coexistence of Ghanaians. The elections will be peaceful and the results will be accepted by Ghanaians. Currently candidates for elective offices have vowed to avoid any such disturbances and to abide by the rules of the games and should there be any discrepancies, legal and constitutional steps to address the situation will be taken. However, it must be noted that those who will provoke such situations should be talked to and be educated immediately.
These group include some individuals who write articles in the papers and make uncalled for statements about what will happen if they should loose the election. Newspapers should be guided to refrain from statements that will bring about confusion and political disturbance in the country. The political leaders should stick to their statements and not call for arms if their party should loose the presidential election. It is a general believe that once a candidate looses an election in Africa, their reason is that the election was rigged, it was stolen, etc etc. To do away with this question, the Electoral Commission that has been charged to monitor and supervise the elections should remain free from any quarter of political pressure. The EC should remain non partisan and not show any favors to any candidate or party. All Ghanaians should be election monitors and report immediately to the EC if they should detect any malpractice. The sincerity and honesty of the EC Commissioner and its officers is key to a peaceful election. Ghanaians have learn the serious situations in both Kenya and Zimbabwe where there have been losts of human lives and the economies are in tatters. Ghanaians will not allow this to happen and will do whatever is reasonably necessary to avoid it. The words of all political candidates should be respected and honoured.
Trouble will begin only when and if a defeated Presidential candidate calls for arms and total disrespect for the law and election guidelines. All Ghananains should ensure that there is peace after the elections. The results will go either way and the losers naturally will not be happy. Reliance for a peaceful Ghana after the elections should be the people and not any international monitoring organization. Ghanaian should be capable of taking care of themselves and the leaders should show “leadership” when it becomes necessary for them to do that. Politics should not be a personal issue but should be considered a public issue and the public reaction should be respected. The Center for Civic Education need to intensify their civic education programs around the country as we get closer and closer to December. It is extremely
important that the general public should be reminded that your political opponent is not your enemy and elections are part of political participation in a democracy. It is equally important that all political candidates in from the Presidential Candidates to the Parliamentary candidates should jointly make statements on the eve of the election advising their supporters to refrain from any problems that may be imposed on them by some political agitators and refrain from causing trouble. The leaders should pledge their respect for any results and to uphold the good spirit of all Ghanaians for a peaceful election. The Center for Civic Education should arrange to have this promotions prepared in advance and air them at least a few times during leading to the election week. Editors of newspapers, radio stations and any other media should refrain from hatred and any type of ill advised political agitation in the country. Ghanaians have to proof to the world that they are fully matured and can handle the results of the elections peacefully in the spirit of “Ghanahood” and grace. Peace
Dr. Paul Abudu is the President of ADC Consulting Associates USA, a US based financial consulting company
By Paul B. Abudu, Ph.D.
Source: Paul B. Abudu, Dr.
