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08.10.2007 Editorial

Giving A Dog A Bad Name

08.10.2007 LISTEN
By

A certain unfortunate perception is gaining currency on the other side of the political divide which we deem necessary to tackle in the interest of our nascent democracy.

For the adversaries of the NPP and democracy as a form of governance, the countrywide campaign being undertaken by presidential aspirants in the party is smeared with malfeasance.

These small, yet vociferous crops of Ghanaians who are holding on to this perception are being propelled by malicious intentions in an attempt to give the party a bad name and hang it publicly.

Democracy, the most acceptable form of government worldwide, is an expensive venture, there is no doubting it.

Those who pretend there are corner cutting options are not only being mischievous but playing the ostrich.

Moving people and paraphernalia from one end of the country to the other involves money, let alone packaging messages for presentation on the airwaves and in print for the attention of the electorate.

Perhaps the large number of NPP aspirants and the accompanying expenditure involved in their campaigns is giving the erroneous impression that there is a sort of extravagance or that something untoward is taking place.

We are not acquiescing to the proclivity for dipping hands in government kitty to prosecute a politician's campaign. Such criminal activities should not be condoned and we cannot be associated with it.

Seeking the hearts of the over two hundred delegates, as in other such political ventures, is not a picnic. It involves packaging one's messages in the most appealing fashion and presenting these to those who hold the ace at the delegates' conference.

Indeed these delegates form the Electoral College and they must be convinced in a competitive setting.

Fundraising activities, among others, are acceptable means of raising money to prosecute political campaigns with a view to winning the hearts of either the delegates or the country as a whole.

In the largest democracy, the US, this is one of the most known means of raising funds. If we have accepted that democracy is the form of governance we want and gone ahead to adopt it, then we must be prepared to go with its expensive attributes.

Our support for democracy in place of dictatorship is loud and clear and so we should be steadfast and avoid playing into the hands of those who mean no good for this country.

Besides fundraising, politicians can seek the support of their wealthy friends who can provide funds for them to prosecute their campaigns.

We should be fair with ourselves when dealing with such subjects under review by going back to our recent history in this country.

Have we so soon forgotten about the many vehicles the National Democratic Congress (NDC) bought in their heydays?

Can't we recall Mr. Jerry John Rawlings telling prying Ghanaians, who sought details of how he got so much money to buy the vehicles for his party, to “cut my throat”?

It is the recognition of the fact that democracy is expensive that propelled others to go abroad in search of funds for their 2008 dream.

A transparent raising of funds for political activities as being witnessed is part of democracy and should be considered as such.

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