The Obsession With Power And Control: You Want Power To Do What?

There is no single definition for power. Power has been defined variously by different categories of individuals at different times in history. However, one thing that cuts across all these definitions is the ability to influence or direct the actions, beliefs, or conduct of others. The threat to use or the use of force (coercion) by one person to exert influence or direct the actions of others could also be defined as power. However, such a power or influence anchored on coercion does not last. It is not legitimate and can easily be diffused or dissolved by time. Coercion here involves the capacity to compel a party to act in an involuntary manner through the use of threats. According to Mahatma Gandhi, there are two kinds of power. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love according to Gandhi is a thousand times more effective and permanent than the one derived from fear of punishment. Power, whether civil, political, religious, or traditional as we have in Ghana carries the nuance of influence and the ability to direct the actions of a group or individual. In our traditional homes, at our workplaces, in our palaces, in our churches, in politics, in the academia, and in various institutions, we see how power is exercised and how power is sometimes abused by those who are entrusted with the responsibility to act in the interest of the group. Power is sweet and everybody desires to taste power.

In the run-up to December 7 elections, politicians are crisscrossing the length and breadth of Ghana and selling their message to the electorate. They are being ferried across rivers, walking through streams, struggling to reach those in the hinterlands, trekking deep into the night and getting up at dawn just to win the minds and hearts of the ordinary Ghanaian. The political temperature and the desire for power have forced them to go to places where ordinarily, they would never venture to go. Some of them even walk and campaign in the rain. A lot of them are also doing what they would never do in a normal day. There are instances where politicians are seen washing clothes, braiding people’s hair, eating from the same bowl with voters, stirring banku (a local delicacy), fetching water for people, and doing all kinds of things in the name of winning power in an election. The version of democracy that is being practiced in Ghana and in Africa is an interesting one. One is therefore tempted to ask: “What will make a politician stoop so low to wash the clothes of the ordinary Ghanaian or braid the hair of the ordinary voter? The answer is POWER. And the second question arises: “What are they going to do with the POWER?”

You want power: But you want power to do what? There are many people who think that to have power means to be on top. They assume that power is an opportunity to tell others what to do and what not to do. Having power is nice and probably that is why power is not a foreign word in our society today. Well, power in itself is nothing indecent. It always depends on what we do with power. Whether we use it for the good of others or just for our own good. Whether we use it or misuse it. Edward Abbey once said; “Power is always dangerous. Power attracts the worst and corrupts the best”. In my candid opinion, what matters most is what power does to us in the end, how power changes us. Does it make us more human or less human; more generous or narrow-minded, simpler or overly arrogant. George W. Bush, a former president of the United States of America once said; “Use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people.” The entire concept of politics is about service and development. Unfortunately, Ghanaian politicians have acquired a totally different understanding of what political power signifies. For many, they are seeking power to enrich themselves. Others desire power to open political and financial doors to their family members and friends, to have more options in life, and to get the lion’s share in the distribution of the national cake.

Currently, we also have parliamentary candidates campaigning to be elected or re-elected. The term "Parliament" comes from an old French word "parler" which literally means “to talk” or “to speak”. It is from this that we got the French word “parlement" which could be translated as “discussion”, or “discourse”. The origin of the word makes a lot of sense because parliamentarians basically assemble to talk about laws and other issues. Parliament therefore is a place for intellectual discussion, battle of brains and wits, sound debate that aims at enhancing participatory democracy. Parliamentary candidates want power, but they want power to do what? Do they want power to debate issues of national concern, or to do dirty politics as usual? Do they want power to do the will of their constituents or their political parties? Will they be truthful and kind to their own people, or they will allow themselves to be remote-controlled by their political parties behind the scenes? Are they willing to serve the interest of the people they represent or their own parochial interest? Duane Elmer, an American trained educationist and a cross-cultural specialist once pointed out, “Power is meant to be shared with the goal of empowering others. Hoarded power weakens others and exalts oneself. Power, when grounded in biblical values, serves others by liberating them. It acknowledges that people bear the image of God and treats them in a way that will nurture the development of that image. In so doing, we honour their Creator.”

I am convinced that, it is time we began examining the calibre of individuals we choose as leaders and those who represent us in parliament. We do not need grown-ups but maturity in Parliament, we do not need noisemakers but deep thinkers in the chamber, we do not need political sensationalists, but individuals who are analytical, level-headed, articulate, credible, self-disciplined, patriotic and intrinsically human. We need people who understand the duties and responsibilities of parliamentarians in a parliamentary democracy. These are the qualities we need to see in our politicians as we desire to grow our democracy. According to Myles Munroe, who is a Bahamian evangelist, professor, author, speaker and leadership consultant, “Leadership is not about control, but service. It’s not about power, but empowerment.” We therefore need members of parliament and politicians who possess leadership skills and are prepared to serve their people with humility, dedication, respect and hard work. We need individuals who will stand by their people, defend their cultural heritage, protect lives and livelihoods, and respect the constitution of the Republic. Therefore, on December 7, do not just cast your vote for anybody, but someone who is patriotic, visionary, a deep thinker, credible, development oriented, disciplined in mind and in attitude. We need people who love Ghana more than themselves and their families. May the Lord bless our homeland Ghana and make it great and strong.

Francis Kwabena Gyabaah
Faculty of Catholic Theology
University of Vienna, Austria.