THE THEORY OF SUPERSTRUCTURE DEMOCRACY AND THE GHANA ARMED FORCE

The theory of SUPERSTRUCTURE DEMOCRACY has been developed to enable democracy to function better in the society where the usurpation of government by dictatorial forces is rampant. It is an attempt to block the efforts of certain forces in the African context that have for so many years impeded the progress of governments to enjoy freedom in their democratic pursuits. Where this has been the case, the so-called military regimes and certain interest groups have usurped the power from constitutionally elected governments and have engaged in the trial and error methods to steer the affairs of the state. Due to this poor form of governing they employ, systematic development of democracy, which is the rule by the people or citizens of a country, has not been realised.

The theory states that in order to gain order, peace, stability, dignity, and legitimacy, in the society, certain elements of the culture should be integrated into the democratic process to allow it function better in the society. In other words, the superstructure democracy purports to say if we embellish the mainstream power structure with traditional authorities, we should be capable of gaining tremendous strength that will overcome any opposing forces to the practice of sound democracy in the society.

In the example taken from Ghana, then, the superstructure democracy permits us to combine the powers of the National House of Chiefs to block the efforts of certain forces that had for a long time thwarted the utilisation of sound democratic principles to gain roots in Ghana. By allowing the members of this National House of Chiefs to perform their function as SYMBOLIC ELECTORS, they give legitimacy to the election of a superior figure in the country as the President of the Republic. It goes like this that whenever there were to be a new republic in the country, first, the people or the citizens would conduct the general election to choose their parliamentarians as well as the President, the latter, who has immutable power in the country during fixed term in office. While the conduction of these elections result in the selections of these public figures as Parliamentarians make the procedure of elections valid for the Parliamentarians, for the President, this is not valid as a further action may be needed. He would be required, according to the constitution of the country, to undergo another election where the symbolic electors make their own election or endorsement to choose once again this President.

This procedure to choose the President of the country not only allows the members of the National House of Chiefs symbolically to transfer their powers to the powerful President but also to present him and make him immortal figure in order to guarantee success concerning his presidency. It provides the most powerful man in the country security to accomplish his responsibility peacefully and considerable influence to hold the office of the most powerful person in the Republic.

The two days which, according to the constitution, they should utilise to elect this President enables them to comment on his character and personality and scrutinise his qualification prior to endorsing him for the job. The President from then on, possesses the power to commence and achieve his aims which he has already presented in his party programme.

What becomes apparent concerning this constitutional changes (that shall be made in the future, if it becomes necessary) is that, any citizen who does not abide by the prerequisites of the constitution and on his own usurps power either through coup d'état or assassination, will not be elected to fulfil the function of the most powerful person in the country. Since the National House of Chiefs possess power themselves and always have the people on their side, any attempt to go against this procedure will be met with a strong force that can be crushed in no time. With these people as commanders, it seems reasonable to argue that no power can resist them and the people in their attempt to put order first in their agenda for proper sound democracy. The punishment of any individual committing this crime would automatically be life imprisonment or death, which according to the law regarding treason it would be appropriate to apply in this context.

As the Army also possesses power themselves what would be the relationship between these two powers, I mean, the National House of Chiefs, that is, the Upper House and the Armed Forces?

THE ROLE OF THE ARMED FORCES REMAINS THE SAME

The superstructure democracy does not diminish the power of the Armed Forces because the National House of Chiefs recognises the work of the former as necessary for the security of the nation. The Army shall continue to make progress in carrying out their responsibility as a strong power that will fight the enemy and issue strong protection concern the people and the republic as a whole.

THE RELATIONSHIP IS ONE OF CORDIAL AND RESPECT

The relationship between these powers will be more stable because of the respect they have for each other. Each recognises the role of the other and how the republic must survive through the combination of their efforts to bring peace. It must be emphasised that with the institution of the National House of Chiefs, it will be impossible for any person from the Army to go on his way to plan such a terrible thing. Though the use of weapons have furnished the Army earlier ideas that they could take over power, this will not be easy for any person to dare pose such a challenge in the future because he has little chance of succeeding.

CONCENTRATION ON PROFESSIONALISM AND SECURITY ISSUES

As the National House of Chiefs enters the political scene, the Armed Forces will be compelled to concentrate on getting good training and strengthen their professional credentials. They shall be concerned with the work of maintaining good security and international assignments which shall give them good name and professional promotion in the country. They shall seek for international solidarity which usually provides the officers good name and better remuneration.

PEACE AND STABILITY WILL BE ACHIEVED IN A UNIQUE MANNER

Once the Armed Forces have understood the necessity of concentrating on their roles in the country, it shall provide the country adequate conditions to enjoy peace and stability in the country. The fear of usurping government will be eradicated completely from the minds of these professionals, which will also offer them security and proper focus in their work and noble service to the nation.

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND SYSTEMATIC GOVERNING

The institution of the National House of Chiefs into the mainstream power structure, and realisation of the Armed Forces their proper duty in the country, will enable Ghana to become interested in International solidarity; this shall give the power structure energy to develop further the democratic principles which will not only help at home but also the major work abroad concerning democratisation of the whole African continent.

END OF MANIPULATIVE FORM OF GOVERNING
Lack of adequate training given to the Army Institution concerning the steering of a nation had pushed Ghana and many African countries to adopt manipulative style of ruling. This is a bad approach of taking care of government business. Once the National House of Chiefs has been allowed to take part in governing, it will usher Ghana into a new era where manipulation will cease as a form of government tool to rule a democratic country such as Ghana.

ABOLISHMENT OF RECIDIVISM WHICH HAD BEEN DANGEROUS

The coming and going out of the political scene by the Army had affected the moral of the people. This had happened due to the failure of the Parliamentarians to do their jobs. Now, there seems to be awareness concerning how to deal with this problem once and for all. It does seem probable that they shall find a better solution to banish this behaviour from the midst of the Armed Forces, because experience has shown that there is no problem without a solution.

EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP A HIGH CULTURE

With the obtaining of order, peace, and stability in the political sphere, it would bring a unique opportunity to develop a high culture which prosperity and peace allow with time in any society. The absence of these ingredients has not only impeded the progress of the country, they have brought chaos which has not been proper for beautifying our cities. Now that these are no longer the problems, the people of Ghana can take of the following: take care of our canals by fencing them with stones and concrete; plant good trees to provide shade and good ventilation in the cities; build swimming pools where workers during their break time (lunch period) shall swim and relax; provide seats and chairs on different gardens where they shall sit and enjoy nature; plant different flowers in the surroundings; fill the cities with sculptures and statues of love scenes; cover the numerous gutters we have in the cities; and then build concert halls and theatres where people shall be entertained after work.

It shall be pointed out clearly that with the theory of superstructure democracy becoming a reality, the Ghana Armed Forces shall be more interested in serving the people than being served by the people, the supreme power repository. Quite clearly, the officers in this institution shall be more interested in furthering their education in order to make them more professionally oriented individuals.