Between Kufuor And Rawlings

“Moral values are those forms or patterns of conduct that are considered most worthwhile… They are not only principles of behavior, but goals of social and individual action” (Gyekye, 1996; 55).

RESPECT FOR and obedience to elders is one of the values cherished by our society. Every level-headed Ghanaian knows that showing respect to the elderly is a treasured moral obligation.

I have read from books that in the olden days, responsible parents took time to educate their children on the need to respect elders in their communities.   

Respect for and obedience to elders at the time depended on age, near-ancestorhood, sacred personality, experience, wisdom and wit.  

I believe these criteria also apply today in our contemporary society. People in our communities, homes, churches, mosques and workplaces who have experiences to share, wisdom to impart and sacred personalities, need not be insulted. We should accord our elders due respect. This is our societal moral obligation for harmonious co-existence.  

I have closely followed events in our country and have seen that this moral value is gradually dissipating. I have seen that those Ghanaian values and etiquette that hitherto used to harmonize us for development have been thrown to the dogs.

From politics to religion, offices to homes and market places to the streets; exchange of insults and vulgar language have taken the place of respect. Today, age, experience and wit do not matter any more in showing respect.

Former President JJ Rawlings Throughout Ghana, two prominent elders, who by virtue of their political accomplishments deserve to be greatly esteemed, are our two sitting former presidents, Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor.

They have politically occupied the highest office of the land and successfully handed over power to the admiration of all. Yet there is something morally wrong between them.

Until the recent visit by the US president, Barack Obama, to the country, the two leaders had never sat at a table to wine or dine together, let alone have a bilateral discussion.

Let me hit the nail on the head without fear that former president 'Agyewodin' Rawlings does not respect his successor, John 'Diewuo' Agyekum Kufuor. I have had the opportunity to hear Mr. Rawlings insult Mr. Kufuor at various political rallies, conferences, interviews etc.

Mr. Rawlings, who is credited to be the founding father of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, has often used such harsh words as “thief”, “that guy” and “Atta Ayi”, to describe Mr. Kufuor.

Sometimes, former president Rawlings, who ruled Ghana for 19 solid years, would describe actions and decisions the Kufuor government took as “Nkwaseasem”(foolish) and use clauses as “monnim nyansa”(you lack wisdom), to refer to the ex-government officials.

Just last Saturday August 22, 2009, while addressing NDC cadres at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi, former president Rawlings described the manner in which the previous government handled the Issah Mobilla case as “nkwaseasem”

These utterances are unfortunate, unacceptable and unbecoming of an elder as Mr. Rawlings. Sometimes I wonder whether former President Rawlings does not want to be properly regarded as a distinguished elder statesman.

It saddens my heart when a man of Mr. Rawlings' caliber, calls Mr. Kufuor unprintable names. What does he gain from insulting Mr. Kufuor and his past government officials?

I think Mr. Rawlings must be informed that a Ghanaian man feels dishonoured when he is called "kwasea" (a fool). In the days of old, this was an unpardonable offence.

My attention is on Mr. Rawlings because I have never heard ex-president Kufuor directly insult his predecessor publicly before.

Mr. Rawlings' unguarded public outbursts have often been condemned but it appears he is not prepared to repent.

This is a big shame and inappropriate of a former head of state who many look upon as a mentor. Respect, they say, is commanded or elicited and not demanded. In other words respect is reciprocal.

We all know in Ghana that, “Etiri a adikan ne panin” – “The one who was born first is the elder”.  

If my checks are right, Mr. Kufuor is 70-years-old while Mr. Rawlings is 62. By the above Ghanaian proverb, Mr. Rawlings is the younger and therefore must first learn to show great respect to Mr. Kufuor.

Please do not argue that Mr. Rawlings became president before Mr. Kufuor so the latter should first show respect to the former.

Remember that, “If you are taller than your father, it does not mean you are his equal”. This means however well off a person is, he is expected to respect his elders.

In fact, by Ghanaian moral values, the respect should extend to cover all elders, not only those in a person's family or grouping but also in others as well.  

Undoubtedly, the acrimonious relationship between the country's two former heads of state does not only undermine her democratic credentials and social cohesion but also sets bad precedence for the future.  

No wonder young adults today have no reason to give great respect to the elderly including their own parents in our society.

Everyone appears to be somebody in their own eyes. Children address their parents and guardians using abusive language and nothing is said about it. The consequence of this is the creeping in of indiscipline into our society.  

The earlier we work harder to reverse the trend and safeguard the future for the next generation, the better it will be for our society.

Ghana must wake up from her slumber and act on this now because there is nothing we can do if peaceful co-existence, which is the foundation for national development, is destroyed.

President Mills, his cabinet and the council of state must summon former president Rawlings, without delay, for a discussion on the need to be at peace with former president Kufuor toward building a better Ghana.

The Mills government must also, as a matter of urgency, put in place measures to strengthen all institutions responsible for the education of Ghanaian moral values to help harmonize the people so that together we can move the nation forward.

The religious institutions cannot be left out in the effort to unite our two former presidents. As with God all things are possible, I do hope that when fervent prayers are said about the problem, a solution will be found to it. Amen!

From James Quansah, Kumasi

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