Ghana's Multiparty Democracy Praised

The alternation of political parties in power in Ghana since the inception of the Fourth Republic, has propelled Ghana’s democratic dispensation to a higher pedestal than any other third world country.

Many third world countries have only successfully carried out multiparty democratic elections but Ghana’s success story in multiparty elections is exceptional due to the circumstances under which the change of governments have taken place.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo, made this assertion at a meeting with members of the Conservative Africa Business Group at the House of Commons in London.

The meeting, which was convened at the instance of the members ahead of their two-week business tour of Ghana, commencing this week, afforded the High Commissioner the opportunity to answer questions on issues on the sanitation situation in Accra, the position of former President J.J. Rawlings and his influence in the Government, the bribery allegation against some members of the Government in Mabey and Johnson and the sale of Vodafone.

The meeting was to enable them to gain assurance of peace and non-interference in foreign businesses and investments in Ghana, against the background of a change in Government.

It also provided the platform for them to share their vision in respect of investment in Ghana with their Ghanaian representative.

The Conservative Africa Business Group was formed in 1947 as the 'Conservative West Africa Committee'.

At the time, its function was largely political and it was charged with the task of providing information concerning West Africa to the Conservative Party in government or in opposition.

The focus of the group, whose membership has been expanded to cover both Labour and Conservative members of the UK Parliament, was later on changed to reflect business and developmental advances in Africa.

The group has since been a link to the high commissions in the various African countries and the House of Commons.

The aim of the group is to appeal directly to all those with interest in Africa.

During the visit, it is expected that the 19 member delegation will visit companies in Tema, Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale, and Accra, among others, to find out the possibility of expanding their existing investments in Ghana.

They are also expected to meet President Mills, government officials and some business operators.

All the 19 members of the delegation have some kind of investment in Ghana ranging from housing, security, education and agriculture.

Professor Danso-Boafo reiterated that the Government of Ghana was committed to ensuring a fast and vast development of the country and would, therefore, not do anything that would derail the progress of the country.

He said it was evidently clear that Ghana had demonstrated its maturity in democracy not only by what he termed as “successful political transition” but has also passed the “political consolidation” mark.

The High Commissioner observed that some countries that had political transitions did so with difficulty, which in some cases resulted in chaotic situations.

“Even Botswana, which is hailed for its picturesque democracy in Africa, has not been able to alternate political parties as Ghana has done, ” he added.

He said not many countries had been able to alternate political parties in power without problems, adding that “we as a country have alternated two political parties in power at a time the whole world had fears but we did it peacefully, ” he remarked.

He assured the global business community that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government had no intention of abrogating the nation’s contracts with foreign businesses.

“We will not repeat the mistakes committed by this government or the previous one. We will work with all business concerns, satisfy them and derive the maximum benefit for our citizens,” Professor Danso Boafo stressed.

The Chairman of the Group, Laurence Robertson, said the group would continue to promote Ghana through its study groups and other contacts to give expression to ideas and views on various issues of Ghana’s foreign policy.