COMMENT: LET’S BE FAIR AND THINK GHANA

Here I sit in the solemnity of my room musing over an article written by the Daily Guide newspaper on the 13.01.2010(Let the Prof be real parts 2). Undeniably politicians and supporters have to keep politicking all year round. My issue is with the seemingly neutral others who put up a façade of neutrality but are prejudiced against a particular party; it will be profitable to leave our myopic views for electioneering.

Suddenly everybody seems to have found their voices and are all castigating the present administration for one reason or the other.

Where were these persons, groups or freedom fighters when some of these same actions by the Kufour administration were taking place?

Peoples homes were ransacked, wives manhandled, cars seized, others asked to proceed on leave, others too were prevented from traveling etc.

Why is it that suddenly all those things are bad, and being condemned as if they were happening for the first time, where were these proffers of olive branches? I hope it's a genuine sign of progress and accountability and not propaganda, intended to advance partisan interests.

I wish to state in no uncertain terms that I do not support any of these actions being repeated, but let's not lose sight of the fact that there have been precedence and unpleasant ones too.

The call should first be to acknowledge these regrettable events of the past, just as the reconciliation commission attempted to do (not advocating for one, we already have too many), and urge that this trend be reversed. It's the only prudent way out of this quagmire, but to make these assertions and demands as if the previous government had no faults is mischievous, and only intended to make the government unpopular, in another party's interest, and not to serve the greater interest of the public. If the intent is to support a party's agenda then that should be clear, and should not be shrouded in semi-objectivity.

Elections are over and it's time for peace and unity to prevail and until fair treatment is meted to all, we'll still have issues, several years from now. The president and his government should also understand that retaliatory tactics will not help matters (because power will continually change hands), and may turn Ghana into another Bawku, since no party is ready to forgive and let the dogs, which were hitherto sleeping, lie. The president should rise above this and ensure that his ministers follow suit, and not pass the buck as he's been doing. Less talk, more action.

No leader will survive without tough decisions; lame duck approach will not solve our myriad problems.

Let us not criticize governments unduly and also not be praise singers, our interest is to ensure that governments, whether we sympathize with them or not are held accountable at all times.

Partisanship will not deliver the needed remedy, and will only serve to shield, protect and provide safe haven for politicians who have either raped this nation or intend to do so.

The media need to play a crucial role in this regard so that politicians, old and new will be accountable to the people and not act unlawfully hoping that the media will assist them now and provide further protection when they leave office. To this end, it will be advisable to secure copies of the constitution so that we will be able to meaningfully contribute our quota to the review exercise on our various fora, which will hopefully influence the outcome and guide us in the referendum eventually. An educated nation will be difficult to hoodwink.

Let us all think Ghana, and move our dear nation forward, in whatever direction we sincerely believe it should go, no political party or persons but Ghana should be the beneficiary.

Dr. Charles A. Berko
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