What To The Ghanaian Is The Seventh Of December?

It is important for every Ghanaian to reflect first of all on some of the major issues of our country as regards our economy and where of course Ghana is is moving to, think through them and make well-informed decisions regarding who to vote for in the upcoming seventh December elections.

It is a well-known fact that most Ghanaians , especially the uneducated, have little or no idea about what the real issues of our country and economy are and as such do not really make a concrete, realistic decisions on who gets their votes during one election or the other. In the run-up to this election, it is really important for us Ghanaians; the young and the old, rich or poor, educated or uneducated to think critically through these issues and allow our good conscience to dictate to us who gets our vote this time.

Before I proceed, I wish to congratulate every Ghanaian, especially the peace-loving ones who have held their peace till now. The Electoral Commission also deserves an honourable mention for their superb professionalism exhibited so far, even though I still believe they have a whole lot still to do in the run-up to this election. But I still trust that they surely will conduct a free, fair and transparent election.

What then to the Ghanaian is the seventh of December 2016?

Without doubt, I believe that we all want economic recovery in Ghana. This should form the basis of our votes and not partisanship, tribalism, bigotry or hatred for one political party or the other. Thus to the Ghanaian, the seventh December 2016(which is just three days away) should be a day where we are all poised to translate this economic recovery into practical reality for us all to see and enjoy the fruits of our long sacrifices and sufferings.

This can be done through the ballot only. The ballot should be our only weapon at this crucial moment.

There are a few lessons to be learned from the Nigerian election of May 2015 as well as the just ended Gambian elections. In Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buharia who once served as the seventh Head of State of Nigeria from 1983-1985 had again been elected by the silent majority in May 2015 as the 15th President through a peaceful, unprecedented polls. The peace that followed that election is worthy of emulation.

Similarly, the just-ended election in Gambia that saw President Yahya Jammeh concede defeat peacefully to his opponent, Adama Barrow, has won him admiration from around the globe. It is important to note that President Jahya Jammeh has been President since 22 July 1994 when he took office in a military coup as a young army officer. This tells us that the President of Gambia has also paid heed to the peace-call that is going round the globe. In fact, his acceptance of defeat has spoken volumes about Gambia.

To the presidential candidates, a lot needs to be learnt from the two examples cited above; the peaceful manner in which the elections were conducted as well as the manner in which the defeated candidates accepted the results of the elections.

Ghana, freedom is our inheritance. Anything we do that will jeopardize same will not only be the greatest dishonour to our nation, it will also be a disrespect to the men and women who laid down their lives to purchase this part of the globe for us.

We must know that close to sixty years after our dear republic fought to achieve political liberation, the struggle for economic independence has become muddled for various reasons. One of the reasons in my view is that Ghana has since fallen into the trap of corruption and dependency syndrome. Thus, it is important that we as citizens vote for who we think has the best vision to transform Ghana and better our standard of our living.

There is power in the ballot and not the bullet. We must at this time use the power of the ballot to bring the needed recovery that we think is best for our country. There is no power in the bullet to transform our dear republic. The bullet further destroys lives and property and deteriorates the economic strength on which our very existence really depends.

In fact, the idea of resorting to violence to address elections related issues is the most contemptuous act any Ghanaian could indulge in at this time. Those who approve of it should be condemned.

In this crucial election, let us assess our leaders and fish out those that have no faith, trust or respect for the sacred values which was achieved with hardship and loss of blood by many. Let us identify those who seem to have no realistic and sustainable political will and initiatives. Let us identify those whose economic programmes will not benefit the majority of Ghanaians.

Let us identify those who pledge to fight corruption but are themselves corrupt and dishonest. These kinds do not deserve our votes. A vote for such people constitutes our disrespect and disloyalty for our nation.

In 1957 when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and American civil rights icon (now of blessed memory) was asked how he felt about the birth of a new nation(Ghana), he said, 'it renews my conviction to the ultimate triumph of justice'. Today, with confidence and all sincerity, I say to all Ghanaians that that triumph must be won once more. We can allow this justice to triumph through peaceful elections.

Seventh December 2016 to the the Ghanaian is therefore a day to make history one more time. Ghana, peaceful polls is one of our legacy. We must once again demonstrate to the rest of the world that our nation cannot be toyed with. That we can act and act wisely.

We can improve our poor conditions of living through our votes. We can eliminate poverty, disease and misery and ignorance from our land through our peaceful votes. We can turn our country to a peace haven through our wise votes. To our youth, let us use our youthful exuberance wisely to transform our country. If we allow any politician to use us against our own country, posterity will hit back very hard at us in a way we would never have expected.

We have the power to hold our leaders accountable throughout this election period and make change from bottom up. Let us rather be apostles of peace and vigilance in our country. Let each of us put our shoulders to the wheel to root out violence, injustice and conflict wherever they exist.

Let us be citizens who promote love among the brothers of this country. Let us be people who end war among the brothers of our country. Let us also try to right our wrongs, do justice and serve our country.

Seventh December to the Ghanaian should be a day when we can experience peace and a day when we should allow the triumph of justice once more.

Long live multiparty democracy in Ghana!
Long live Ghana!