Maintenance Of Peace Is Imperative In Democracy

There is urgency to consider peace in all our feelings, thoughts, beliefs, perceptions and even our pronouncement especially after the general elections in Ghana. When our motions and anger take the order of the day, arguments and insinuations will pave the way for frowning, friction, ostracism, civil wars among others.

Ghanaians describe free and fair elections as Electoral Commission declares results of the total votes cast and use the highest per centage to declare the winner. We hardly consider the atrocities, moral hazards, intimidations and even rigging the results from the polling stations. It is in the record that some party agents even forcibly take the ballot boxes away. However, expert will describe the election as free and fair. Post election problems come when a new president takes over. No matter how Nana has tried his best, party members overruled his orders and took the law into their hands. In his inaugural address, he charged Ghanaians to be citizens. I think, Nana should make it as an agenda to translate that speech into local language and slot them in his speech any time he mounts national platform for deeper understanding else he will not realize what he asked Ghanaians to do.

Nana as a sage thinking of peace, called the three Johns (the three wise men) to solicit their views. This has never happened in our political record. This is God’s intervention. It is difficult to understand why Presidents Rawlings and Kuffour are not in good terms. Ghana spent lot of monies in the national reconciliation, a pursue to forgive and forget the past plights and unify as one people. This is credible and President Kuffour who initiated this and Rawlings who was a beneficiary should burry their differences and let Ghanaians enjoy peace. It is disheartening that these two former presidents are Catholics and should understand the scriptures. I challenge the Christian council and national peace council, Bishops Conference and other peace stakeholders to solve these issues once and for all. In their report (WHO) data published in 2015, life expectancy in Ghana is Male 61.0, female 63.9 and total life expectancy is 62.4. By this, Mr. Kuffour is 79 year whiles Mr. Rawlings is 70 years. These two people are old enough and should not be allowed to die in friction. Their differences are dividing their followers. They should learn from Nana Addo. He is very nice and humble with everyone and received the three Johns in a diplomatic manner. It noted that he demonstrated his humility by pouring wine for president Kuffour.

Nana as a promising and destined personality to rule the country was blessed by God and in 2016; he magnanimously won the election; the margin which broke the election record in the country; 54% against 44.4%. Now, we should allow him to perform, protect him to accomplish his campaign promises which he has started.

The New Patriotic Party having this in mind petitioned the Supreme Court in 2013 alleging the rigging of the election result. Although the case didn’t favour them, they endeavoured to maintain peace in the country. Supreme Court where you and I have trust and confidence judged the case. In the lay man’s view, it was unfair. To the greed, it was wayward. To some losers, it needed appeal. To the winners, it was in the right direction. These views are to be put in the grinding machine to be blended so that it will strengthen and develop us as one body.

Now, what is ahead of Nana is to control small scale mining (galamsey), vigilante groups (Invincible force, Delta force), civil wars like Alavanyo, Nkonhia conflict in the Volta Region and energy crisis (Dumsor).

It is interesting that Nana Akufo Addo Addo-Dankwa, Akyem legislature, from inception of his political pronouncement has been talking about the economy, rule of law, corruption and peace. His ambition to rule Ghana is so much that he declared that he is in a hurry.

‘I have heard it said that I am behaving like a man in a hurry. Mr. Speaker, I am indeed in a hurry’.

Nana just wants to put this nation to where it fits so that people will mention his name one day to make a point. Therefore, all meaningful Ghanaians are of the view that we mentally, physically, morally and spiritually support him to achieve this noble ambition. It is said that, knowledge is like a baobab tree, one man’s arms cannot encompass it. Democracy needs a team work to thrive. That makes it imperative to ensure that all and sundry irrespective of one political affiliation should come on board to champion national agenda; that requires peace.

If peace is not maintained, there are going to be growing dichotomy between our political opinions. This will deface our beauty of democracy. Let us understand that peace within two people is difficult to wipe out but the moment there is a third party a different situation will be experienced.

That Garden of Eden was a community where the couples had liberty to do everything which was governed by rules by the creator. The set of rules are what we call the 1992 constitution in Ghana. There was participatory democracy but they infringed it and became refugees. We should listen to our leaders to enjoy peace so that investors will come and do business in the country.

Liberia, Somalia, Cote d’ivoire and Sierra Leone have experienced political crisis. Lives have lost, properties have been destroyed and peace has been denied them.

In retrospection, these people have regretted but it’s late. All these peaceful African countries have been gutted by civil war which has led to poverty, unemployment and migration.

The adage says, the evil that you know is surely better. And there is no place like home. The meal, language, accommodation and even the family members that you have give you motivation. We should know that it is not all the time that our views will be accepted.

It is not uncommon in Africa and for that matter Ghana where after general election, arguments, insinuations and graffiti are observed. Some landlords will eject their tenants. Some businessmen will lay off some workers whose faces show that they belong to a different political party. Wives and children will suffer if their husbands’ political parties are in trouble, especially if they perceive they are in the other side of the politics.

Just bring a Ghanaian cedi note and coin. They all have history and culture of Africa. Who manufactured them? Why didn’t feature on it war and funeral but the vice? All is telling you and me that we are peaceful.

After the election, we need to mend the punctures, deflate the balloon of anger, spit out all dangerous and wicked words, and iron out all our differences to maintain our peace. Ghana is surrounded by Francophone countries. Our language, meals and clothing are quite different. Whiles we pound fufu, they stir it.

Let us avoid over jubilation, exceeding expectations and too much unhappiness. Avoid argument and insinuative remarks. Let’s do away with party colours for some time.

In our nakedness, we should not be ashamed. Let us know that, Ghana is our place of origin. The earlier we protect peace, the better we will enjoy. Tell five people today to maintain our peace. It is not for sale but by acquisition. This is a clarion call. Listen and you will be listened to!

Daniel Djan
Accra