SETTING A STRONG STYAGE FOR GHANA'S ELECTIONS

Story: Stephen Sah

IT is a truism that this year’s general election is a test case for Ghana to showcase to the rest of the world that it has reached a no turning point in her quest to deepen and entrench her democracy.
The political topography is changing and maturing, and this must be sustained. Ghanaians must demonstrate this by successfully coming out of the December election unscathed. Indeed, Ghana is the island of peace and tranquility.
We need not give room for anything unruly to happen in order to lend credence to that accolade. The time to show that we are politically maturing is now, and this is a task which can only be accomplished only if we exhibit extreme tolerance, camaraderie, fortitude and accept divergent views or ideas to extricate the country from some of the unnecessary post-election crisis being experienced or suffered in other parts of the world, especially on the African continent. As the shining star of Africa, Ghana must indeed lead by example for others to emulate, so that her success story will serve as a laboratory for research into the woes that continue to plague the other turbulent democracies on the African continent.
Preparations are currently underway for the December elections after the major political parties have selected their flag bearers. The stage is now set for what should promise to be refreshing electioneering. Ghana expects nothing, but a clean campaign, devoid of rancour, inflammatory language and insults.
For Ghana to have a completely clean slate, everybody and all institutions in the country should play their roles towards the successful election that we yearn for. The politicians themselves, the media, the Judiciary, the Electoral Commission (EC), the electorate and, in fact, the youth on whose shoulders the future of this country rests. What is happening in other countries should be a reminder to us that nothing should be left to chance. That Ghanaians are a peaceful and loving people, and Ghana is a God-fearing country is a complacent self-congratulation which does not take us anywhere. If we do not take care, we may be taken by events. We should discard the assertion that the turbulence in other countries cannot occur in our country.
At least, we should be inspired by the fine things that are said about us and not think that Ghanaians fear bloodletting. Should we throw our dear and peaceful country into violence, there will be no safe haven anywhere in the sub-region for us. As the island that we are, we will be thrown into the simmering waters that surround us. Our country will be so debilitated to the extent that the women and children who form the majority and the base of our development and progress will suffer.
In the event of any disturbances, we should not forget that the rich and politicians will continue to live in affluence at plush areas and also send their relatives abroad. While that happens, they will continue to fuel the violence for the sake of their interests so that the poor continue kill themselves. So you see why we should not let them take us for granted?
Our political leaders cannot take the masses for a ride this time round and think that they will be supported after throwing the country into a mess. Their political campaigns should not be done on tribal lines inasmuch as we are one people with a common destiny. Any statements that are likely to trigger violence of any sort should be eschewed.
Ghanaians are now wide awake regarding what is good for them. The various flag bearers should be prepared for the great showdown, because the masses will hold them to their words. Therefore, rather than giving vain promises, they should debate or talk about ideas and issues that will win the hearts of the electorate.
We need solutions to the low standards of living, the energy crisis, coupled with the huge electricity bills; we want to see improvement in education, health care delivery and access to the very basic necessities of life.
These are the issues we expect politicians to be preoccupied with. The electorate should do away with tribalism and vote on issues and for people who have national interest at heart. They should demonstrate that they have vision that hold good prospects for the economy.
It is at this time that the media is expected to exhibit high sense of maturity. For this reason, one agrees with the Ghana Journalists Association when it admonished its rank and file to be cautious, because this year is a crucial one. The media should not unnecessarily whip up tension. This is not the time to engage in mischief. Rather, it is the time to engage in balanced, objective, fair and analytical discussions of issues to enable the electorate make informed choices. The electronic media, which has a greater influence on people’s mindset should not allow their airwaves to be used as platforms for unscrupulous people to engage in politics of doom.
Also, we must all bear in mind that the nation comes first and foremost before anything else, and with this commitment, the sky should be our limit. Communities should assess the gains — whatever benefits and improvements have been brought to them. They should refuse to be lured by campaigns of vain promises and money giving.
Managing post-election disputes, especially those related to parliamentary results require the Judiciary to act swiftly. In the event of election disputes as witnessed in some constituencies during previous parliamentary elections, the cases should be handled with dispatch. The courts should not wait for the Legislature’s term to expire before disposing of such cases.
I am saying this against the background that some of such disputes relating to the parliamentary elections which linger on in our courts after the 2004 elections. Cases of such nature require special courts to be created to handle them for the sake of peace and transparency. For of what benefit and significance will it be to the winning party if a case is dealt with after the term of the Legislature has, for instance, elapsed.
The EC should remain independent and not be intimidated by any person or a group persons to do anything untoward. The EC must assess itself in terms of the logistics available to it and do what will serve the best interest of all Ghanaians and not the interest of any individual person or a group of persons. The warning should be sounded that the country belongs to all Ghanaians and not to any individual person, ethnic group, or political party. Perhaps, the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) should drum this home to all and sundry and also educate Ghanaians on the need for unity, since anything that will hatch division will eventually do us no good. NCCE should not unnecessarily be petrified into thinking that anything preposterous could happen and, therefore, advocate a change in the election time.