AS a nation, we are gradually being pushed into a vicious political culture which will ultimately make nonsense of our democratic credentials.
The statement which qualifies democratic governance as “A government of the people, by the people and for the people” is gradually being replaced in our circumstances with “A government of a political party, by all Ghanaians and for a few supporters”.
Before the 2000 elections, there was grumbling within certain quarters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of neglect. Some people, describing themselves as the foot soldiers and cadres who, even before the party came into existence, were doing the field work from the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) days, complained about being sidelined and abandoned.
The party hierarchy might have taken for granted complaints that the government at the time was only recycling the same people for over 10 years in political positions when there was a large pool of dedicated and qualified people to pick from to replenish the stock.
When the National Reformed Party (NRP), led by Mr Goosie Tanoh, was formed, the clear signals were left unheeded, and that party managed to take away a good number of the youthful supporters of the NDC. No matter how one looks at it, formation of the NRP played a part in the NDC’s defeat in 2000.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) did not escape internal agitation from its foot-soldiers. The formation of the Reformed Patriotic Party (RPP) to contest the 2008 election was a residue of that discontent.
What many do not know is that the pressure comes not only from the so-called foot soldiers. A bigger or more intense pressure which is not normally made public comes from the financiers, relatives, friends and those described as loyalists and die-hard supporters. There are some elements within the NPP who are still blaming former President J.A. Kufuor for not giving them a free range to do according to their wish.
When millions of Ghanaians queue up in the scorching sun from dawn to dusk to cast their ballots, they do so in the main for one purpose — to elect a leader who, in their estimation, has the vision, conviction, capacity and tenacity of purpose to carry out the mission of making this country a better place for all.
Ghanaians are not unaware of the squalor and misery around them. They know their children are struggling to get the best of schools, they know they need good medical care, they know they need good drinking water, decent and affordable accommodation, good and abundant food, good roads and a regular source of income to get their pockets filled with cash at all times.
A President so elected is elected by the people of Ghana and whose responsibility it is to address the myriad of problems facing all Ghanaians without distinction. That is why when he is sworn into office, he does not pledge allegiance to any political party, tribal, ethnic or religious group but to the sovereign state of Ghana and its citizens.
It is, therefore, a dangerous trend if excessive pressure is mounted on the President from party quarters to begin to see the success of the government only in the eyes of party supporters. We know reference will always be made about the past, but that unhealthy practice must be condemned and consigned to the dustbin of political chicanery.
It must be recognised that every political party, as a human institution, has people running its activities. It must also be recognised that political parties comprise people with certain principles and shared beliefs, and, therefore, a political party that wins power cannot turn away from or abandon its core members, especially if these people have special expertise, skills and other qualities that will help the government to pursue its agenda of national development.
That is why no government should be blamed for concentrating political appointments in the hands of its members, in so far as the national interest is not pushed into the background. Otherwise, why do we form political parties, any way?
However, it appears we are gradually drifting into a politics of blackmail, where certain people claiming to be the supporters or foot-soldiers are claiming everything as if this country and its resources belong to only a section of the people with the rest of us mere innocent bystanders.
No one can take away or ignore the efforts of some individuals who campaigned for or gave various forms of assistance to political parties or candidates during elections. However, in fairness to all Ghanaians, can a President seriously identify the over four million people who made it possible for him to become the First Gentleman of the country?
There is a good reason ballots are secret, so that at the end of the day there will be no losers but all of us become winners. It is very likely that among those very vociferous about their support for a party are some who did not vote at all, or voted for a different party.
That is why the pressure on the President should not be about selective treatment but a general situation which makes it possible for any hardworking and serious person to make a decent living in whatever field of endeavour that person finds himself/herself.
Loyalty, dedication and commitment notwithstanding, the President must be able to pick a team from among the large pool of Ghanaians with the requisite qualifications and expertise that could change the fortunes of this country for the better. If we allow obsession with party loyalty and support to take the better part of us, we are more than likely to fill very important and strategic positions with the wrong people and the nation and the people of this country would be the greatest losers.
If we have the right people managing our economy well and business is flourishing, employment avenues are more than enough to absorb the young graduates and other skilled labour, if there are enough classrooms for our children and our roads are no longer death traps, if our health facilities are brimming with medications and well-motivated and satisfied health workers, who will be yearning for preferential treatment?
Sometimes we have to blame the politicians for the type of promises they make to their followers when on the campaign trail. In their desperation to win votes they talk as if there is a well of wealth they will fetch from and distribute to their supporters. Incidentally, most of these people do not have any professional qualifications or skills to fit easily into any job placement.
As you read this, President John Evans Atta Mills is under siege from party supporters for not clearing the path for them to reap what they sew during the campaign period. Some are of the strong opinion that there are many who were surrogates of the previous government and, therefore, must be kicked out. It is true there are some who served party interests rather than national interest.
Yes, there are many who are carrying scars of abuse from the previous government and would, therefore, want certain things done quickly. But should we begin to segment the country into winners and losers?
We must begin to appreciate the fact that apart from a few political office holders and their appendages, the majority of Ghanaians no matter their political affiliation can only hope and pray that the government delivers and that is where our salvation lies.
Members and supporters of political parties in government have every right to demand that their representatives in government deliver according to the development agenda promised the electorate.
They also have the right and in fact they owe it a duty to throw the searchlight on them, to ensure that they operate above reproach. Beyond that, any demand for the satisfaction of their selfish interests will derail the national process and undermine the spirit behind multiparty democracy.
We have fought for democratic governance for good reasons. We should not allow a few weaknesses inherent in the system to deny us the blessings of multi-party democracy.
In the days of military dictatorship, we kept our unity as a nation of one people. We all suffered the harsh cruelties and consequences of dictatorship and benefited from the crumbs of their benevolence.
The rulers owed no allegiance to foot soldiers or supporters who did not exist anyway. Their allegiance was to their guns and the few hangers-on, who were at their beck and call. The rest of us were just victims and obedient servants. Those were inglorious days no Ghanaian would want to return to.
That is why our democracy must be made to work. It will work in an atmosphere of tolerance, understanding and mutual exchanges.
The earlier we extricate ourselves from this political blackmail, the earlier we move away from patronage and the earlier we shy away from the philosophy of “this is our time, let us create and share”, the better for our democracy and our survival and progress.
fokofi@yahoo.co.uk
kofiakordor.blogspot.com
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