Build Ghana not Personal Edifices

Doing the Right Thing, Politically

Politics, as this article is not denying, is a sacred occupation even if it does not always appear to be the case. Until something better comes up, it will continue to influence Ghana’s affairs for a long time to come. At the same time, it does not ask too much of those tasked with its functioning to do the right thing. Whilst all politicians cannot be ‘tarnished with the same brush’, their credibility is not helped by infractions within the camp. Compared to the rest of the nation, the lavish lifestyles of the miscreants amongst them frame politics in a bad light causing it to be even laughed-off as a necessary evil.

With Ghana at a political crossroad, all eyes are on the next phase of democratisation. Whilst the past twenty-odd years are not without pluses, expectations are higher than ever. Having waved the yellow card to corruption, greed, egocentrism and so on, Ghanaians are actually at the point of where ‘enough is enough’. For this reason, they want a greater say in how they are governed, which is not just about votes in the ballot-box. Indeed, it is archaic to think that the occasional pampering usually at election time is going to fulfil their aspirations.

Elsewhere in Africa, generally, the political map is changing. The net is closing in on the rogue politicians who lap it up whilst the majority of Africans have to tighten their belts. Ghana is not the worst by far but it does stop her political shortcomings being flagged up. Even with the vast resources at her disposal and entry to the illustrious league of oil producing states, the inequalities are alarming. This article, of course, does not put it all down to politics. But after fifty-six years of independence, this is not the ‘playing-field’ that Africa’s ‘Black Star’ should be sporting.

Ghana, with future generations to consider, is not going to get far with the type of ‘make and take’ politics that condemns the majority to a hard struggle. Naturally, as democracy deepens, so will its resolve to balance things out. What is done in the dark, nevertheless, will eventually come out in the light. Some say this is already happening. In the end, it down to Ghanaians to redefine the integrity of what they want for their country including the political approach to serve their needs. Instead of playing ‘follow-follow’, the realisation with this that democracy actually belongs to them will be a turning point.

Today, more and more Ghanaians are put off by the politics of division, self-gratification and elitism. If it be known, this is a better explanation for the dearth of anger over the petition before the Supreme Court. Moreover, the acrimony of ‘winning at all costs’, ‘all-die-be-die’, tribal-hatred and so forth is politically a step too far for peace loving Ghanaians. Rather than apathy, the beneficiaries of the old political order on top of being out of touch find it necessary to use sensationalist language and scaremongering to stop the populous from claiming what is really theirs.

Badly practised, nevertheless, anything good is not going to generate rave reviews. In Ghana’s case, her citizenry has too often been on the wrong end of political misadventures, mistakes and lapses with detrimental consequences for development. This comes with a sharp reminder about the power axis as things stand. But rather than see politics as the problem, Ghanaians owe it their country to take an active and informed interest in the process and in doing so encourage a breed of politicians who revere their sacred mandate enough to do right by them.

Ghana, as things stand, needs a fitting legacy to captivate the goodwill that led to the peaceful elections of 2012. Looking forward, her citizenry must seize upon proposals such as the Right to Information (RTI) Bill, changes to the appointment of District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives (DMMCEs) and others to embed a democracy that other African states would want to emulate. This will require a working structure for a ‘bottom-up’ approach that holds everyone to account with guarantees that those who short-change the country will be taken to task.

Of course, it follows without saying that anyone can be a politician. Yet politics is not the only channel available for people who want to genuinely make a difference. However, having decided on this path, nation building reigns supreme. A functioning democracy, in this respect, leaves no room for anything else. Under statute, politicians are adequately rewarded to do the right thing. Those who understand this have nothing to fear from what looks likely to happen in the next phase of democratisation.

Richmond Quarshie