Issues rising in Ghana every now and then are
critical issues which are either of political or national interest and
Ghanaians always love to express their opinions on such many issues. Most Ghanaians
though love to express their
opinions do not really know the real difference between which issue being a
national matter for the national interest and those which are of political
interest. Because of this difference, there is always abnormal politics
existing within the political environment, among institutions and also among
the individuals.
National interest is a country's
goals and ambitions, these goals and ambitions are in the form of military,
economic, social and military and among others. The national interest of a
state is multi-faceted. First and fore most if the survival and the security of
the state from any external and internal aggression, that is protecting of the
individual as well as the state from any attack that will breach the security
of the country. This security maintaining can be in the form of providing food
for the citizen this is because the only for security of a country can be
breached is by attacking food security in a country and all other factors that
lead to the production of food within the country.
Secondly another national interest is the pursuit of
wealth and economic growth and power. National wealth is not pursued for the
development of any political party or is it pursued because of section of the
country, but national wealth is pursued for the development of the country and
to ensure that there is equitable distribution of resources or the national
cake. The national cake distribution does not mean that every Ghanaian should
get physical cash in his or her pocket but it is distributed into various
sectors in the country so that the economy of the country will be stable for
each and very citizen to feel how the way things are going in the country. Many
states, especially in modern times, regard the preservation of the nation's
culture and ideologies as national interest and consider it very important.
Meanwhile political interest is associated with the
interest of groups of people - political parties and politicians, these people
sees thing differently from that of the national perspective and because of
that they seek their interest when ever an issue is on board. There is a great
difference between issues that are supposed to be called national issues and
political issues, Ghanaians are not getting this concept and always end up
associating national interest with political interest and fighting for
political benefit. Most people that involve in this is the various leader who
are affiliated to political parties and also the youth so the country and their
involvement makes politics to become abnormal.
Political
interest is as good as national interest and must be observed with attention
because attending to one in isolation of others will not help the overall
development of the country. National interest can be developed through
patriotism and by ensuring that we are not confused in terms of issues of
national interest and the political interest that is the same way political
interest can also be developed along its own way of by making
politics more interesting; making politics easier to understand and more
accessible; making politicians more responsive to the needs and concerns
of young people an also the country; finding new opportunities and routes
for young people to enter the political process. Political interest ids
right but the national interest must be given a greater respect by all
Ghanaians so that they will stop taking national matters as political matters.
Lamptey Alfred
Knust
Alfredlamptey88@yahoo.com
