Ghana’s Democracy: Soap Opera Or Greek Tragedy?

Since Ghana’s return to multi-party democracy in 1992, the country has witnessed one democratic transition from the NDC-NPP-NDC Governments, all completing full terms office as enshrined in the country’s constitution. Our democracy has given us the privilege of electing our representatives in Parliament. However, many Ghanaians would admit that our democracy is not as rosy and glossy as the international observers seem to think. Our democracy is epileptic and very nervous indeed. Our distorted party politics has created illusion of democracy. The country has been grappling with the tenets of true democracy such as the ‘separation of powers’, rule of law, human rights issues, lack of commitment to a common national cause, brazen disregard for the yearning and aspirations of the citizenry, ethno-political biases, blatant injustices, culture of impunity and lack of transparency and accountability. It’s evidently true; NDC and NPP being the Government and largest Opposition reversibly have different ideologies and leadership qualities but the fundamental socio-economic and political problems hindering the development of this country have remained the same under both parties.

The problems of Ghana’s economic malaise, high unemployment, staggering national debt, and corruption, mismanagement of the country’s mineral and natural resources and lack of basic education and health infrastructure, increasing armed robbery and other violent crimes genuinely need concerted efforts and policies by both the Government and Opposition. We’re all in this together as a nation. There’s nothing automatic about a country’s prosperity without a positive vision, progressive choices, pragmatic and coherent policies for a better future. My question is what has happen to our national interest in the face of our democracy? Personally, I’ve come to expect more of the same never-ending merry-go-round of incompetence, political corruption, mismanagement, puerile behaviors and blame-game from both NDC and NPP.

If today, Ghana’s political parties were to die a natural death…..I would not weep. I don’t wish for a military rule but merely questioning the democratic credibility of our parties. It appears both the NDC and NPP have identical policy of irresponsible and uncooperative authoritarianism. Our country has been bedeviled by bad leadership and governance ever since and one would expect today’s members of the political class to at least act differently with new approaches. Unfortunately, our politicians seem to sound the same. Even when their ‘kenkey’ is served without ‘shito’, they blame the previous administration instead of tackling the problem. Governments need to take responsibility when times are tough. A responsibility of national interest not one driven by ideology, greed and political vendetta. We need an effective Opposition and one that can be presented as a credible alternative government whenever the next election comes. The Opposition should question the Government of the day; hold them accountable and responsible on behalf of the electorate. The country’s problems can only be addressed through genuine and concerted efforts by the NDC and NPP with coherent, articulate, reasoned, balanced debates, visionary policies, relevant alternatives and a genuine commitment towards promoting well being for all. Unfortunately, our democratic dispensation has become a theatre for political clowns.

At the moment, Ghana’s politics is at risk of slipping into some kind of political Armageddon. Why can’t the affairs of this country be conducted with some modicum of civility, tolerance and respect? It’s a big concern and shocking to see both the NDC and NPP ministers, politicians and panelists resort to insulting, sneering, stereotypical personal attacks and spiteful acts instead of constructive intelligent discussions and answers to issues. These are insults to the intelligence of all Ghanaians who voted such politicians who cannot even rub two brain cells together. Brief sparks of passion by politicians expounding and defending their entrenched points of view shouldn’t lead to strong ethno-centric diatribes, infantile name-calling and foul-mouth ranting on political discussions. I make no distinction between both NDC and NPP politicians especially. They’re all, in my book, very puerile, undisciplined, intellectually lazy, arrogant and ignorant to engage in enlightened discussions. Playing the usual blame-game, petty point scoring, cavorting and paddling in political opportunism in the name of party politics does our country no good. President Atta-Mills has to rebuke openly and call for the resignation of his ministers. And so should Nana Akuffo-Addo discipline his shadow ministers as they make his party unelectable with insults and tribal slurs. We the masses shouldn’t glamorize and condone these motor-mouth and irresponsible personalities to bask in their mediocrity and incompetence.

Democracy is not only created by politicians but ordinary people who are prepared to stand up for what is in the public interest, even if it risks their own welfare. It’s time for us the masses to fight back and hold these politicians responsible and accountable in any measure. Ghana has become a political fantasy land, where there’s no responsibility and accountability. If all our politicians actually put this country first, instead of aimlessly chanting their party dogmas, self-serving interests, point scoring and name-calling, we just might see this country among the League of Developed Nations considering our abundant human, mineral and natural resources.

Author: LONTO-BOY