Is There Room for new ideas in Ghana politics?

Some of us have been following the 2008 presidential candidates and have been curious to hear what they have to offer the country which is growing weaker and poorer each passing day. Unfortunately, our aspiring or potential presidents either have no clue on how to redeem the ailing economy of Ghana or perhaps they are saving the best for last. I pray and wish the latter was the case. At any event, it appears many of them are spending a chunk of their time criticizing each other and or focusing on past glories which the ordinary Ghanaian doesn’t even see, at best.

Why are they pointing fingers instead of giving us the solution? [GIVE EXAMPLES,-- I think many abound. However, I challenge you to begin to listen attentively for yourself].

The problem of visionless leaders for the various established political parties seem to be so obvious, in that these parties seem to be parading the same old faces. How can they tell us they have any vision and direction for the country all of a sudden when they are still bent on the old dirty tricks?

These old politicians are bent on blocking the youth and new entrants to the leadership of their parties. Can anyone explain to me the rational behind this? An enquiring mind wants to know.
Name them, NPP, NDC, CPP etc., they are all doing the same. Rather than making room for new ideas and leadership, these old folks believe the party is their baby so they must lord it. If you have been listening you would hear how these old guards refer to the youth or new ideologues who want to contest leadership positions with them. Not only do they look at them with a condescending attitude but they call them all sorts of names. And woe to you if you just returned from the Diaspora! Some say they have been around too long to allow these new guys the pie of the cake. Nonetheless, they would do everything to woe their financial contributions. Ironically, they call these youth who are desperate to make a change and any difference in the party and state, “opportunists.” Really?
To the detriment of the nation, the Establishment seems to be doing a great job in using the tools at their disposal to canvass national support for their cause, against the Diaspora candidates. Now the public seem to be buying into the claim that to lead a party one has to be around for a while. Does longevity compensate for execution? Mind you the experience these people talk about, unfortunately are not positive- at best it is how much wealth they were able to amass while in office. If this author is wrong, let the Establishment or those who have been around rather campaign on what value they have added to the economy rather than what their opponents did not do.
How long would the electorate listen to empty promises? If they did not do it when they had all the chance in the world to do so, what makes you think they will do it next time around in 2008? Wake up Ghanaians!! Stop dancing with the enemy. Your enemy is your corrupt and clueless politicians whom you elected but turned their backs on you. If there be any that helped you in time of need, then do not disappoint them. Vote for them again and again until they decide to retire. A name quickly comes to mind, Honourable P.C. Ofori, one of the few MPs who has not compromised his integrity. Look out for more of these, for they are your friends and vote for them massively in 2008.
Your true friends in politics and the art of leadership are not those who would give you handouts at election time, but those who did all they could to bring jobs to you and your children. If I were you I would take their handouts (for a consulting fee) but value my vote. Your vote is your power, if “power” is indeed “to the people” in a democracy.
I hear this thing going around that some politicians are buying votes- giving money to delegates and compelling them to swear they would vote for them. This is not only ridiculous but it should not have a place in a democracy. May be the Electoral Commission would need to look into this.
In fact, there is no force behind such oaths and the delegates may not be bothered of any effect on them. If they give you the money that is due you take it for your consulting fee but come election time, VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE. Let the candidates rather convince you of what they are capable. Ask them questions on how they would deliver. Don’t settle for textbook answers. Nor should you compromise effectiveness and execution with longevity. Check their records and decide accordingly.
Election time is the only opportunity you have, especially in a country like Ghana where the law does not favor the citizens but its leaders. I f you miss this opportunity, you can be sure to be sad for the next four years. If I were you, I would think of my long term security and that of posterity and not sell my birthright for a few thousands of cedis from a visionless politician.
It is only proper to end this conversation by quoting Kennedy since he says it clearly and better; “Finally, the question of whether a leader coming from outside can be effective was answered decisively in 1919. That was when a new Governor, Gordon Guggisburg, arrived to take charge of the Gold Coast. A decade later, he had built; * Takoradi Harbour * Korle-Bu Hospital * Achmota College * The road and rail networks that are still an important part of our transportation infrastructure. He proved that vision and passion matter more than how long a leader has been around. The test for our democracy and for our country is whether we can judge that candidate on merit or hold against him his absence from the country resulting from his brave and selfless service.
History awaits the NPP’s answer this year and next year, the nation’s answer. We can and must do the right thing by judging all candidates on merit; for their vision, their competence, their integrity and their compassion. Our nation’s interest, the needs of posterity and history all demand that we choose the best candidate, regardless of where he lives or has lived. That is the approach that took the Black Stars to the World Cup and since politics is more vital to our nation than soccer, we can do no less! God bless our homeland Ghana!
May he continue to give us brave and wise sons and daughters so that we can forever have “ FREEDOM AND JUSTICE” !!!! (Arthur Kobina Kennedy, in The NPP primaries and……The candidates from abroad , Accra Daily Mail, August 20, 2007)

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.

Some of us have been following the 2008 presidential candidates and have been curious to hear what they have to offer the country which is growing weaker and poorer each passing day. Unfortunately, our aspiring or potential presidents either have no clue on how to redeem the ailing economy of Ghana or perhaps they are saving the best for last. I pray and wish the latter was the case. At any event, it appears many of them are spending a chunk of their time criticizing each other and or focusing on past glories which the ordinary Ghanaian doesn’t even see, at best.

Why are they pointing fingers instead of giving us the solution? [GIVE EXAMPLES,-- I think many abound. However, I challenge you to begin to listen attentively for yourself].

The problem of visionless leaders for the various established political parties seem to be so obvious, in that these parties seem to be parading the same old faces. How can they tell us they have any vision and direction for the country all of a sudden when they are still bent on the old dirty tricks?

These old politicians are bent on blocking the youth and new entrants to the leadership of their parties. Can anyone explain to me the rational behind this? An enquiring mind wants to know.
Name them, NPP, NDC, CPP etc., they are all doing the same. Rather than making room for new ideas and leadership, these old folks believe the party is their baby so they must lord it. If you have been listening you would hear how these old guards refer to the youth or new ideologues who want to contest leadership positions with them. Not only do they look at them with a condescending attitude but they call them all sorts of names. And woe to you if you just returned from the Diaspora! Some say they have been around too long to allow these new guys the pie of the cake. Nonetheless, they would do everything to woe their financial contributions. Ironically, they call these youth who are desperate to make a change and any difference in the party and state, “opportunists.” Really?
To the detriment of the nation, the Establishment seems to be doing a great job in using the tools at their disposal to canvass national support for their cause, against the Diaspora candidates. Now the public seem to be buying into the claim that to lead a party one has to be around for a while. Does longevity compensate for execution? Mind you the experience these people talk about, unfortunately are not positive- at best it is how much wealth they were able to amass while in office. If this author is wrong, let the Establishment or those who have been around rather campaign on what value they have added to the economy rather than what their opponents did not do.
How long would the electorate listen to empty promises? If they did not do it when they had all the chance in the world to do so, what makes you think they will do it next time around in 2008? Wake up Ghanaians!! Stop dancing with the enemy. Your enemy is your corrupt and clueless politicians whom you elected but turned their backs on you. If there be any that helped you in time of need, then do not disappoint them. Vote for them again and again until they decide to retire. A name quickly comes to mind, Honourable P.C. Ofori, one of the few MPs who has not compromised his integrity. Look out for more of these, for they are your friends and vote for them massively in 2008.
Your true friends in politics and the art of leadership are not those who would give you handouts at election time, but those who did all they could to bring jobs to you and your children. If I were you I would take their handouts (for a consulting fee) but value my vote. Your vote is your power, if “power” is indeed “to the people” in a democracy.
I hear this thing going around that some politicians are buying votes- giving money to delegates and compelling them to swear they would vote for them. This is not only ridiculous but it should not have a place in a democracy. May be the Electoral Commission would need to look into this.
In fact, there is no force behind such oaths and the delegates may not be bothered of any effect on them. If they give you the money that is due you take it for your consulting fee but come election time, VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE. Let the candidates rather convince you of what they are capable. Ask them questions on how they would deliver. Don’t settle for textbook answers. Nor should you compromise effectiveness and execution with longevity. Check their records and decide accordingly.
Election time is the only opportunity you have, especially in a country like Ghana where the law does not favor the citizens but its leaders. I f you miss this opportunity, you can be sure to be sad for the next four years. If I were you, I would think of my long term security and that of posterity and not sell my birthright for a few thousands of cedis from a visionless politician.
It is only proper to end this conversation by quoting Kennedy since he says it clearly and better; “Finally, the question of whether a leader coming from outside can be effective was answered decisively in 1919. That was when a new Governor, Gordon Guggisburg, arrived to take charge of the Gold Coast. A decade later, he had built; * Takoradi Harbour * Korle-Bu Hospital * Achmota College * The road and rail networks that are still an important part of our transportation infrastructure. He proved that vision and passion matter more than how long a leader has been around. The test for our democracy and for our country is whether we can judge that candidate on merit or hold against him his absence from the country resulting from his brave and selfless service.
History awaits the NPP’s answer this year and next year, the nation’s answer. We can and must do the right thing by judging all candidates on merit; for their vision, their competence, their integrity and their compassion. Our nation’s interest, the needs of posterity and history all demand that we choose the best candidate, regardless of where he lives or has lived. That is the approach that took the Black Stars to the World Cup and since politics is more vital to our nation than soccer, we can do no less! God bless our homeland Ghana!
May he continue to give us brave and wise sons and daughters so that we can forever have “ FREEDOM AND JUSTICE” !!!! (Arthur Kobina Kennedy, in The NPP primaries and……The candidates from abroad , Accra Daily Mail, August 20, 2007)

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.