May Ghana remain a democracy; not a gerontocracy

By Prosper Hoetu,

Youth Network for Human Rights and Democracy

E-mail: pyhoetu@gmail.com

For some time now, some young people in government have suffered and continue to suffer severe attacks from some sections of the public. Their sins are that they are too young and inexperienced to be in government. The worst victims of these attacks are people like Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa and Hon. Felix Ofosu Kwakye among others who, in my estimation, are performing creditably well. With the election of Ms. Francisca Oteng Mensah as the Kwabre East Parliamentary Candidate for the New Patriotic Party, the vilification has shifted to the young lady. Much as I tried to restrain myself from wading into the debate, I could not help it as I kept having sleepless nights. I have therefore decided to cease the opportunity to provide some food for thought to those who have make it their business to attack young people who have ventured into politics in order that I could enjoy my sleep. I must indicate that my biggest disappointment is in the young people who have joined the band wagon to condemn their peers for reasons best known to them.

But before I proceed, let me extend my hearty congratulations to Ms. Francisca Oteng Mensah, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and other young people who contested the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primaries. You have made many young people proud and many of us are proud of you too!

It appears to me that we have soon forgotten as Ghanaians the critical contributions made by the youth to bring the nation this far. When Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his peers joined the anti-imperialist struggle to wrestle our country from the dark days of colonial rule, they were but young people some of whom were in their twenties and thirties. It was on account of Dr. Nkrumah’s hard work and commitment to the anti-colonial struggle that he was invited by the leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) to serve as General Secretary. I dare say that it was Dr. Nkrumah’s youthful exuberance and impatience coupled with his unquenchable drive to see an independent nation in which its people would be free to determine their own destiny that resulted in his break away from the UGCC to form the Convention People’s Party (CPP) leading to Ghana’s Independence in 1957 much earlier than the leaders of the UGCC expected. While his colleagues in the UGCC were more conservative and therefore adopted a gradualist approach by calling for “self government within the shortest possible time” Dr. Nkrumah opted for “self government now!” When he formed the CPP, he relied heavily on the support of youth organizations in various communities in the fight for independence.

Granted that we don’t even remember the role of the youth in the independence struggle, what about the fight for Ghana’s return to a constitutional democracy just a little over two decades ago? Do we recall the endless struggle of the leaders of National Union of Ghana Students some of whom lost their lives and others forced into exile? Have we forgotten the sole voice of the voiceless in the era Dr. Adu Boahen described as the era of the ‘culture of silence’? Have we so soon forgotten the number of young people including President Kufour, Hon Atto Ahwoi, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, Hon. Kofi Totobi Kwakye and many others who served in government in various capacities?

Today, young people form the majority of our population and the labour force and they make enormous contributions to the development of this country. Why then do we think that after working hard to return Ghana to the beautiful democracy we enjoy, the youth should relegated to the background when it comes to political leadership? Are we now practicing gerontocracy?

There are several reasons why I need more cogent arguments to come to terms with arguments being made by those who condemn the youth who are in politics. First of all, in the case of Ms. Oteng Mensah, people say she is too young and others claim she is inexperienced. I think those people should come again! These criticisms, or call them attacks, in my opinion are neither here nor there. They are rather what I consider an insult to the intelligence of the framers of our constitution and for that matter the people of Ghana. Is it the case that the framers of the 1992 Constitution were not wise enough that’s why they made the minimum age for qualification for MP 21 years? Is it also the case that the good people of Ghana who voted in a referendum to overwhelmingly give their blessing to the constitution did not appreciate what they did? I bet to differ. I believe without doubt that the drafters of our constitution and the people of Ghana knew too well why they made such a provision in the 1992 Constitution. I equally believe that they understood too well that at age 21, a person who was born and socialized in his community would have had a full appreciation of the challenges in his community and be in the position to represent his people in parliament if they (the people) so wish.

Then some talk of experience and maturity. Experience is important and it has its place in leadership. But in this particular case what experience are we talking about? First of all, it must be established that experience is relative. Many people irrespective of their age have different levels of experience based on their socialization, education and exposure so then how do we measure experience? In any case, whose experience are we talking about? If we are talking about experience in legislation then that is where I have a difficulty. I will not go into too much history but to ask a simple question. When we constituted the first parliament under the forth republic, how many experienced people in law-making entered parliament? How did all the big names in parliament today: Rt. Hon. Doe Adjaho, Hon Alban Bagbin, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Hon Papa Owusu Ankonmah acquire their experience? In my view it was simply because they got the opportunity to enter parliament in the first place. They work hard, and might have made a few mistakes, attended workshops, conferences etc and today they have become great assets to the nation. Just as they got the opportunity and utilized same effectively, any other young person given such opportunity can do same or should we wait until these people leave parliament before the youth also enter?

Again, we entrust our lives into the hands of the youth who are doctors, nurses or other paramedics. We are comfortable patronizing the services of young professionals such as engineers and building technologists. We engage the services of the youth who are lawyers, magistrates, pilots, soldiers, police officers and teachers. There are many youth who occupy sensitive positions in the public service. Others are excelling in corporate Ghana whereas others are successful entrepreneurs who have even created jobs for their peers and other adults. It is therefore very hard for me to understand why we think that politics is a no go area for young people. Indeed other, countries in Africa have stronger provisions on youth participation. The 1995 Constitution of Uganda provides that “Parliament shall consist of such numbers of representatives of Youth as Parliament may determine.” Under the Electoral Law of Uganda, the Parliament of Uganda is enjoined to include 5 youth representatives, one of whom must be a woman and in Rwanda, the National Youth Council elects 2 people to the Chamber of Deputies, which is the lower house of the Rwandan Parliament.

In fact, if we were practicing representative democracy in its real sense then given the population of the youth and women in this country, they should constitute majority in parliament and government. Unfortunately, these are the people who are hardly given any meaningful opportunity to make input policy and laws and they end up bearing the brunt of such policies and laws. When we declared in the Directive Principles of State Policy in Chapter Six of the 1992 Constitution that “Ghana shall be a democratic state” and this should manifest by way of inclusiveness of the marginalized in society.

But Francisca, did I hear you respond that you are not 22 years? Please don’t bother yourself responding to such issues. Study hard and work hard to win the elections. There are other mischievous people who are speculating that per the NPP Constitution, you did not qualify to contest the primaries. Just ask them a simple question: between the NPP constitution and the 1992 Constitution which one is supreme? If they try something funny, the court is your friend.

History is on the move, young people are on the move all over the world leading innovations in science and technology and excelling in the academia, politics, business among others. The youth of Ghana cannot be left behind they must also rise up and be counted.