The sins of democracy

Whoever introduced democracy into this world has done a good job. And there is no contest about its goodness where it is practice very well. But is it perfect for Ghana and Africa as a whole? The answer is open to debate. Every election season almost always degenerated into the opposing sides launching vicious personal attacks on the opposition candidate. The Ghana presidential election of 2012 was the 6th quadrennial presidential election in the 4th republic, and the polls results remain among the most disputed ever. As might be expected, the current leader took office under a cloud of suspicion, and was openly mocked by opposition NPP followers. The "compromise" of the election of 2012 actually represented a kind of electoral coup d’état for the opposition. NDC say they won the polls fair and square! "There never was a good war or bad peace" so say an adage. Now all that you hear is: peace this, peace that and so on. The peace industry is booming. Call it "PEACE PLC LIMITED". Are we fighting? The constitution gives room for aggrieved candidates to seek redress at the Supreme Court. If mere court verdict can bring massive tension in Ghana, then we are not safe with democracy! Even countries like Nigeria, Gabon, Uganda Benin and others went to court after elections and absolutely nothing happen. For instance Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was arrested, accused of treason, concealment of treason and rape-and Uganda did not burn.

President Thomas Jefferson made this statement on his first inauguration: "I go to my work as president of the United States, ready to leave that position when you and the American people decide that there is a better man for it". Which African leader both past and present can say this? Maybe, Nelson Mandela can! Has someone sat down to analyze the number of people who perished through the quadrennial polls? Just because someone wants to be president so people should die? It does not make sense to me.

Let us go back to history.

In December 1991, the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) of Algeria were poised to win elections. However, the Algerian military violently overturned democracy. All apparent moves toward democracy by the junta have also been insignificant in terms of resolving the crisis. In 1995, elections were held and of course were hailed widely as a success in the west. However, they have been largely irrelevant for the Algerian people at large. The crisis in Egypt cannot be compared to that of Algeria. Both have same the genesis. But not that of Ghana. Please stop this unnecessary tension. Kwame Nkrumah said many decades ago that the African is capable of managing his own affairs. It is so clear that we cannot take charge of anything on our own unless we hire the services of an expatriate. With the exception of Dr Nkrumah who was supreme visionary leader, the rest of leaders have failed us in terms of economic advancement.

After some sober reflections, i came to the understanding why we are not making progress, or dub it snail pace progress. Our leaders are quick to talk about Asian tigers: South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and others. They often say Ghana’s economy in 1957 was better than that of theirs. If you care to know a military dictator change South Korea to its present state. General Park Chung-Hee led the Miracle on the Han River from 1962 to 1979.Currently Korea presidents are directly elected to a 5-year term with no possibility of re-election, and yet they are enjoying rapid economic growth.

Ghanaian politician is not accountable to anyone .He promised to serve his people but his people rather serving him. His people will vote for him again whether he performs or not, provider he is contesting on the ticket of NPP or NDC. Talk to people and they will tell you they are born-NPP or born-NDC. So they will continue to vote for the party till they die. In fact, voting is not on issues in Ghana. So why do you expect change in the economy?

Opposition leaders in Africa have never lost any election, always saying the election was rig in favour of incumbent. Instead of stock taking on why they lost, rather they are accusation-happy! African leaders cannot escape blame either. They want to hold on to power at all cost. In reality democracy is proof too costly for us and it needs thorough reflections at the national level.

REAGAN MICHAEL FIANKO

TRUEMIKKY@YAHOO.COM