Third Force in Ghana Politics?

By Cletus D Kuunifaa and Ish Nii Jesse-Dodoo

This is no joking matter. This might happen in the not-too-distant future because, there is growing evidence that emphasizes a third force movement in Ghana politics. Yes, a third force because a number of factors are contributing to the resurgence of a third force. The performance of the main political parties is a decline while the future electoral prospect for a third political party is not in doubt.

The main opposition party is bogged down with internal party strife, dissent, bickering, and lawlessness of unimaginable proportion culminating in deaths of party faithful, while the other subdued political parties are seemingly not up to the task; summarily dismissive as being disjointed, disorganized, semi-structured and not convincing enough to attract votes.

The political situation in Ghana is paralyzed. It is sick and needs resurgence. How dysfunctional our political institutions have become and the systemic failures across board are difficult to fathom. Enormous arrogance and greed across politically as well as parastatal institutions leave much to be desired. Arrogance surely is neither a virtue nor greed in politics.

Here in therefore lies the argument for the proposed need for a third force,

The third force is critical and timely. The third force is necessary because our politics is not benefitting Ghanaians; competent people are sitting on the fence, while professional politicians who have mastered the art are ruling with such dexterous callousness, incompetence, thievery, and greed, all to the disadvantage of Ghanaians who they are supposed to serve. Since when did politics become a profession? Politics must be seen as a call to service and not the other way around, being an avenue for money making.

Carefully reflecting on these neo-bred politicians, I wonder if they really have the mantra of country first. And I wonder if they feel politics is business and a money making machine to deal with. I wonder if all of them, all of them have trait of enormous personal benefit that should we tag the descriptor “greed” on each of them. It may be engrained to their personality so much so that it might be difficult for them to change?

After over two decades of party politics and democracy, Ghanaians are yet to see the dividends of the party politics that they signed up for. This is what the third force must provide.

This concept of a third force should not necessarily derive from a third political party, because it might not have an immediate chance for success and it is not what has been conceptualized about a third force movement. History, at least, lends credence to this fact in the examples of the splintered political parties of Dr. Paa Willie, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom and Dr. Obed Asamoah having not stood the test of time. The reason being that although they were important, they were not the requirement at the time. Learning from this, one may conjecture that the third force being proposed does not require to be another political party.

What therefore redounds to the philosophy of a third force movement is that it must have a character of a movement drawn from well-meaning Ghanaians with a burden for change towards nation and state building. The character must emphasize inclusion of individuals who have demonstrable attributes deemed as the ideals for nation building including: integrity, competence, loyalty to Ghana, visionary, forward looking thinkers, creative minds, unflinching commitment to the nation etc.

How long, fellow compatriots, have we relied on the magnanimity of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in his development plan in the remnant relic of the Akosombo Dam? How couldn’t any leader visionary enough to expand the Akosombo Dam given that it depended on the vagaries of the weather?

How, could we find ourselves in this abyss of energy crisis? And even General I. K Acheampong did well with his “Operation Feed Yourself” mantra. Had we pursued his Operation Feed Yourself agenda, Ghana would have been self-sufficient in food production by now.

The Third force must have a clear agenda and clarity of purpose for nation building. The ethos must be wrapped around wealth creation, inspiring the birth and the growth of potential and God given talents in all citizens, mobilizing wealth of diaspora, and harnessing youth potential, using oil money to benefit Ghanaians, inclusive growth and attack on corruption.

This movement demands to construct an agenda based on transformation and encapsulate this change in what is known as probably the visionary 5Ts:

• Transforming the energy sector for us to be self-sufficient in energy production for rapid industrialization

• Transforming the economy to a knowledge based economy

• Transforming the agricultural sector

• Transforming the education sector to unlock the human potential required for innovation, technology and manufacturing.

• Transforming the public sector to rid it of corruption and ineptitude

The third force must appeal to political parties with members drawn from same and ordinary Ghanaians in a form of mobilized movement of like minds to steer Ghana towards nation building.

Finally, there is a ray of hope; Ghanaians are not poor because they lack potential, they are poor because they lack the tools and the opportunity to fulfil their potential. When people have the tools and the confidence they can dream bigger and utilize more of their competencies and gifts.

Let’s know your thoughts and please email without hesitation if you do feel you belong to this agenda

Cletus D Kuunifaa & Ish Nii Jesse-Dodoo

TMC Group

Can be contacted at dipnibe@gmail.com, ishdodoo@gmail.com