There
is a strong perception out there that the two dominant political parties in
Ghana today seem to have entered into a tacit, unwritten agreement to “chop and
let me chop Ghana small” whenever in power. This is setting a dangerous
precedent for the country and it threatens the very foundations of our
democracy.
This
tacit and unwritten agreement enjoins the party in power to disregard evidence
of corruption of its predecessor and embark upon its own corruption. They play “watch
my back and I will watch yours” while the economy is pillaged and allowed to
bleed to death like a war casualty. Any call for action to ensure probity and
accountability is ignored with contempt while the rot and stealing go on.
The
defenders of the status quo think it is vindictive to seek justice. Under NPP’s
eight years of rule there was massive corruption everywhere. Everybody knew
that, from castle kickbacks to Ghana@50. Anytime allegations of corruption were
made, the usual response was “show me the evidence”, “it is only a perception”.
Now are you surprised that the NDC government under Mills has adopted the same
response? Elsewhere in the press, Woyomi and Twum Boafo both leading members of
NDC are calling on Rawlings to provide evidence of corruption in the current
government that he’s been talking about. Under Kuffour, nobody in NPP was able
to speak out against corruption in their own government. Even Haruna Esseku,
the former chairman of NPP made half hearted attempts to retract his castle
kickback allegations. Nobody in Ghana has the courage to take on his own
party’s government the way Rawlings is doing.
Rawlings
is right about this "scratch my back and I will scratch yours politics"
being perpetrated by Mills and his NDC government.This is the
only thing that has prevented Mills from investigating and punishing corruption
of the yesteryears in NPP government and also in his own NDC government. There
is clear lack of leadership in the current administration. Now, don’t get me
wrong. Mills is a good man, he seems honest and has very good intentions but he
doesn’t come across as a political leader. He is a weak leader, and his hands off
style is creating a power vacuum and leadership paralysis for the country. Everybody
around him is playing president.
WE
NEED A STRONG LEADER, LEADERSHIP WITH INTEGRITY AND WILLINGNES TO PURSUE
PROBITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE LETTER in the current administration and the
ones preceding it. Corruption needs to be punished and shamed not glorified.
A
staunch anti-corruption campaigner once commented and I quote “When it comes to
corruption, mine is very simple: NPP is supposed to hold NDC accountable while
NDC is expected to do same to NPP. On paper though, we expect all Governments
to be proactive in fighting corruption even IF CORRUPTION OCCURRED IN THEIR OWN
ADMINISTRATION. But in Ghana, you and I know that that may be only a fantasy. If
then NDC is not willing to investigate NPP and the latter decides to
reciprocate the NDC's gesture when it assumes power with a conniving Judiciary
WHERE WILL OUR DEMOCRACY BE IN A FEW YEARS HENCE?No
patriotic citizen, be they NDC or NPP should be happy about these
developments!!!
Ghana
is for all of us and we all have a stake in it's success!!! This is not an NDC
or NPP matter!!”
What
is happening in North Africa and the Middle East should send a warning signal
to all politicians who engage in corruption and nation wrecking activities.
When the people rise up, their anger cannot be contained.
The
real revolution is on the way....it is coming.......it will sweep all of the so
called political elites. It will make JUNE 4th seems like a child's play.
A
few political idiots cannot continue to steal from the state and play
"watch my back and I watch your back" while they use the court system
they have corrupted and the lodges to protect themselves and their ill gotten
wealth. When the revolution comes, it won't spare them.
YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR IF YOU HAVE NOT RAPED
MOTHER GHANA.
The
anger of the masses will consume them......it will make the Middle East Spring
Revolution and the Orange Revolution of Ukraine, plus the Phillipino
Revolutions that toppled Estrada, Aquino etc and the anger of the Thai people
that drove Thaksin out of power and constantly check the rot in the Thai
political system look small like child's play. The Ghanaian Revolution will be
bloody, the echoes of LET THE BLOOD FLOW will be heard again. Those who have constantly
fed on the state depriving millions of Ghanaians of their God given right to a
better life, the anger of the people will be visited upon them and they will
find no refuge anywhere on this earth to run to for help.
THE
REAL REVOLUTION IS COMING, THE PEOPLE’S ANGER THAT NOBODY CAN STOP!!!
Democracy
may be good but the way it is practised in Africa, without checks and balances,
is a fat joke. Just three days ago I was asking myself whether what has
happened to John Edwards in the US could happen in Ghana in the way of say a
presidential candidate diverting political contributions for his personal use.
Remember John Edwards was a vice presidential candidate of the Democratic Party
and a one time presidential aspirant. And again remember, there is a Democratic
administration in office, the Attorney General is a Democrat appointed by a
Democratic President. There were rumours that the political donations or funds
for Akuffo-Addo’s failed presidential bid for 2008 couldn’t be accounted for.
Within the NPP itself there was finger pointing and accusations and counter
accusations. What a wretched country we are, because we have decided to throw
probity and accountability out of the window. Don’t you think that as a nation
we should cherish this valued tradition more else we can’t make progress?
WHEN
SHALL WE LEARN AS A NATION?
Ben Ofosu-Appiah
Tokyo,
JAPAN.
The
writer is a senior political/social analyst and a policy strategist based in
Tokyo. He welcomes your comments: do4luv27@yahoo.com
