This question, when thrown at any politician will meet a predictable answer; Country
first. The answer I think should not be expected from the lips but from the actions
and inactions of the people Dr Afari Gyan described as "very strange people". If
there is a saying as "Political Talk" in their books, then we the electorate are at
a great risk. The more serious issue is what motivates them to seek our mandate to
rule us. Is it a love for country or for party? If it is a love for country then
we can be sure of another Julius Nyerere in Ghana. A man who ruled Tanzania for
many years without a house of his own. Or another Mandella, who can go to prison to
free his people from apartheid and rule for only four years and voluntarily hand
over without seeking a second mandate at a time he could win even if Christ was the
opposition.
Ghana from my point of view is driving into an obscure zone where the love for party
is over-riding that for country. Political leaders are showing more loyalty to
their party than to the state. They are willing to do anything to keep the party
going regardless of the effect their actions will have on the state.
The effort being put into making their parties successful are so obviously high
above what they invest in making Ghana a place of reference when good things are
considered. I took a special pride in Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo of the NPP for
his innitiative and the subsequent decentralization of the voting system for their
flag bearer which saw the party becoming the first country in Africa to effect such
a broad base flag bearer election population. I have also been overwhelmed by the
multi-million cedi office complex being built by the NDC in these last two years.
Although the NDC office complex has attracted criticism I think all goes to
strengthen the party.
When it comes to issues of the state do we really see people putting their lives on
the line like the way they do to see their parties come to power? Of course no.
What has made the great countries we envy and cherish today what they are is a
selfless leadership and citizens who were ready to pass through the tick thin to
make their nations what they are today.
I feel sad when I hear party spokespersons and leaders argue issues on our media
houses. The positions are almost always predictable. Each one looking for credits
for his respective party, leaving the country in the cold.
Our success will start from our minds. We need as a people to always put our
country first. I am very surprised that some folks from the opposition seem to be
against the move by government to eject people from the banks of the Weija lake. So
am I surprised that the President and his cronies have taken a stand to cover Mr
Woyome over the 58 Million dished out to him under very bizarre circumstances. In a
case when the state attorney refused to even put up any defence.
However miserable the people ejected from Weija may look today it is a step in the
right direction and will go a long way to help them at the end. The excavators may
look monstrous today, but raging water will be more inhuman. In the same way
judgement debts could be paid to whoever is entitled to them, but no matter how
guilty our government may feel, putting up a little defence won't be a crime.
And the worst, our head as a country is not thinking of the money we are loosing
which we may be able to keep if the case is patiently battled in court but rather he
is looking for whom to blame.
I fear Kwabena Agyapongs prophecy is near. Another Rawlings will arise who will
drive this country in the right direction. The hypocrisy in our politicians is
becoming too clear. The time has come that we place our country first and also
examine our leaders to know their loyalty to country before voting for them.
God bless our homeland Ghana.
Noah Dugubrame Asare. Frankfurt, Germany.
