President Obama’s Shadow on Ghana’s Elections

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Akadu Mensema 13 years ago

Venerable Prof. Ayittey, well said but I wish to raise three issues here.

First your use of "village" and "tribe" is unbecoming of a professor of African political economies. These concepts designate an immemorial Africa. ...
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Venerable Prof. Ayittey, well said but I wish to raise three issues here.

First your use of "village" and "tribe" is unbecoming of a professor of African political economies. These concepts designate an immemorial Africa. What is a village, and whose definition are you employing? Obviously a Western construct. Tribe is derived from discredited anthropologizing and hegemonizing of Africa and other non-European worlds, connoting states and societies incapble of moving beyond a certain stage of human development. We know that all societies are dynamic and go through change and renewal.

Second, your analogy of vehicular parts that stresses "separation" and "independence" of functions is far-fetched and does not capture the organic, osmotic, and interdependent sectors of society. Indeed, a good mechanic (fitter) would tell you that even vehicular parts are interdependent and complementary.

Third, the position that if the SC trial the case, it would be usurping the role of the EC is deeply flawed. Harking back to your analogy, if a police officer arrests an erring driver, s/he would sent the driver to court. Does it mean that the court would be usurping the role of the police. Nope! It is just interdependency and complementarity of the system at work.
A GERSIS 13 years ago

GVYB TV

A Gersis reporting

Fellow Ghanaians

In the academic world, Akadu is just a kvetch. On set, she is patronizingly advising Prof. Ayittey on how to use some words. Infact we are getting on her game now. We are t ...
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GVYB TV

A Gersis reporting

Fellow Ghanaians

In the academic world, Akadu is just a kvetch. On set, she is patronizingly advising Prof. Ayittey on how to use some words. Infact we are getting on her game now. We are tired of this lowly poet; a Prof. of African Area Studies whose verse sounds lie that of a poetaster or a rhymeter.

The cries she precipitates really means this lowly Pro. needs help in the world of academia. Underneath that pungent little girl's costume is another human being who is scared to death of being not noticed here on Ghanaweb as having a scholarship.

For, Akadu, it is ritual! She is a KVETCH.

ANTONIO GERSIS
PLAZA ONE
DALLAS
A GERSIS 13 years ago

THE CRIES SHE PRECIPITATES REALLY MEAN....... is the correction

THE CRIES SHE PRECIPITATES REALLY MEAN....... is the correction
Akadu Mensema 13 years ago

Gersis, you have fallen in love with my stupidity. Let us tie the knot!

Gersis, you have fallen in love with my stupidity. Let us tie the knot!
GAWUKO 13 years ago

Akadu are you accepting ANTONIO GERSIS'love proposal? Invite me to any weding plans.
I shall still send you an email after the whole election brouhaha is over, okay? Dearly yours, Gawuko

Akadu are you accepting ANTONIO GERSIS'love proposal? Invite me to any weding plans.
I shall still send you an email after the whole election brouhaha is over, okay? Dearly yours, Gawuko
Akadu Mensema 13 years ago

Gawuko,

I love GERSIS, but sadly, he can't perfrom. The doctor told us that he is mentally-challenged and that has affected his libido. Please, ask him to see help so that we can get things going again.

Gawuko,

I love GERSIS, but sadly, he can't perfrom. The doctor told us that he is mentally-challenged and that has affected his libido. Please, ask him to see help so that we can get things going again.
A GERSIS 13 years ago

GVYB TV

A Gersis reporting

Fellow Ghanaians

This unattractive cocotte with a pungent hemorrhoid pussy and a beauty that looks like a slow flying A-10 warthog is looking for sex from me? Naw! Naw! You are too pretty ...
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GVYB TV

A Gersis reporting

Fellow Ghanaians

This unattractive cocotte with a pungent hemorrhoid pussy and a beauty that looks like a slow flying A-10 warthog is looking for sex from me? Naw! Naw! You are too pretty because you are just a clinging old mama. It takes a monumental gall- a kind of awesome chutzpah for you to ask. Then again, you are desexed lesbian.

ANTONIO GERSIS
PLAZA ONE
DALLAS
Akadu Mensema 13 years ago

You go boy: work on your manhood and mental frame of mind!

You go boy: work on your manhood and mental frame of mind!
bex 13 years ago

Gersis, let's not descend to the level you are taking us.

Akadu has every right to point out the professor's folly in his choice of "village" and "tribe." The two words connote backwardness. The good professor should admit ...
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Gersis, let's not descend to the level you are taking us.

Akadu has every right to point out the professor's folly in his choice of "village" and "tribe." The two words connote backwardness. The good professor should admit to his mistake, because he is leaving it to be inferred that he is writing about backward people.
Daniel K. Pryce 13 years ago

Akadu,

I agree with Dr. Ayittey’s contextual use of the word “tribe,” although I understand your argument about the move away from stasis in human societies. Our tribal identities are still viable determinants of who ...
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Akadu,

I agree with Dr. Ayittey’s contextual use of the word “tribe,” although I understand your argument about the move away from stasis in human societies. Our tribal identities are still viable determinants of who we are, even if our republican forms of government – copied directly from our former masters – appear to have propelled us into an age of modernity. In other words, our tribal “dispensations” have not undergone any “modernization,” and they should not. Altering this rich heritage would be inimical to maintaining our true identity as Ghanaians – and Africans.

Interestingly, monarchies had existed long before republican forms of government were created, and to assume that because we now live in an age of “modernity,” the concept of “tribe” or “village” should go away is not convincing to me.

Ghana’s chieftains are the guardians and repositories of our cultural heritage: the artifacts, the totems, the sacerdotal pieces, the oral histories, and the spoils of ancient wars. Many of our oral historians have told us that a lot of the things we know about ourselves were handed down to us via word of mouth, usually from the palaces of our chiefs: our migratory trends to our present home, Ghana; the wars we had fought and won, or lost; our systems of inheritance, whether patrilineal or matrilineal; the special dishes that we love so much; and our local systems of governance and administration, among others. All the preceding statements, I argue, are closely tied to those “primordial” constructs of “tribe” and “village.”

When the white man first arrived in Africa, the continent and life were not chaotic, no matter what they tell us in contemporary times: Africans were managing their own affairs, and since humans are communal by nature, irrespective of tribe or race, Africans generally had chiefs and kings to superintend the affairs of each locality. Of course, the colonial powers made sure that they disrupted this system of governance, forcing us to accept their so-called superior systems instead. As a result, the powers of our traditional leaders were taken away and a new form of republican government imposed on us, whether we were ready for it or not. And how the white man laughs at us, as we demonize our primordial systems of governance – based primarily on tribes and village life – even as we aspire to some form of European utopia of governance! Akadu, I thought you were a strong proponent of many things African!

If “[t]ribe is derived from discredited anthropologizing and hegemonizing of Africa and other non-European worlds, connoting states and societies incapable of moving beyond a certain stage of human development,” as you maintain, then we Africans ought to fight back by maintaining a pertinent and gracious use of these terms, disregarding the so-called derision of those opposed to these rich constructs.

Akadu Mensema 13 years ago

This is a long self-serving lecture that is not warranted! You use words like "modernity" when does it begin and how is it applied. Do you call European societies as tribes, if not why apply them to Africans? Postmodernist ca ...
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This is a long self-serving lecture that is not warranted! You use words like "modernity" when does it begin and how is it applied. Do you call European societies as tribes, if not why apply them to Africans? Postmodernist call it otherizing.
Daniel K. Pryce 13 years ago

Akadu, I was just trying to engage in a conversation with you -- nothing sinister or self-serving about what I had written. Perhaps you can share with the readers your views about "modernity" in this context, which will take ...
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Akadu, I was just trying to engage in a conversation with you -- nothing sinister or self-serving about what I had written. Perhaps you can share with the readers your views about "modernity" in this context, which will take the discussion forward. By the way, you criticize me all the time, so why take offense because I critiqued, or disagreed with, your argument?
GAWUKO 13 years ago

Interesting dialogue. I can see we are moving on. That makes me happy, for myself and especially for Ghana. And I am hopeful some other forumers will slowly accept that we should pull Ghana in one direction. We need the frict ...
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Interesting dialogue. I can see we are moving on. That makes me happy, for myself and especially for Ghana. And I am hopeful some other forumers will slowly accept that we should pull Ghana in one direction. We need the friction though because friction or resistance enables motion. Hi Forumers, today Daniel and Akadu are mending fences, let us all join them. Antonio, can you also burry the hatchet and stop attacking Akadu all the time? She has just accepted your love proposal. And Akadu will reword her poems or change her style. Hm, strange world but interesting. Happy New Year to all.
Akadu Mensema 13 years ago

My point is that such concepts are subjective and are mis/interpreted along culture specific lines. Modernity in Europe has become synonymous with whites' "innate" ability to develop, while modernity in Africa is always assoc ...
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My point is that such concepts are subjective and are mis/interpreted along culture specific lines. Modernity in Europe has become synonymous with whites' "innate" ability to develop, while modernity in Africa is always associated with European, read non-African, agency in Africa. Does it then mean that Africans are incapable of development that is wholly African rooted. At a different, the concept assumes that developments in Europe are European-centered, but we know that most of developments in Europe were borrowed from Asia, Middle East, and the Islamic World, and Africa (Nile Basin), epsecially from the 14th century forward.
Paul Amuna 13 years ago

If my history serves me well, the civilisation from Africa dates back way before Christ and trade, advanced cities and places of learning existed before the European pirates invaded our serene lands and exploited it for centu ...
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If my history serves me well, the civilisation from Africa dates back way before Christ and trade, advanced cities and places of learning existed before the European pirates invaded our serene lands and exploited it for centuries. By the way they continue to exploit our resources in what I term the post neo-colonialist period of the late 20th and early 21 st century.
moyo 13 years ago

NPP cannot make Ghana ungovernable. Come what may, President Mahama is doing his job and he loves it

NPP cannot make Ghana ungovernable. Come what may, President Mahama is doing his job and he loves it
GOAHEAD 13 years ago

YOU ARE A FOOL AND STUPID TO STAY IN THE US THIS LONG. MOST OF US ARE BACK IN GHANA ASSISTING IT TO MOVE FORWARD.
NPP ARE JUST SORE LOSERS.

YOU ARE A FOOL AND STUPID TO STAY IN THE US THIS LONG. MOST OF US ARE BACK IN GHANA ASSISTING IT TO MOVE FORWARD.
NPP ARE JUST SORE LOSERS.
Akadu Mensema 13 years ago

Yes, I am away in the US, but my stupid ideas help shape public opinion. Besides, I teach four universities on-line for free, thereby promoting education.

Yes, I am away in the US, but my stupid ideas help shape public opinion. Besides, I teach four universities on-line for free, thereby promoting education.
ALHASA MORO 13 years ago

The inauguration ceremony is premature and should be postponed until the Supreme Court makes a ruling – for or against the petition.

The inauguration ceremony is premature and should be postponed until the Supreme Court makes a ruling – for or against the petition.
Godson 13 years ago

You parade yourself as an intellectual who knows about the solutions to African problems but comes out as an uncle tom, patronizing the white man's stereotypes about Africans. I once watched your performance on C-span. It w ...
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You parade yourself as an intellectual who knows about the solutions to African problems but comes out as an uncle tom, patronizing the white man's stereotypes about Africans. I once watched your performance on C-span. It was so abysmal that the host stopped the program prematurely. Hope you realize that you have only been doing empty "jaw jaw" from abroad. Go live in Ghana and let's see how much "do do" you can come up with.

Daniel K. Pryce 13 years ago

"Similarly, for purpose of governance, a society has seven key institutions: The civil service, the judiciary, the media, the security forces (military, the police or law-enforcement), the electoral commission, Parliament and ...
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"Similarly, for purpose of governance, a society has seven key institutions: The civil service, the judiciary, the media, the security forces (military, the police or law-enforcement), the electoral commission, Parliament and the Central Bank."

I hope the learned professor is not assuming that the executive branch and the civil service are the same, because they are not. Perhaps, Prof. Ayittey simply forgot to include the executive branch, which, while it is supposed to maintain parity with the legislature and the judiciary, tends to be the most powerful of the three most vital institutions, especially in the African context. This is so because of the abuse of power by African leaders, who, in their twisted minds, push around and try to intimidate legislators and judges. After all, he who controls the security agencies in an African country wields the most power – in a perverse way, of course.

It is important for us to note the difference between the executive and the civil service: the former is chosen by the electorate, and has extensive policymaking powers; and the latter is, primarily, a team of technocrats and specialists who are expected to serve the citizenry, irrespective of which administration is in office. Yes, a stable civil service ensures that the policies of the executive are carried out within the population, but some elected officials even try to “dismantle” the civil service through the concept of “jobs for the boys” or cronyism. This is a fundamental problem in African democracies.

While Prof. Ayittey’s call to have the inauguration of President-elect John Mahama postponed sounds great, his argument is not complete. For instance, we know that the Gore v. Bush situation in Election 2000 was resolved on December 12, 2000, long before Bush was inaugurated as president, which took place about six weeks after the Supreme Court’s ruling. Does Ghana’s Constitution make a provision for the postponement of the inauguration if a dispute arose? Prof. Ayittey should have explained the constitutional provisions, rather than simply make a blanket call for the postponement of the inauguration. If the Constitution is silent on this matter, then the inauguration may proceed, even if the Supreme Court has to sort through this mess after the fact.

Yes, it is weird to have the Chief Justice of the Supreme swear in the new Commander-in-Chief, only to turn around and argue on the bench whether or not the man is the legitimate head of state. What we need to do, therefore, is amend the Constitution, so the inauguration date is at least two months removed from the date of the election, rather the one-month separation that is currently on the books.

While Prof. Ayittey argues that postponing the inauguration would be an affirmation of the value of the Supreme Court regarding matters of great significance, a similar, but opposing, argument could be made for the January 7, 2013, inauguration of the newly elected president: it serves the constitutional requirement for swearing in a new president. Perhaps our legislators never foresaw this unique problem when the law was codified.
Ken Ntiamoa 13 years ago

Akadu, GERSIS, Daniel Pryce and Godson!
I am afraid that all of you are conveniently dodging the issues that Prof Ayittey has raised, but raising not so crucially important anecdotes. It appears that all of you are afraid to ...
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Akadu, GERSIS, Daniel Pryce and Godson!
I am afraid that all of you are conveniently dodging the issues that Prof Ayittey has raised, but raising not so crucially important anecdotes. It appears that all of you are afraid to discuss the theme of his essay - agree, disagree, add to or subtract from his central theme, which is - it may be a good idea to halt the inauguration until the SC has had a chance the review the case submitted and offered a ruling. Now, let us discuss the merits or demerits of his premise.

Ken
Paul Amuna 13 years ago

Would you say that the NPP's long delay in bringing their petition to the supreme court was precisely and cynically timed to create this situation where the SC has little time to consider it and provide a verdict before the D ...
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Would you say that the NPP's long delay in bringing their petition to the supreme court was precisely and cynically timed to create this situation where the SC has little time to consider it and provide a verdict before the DATE SET BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION for the inauguration of the president? eorge's article is a good one, but he is WRONG on his take on postponement of the inauguration because it is surprise, surprise, UNCONSTITUTIONAL. He is talking about structures of government and good governance yet he has made a fundamental mistake which goes counter to his overall argument. I think that is what people are picking up, however partisan those people may be or appear to be. Let's all be fair and OBJECTIVE in our reading and analysis of the issues shall we?
Alhaj MM Libi 13 years ago

Mr. Ntiamoah has sought to re-focus the discussion on the theme:
"which is - it may be a good idea to halt the inauguration until the SC has had a chance the review the case submitted and offered a ruling"

Why ? The cons ...
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Mr. Ntiamoah has sought to re-focus the discussion on the theme:
"which is - it may be a good idea to halt the inauguration until the SC has had a chance the review the case submitted and offered a ruling"

Why ? The constitution is quite clear that anytime the Supreme Court decides on the petition ( it could take months, or even years, Remember the Ayawaso case?) the other state systems and institutions are quite capable to handling the recommendations. So hypothetically, if the SC decides that the EC should go and do what Prof. Ayittey has suggested viz:

“We found credible evidence of mis-calculation. So RETABULATE the results together with reps of the opposition parties, using ONLY numbers on the Blue/Pink collation sheets everyone signed. We are appointing a 3-judge panel to oversee this re-tabulation to ensure that it is done fairly and transparently. Then tell us and the nation the new results. Come back to us if you any further difficulty.”

Please dear reader, ask your self this: in your candid opinion how much time will you give the SC and EC to do all this. Keep in mind there are 26000 polling stations ( even the NPP needed upwards of 15 days to do their self-admitted targeted partial review. The EC might have to go back to parliament or elsewhere to secure more resources or even perhaps mandates. Add the Biometric Verification Systems etc.and you may begin to understand that at the minimum, a complete performance-audit will take time. And in our peculiar situation there is a need for calm to prevail at all times. This is why I think the current constitutional provision is the best. Whilst the SC and EC are engaged with other parties (plaintiffs and defendants) in sorting out the details of the petitions, the state, with it "strong" Institutions ( hopefully!!) will stay functional. Anytime the case is decided or a need arises to change any and/or the whole system I think it can be done with minimal (hopefully again!) fuss.
Paul Amuna 13 years ago

You are absolutely right. People are refusing to even examine he implications of their suggestions on the country.

You are absolutely right. People are refusing to even examine he implications of their suggestions on the country.
Akadu Mensema 13 years ago

Ken, you just whacked down a slice of the Prof's essay and annointed it as a theme. Well, I did not look at the themes, but his arguments that center the themes.

Ken, you just whacked down a slice of the Prof's essay and annointed it as a theme. Well, I did not look at the themes, but his arguments that center the themes.
Kwadwo Ofori Atta 13 years ago

Go some where with that tilt. If that is the law, the SC has time to stop the swearing in. You npp folks always hiding behind some strange reasoning.

Go some where with that tilt. If that is the law, the SC has time to stop the swearing in. You npp folks always hiding behind some strange reasoning.
william 13 years ago

It is intellectual dishonesty to write so well and make a conclusion that has no link to the body, infact a conclusion that contradicts your call for the respect of the rule of law and the constitution! The title 'Obama shado ...
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It is intellectual dishonesty to write so well and make a conclusion that has no link to the body, infact a conclusion that contradicts your call for the respect of the rule of law and the constitution! The title 'Obama shadow' is also misleading! Did you catch the Washington cold at the end of your article?
Ama 13 years ago

DISTORTING FACTS IN THE U.S. GEORGE BUSH'S INAUGURATION WAS NEVER PUT ON HOLD. IT TOOK PLACE JANUARY 20, 2001. LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE. NOT AN INTELLIGENT WRITER AT ALL, ESPECIALLY IN THIS DAY AND AGE WHERE EVERY INFO IS E ...
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DISTORTING FACTS IN THE U.S. GEORGE BUSH'S INAUGURATION WAS NEVER PUT ON HOLD. IT TOOK PLACE JANUARY 20, 2001. LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE. NOT AN INTELLIGENT WRITER AT ALL, ESPECIALLY IN THIS DAY AND AGE WHERE EVERY INFO IS EVERYWHERE FOR EASY RETRIEVAL YOU CAN ONLY IMPRESS VILLAGERS WHO HAVE NO ACCESS TO COMPUTER AND ALSO SOME FOOLS ON THIS SITE.
WILLIAM 13 years ago

'Ama' thanks for the detail. I hope the professor of partisan politics has read yours to jack up his conscience!Pity he cannot even learn from his hardworking and brilliant sister Hon. Sherry Aryettey!!Or does he want to draw ...
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'Ama' thanks for the detail. I hope the professor of partisan politics has read yours to jack up his conscience!Pity he cannot even learn from his hardworking and brilliant sister Hon. Sherry Aryettey!!Or does he want to draw attention onto himself away from his sis!!!

anthony 13 years ago

you are a dog

you are a dog
Michael Opoku 13 years ago

Prof. Ayittey,you're showing your true color as an NPP fanatic. You said the inauguration ceremony should be postponed knowing very well it took twenty one days for NPP to file their suit. Why didn't NPP file their suit immed ...
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Prof. Ayittey,you're showing your true color as an NPP fanatic. You said the inauguration ceremony should be postponed knowing very well it took twenty one days for NPP to file their suit. Why didn't NPP file their suit immediately after the elections were held? The SC Would have been closer to a decision by now if the suit had been filed earlier.
The Trcucker 13 years ago

Nana Addo is a terrible disappointment to be honest.Events of recent weeks reveal the weakness of the man: he was never really cut out to be a great leader .He simply lacks vison and the ability to rise above his own raw ambi ...
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Nana Addo is a terrible disappointment to be honest.Events of recent weeks reveal the weakness of the man: he was never really cut out to be a great leader .He simply lacks vison and the ability to rise above his own raw ambitions, ego and narrow self interests. Africa is in the process of shedding leaders of that very ilk. Nana Akufo Addo not to be too unkind is now out of date and now simply clutching at straws. If the NPP has to survive it will have to at some stage (hopefully very soon) jettison Nana.An NPP whose fate is closely tied to that of Nana Addo is going to be doomed.
Paul Amuna 13 years ago

I am afraid your take on the issues is out of order and irrelevant to the current discussion. Akufo addo's fitness for office is not in question here. Please let's stay on message and have a civil discussion, please.

I am afraid your take on the issues is out of order and irrelevant to the current discussion. Akufo addo's fitness for office is not in question here. Please let's stay on message and have a civil discussion, please.
Akadu Mensema 13 years ago

Cut the slack!

Cut the slack!
Ghnanababa 13 years ago

Guys don't think the US cares abou Ghana. We have our own matters here to think about. If you gonna sit down and let these Chinees distroy your country it's up to u. Why don't you implement good laws and officially do your mi ...
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Guys don't think the US cares abou Ghana. We have our own matters here to think about. If you gonna sit down and let these Chinees distroy your country it's up to u. Why don't you implement good laws and officially do your mining as your former leaders has done. Why do you guys now do things differently and in a chip way?
ManBelhomme 13 years ago

Yes, I think it is a common sencse, given the fact that the results are being contested. If indeed, the Supreme Court is really what it is, then something must be done to put the inauguration of the presidency on hold. Common ...
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Yes, I think it is a common sencse, given the fact that the results are being contested. If indeed, the Supreme Court is really what it is, then something must be done to put the inauguration of the presidency on hold. Common sense should dictate to even the "unschoolled" citizen in Ghana that, what is being done provides a recipe for chaos. For once, the NPP is right to boycott the inauguration since it is in contention with the results and I think rightly that democracy ceases to be so without a viable opposition and for the SC to allow that to go ahead is really " a scorching of a snake". It is a "throwing of justice and democracy to the dogs and having none of them.If there is a possibilty of a safe delivery, then why aborting the baby ?. This abortion should be avoided at ALL COST. Haste shold in deed, be made slowly to allow the current the battle to be won and lost.
Paul Amuna 13 years ago

George, I read your article with a great deal of interest. It is well written and you have attempted to put the issues into perspective. You are right in identifying and emphasising the importance of "structures" rather than ...
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George, I read your article with a great deal of interest. It is well written and you have attempted to put the issues into perspective. You are right in identifying and emphasising the importance of "structures" rather than "strong men".

However, on the same premise, I fundamentally disagree with you about your opinion on the inauguration of the president. In case you are not already aware IT IS NOT THE PRESIDENT, THE RULLING PARTY OR ANYONE ELSE WHO FIXED THE DATE FOR THE INAUGURATION. RATHER IT WAS THE VERY STRUCTURES YOU REFER TO. Ghanaians are simply following the PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION. For instance the president will be addressing parliament today on the state of the nation. This is an annual address at the beginning of parliament and WHOEVER IS IN OFFICE AT THE TIME delivers that address. In short, the structures themselves are not perfect and you know full well even in the United States how "broken" the political system and indeed the "electoral process" is. If you would recall, president Obama in his acceptance speech on 7th December acknowledged that the electoral system was "broken and needs to be fixed and I will do my best to help fix it". Don't you think that ALL PARTIES IN GHANA need to be working together to fix what is broken rather than causing the type of division that is currently threatening our very democracy that we all pride ourselves in and which as you say, attracted THE POTUS To visit Ghana as his first stop in sub-Saharan Africa following his triumph in 2008?

I respect your views and I think by and large you have made some very good points which are commendable but I cannot help feeling that you have betrayed a tinge of bias in some aspects which in my view does not do justice to what otherwise is a good article.
Paul Amuna 13 years ago

My error on the date.

My error on the date.
william 13 years ago

All that he wrote is not knew. The only new thing and indeed the only aim of his piece was to plant his partisan and irrational conclusion. In an exam he would have been failed by the examiner with a generous 15% for his effo ...
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All that he wrote is not knew. The only new thing and indeed the only aim of his piece was to plant his partisan and irrational conclusion. In an exam he would have been failed by the examiner with a generous 15% for his effort!
Paul Amuna 13 years ago

William, I have not awarded any marks but as an examiner, if I say there is a flaw in your arguments, that has serious implications for your grade.

William, I have not awarded any marks but as an examiner, if I say there is a flaw in your arguments, that has serious implications for your grade.
Ken Ntiamoa 13 years ago

Very good contribution from you, Paul.
This is the kind of discussion I was referring to - ie addressing the issues raised as cogently as you did without insulting Dr Ayittey or anyone.

Whether we agree or disagree, let u ...
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Very good contribution from you, Paul.
This is the kind of discussion I was referring to - ie addressing the issues raised as cogently as you did without insulting Dr Ayittey or anyone.

Whether we agree or disagree, let us just discuss without too much emotions and insults

Ken
Paul Amuna 13 years ago

Very well said Ken, I believe this forum would benefit enormously from serious but balanced exchanges devoid of insults and cheap shots.

Very well said Ken, I believe this forum would benefit enormously from serious but balanced exchanges devoid of insults and cheap shots.
Whatever 13 years ago

It is the police who enforce laws, NOT the supreme the court. The supreme court interpretes the law, not to misinterprete the laws to please NPP. The electoral laws are clear. Mahama is the president and unless there's eviden ...
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It is the police who enforce laws, NOT the supreme the court. The supreme court interpretes the law, not to misinterprete the laws to please NPP. The electoral laws are clear. Mahama is the president and unless there's evidence that one of the electoral laws was broken to make that happened, The Supreme court is bound to uphold the law making Mahama president
Ama 13 years ago

Be ashamed of yourself. You are the kind of person not needed in Ghana these days, particularly, at this time. Your articles always tend to mislead people. George W. Bush's inauguration was NEVER put on hold. This inauguati ...
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Be ashamed of yourself. You are the kind of person not needed in Ghana these days, particularly, at this time. Your articles always tend to mislead people. George W. Bush's inauguration was NEVER put on hold. This inauguation took place JANUARY 20, 2001 which is the date that all presidential inaugurations take place in the U.S. The least you could have done was to look up this info before trying to deceive people. Mahama was not the one who decided on the January 7 inauguration date in Ghana. Have you heard the Ghana Supreme Court putting any injunction on the inauguration? Have you seen anywhere in the Constitution where it says while any crazy people decide to go to court the inauguration should be put on hold? What law is Mahama breaking? Be seriously ashamed of yourself. You are another warmonger!!
Onyame Nipa (Man Of God) USA 13 years ago

PLEZ BACK OFF OBAMA

PLEZ BACK OFF OBAMA
Onyame Nipa (Man Of God) USA 13 years ago

PERIOD

PERIOD
Ibn Batuta 13 years ago

Kwasea, 90% of them voted for him.

Kwasea, 90% of them voted for him.
Pebbles Nusetor 13 years ago

The good write-up that you did was partisanly concluded. The institution Electoral Commission (EC)did not have any doubt about the results. EC did their work and concluded it by coming out wth a winner. The institutions EC ...
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The good write-up that you did was partisanly concluded. The institution Electoral Commission (EC)did not have any doubt about the results. EC did their work and concluded it by coming out wth a winner. The institutions EC should be aplauded then. The completion of that institution's work is to go ahead and declare the winner which it did. Out of 24 million; one individual who refused to accept results is the one who should proceed to court. The institution does not have any aoubt, so activities must proceed. You have written very well, but refused to conclude logically as a result, I disagree with you.
Ibn Batuta 13 years ago

Nonsense, postponing the inaugural could mean any imbecile can file spurious suits after elections to cause mayhem. If the SC takes 10 months to decide the case, must the country wait in limbo? These so called thoughtless and ...
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Nonsense, postponing the inaugural could mean any imbecile can file spurious suits after elections to cause mayhem. If the SC takes 10 months to decide the case, must the country wait in limbo? These so called thoughtless and partisan "professors" must learn to think before they speak.
gaadoo.com 13 years ago

i am just a floor member not a dr or prof but i think he has got it all wrong.first like he said Ghana is not for NPP OR NANA ADDO ,where was the write when Nana and his NPP were issuing threat "the all die be die " if Npp do ...
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i am just a floor member not a dr or prof but i think he has got it all wrong.first like he said Ghana is not for NPP OR NANA ADDO ,where was the write when Nana and his NPP were issuing threat "the all die be die " if Npp does not win they will make this country ungovernable,the write never commented on this, but such is what i call bookish intellectual stupidity.ghanaian can attest to the fact that this is one of the best election held by ghana free and very fair.i bit him that some of us will show our dirty side should sc make mistake to let the case favour Nana ,those days are gone presidency is not a preserve for certain class of corrupt politicans feeding on our money and trying to make nonsense of us .let NPP try and we shall kill them like chicken.we are fed up with that their law law and stealing the nation depriving we the young a better future after enjoying under k.Nkrumah.we are awaiting and what NPP have at their sleeves we will squaring face them.
James Connor 13 years ago

The author of this article has well written. However, I have one question for him concerning his opinion that the inauguration of the President-elect should not take place pending the outcome of the petition filed by the NPP ...
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The author of this article has well written. However, I have one question for him concerning his opinion that the inauguration of the President-elect should not take place pending the outcome of the petition filed by the NPP in the Supreme Court.
I am not sure if the writer has any background in the practice of law. I say so because every lawyer knows that one, the inauguration itself is dictated by the constitution of Ghana as an event legally following the election. Two, the only way of stopping the inauguration is if there is a real or important issue arising, e.g. a grivance on the part of any Ghanaian petitioner which is such that injustice would be done should the inauguration proceed before the petitoner's case were heard.
Three, in any such case the person aggrieved must file an application for interim injunction with the Supreme Court. Ahaa, now here is the crux of the matter...because in that injuction hearing the petitioner who seeks to stop the inauguration must now demonstrate with sufficient evidence of the alleged election malpractice, fraud or cheating, which will persuade the Justices of the Supreme Court that there is clearly a real issue to try in the petition and on the basis of the evidence, make a balancing exercise whether or not to stop the consitutional process of the presidential inauguration, the smooth operation of the constitutional 'vehicle' as the author mentions, from taking its natural course.
In the present case there is no evidence that the NPP has filed any application for injunction to stop the inauguration. For that reason the constitution will not stop its process merely because a petition has been filed, anymore than a victor in any other legal case, civil or criminal, would be prevented from taking the fruit of a judgment merely because an appeal has been filed.
For the above reasons I vehemently disagree with the writer on his view that the inauguration ought to have stopped pending the hearing of the NPP petition to the Supreme Court.

James Connor, Auckland New Zealand
JOE 13 years ago

THANK U MY BROTHER, I KNOW WHERE U ARE COMING FROM, DON,T WORRY IF JESUS TARRY IN HIS COMING,ON THE 7TH THE PRESIDENT WILL BE SWEAR IN,AND AFTER THE SC DECISION IN FAVOUR OF NANA,THERE WON'T BE ANY PROBLEM.BUT THERE WILL MU ...
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THANK U MY BROTHER, I KNOW WHERE U ARE COMING FROM, DON,T WORRY IF JESUS TARRY IN HIS COMING,ON THE 7TH THE PRESIDENT WILL BE SWEAR IN,AND AFTER THE SC DECISION IN FAVOUR OF NANA,THERE WON'T BE ANY PROBLEM.BUT THERE WILL MUCH PROBLEMS IF THEY WAIT FURTHER.
KWAKU DONDOO 13 years ago

Your ruined your article with the conclusion that the country should put the inauguration on hold!! Ayittey, what a dangerous precedent to set for a young democracy as Ghana. you mean every time there is an election and one f ...
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Your ruined your article with the conclusion that the country should put the inauguration on hold!! Ayittey, what a dangerous precedent to set for a young democracy as Ghana. you mean every time there is an election and one files a frivolous law suit, the nation should just sit and wait till that is resolved. That is a very childish thinking on your part.
AMA 13 years ago

Yes, we will wait 100 yrs to call election results just to please one crazy dreamer and one dumb professor. And then we'll postpone the inauguration for another hundred. You must be living in lalaland!

Yes, we will wait 100 yrs to call election results just to please one crazy dreamer and one dumb professor. And then we'll postpone the inauguration for another hundred. You must be living in lalaland!

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President Obama’s Shadow on Ghana’s Elections

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