“The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain, until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life” (Jane Addams 1860-1935). On August 29th this year, the much awaited Supreme Court decision on the 2012 election petition will be announced. There have been numerous reports and commentaries in the media that has created an impression that the country will be torn apart and thrown into turmoil after the verdict is announced. This uncertainty was created by hawks in the two main political parties, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that neither side will not accept the Supreme Court verdict if it does not favor them.
I know this is not true because Nana Akufo-Addo and co would not have gone to court if they chose violence, and have repeatedly said they will accept whatever verdict the Supreme Court pronounces. Ghana has advanced in democracy, and in choosing not to accept the results of the election, the NPP elected to use legal avenues offered by the constitution to address their complaints. Similarly, President John Mahama has also indicated his readiness to accept whatever verdict the nation’s highest court pronounces.
Undeniably, the 2012 general election was hotly contested, and the Electoral commission, headed by Dr. Afari Gyan committed several severe blunders, as admitted during the hearings. There were also reports of massive fraud by the NDC, who used the power of incumbency and unlimited cash flow to sway the election in their favor.
As the election results streamed in, so did complaints and reports of over voting, stuffing of ballot boxes, voting without verification, district electoral officers falsifying records, etc. Kwadwo Afari Gyan was alerted and advised to check on these allegations before announcing the results, but was prevailed upon by the powers that be and went ahead to announce to the dismay of all Ghanaians, that the NDC had retained power, both in the legislative and executive branches. We all remember the infamous response to the NPP by the EC commissioner, “You can go to court”.
The 2012 election was contradictory in many respects. It showed that Ghana is deeply divided along party and ethnic lines, that there is a focus of ethnic exclusion and winner takes all mentality. But countrymen, Ghana should remain intact after the verdict is announced. Let us think about only one thing, peace. I must say we should give peace a chance. Our country Ghana is bigger than any person or political party. Let us all help to preserve this country because it is the only one we have. We must all come together as one people, one Ghana and enjoy the peace that we have. From north to south, and east to west, we must be united to reject violence and tribalism. Let there be peace, and let it begin with me and you.
Felix Gyabaa-Mensah
Bomaa, B/A Region, Ghana
