Nigerian politics on test: Any lesson for Ghana?

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• Paul Amuna 12 years ago

  First of all, Machael, you have hosen a very bad example in Nigeria, as something that Ghana might wish to look at although I agree we have "a lot in common" as far as our colonial (but not contemporary) history is oncerned. ...
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  First of all, Machael, you have hosen a very bad example in Nigeria, as something that Ghana might wish to look at although I agree we have "a lot in common" as far as our colonial (but not contemporary) history is oncerned.
  
  I consider Nigeria a 'failed nation' and have done for a very long time. It is interesting that although they elect their governors and state senate members along party lines, these state officials don't necessarily work in the interests of their 'national parties'. Thus, all you need is a recalcitrant (but popular) state governor with their own personal and selfish / parochial interests (and loads of cash to send his gangs around to do his bidding). Especially in times of economic downturns, it is very easy for such 'powerful individuals' to create chaos and that to me has characterised a lot of Nigerian politics over the last 15 years or more since their 'return to multi-party demoracy'.
  
  Michael mentions the "boko Haram" factor in Nierian politics but forgets to mention the fact that even these extremist terrorist elements have very strong support an alies at the very heart of the ruling government (incluing at senior ministerial level) and indeed the 'opposition' too!!! What sort of country is that? And why should we consider their model except to inform us of everything that is wrong with this particular model? It is not everything that 'on paper looks good' that is in fact goo, an the Nigerian model of electing governors, state officials (including Municipal leaers) is one such example.
  
  It is also worth pointing out that Nigerian society is a very complex one, and States are still largely TRIBAL, SECTIONAL and FEUDAL in reality. It is amazing yet shocking to fin that in most Nigerian States, even employment for fellow Nigerians who hail from 'outsie the state' is often a RARE occurence, an one which is still viewe with suspicion. Ironically, it appears it was in the NORTHERN states (where Boko Haram appears to have originated) which were more 'open' to welcoming others, but as we have witnessed with the rise of the terrorist group, saly these 'outsiers' have become easy an reay targets for their wicked an callous actions to support their futile cause!.
  
  Returning to the subject of Municipal an District CEOs and other officials, I have followed your writings on this subject for some time an appreciate an applaud your particular interest. My impression is that you sincerely wish to see functioning, accountable and fit-for-purpose district and municipal officials and systems in Ghana. I also note your particular interest in ensuring that 'foot soldiers' and 'grass roots' groups are not disenfranchised or feel isolated because the 'wrong people' are appointed by government into those positions after these 'local people have done all the 'har work' to get their party elected into government. That in itself is laudable and most commendable.
  
  For me, here is the deal: I have suggested in the past a transparent vetting system for 'non-elected officials' which is based purely on MERIT, and in which people of integrity an a passion to o the job for the istrict an country are appointe. I am not however oppose to elected CEOs etc. an woul suggest this:
  
  If we choose to go own the path of electing our municipal an istrict leaers incluing CEOs (an I join you in commening the Kufuor government for muting the iea although they i not have the guts to follow through with it), then we need to review our constitutional porivisions in that respect and make it categorically clear that such municipal and district elections will be PURELY non-partisan and no one will be allowed to stand on a "PARTY TICKET". The emphasis should be on the INDEPENDENCE of the office, and a clear JOB DESCRIPTION and terms of reference should spell out the layers of accountability and functions of the office. The focus should be for them to serve the district or municipality, and these municipality functions and how they are funded from the national Treasury have to be made very clear, plus their ability to innovate e.g. by partnering with external sources to support development projects which the district through its Assembly consultative processes (including public consultation) may identify as priorities.
  
  Now, we do have statutes defining the current structures and functions of municipal and distric Assemblies etc which the Rawlings PNDC government instituted and which I hope have been further refined and strengthened in our new political dispensation. That being the case, we don't need to reinvent the wheel. All we need is for a constitutional review body to speciically examine the current structure and work into the statutes additions which take into account my suggestions here with an emphasis on decentralisation and a certian level o flexibility to allow these district / municipal bodies to function with few bureacratic bottlenecks.
  
  That said, I also believe that all regions and districts need to believe in, and work for the common national good, and not the interest of ANY PARTICULAR party, tribe, creed, religion or what have you. This is particularly important if we are to avoid the shambles in Nigeria that you have so eloquently summarised in your piece here. I rather doubt that many readers would have seen your drift and the import of your article as this is not immediately clear when one starts to read it.
  
  I believe we need to consider all our options, and to debate these issues as part of our political discourse, to help us find a workable way forward as clearly the current situation is not ideal and in fact is sometimes unsatisfactory because appointed CEOs (and others) work purely on party lines, are discriminatory in their dealings with others, some have become very corrupt and arrogant, and the government of the day is quite 'comfortable' because these appoointees do their bidding for them.
  
  I believe we can do better!!!

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• Paul Amuna 12 years ago

  For some reason my keyboard seems to have failed me miserably and I notice a lot of typing errors in my comments especially ommission of 'd' in many sentences. My sincere apologies to readers.

  For some reason my keyboard seems to have failed me miserably and I notice a lot of typing errors in my comments especially ommission of 'd' in many sentences. My sincere apologies to readers.

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• Seko 12 years ago

  Most politicians in Ghana are not really interested in the people as they profess. The called unplanned development project undertaken in the country are just a by-product of their greed. They do them because it provides the ...
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  Most politicians in Ghana are not really interested in the people as they profess. The called unplanned development project undertaken in the country are just a by-product of their greed. They do them because it provides the conduit to siphon the tax payers money. Even those who said power to the people drafted a local government law that did not allow the people to choose their own leaders, yet they were able to convince the people that they care for them. That is Ghana.

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• Revelation 12 years ago

  Is Kobby Acheampong an EWE man?
  
  Is he shy of his EWE roots? Is he shy of of his ancestry?
  
  He is parading himself as an Ashanti man to cause mischief.
  
  His Ewe father and mother settled in Ashanti Mampong to farm and h ...
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  Is Kobby Acheampong an EWE man?
  
  Is he shy of his EWE roots? Is he shy of of his ancestry?
  
  He is parading himself as an Ashanti man to cause mischief.
  
  His Ewe father and mother settled in Ashanti Mampong to farm and his father named him after the chief farmer who is an Ashanti.
  
  There is no Ashanto blood in him.
  
  My worry is why Kobby Achempong is hiding his roots,
  
  IS he just being mischievous?
  
  IS HE ANOTHER PAUL GYAMFI?

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• MAHAMA, ATUGUBA & TONY LITHUR 12 years ago

  DON'T MIND THAT SILLY EWE BOKOR, HE IS AS MAD AS RAWLINGS

  DON'T MIND THAT SILLY EWE BOKOR, HE IS AS MAD AS RAWLINGS

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• TEE 12 years ago

  I WILL BE HAPPY TO SEE THE NORTHER PART OF GHANA BREAK AWAY FROM GHANA. AND ALSO VOLTA BACK TO TOGO. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT. MILLIONS OF GHANAIANS ARE DYING TO SEE THIS DREAM HAPPEN AS QUICKER AS IT CAN. NATIVE GHANAIANS TH ...
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  I WILL BE HAPPY TO SEE THE NORTHER PART OF GHANA BREAK AWAY FROM GHANA. AND ALSO VOLTA BACK TO TOGO. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT. MILLIONS OF GHANAIANS ARE DYING TO SEE THIS DREAM HAPPEN AS QUICKER AS IT CAN. NATIVE GHANAIANS THIS IS OUR DREAMS. MAHAMA RAWLINGS GET READY AND GO

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• PAPillon 12 years ago

  Democracy does not work in Africa and we are only experimenting with it.

  Democracy does not work in Africa and we are only experimenting with it.

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