Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Britain has just been given its youngest Prime Minister in almost 200 years (in the person of David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party). The last was Lord Liverpool who became Prime Minister when he was 42 years old.
At 43 years, David Cameron's rise to this position is the result of hard work, following his party's victory at the recent polls (winning 306 seats out of 649), although not hitting the 326 mark to have a total majority in government. The Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, would become deputy prime minister after days of hard bargaining with his former political rivals.
he elevation of Cameron and Clegg to these positions must be a remarkable source of inspiration for the youth worldwide (including those in Ghana).
The inevitable has happened, following the Labour Party's defeat at the polls. Gordon Brown has bowed out, creating favourable conditions for Britain's democratic system to remain on course even though the prospects of a coalition government (made up of the Conservatives and Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats) and the functioning of a hung Parliament are daunting.
We have been told that since experimenting with its first coalition government in the immediate post-World War II era, Britain hasn't had any other.
The vigorous negotiations still going on between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats and the bowing out of Gordon Brown confirm that Britain will soon have its second coalition government. Indications so far are that there is civility in the handling of the political situation.
Every keen observer of the political developments in Britain hitherto couldn't miss the inevitability of the Brown Labour Party's exit from government. Happenings at several fronts indicated that Gordon Brown would bow out of office. It has happened and his Labour Party will lick its wounds for a long time.
These political developments in Britain have interesting lessons that people elsewhere professing to be practising democracy must learn.
First, despite the problems at the polling points that disfranchised many voters, there was no recourse to violent acts to redress grievances. The political situation took care of itself because of the maturity with which the politicians handled issues.
By acknowledging the flaws in the electoral system and making political reforms a top priority in negotiations, the three main parties (Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrats) have proved that they are prepared to deepen democracy in Britain.
It is commendable that peace has reigned in the circumstance. This success was achieved through strong political structures, not based on any mentality of a “strong man” whose word was the command for all the citizens to obey.
Second, the flexibility, decorum, and purposefulness with which all the parties approached negotiations—basing their efforts on the need to give Britain a strong and viable government—is praise-worthy. In all that the leaders have done or said so far, they have stressed the supremacy of the country's interests and placed them above their own political party's petty quests or personal considerations. It's a useful example for all others elsewhere to emulate.
In a democracy, partisan political or personal interests must not be placed above those of the country. This attitude is essential for sustaining national stability and instilling hope in the electorate that their mandate matters. When the confidence of the electorate in the democracy is bolstered, they will do all they can to defend it.
Third, the equanimity with which the defeated Gordon Brown bowed out of office, paving the way for the new Prime Minister to move into No. 10 Downing Street within the next few minutes of Brown's announcement, is commendable as well. This smooth transition could have happened only in such a system, which the many years of tradition have helped Britain to design and nurture to maturity.
In other countries, the lack of avenues for smooth transition of power from one political leader to the next is the cause of unrest and instability. Britain has proved otherwise.
In Ghana, the chaotic manner in which Rawlings ceded power to Kufuor on January 7, 2001, which was repeated on January 7, 2009, was condemned by all. Many complaints were heard that there wasn't enough time for the outgoing or incoming government officials to hand over notes and do appropriate briefing.
Clouds of uncertainty and suspicion hung over the political landscape for long. But there is no indication that the current government is setting up the structures that are needed for a smooth transition in future.
It appears that everybody is waiting for the outcome of the 2012 elections before hastily putting together a so-called Transitional Team to work for that purpose. We appear to be pig-headed and don't learn any lesson from our perennial mistakes; hence, our continued lack of vision and direction in politics. This shortsightedness is our country's bane, but we appear to care less and damn the consequences.
Now, to the main issue that I set out to address. By assuming the reins of power at 43, David Cameron joins others elsewhere whose youthfulness and tenacity of purpose have added a new complexion to the political culture. Has the paradigm shifted to usher in an era of the youth in national leadership positions?
In the United States, President Barack Obama's phenomenal rise to power in November 2008 took all by storm. Then, in Russia, where Dmitry Medvedev is President, there is no doubt that his youthfulness is an asset. These youthful leaders are forces to be reckoned with.
Their rise to power should encourage us too to ensure that political leadership in our democratic dispensation doesn't remain the preserve of the old and worn-out politicians alone. Although we may accept the maxim that the old politicians (those beyond 60 years) know how to navigate the tortuous political terrain, we cannot continue to sideline the youth if we want to empower them as possible leaders.
The old politicians may have been tested and succeeded in weathering the storm, but they must not continue to dominate the scene or entrench themselves in national politics to the disadvantage of the youth. They tend to be behind the times in their perspectives and strategies for tackling problems.
I have already called for a systematic and consistent programme by the various political parties to groom future leaders; but nothing has so far been done to give the youth the nurturing that will build them for the task of leading the country. The same haphazard approaches to national and local politics persist.
Whatever has so far been put in place by the various parties qualifies only as “cosmetic” because the real power brokers of the parties remain the old, broken-down politicians who call the shots even though their manner of politicking is anachronistic. The youth must add value to themselves and step forward to play more frontline roles in their parties. It is only then that they can make inroads into positions of trust.
I encourage the youth to seek opportunities to acquire skills for doing effective national and local politics. It is important for them to steer clear of the vices that have made Ghanaian politics unenviable in many respects. Sadly, however, some of the youth who have been given political appointments at the national level have failed to acquit themselves properly.
They allowed themselves to be quickly destroyed by the material charms of political office and failed to set good examples; such characters should bow their heads in shame. Their deplorable conduct should, however, not demoralize others or deter them from stepping forward to be counted.
The viability of a political system depends on the mass of its youth. That's why our youth must be more assertive and determined to learn the ropes of the political game. David Cameron and Nick Clegg have led their respective parties for some time now and managed to change the opinions of the electorate.
The rise of these youthful leaders in Russia, the US, Britain, and other countries should motivate our youth to take up the mantle. Gradually, the wave will hit us too and we must prepare for that moment. 
No comments:
Post a Comment