Wednesday,
July 23, 2014
Folks, let’s be bold to place the
current political and economic challenges facing our country in their proper
perspective and to discuss them to know why those in power cannot solve
problems to move our country forward. It is no exaggeration to say that the
current turbulence in the country is not the direct upshot of the inadequacies
of this Mahama-led administration alone.
Those conversant with the
political and economic history of Ghana will admit that the current happenings
are traceable to the cumulative effect of many years of mismanagement and
wanton disregard for propriety in government business. In effect, our problems
are systemic and haven’t been tackled with the requisite alacrity and
commitment over the years. Under President Mahama, everything seems to be
coming to a head. Finger pointing has taken centre-stage and street
demonstrations have become the most preferred means for registering discontent.
Unfortunate!!
What is it that makes it
difficult for those placed in positions of trust to perform their duties for
the good of the country and its people, especially in this 4th
Republic when over 20 years of experimentation in democracy should have helped
us improve strategies for government business? And government business has no
compulsion apart from being directed at solving pertinent existential problems
to make life livable for the citizens.
Against
this background, how will you feel, seeing this particular situation in a part
of Ghana (Forget about the politics surrounding the “Schools under trees”)
syndrome): This is the condition in which pupils of
Amenam Local Authority Primary and Junior High School study, hoping that the
education they receive here will ensure a better future for them. Amenam is a
farming community in the Eastern Region, about 35km from Nkawkaw. (See: http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2014/July-22nd/photos-pupils-sit-on-piled-up-cement-blocks-to-write-into-their-future.php).
To reiterate, let me say that the
essence of governance is to improve living conditions. That is why the real
producers of the country’s wealth (the poor farmers, fisherfolks, workers in the
numerous private and public sectors, and many others) toil day and night to
feed the national coffers. Their blood, sweat and tears nurture the country and
they expect their leaders to use the resources to serve their purposes. That is
even why they participate in political activities, leading to the ritual of
electing their rulers. Otherwise, what is the need for a social contract which,
in our case is the democracy and its entailments for the exercise of political
power by those given the mandate (or those in the opposition to counter-balance
efforts)?
The bottom-line is that the government
has to solve problems and not give excuses or run away from the people.
If those in power really know
what the citizens go through even before standing in the sweltering sun to
vote, they should be the first to do all in their power to solve problems so
those people can enjoy life before they die. If they don’t do so, they give the
people the long rope with which to hang them. And hanging them before their
term of office ends doesn’t bode well for our democracy. Clearly, democracy
calls for discipline and respect for orderliness, which those in power must
recognize and use as the motivation for organizing their activities to solve
problems. If they fail to do so, they will create room for acts with only one
intent: to subvert the democratic order. That’s not good for a country like
Ghana that has struggled to be where it is today. Will those in power
rediscover themselves and do the right thing or persist in their kind of
enervating politics, damn the consequences?
I am a strong advocate for
"people's power" and will appreciate what the citizens have gone
through and are now gearing up to protest against. No one should take anybody
for granted or treat anybody with contempt because there is much water passing
under the bridge.
I believe that keeping the
government on its mettle is a good way to ensure good governance; but I don't
like the cheap politics that opponents seek to do when they manipulate the
situation in the vain hope that it will put them in power. Ghana belongs to us
all and we must work for its good.
I shall return…
·
E-mail:
mjbokor@yahoo.com
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Join me on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/mjkbokor to continue the conversation.
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