Campaign '08: Is A Third Party An Option For Ghana?

In November 2005 the Arthur Kennedy Presidential Campaign for 2008 was launched.

The Feature Article of Wednesday, 21 December 2005 on Ghana webpage provides us with a gist of Kennedy?s platform. Some of us followed his activities in Ghana and have had the opportunity to question and debate some of the merits of his ideas. Whether we agree with him or not this author thinks Ghanaians need to expresses some appreciation to him for standing out to challenge the status quo and demanding change in the right direction in Ghana?s development.

No doubt, we all care deeply about the fate of our nation and as Kennedy in his inaugural article commended and urged Ghanaians, we are not only to think and talk about how to make Ghana better but also get involved in the choice of our next government. Too many times we are guilty of not considering what others outside our political affiliations say even when we know it makes sense. We tend to turn around and blame others (including incumbents) for not solving our problems or thinking of the nation. This is ironic if we say we really love our country.

Think not of what Ghana can offer you but what you can offer Ghana. Some of us may have prayed tirelessly for our nation. We may be wondering if God hears us at all. Yes he does by appointing or bringing in our path clear and good choices to make. It is our responsibility to let our inner consciences speak to us after weighing the various candidates. If I may add, it is not wrong to eat food that belongs to you. Therefore you may take monies from the Establishments which have looted from you and refuse to vote for them. Your moral duty for Ghana is to vote your conscience.

While in Ghana, Kennedy emphasized the central role of corruption and bad leadership in Ghana?s underdevelopment. Some of us agree with Kennedy that corruption is the most important obstacle to our socio-economic development. Hence the urgent call to elect a President who will do more towards the fulfillment of a ?zero-tolerance? pledge rather than mere political speeches. Can we indeed do this within the existing political parties or system (the Establishment) in Ghana today? We are not to occupy our time trying to find out God's secrets about Ghana?s future but we are responsible to obey what God had clearly revealed or will reveal in our candidates. Choose leaders with a plan, vision and agenda for Ghana; and above all INTEGRITY.

While the passage of some laws on how the government does business is a good start, our governments must be required to be more transparent and open. Kennedy argues that we need more integrity in our government and political parties. In his inaugural speech he wrote,

?Recent complaints by CHRAJ boss, Anna Bossman, have further demonstrated much work remains to be done in this important area. We must clean up our political parties because corrupt parties cannot lead to or be supportive of honest governments. Also, corrupt people cannot lead honest governments. As long as our parties, which are the foundations of our democratic system, are not open, honest and democratic our democracy will not be secure.?

Unfortunately, the NDC and NPP which happen to be the two defacto political parties in Ghana today have nothing to boast of in terms of progress and development. Both parties ?have lost a large part of the public?s admiration and trust and there is a sense of restlessness amongst the electorate,? as reiterated by Kennedy and we need to do something about this.

Can the NPP and NDC reform? Yes. But will the NPP and NDC reform? Perhaps a third party may be the option here if these parties continue to parade people/candidates with evil motives who want to return Ghana to the dark days. Should we allow the evil we know in our corridors of power to continue to hold us slaves to poverty in our own land? At least, not by choice. Spending our ?intellect, time and treasure in the struggle to build a better Ghana? as Kennedy admonished ?is our duty and calling?. As people who have benefited one way or the other by what Ghana could offer one would hope that our elite (including those outside government) will pay back to Ghana in kind. But unfortunately we see the opposite. I guess it is right to say that it is required of us to show some active involvement in choosing our next government in 2008 if this mistake ought to be corrected. Ghanaians, let us roll our sleeves and get to work!

We are often made to understand in our Ghanaian culture that ?it is all in the hands of God or give it to God.? No. In the first place this is not biblical. God expects us to take action not leave it to him. He is not going to act in our behalf just because we are lazy or afraid to take risk. Avoid being sentimental in making tough decisions such as choosing your next president and or government. For where goes the president there goes (you) the citizens/country. There is no magic here. God has spelled out all we need to know in choosing our leaders. Don?t blame God if you do not heed advice. Citizenship is not an observer sport; it is about action and participation. "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law" (Deut. 29:29). Decide on the facts before you.

Kennedy wrote.

?Our parties and indeed our nation?s interests are served by those who whenever necessary, will step forward to remind our parties of their enduring principles and ideals. This patriotic duty sometimes must be performed against the wishes of party and national leaders blinded by expediency and self-interests.?

It is with great pleasure and speed that I welcome and celebrate Kennedy?s courage to stand in the gap for the ordinary Ghanaian who has been neglected for this long by her leaders. Mustering political power from the selfish elite (the Establishment) and giving sovereignty to the people of Ghana is the way to go. To those like Kennedy who risk the disapproval of their parties and friends to perform this patriotic duty (of ours) to see that prosperity is taken care of, I do not only wish to say, well done and may God bless you! But also to consider the option of a third party should the Establishment continues to refuse to heed advice.

The truth is: We cannot know or understand all that God is doing in our world (Africa) today. But we can understand that unlike the Western democracies or developed nations, Africans discard our civil and political responsibilities. We don?t vote issues; we vote personalities and tribe/origin/affiliations. Should the Ashanti or any other tribe, for example, care less if the best candidate who has the keys to Ghana?s future is an Ewe? This author thinks that so long as the candidate is a bonafide Ghanaian and is clothed with integrity he/she has the right to our ears.

Views expressed by the author does not necessarily reflect the views of Ghana Leadership Union, Inc

Okyere Bonna,
Secretary, Ghana Leadership Union, Inc.

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.