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Opinions of Monday, 24 May 2010

Columnist: The Royal Enoch

Rawlings: Ghana's Savior Or Villain?

No leader has ever led a people without having something in common with the people. Also, in order for true leadership to succeed, it needs to have the support of the majority of the people. When Rawlings took over the reins of power in Ghana, Ghana's bureaucracy was in utter shambles. The nation's bureaucracy was riddled with corruption, which undoubtedly was propelling the country towards the abyss. President Limman was, of course, cautioned to act or else. Regrettably, no action was taken to curb this ever increasing vice by his administration. An alternative course of action was, therefore, needed to be taken to save the country from going completely under. Undeniably, democracy is very important. Democracy, needless to say, only matters when it's meaningful to the people. It becomes totally irrelevant, I believe, when it fails the people. Because, then, it could be considered no longer of the people, by the people, and for the people. Thus, the reason for an alternative system of government to be in place, which would properly address the needs of the people.

Undoubtedly, the majority of Ghanaians were disappointed in President Limman's government. Further, the country was utterly disillusioned with the democratic ideology inherited from our former colonial masters. In brief, democracy was not working for the people. Then again, how could it? To begin with, this ideology was not deep rooted in our Ghanaian culture or heritage. Secondly, this ideology was not of us--and therefore could never be for us. It was imposed upon us by our former colonial masters. In fact, if democracy is proper as our former colonial masters taught us to believe--then how come that they didn't practice it themselves all the time that they were here colonizing us? Isn't it strange to advise somebody to practice something, which you would not practice yourself? This is the question--which should've been asked. Unfortunately, nobody thought of it. Also, it's worth mentioning that our former colonial masters came to divide and conquer. Sadly, we have inherited a system of government from them--which does exactly the same. This system is called democracy, but it's actually kleptocracy.

The 1981 coup d'etat staged by Rawlings was, in fact, Ghana's second independence. The dissatisfied youth of Ghana in their military uniform called for change. The country itself wanted change--things simply had to change. The coup d'etat wasn't a mere rebellion for rebellion's sake. It was a rebellion against the false version of democracy imposed upon us by the British. Exactly how our first independence was a rebellion against British imperialism on the African continent. The dissatisfied youth of Ghana in their military uniform saw the light. They were ready to chart a new course with the country. Most importantly, they saw the negative effects, which this false version of democracy, was having on the country. For example; the rich were getting richer at the expense of the poor. The poor, on the other hand, were only getting poorer. Corrupt judges were bought and sold in our courtrooms. The rule of lawlessness, as a result, of practicing this false version of democracy was evidential. For sure, Ghana needed to change if she was ever going to survive as a country.

The 1981 coup d'etat came, as a consequence, of the people's good will for it. The action which Rawlings and his compatriots undertook was Ghanaians secret wish. At that time, mind you, Ghana's young and old believed in it. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been successful, and Rawlings wouldn't have stayed in power for that long. Unquestionably, Ghanaians were tired and weary of Limman's administration. And honestly, Limman was out of touch with reality. He was not up to the challenge facing the country. Mind you, he was kindly requested by the army to step down, but he didn't. So, most naturally, something had to give. It must be added that Rawlings--by staging that coup--ended up saving our country. Hence, the need to acknowledge him for the man that he truly is--Ghana's true son. In conclusion, I would like to ask Ghana's young men and women to stand up to the silly old men, who are ruining our nation with their archaic ideas. They should follow Rawlings's footsteps and run these old fools out of town. You see, these old farts are strangers to common sense. They are only interested in petty party politics, tribalism, and thievery--that's all. Their least concern is the interests of the common man and woman. Last but not least, they don't do anything good. I say power to all revolutionaries.

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Source: The Royal Enoch