Wake Up Ghana (Intelligentsia)

WAKE UP AFRICA (INTELLIGENTSIA). STOP GOING AROUND IN CIRCLES!!

It is great to have or identify with a political party or movement but it is nobler to think of country first. What Africa/ Ghana needs are not new political parties per se but new political players who are honest and country conscious. Nation first before politics!

The mentality of the African electorate including, and especially, the so called educated elites MUST be action or solution oriented not problem experts.

For sometime now Africa’s great minds have focused their attention on complaints against the establishment; how they have failed Africa and how the establishment is corrupt to the core. Yet when new candidates dare to announce their candidacy, instead of vetting them on their character and deeds they discourage them by saying they have no experience or that they should rather seek election in their villages first. In other words what they are boldly telling us is that although they feel or think the establishment may be no good for today there are no substitutes for them in Africa. To make their case even worse these educated critics would not only play down ideas and visions of the emerging youthful leaders/candidates but they go on to organize forums and press conferences only to re-state Africa’s problems without advancing solutions. Wake up Africa! Doing the same thing over and over again will not yield any different results. In fact psychology calls it madness.

A new attitude and a transformed mentality are the only stones that would catapult Africa to her desired destination. Nobody espouses a better change of attitude than what George Asomaning has so succinctly done on the GLUForum:

“I am an NPP man to the core, and my heritage goes at least 2 generations or more upwards. Parents from both sides and grandparents from both sides, all NPP supporters. I love the party, but my love for Ghana is far greater than my love for the NPP. At this stage in our history, ideas and vision to move Ghana forward more than loyalty to the NPP is what I'm concerned about. The current NPP crop is sleeping on the job, ideas are lacking and with the exception of Arthur K I see no hope for the next 10 years and it is just costly and unacceptable. We may be in power alright but power without any ability or desire to effect lasting change to me is meaningless (GLUforum@yahoogroups.com January 30, 2007).

It cannot be overemphasized that Africa needs leaders who are willing and courageous enough to transcend partisanship and cronyism. It would be highly beneficial for our nations’ presidents to pool together talents from all walks of life and backgrounds who have the competencies to manage the affairs of the land. Above all a great leader would welcome and embrace folks from without his or her political pedigree who are capable and competent to manage our mismanaged affairs (at least for once).

It is very unfortunate that Africa says it practices democracy but has no tolerance for any opposition. It is about time Africa’s leaders allowed those who have something to give into administering affairs of the state and let go those who have nothing to give but to steal and loot. The first step of the journey would begin when Africa grasp the concept that ideas are what build nations and not blind party loyalty.

It pays to be objective. As Asomaning rightly puts it, “partisanship is totally unhelpful at this stage in our national development.”(ibid) It is crucial that our electorate recognize and identify the many good things coming from the new and youthful candidates and their priceless ideas, dedication and the appearance of transparency.

Unfortunately not until our intelligentsias (or academicians) stop killing the baby in the womb before they are birth with all their suspicions and cat calls, Africa may not be able to breathe the fresh air she is longing for. Like Asomaning says there is freshness about the new candidates and we all would wish the establishment is equally open to new ideas, “but at the moment the party is fossilized, unfortunately.”

Let there be a debate in choosing our candidates, Africa! And stop shielding the incompetent and “inexperienced-experienced” party loyalists. The party loyalists sure have their place; they must be honored and respected but not be pushed to lead where they are not called. Leadership is a calling and only the called can lead well. So let us test our candidates through series of “uncomfortable” debates. The main goal and objective or hope being that for once Africa will be more matured politically to shift the debate from personalities to ideas- how to get things done like creating jobs, feeding the hungry, building roads, hospitals and schools; covering our gutters, and providing pipe-borne water for citizens. This is by no means what the African intelligentsia, notably the press, would need to push not who is next in line to the throne-as if the executive president were a chief/king/monarch.

There is no democracy in Africa until we learn to put merit above age. Political power must not be sought for ones own sake, rather (power must be sought) to effect change. Let us therefore not get engrossed with names or even which party must win the next elections but rather which candidate would win the battle against poverty, disease and squalor.

There is no better description for these intellectuals than the akan/Ghanaian term “Konongo kaya”-literally meaning one who will (or cannot) solve the problem but would frustrate anyone who dares to try. If Africa is to advance like our Asian friends then we would have to adopt the mentality of George Asomaning, - Value ideas and vision over personalities and the status quo. - Africa (especially her intelligentsia) stop crying wolf! Wake up and be a little pragmatic.

In my opinion there is no urgent message or admonition for the African electorate today than as Kennedy puts it: “Ideas MUST MATTER if we are to progress. However, while ideas matter, one must have power to implement them. The question is “What is the best route to get an ideas person with credibility and some ability into the Presidency?” I fear that too many of us confuse politics with debating. In order to make a difference, we must get into the right arena. The sad fact is that if we are not careful, in 25 years, we will be, if we are alive, making the same complaints with more urgency. Let us do a little more and talk a little less. Let us walk our talk and spend a bit of our treasure in support of our principles” ((GLUforum@yahoogroups.com January 29, 2007).