Can Prof. Mills Become Great Persuader Like Obama?

Washington Early Tuesday morning, about 2 million spectators had gathered at the National Mall to be part of the first presidential inauguration of an African-American.

However, the crowd expected more history from Obama, the 44th president of the United States, in overcoming the crises in Iraq, Afghanistan, Wall Street and all over the United States.

His presidential oath, in front of the chief Supreme Court justice, took place just after noon and was followed by the chief justice's congratulations.

The ceremony reached its peak, to the crowd's enjoyment and excitement, with Obama's inaugural address, the jewel of the inauguration and an inspiration to American's of all walks of life. All great speeches contain poetic rhetoric, and Obama's was no exception. He pointed out the nation is in crisis and persuaded listeners to participate in the remaking of America, convincing his fellow citizens to meet the challenges ahead. He enlightened the American people to stick together in unity of purpose and responsible citizenship such as teachers, parents, firefighters, workers, managers and leaders.

He constantly reminded them that the prosperity and freedom of their nation was earned by the doers and sacrifices at Concord, Gettysburg, Normandy and Khe Sahn.

His vision of the world was touching. He showed sympathy and compassion to developing nations and condemned authoritarian governments that silence dissent and sought international cooperation based on common humanity. He was firm when saying "we will defeat" forces looking for terror and the slaughter of innocents.

His inaugural message is: we can do, that a new age would be created. Immediately upon entering his new home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House, he is going to face challenging tasks. The Dow Jones fell 300 points on inauguration day; apparently the financial market did not respond to his eloquent speech.

About 80 percents of Americans are optimistic that the Obama administration will rescue their nation from its crises in a couple of years. He should not betray the high expectations of the American people and the world.

He said at the inauguration ceremony that, "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

What sort of message would be pertinent to the Ghanaian people? The answer is the price of citizenship. Why? Many Ghanaians are not recognizing it.

They equate democracy with freedom and liberty without accountability. Freedom without accountability or responsible citizenship is going to bring the wanton destruction of an orderly and civil society.

Irresponsible citizenship is cancerous to Ghanaian society. Daily ejection and attack on party supporters, long debates on ex-gratia, storming of castle and seizure of cars without proper investigation, former president remarks concerning removal of chiefs executives, parliament irresponsible way of handling policies, breaking of labour laws by forcefully removing competent public servant from office and many others and those that are yet to come at the beginning of the Prof.Mills government were wasteful and destructive.

More recently, the presidential pardon on some Ghanaians, repeated violence among the political parties and request for positions in government on the part other opposition parties against majority rule, essential in any civilized institution, was shameful.

Maximizing one's interests or his or her group's may clash with public interest. All interest groups should be concerned about the public while pursuing their goals, otherwise, society will collapse.

Part of Obama's speech is relevant to Ghanaian politics,`on this day, we come to reclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit, to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble ideas, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.''

Look at the Obama presidency. The white majority has embraced a black president. The transition of power from the Bush administration to the Obama administration took place smoothly and professionally.

Their personal animosity was set aside. The outgoing president and the incoming president and their wives got together for their morning coffee in the White House before they headed to Congress for the inauguration ceremony. In a historic moment, white men and women and the old and young celebrated together in hope that President Obama will overcome the difficulties the nation is confronting.

Do we see a crowd cheering for President Mills to overcome the Ghanaian economic crisis? Let him make history for Ghana. Could Mills become as persuasive as Obama? If Mills lacks his skill and power, let us help him acquire and wield such persuasive power.

Presidential power is based on persuasive power. Constitutional law offers the president certain legal power but real power is based on and originates from his or her power of persuasion. Obama has it. Not many presidents do. Let us unite and build our mother Ghana. Thank you. God bless our homeland Ghana.

Written by, E.K.Boateng

Email:kwabena1170@yahoo.com