Closing Argument On 2008 Presidential Election

By Ekua Kwansema

With less than a week to go, Ghanaians are feverishly preparing to go to the polls to elect their next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who would man the affairs of the nation for the next four years. This is against the backdrop of uncertainties on how the global economy which is in disarray would react in the coming year. A visit to some drinking spots, churches, some homes and some workplaces say it all. For a long time in the history of the country, Ghanaians have their minds much more glued on the December 28 election than the upcoming Yuletide (Christmas).

There is no doubt that this election would turn out to be the most important election in the history of the country. The 2008 presidential election is something that generations yet unborn would talk and write about it when the present generation is dead and long gone. I am dead serious about this because this election is coming at the time that the global economy ship has hit an iceberg, causing the tumbling of so many multinational companies including banks around the world.

The world economy is almost in total shambles today. The housing market (Ownership Society) which was touted throughout the world including Ghana has tanked, with banks losing trillions of dollars globally through foreclosures. Global economic news of the day on the economic outlook for 2009 looks bleak and very disturbing. And to anybody who have his country at heart, this is the time for serious thinking.

For the first time in many generations the United States lost its seat as the world’s largest economy to the European Union. Now the first five largest economies of the world namely; European Union, United States, China, Japan and India are all belt tightening with millions of people in these countries losing their jobs and their daily livelihood. When the world economy tanks it has a ripple effect on all countries including Ghana. The only good news that has emerged in these bad economic times is the huge drop in the price of crude oil from $147 per barrel about seven months ago.

According to the www.bloombergnews.com, when the market closed last Friday the price of crude oil traded at $46.28 per barrel, which is 318% drop compared to the $147 per barrel sold about seven months ago. So why is it that if we have such a huge drop in the price of crude oil, the Kufour government would be so insensitive in not adjusting the price of petrol to mitigate the suffering and harsh economic conditions of Ghanaians, but waited until days after they lost round one of the elections? You be the judge.

Coming back to the bleak global economic outlook, what Ghanaians need most at this critical time as they prepare to go to the polls is less talk but prudent and pragmatic economic and social strategy to help Ghana brace itself for any future uncertainties. What Ghana needs most at this point in its history is not empty loose promises that cannot be fulfilled but sound economic policy that would help Ghana cross the bridge.

These are hard times, therefore, Ghanaians need to look beyond partisan politics. Ghana needs a CEO who is well tested, who understands what needs to be done to lift Ghana up and turn the economy around, but not somebody with little or no grasp on the problems confronting the nation.

Because of the hard economic time that lies ahead, the vote of every Ghanaian individual come December 28 would either move the country in the right direction or further drift it down the drain. My beloved brothers and sisters of our sweet motherland, history is in our hands. The destiny of our great country is now in our hands. We can either make or unmake the country. We can either move the country forward or backward with our mere thumb prints. This is something that should engage the thoughts of every Ghanaian who cares for the betterment of our dear nation.

I am thinking about the future not today. I am thinking about my children and grandchildren yet unborn. I am thinking about what questions they would ask me if I fail to do the right thing for mother Ghana by not voting wisely. I am thinking about how their attitude towards me would be if my vote elects the wrong person for Ghana. And I do humbly hope my fellow brothers and sisters of our dear land are also thinking along the same line. I guess you do not want your children and grandchildren to yell at you or tell you in the face that, “You failed Ghana, when it counted most”.

Many people would say they have nothing to loose if we elect the wrong president, but just consider the millions of Ghanaians especially the silent voices that are crying everyday for help, those living in our villages who are crying for good leadership, those young school going age kids selling plantain chips all over the streets of Accra and other cities, the kaya yos, those who study under trees, those who see NPP opulence all over the place yet are denied their share, those who are dying for not being able to treat common malaria, those who are being told they are lazy when in fact there are no jobs for them to apply. These are the people who would be the big losers if we vote the wrong person to occupy the highest seat of the land. Just think about how our votes can help lift the fortunes of these majority people in Ghana.

Since this election is more about the future of Ghana, we need somebody who would render good stewardship when called upon. We need somebody who would be open and honest with Ghanaians. We need somebody who knows and feels the pains of Ghanaians. We need somebody who can go to a village hut and be able to shake hands and drink water from the calabash. We need somebody who embraces everybody in Ghana and is inclusive no matter your party leaning. In fact Ghana needs somebody who is knowledgeable in bringing ethnic, social and tribal healing. Ghana is at a crossroad where it needs somebody who cannot sleep soundly when majority of Ghanaians are suffering and go to bed without even one square meal.

If there is any point in time that Ghana needs every individual to exercise his or her vote wisely, this is the time. If there is any point in Ghana’s history that we need to do the right thing by electing the right leader for Ghana, this is the time. Our votes on December 28 would count a lot. It can either become an upside or downside for mother Ghana. Ghana, I repeat is at a cross-road and this is not the time to give the country back to the party that failed to deliver on most of its promises. We need change. Yes, Ghana needs a change of direction. The country needs new leaders who would come and not rape the country by grabbing everything they lay eyes on. During the run up for the 2000 elections, the major slogan by the NPP was “Hwe Wo Asetenam”. Therefore, if you look at your Asetenam today and it falls short of your expectations, then you have to conclude that its time to try another CEO.

Professor Mills, I know would deliver to Ghanaians. He would not fail Ghanaians. I believe this humble man would not abandon the down trodden in Ghana. He has the vision and the drive to move the country forward. He is a uniter and not a divider. Professor Mills can bring the ethnic healings that Ghana desperately needs today. He knows we are one country. Professor Mills is the only one who knows that there is no difference between Gas, Asantes, Fantes, Ewes, Brongs, Nzimas and Northerners. He believes we are all one people with a common goal to move the country forward. He would be honest with Ghanaians when the going gets tough. And above all he would not fill his cabinet with arrogant people who would refuse to be accountable to Ghanaians. This is the man I recommend to Ghanaians. This is the man I am selling to you. And this is the man who would not let you or the country down.

By the way do you know that apart from the NPP people saying that Professor Mills is soft and therefore, might be controlled by former President Rawlings, there has not been any talks from NPP circles of any allegations of corruption, arrogance or lack of vision against Professor Mills? God richly bless you all as you ponder over hiring Professor Mills as Ghana’s next CEO come December 28.

ekwansema@yahoo.com