Election 2008 - A Test of the Resilience of Ghana's Democracy

A GNA Feature by Paul Achonga Kwode

Tamale, Nov. 27, GNA - Election 2008 by all indications is going to be a test of democratic elements and principles as it is envisaged to be the most competitive elections ever held in the history of the country. "Democracy (Government by the People) describes a series of related forms of government, with origins in ancient Greece, Rome and South Asia. Democracy has gradually grown and expanded throughout history. Today, democracy is the predominant form of government in the world. The term democracy is typically used in the context of a political state; the principles are also applicable to other groups and organizations", (source; Wikipedia Foundation of US).

Democracy could also mean the rule by the people; government by the consent of the governed, either directly or indirectly through the election of representatives based on the principles of individual dignity, majority rule, liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities. The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) documents define democracy as a system of government in which people effectively and meaningfully participate in the decision-making processes that affect their lives and livelihood. Governance was defined as the art and skill of utilizing political or collective power for the management of society at all levels - economic, social and political - from the smallest village to the largest nation. Democracy and good political governance are basic foundations for the promotion of human development and the alleviation of poverty and indeed, for reaching NEPAD's overreaching objectives.

Ghana and for that matter the rest of Africa had a system of democracy centuries before the arrival of the Europeans. That system of democracy could be termed ancient democracy, which even aided indirect rule to work easily during the colonial era. In ancient democracy, which is still practised in most parts of Africa by tribes and clans, an individual from the royal family was often nominated and vetted by elders and the kingmakers before being accepted to rule.

Justice G. L. Lamptey in tracing the years of constitutional rule (constitutional democracy) in Ghana said constitutional rule in Ghana began on 6th March, 1844, in the then Gold Coast where the Lieutenant Governor, H. W. Hill, representing the Queen of Britain and Ireland, entered into a Bond with the King of Denkyira and seven Chiefs, popularly known as the Bond of 1844, all in what is now Central Region. On 1st July 1960, Ghana became a Republic with the Convention People's Party (CPP) pursuant to the 1960 First Republican Constitution of Ghana. This Constitution, however, was overthrown on 24th February 1966.

Another test of democracy in the history of the country brought the Progress Party (PP) to power on October 2nd 1969, this system had a ceremonial president and the prime minister - a form of the Westminster system - but that also was proscribed on 13th January 1972. Democracy resurfaced with the People's National Party (PNP) on 24th September 1979 with a constitution fashioned after the American type of democratic government where all ministers were from outside parliament. Once again on 31st December 1981, the PNP was overthrown. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on 6th January 1993 came to power pursuant to the 1992 Fourth Republican Constitution, which has survived to date with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) democratically taking over power in 7th January, 2001.

2008, A YEAR TO SHOW DEMOCRATIC PEDIGREE OF GHANA

Ghana has been described by the NEPAD and the APRM as the "trailblazer and a torchbearer" for the rest of the Continent in the fight for independence and democracy.

Political power seekers would be criss-crossing the country ask for mandate from the electorate to occupy the executive and parliamentary seats.

Candidates, presidential and parliamentary have already started campaigning both at the party levels and at the national level. Whiles the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has already got its flag bearer for Election 2008 the NPP and other parties are yet to select or elect a candidate.

Politicians are at their game once again promising heaven on earth just to win over the electorate. But will it be that easy this time around to deceive Ghanaians?

From the look of things it appears that politicians would have to dip deeper into their hats to pull out more tricks like magicians. Already political sloganeering has begun: "CPP!!!" - "The Sleeping Giant Re-awakes!!!" "CPP!!!" Ebe ye won se cine!!!" "Alan Cash!!!" - "Cash for the People!!!" and "Nana O O O!! Nana!!!"

Ghanaians have tasted power from NDC and NPP and it appears they do not seem to see any difference between the two. Comments like; "they are all the same; they come to seek their own welfare and that of their immediate families" are heard all over the place.

Will the recent door-to door campaign strategy of the NDC be the best method of getting the sympathy of the electorate or the yet to come strategy of the NPP or is there going to be another stronger political power from any of the other parties to usher Ghanaians to the promise land?.

THE SOVEREIGN POWER OF THE ELECTORATE

Representative and liberal democracy, which Ghana has entrusted itself to, rest the sovereign political power of the State in the hands of the electorate.

The 1992 Fourth Republic Constitution of Ghana article one states; "The sovereignty of Ghana resides in the people of Ghana in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised in the manner and within the limits laid down in this Constitution".

However, some argue that unlike a pure democracy, in a constitutional republic, citizens are not governed by the majority of the people but by the rule of law. Constitutional Republics make a deliberate attempt to diminish the threat of monocracy thereby protecting minority groups from the tyranny of the majority by placing checks on the power of the majority.

Thomas Jefferson stated that majority rights couldn't exist if individual rights do not. The power of the majority of the people is checked by limiting that power to electing representatives who govern within limits of overarching constitutional law rather than the popular vote or government having power to deny any inalienable right. Moreover, the power of elected representatives is also checked (check and balances) by prohibitions against any single individual having legislative, judicial, and executive powers such that basic constitutional law is extremely difficult to change and the rule of autocrats, totalitarians, dictators were checked to make politicians accountable.

Election 2008 would give Ghanaians the best opportunity to exercise their sovereign power to securing the right candidate of their choice. Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, has come out to draw the attention of politicians to the fact that in Ghana elections are won at the polling stations only and not elsewhere. It would, therefore, be very difficult if not impossible for politicians to easily take the country for a ride since the electoral system is rigging-proof.

While waiting for the election year, peace must also be the walking word in every Ghanaian's psyche since that is the surest way to promoting the country's democratic credentials.

It should be the prayer of every Ghanaian that the country would become the beacon of Africa's emerging democracy. It is, therefore, necessary to ensure that Election 2008 is conducted in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity and is free and fair. 27 Nov. 07