Election 2012 : Ghana’s Last Chance To Make Progress

By William Dowokpor.

The 2012 general elections will present Ghanaians with the last chance to choose progressive visionary leaders, under whose governance, the country would hit the road to the attainment of transformational development in approximately one generation or settle for the retrogressive status quo that can only lead to a failed nation state.

It is the last chance because, if we choose progressive leaders, they will use the power given them to shape a destiny of endless opportunities for every citizen through transformational development. Should Ghanaians maintain the status quo, by voting to sustain the duopoly which has characterized our political and socio-economic governance in the last two decades, we would have opted for a failed state with dire consequences for all.

Election 2012 is therefore not business as usual. It is a serious decision making point and all Ghanaians must give it a deep thought before that vital vote is cast. This article discusses some of the thoughts which must inform the choices we make and points to the direction that would lead to the progress and transformational development Ghanaians need.

Why We Have Not Developed:

We have not developed because we have failed to envision for ourselves the desired state of development we need and have failed to plan towards its attainment. This is in contravention of article 87 (2) and (2b) of the 1992 constitution that “The National Development Planning Commission, shall at the request of the President, or Parliament or on its own initiative make proposals for the development of multi-year rolling plans taking into consideration the resource potential and the comparative advantage of the different districts of Ghana”.

Given that no country has ever developed without a long term plan or “Grand Vision”, the answer to why we have not attained transformational developed is clear and Ghanaians need to take this into account when deciding who leads the country after the 2012 general elections. The specific mention of the President and Parliament as those responsible for national development through planning and implementation of long term policies, demands we convince ourselves that those we elect as President and Parliamentarians are aware and capable of delivering on this constitutional requirement when given the mandate to govern.

Downside of the 1992 Constitution:

While the four year term provided for in the 1992 constitution may be responsible for successive leaders’ lack of motivation to take long term planning and development seriously, it could simply be the case that those who have governed Ghana for the last two decades, are just not the visionary transformational leaders we need at this stage of our national development. What they have done is to take the easiest way out by settling for short term policy initiatives, motivated by the desire to secure successive election victories at the expense of transformational development.

Again, there are features in the 1992 constitution that promote the “winner takes all” regime, making life in opposition as hot as “hell”, a condition some leaders and activists hate to live in, as echoed in the “all die be die” and “opposition is hell” refrains.

Liability of the Duopoly:

Having now established that none of the two parties that have governed Ghana, will last beyond eight years, in office, the motivation to focus on short-term policies for electoral advantage is likely to remain high, making all the promises of development by the NDC and NPP unattainable.

The Threats Democracy:

Ghana has held five successive general elections, resulting in a change of government on two occasions through the ballot box. As a result the country has been hailed as a stable democracy. Right or wrong, this perception held mainly by our development partners must not lead to any complacency whatsoever. As article 36(2)(e) of the 1992 constitution cautions “ the most secure democracy is the one that assures the basic necessities of life for its people as a fundamental duty”. Executing that fundamental duty has been a mirage, because we have failed to elect leaders who can perform their duty.

At the presentation of its final report to President Mills, yesterday, Chairman of the Constitutional Review Commission, Prof. Albert Fiadzoe, was reported by the Daily Graphic of December 21, 2011, to have advised on the need to “shift focus from politics to economics”. In this writer’s opinion, Prof. Fiadzoe and his Commissioners have found what Ghana needs and have advised the President accordingly. The Ghanaian economy needs to be transformed to secure our democracy. But this will not happen under the status quo. It can only happen under progressive visionary leaders.

Evidence abound, that new democracies that have not guaranteed the basic necessities of life for its people have disintegrated between 12 and 16 years. The foot soldier entitlement action by political activists, which reduce state institutions into politically partisan institutions, is sufficient evidence. Ghanaians must take the advice to shift from politics to economics as a serious warning in the 2012 elections.

Way Forward:

To attain transformational development we need to vote for progressive leaders who would first;

Develop the compelling Grand vision, with appropriate policies, implemented on sustainable basis for its attainment. Since this vision must necessarily be long term, it will be a safe thing to do if Ghanaians did not consider the NDC and NPP as potential executors of this all important assignment. The electorates have the power to determine and they alone must decide.

Second, there is need for mobilization of the all resources available, including; human, financial, technological and of course the natural resources of this country for the attainment of the vision. Again the winner takes all policies and the overly partisan orientation of NDC and NPP disqualifies them from facilitating the mobilization efforts.

Thirdly, we need transformational leaders at the helm of affairs. Ghana needs to be governed by progressive visionary change agent(s). One(s) who understand the nuances of successful change management and are convinced the change they pursue is attainable and are therefore prepared to stay focused on the long term, not motivated by the desire to win elections by all means.

Contrary to popular beliefs, these progressive transformational leaders are more likely to receive endorsement of the masses at elections if the vision is shared and the citizens are given roles to place in the process. Again it is doubtful if the NDC and NPP can pursue such a policy process successfully, given their records in leadership so far.

Fourth, is to Bring the Economy Back Home: Good economic management is key to transformational development and entrenchment of democracy. To attain this we need to “bring the economy back home” where economic policies offer endless opportunities for the successful participation of citizens in all economic endeavour. No sector of the economy should be a no go area for any citizen. In fact, every sector must be a go-go area for Ghanaians first.

Thankfully, the political scene is changing very fast, with the discerning Ghanaian electorate looking for something new. Ghanaians are looking for visionary leaders who will deliver transformational development. From January to December 2012 Ghanaians will be presented with the option to choose transformational development or stagnation. It is important that Ghanaians ask themselves these questions before they cast a vote. We must not choose stagnation any more. Let’s go Progressive!

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