Election2008: A Test Of Our Political maturity

This year's elections will be a real test of our fortitude and political maturity as a country. For the NPP and NDC, it would be an opportunity to break the 2-2 tie in our last four elections. For the other political parties, it provides a chance to prove that they are a force to reckon with. A number of presidential candidates have expressed the wish that this year?s elections will be fought on issues rather than on personal attacks, ethnicity and other parochial lines.

It is my fervent wish that all well-meaning Ghanaians and affiliates of the various political parties will adhere to this admonition. History teaches us that very peaceful nations have been plunged into civil wars and instability by very unlikely and apparently normal utterances and exchanges. Growing countries like Liberia and La Cote d'Ivoire have suffered massive destruction and loss of lives because some people thought they could govern their countries whether of not their people wanted them to. Similarly, a lot of life and property has been lost in Kenya as a result of disagreements which arose because of an allegedly flawed electoral process. Conflicts like these always arise in different forms but more often than not for the same reasons. It is therefore prudent that as a role model for most countries in the subregion we do not allow violence to disrupt the integrity, dignity and high place our electoral process occupies in the West African subregion.

A visit to a few Ghana-related news websites shows that passions are fast inflaming and feelings concerning the imminent elections are running very high. This is demonstrated by the comments posted by certain people in reaction to some recent happenings and what some eminent politicians are alleged to have said. Emotions are especially strong concerning some things the former president of our land is reported to have said. As a result, it has been met with very abusive comments and insults many people will consider unghanaian.These insults and counter insults are most unhealthy and should as much as possible be avoided. The media has a responsibility to calm tensions by filtering out unhealthy messages and promote mature debate among all who have a stake in this year?s elections. Civil society has a duty to carry out massive educational campaigns and sensitize the public on the dos and don'ts of the election period as well as encourage registration when the voters? register is open. Debates on specific issues should be encouraged among presidential and parliamentary candidates to assess their grasp on the things that affect the people they want to lead.

Ghana belongs to all of us and the peace we are enjoying now is to be relished and protected by all of us. We as a people should therefore ignore any comments which could turn our peaceful land into a messy place and our security services should be on the watch for any individuals and groups of people who might do or say things which have the potential to cause instability. Examples of war-torn countries and the destructions suffered by their citizens are all too glaring to be ignored by anybody. Around us are many previously flourishing countries which have been wrecked by electoral violence. The challenge now is for all of us to conduct ourselves in a democratically mature way to protect the national dignity and pride of the good people of Ghana.

WILLIAM NII AYITEY MENSON SCHOOL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND UNIVERSITY HALL, KNUST niiamenson@yahoo.co.uk

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