Democracy is new to all countries around the world but the Greeks. Coined from the Greek words demos = people and kratos =strength or power, this exquisite political system has evolved and continues to evolve by the day whereby civil society cherry-picks and selects the comestible grains leaving the chaff to decompose. Even the advanced civilised ponent cultures that inducted us into democratic governance continue to re-examine democracy for its finest and fairest jewels to guide them to attain the optimum for the benefit of their society. It is not therefore strange to refer to icons like Obama, Clinton, Blair etc or Westminster and the White House in political discussions and debates because we are learning and we want the best for a “better Ghana”.
Though it has been stated by many that democracy in Ghana and Africa has been one of the culture shocks that has invaded and gripped African countries, I disagree though not in its holistic sense because the days when our chiefs and traditional leaders ruled from their palaces, their courtiers, advisors and elders comprised representative elders and leaders from the component families and clans constituting the society under his chieftain, skin or paramouncy. This was representative enough but not the best, but the Greek style democracy was better polished for mass and universal usage than what we had known and practised before. Why therefore we are so benighted in governance in this 21st century when thanks to the renaissance there are numerous scholars in Ghana who are supposed to know better are leading us but apparently into disarray and anomie as something unimaginable and unthinkable. At least rulership and governance have been and are part of our culture in which case democracy in whatever form we have adopted it cannot be left out.
After the shit-bombings under Rawlings, Mills has come in with a kind of theatrical drama. With the on-going politics of insults, two biting political incidents tending to cast slur on the leader of the opposition NPP have showcased within three weeks under similar festive circumstances not to mention previous incidents of similar magnitude. In all the scenarios it remains apparent that the NDC under Mills is responsible for the drama so staged purposely to humiliate Nana Akufo Addo. It is the NDC’s determination to demoralise, confuse and derail the illustrious legal and political jewel’s aspirations to become Ghana’s President. To achieve this, the NDC has resorted to à corps perdu and factoid invectives, dishing the dirt here and there in tabloids, throwing dirt everywhere and various forms of malicious humiliations to dissuade voters from voting for Nana Addo. In both dramatic scenes, they have a perceived calculated ploy to create discontent and disaffection in the communities for the NPP and Nana Addo as the Party’s leader. In examining the induced causes even at face value some aspects of our culture may be evoked yet Nananom as clavigers of our culture have remained silent on our glorious cultural practices and being led away by sycophantic political zealots. Let us therefore ask:
? What is the normal procedure that an invited guest to a function such festivals, funerals and parties have to follow on arrival? Do especially invited luminaries such as Presidents, Embassies, Ambassadors, Party leaders, Ministers of State and Religion, Members of Parliament etc to functions just walk onto the venue and take seats anywhere anyhow or they should as a matter of observance of cultural procedures of protocol imprimis greet their host to establish their presence to the acknowledgement of their host before they are ushered to their designated seating arranged for them?
? If any high dignitary other than Nana Addo had been so manhandled at Cape Coast, would Nananom not have the courtesy to apologise and distance themselves from such a disgraceful and besmirching incident but rather condone with it?
In any civilised society that intends anything better for the citizens, as we are promised a “Better Ghana” the government would immediately react and set-up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate and submit a report on whatever happened; but here Mills is sitting only as a thought executing roi fainéant President tacitly condoning with and giving his approbation to his apparatchiks to rather disgrace himself as a very irresponsible President in the presence of foreign dignitaries. Will this shameful incident ever happen in any civilised Western culture with impunity? Probably it may happen in Communist Russia, China, North Korea, Cuba and the rest but not in Ghana because we have tacitly rejected communism and its autocratic dictatorship.
Surprisingly in view of what has been going with the potential tendency to spit out internecine conflicts, the buck has been un-officially passed to radio presenters who deal with such volatile and delicate issues by doing the right thing rather in the wrong way whiles the President and his Cabinet guffaw in enjoyment of the imbroglio. Just listen to the haughty childish utterances of Nii Lamptey Vanderpuje on the Cape Coast incident and Kwadwo Twum Boafo, Anita de Suza on the Akropong incident. Also listen to Anita on her Atiwa attempted homicide issues and there is no doubt Ghana is in a state of lawlessness, worse than a cowboy’s camp. Can’t Mills sit and reason that he has at least been propagandised as “Asomdwoehene”, which he must live up to or be branded otherwise
Even in a Cowboy camp where swashbuckling is the order of the day, there are rules to maintain some order with a recognised leader who puts things right when anything untoward happens. How can Ghana boast as the star of civilised democracy in Africa when such conduct is displayed towards opponents? No wonder Robert Mugabe got his training from the same institution that trained John Mills. At least, Ghanaians expect an equanimous President who would extend his arms to all and sundry as father for all with equal rights and responsibilities.
Ghana is now like a pye-dog or a feral cat that has lost home and owner. They wander about, consume anything, sleep anywhere, anyhow, feel attristed exposed to any hazard with no protection. They are desperate for a sympathiser-owner for protection, comfort and peace of mind.
Adreba Kwaku Abrefa Damoa (London UK)