Supreme court decision - democracy in action?

Before we exalt ourselves for the successful end to the election litigation, we have to thank the Almighty God for showering His soothing rain on us. Ghana has once again demonstrated our democratic and peace-loving nature to the world. Among the civilized world, we can confidently stick our chest out. Beyond our image how does this democratic election benefit our country?



The Supreme Court petition clearly exposed the deficiencies in the electoral process. However, I am very surprised at the numerous calls for electoral reforms. I am surprised because the breakdown of the Supreme Court decision shows clearly that the omissions, lapses and poor executions by electoral officers can be corrected.



Below is the breakdown:



1) Duplicate Serial Numbers – This can be eliminated by sheer diligence before the election, 2) Over Voting – The political representatives at the polling stations should work with the electoral officers to make sure the actual numbers of the voters do not exceed the number of the registered voters. Any such occurrence should be reported before election results are declared. 3) Voting Without Biometric Verification – We have to improve the voter registration list and make sure registrants have adequate identification. What happened to national identification cards? There shouldn’t be any obstacle to make sure that our voter machines are working properly and be able to identify the voters.



4) Duplicate Polling Station Code – Clerical error – very correctable. 5) Unknown Polling Station Code – Clerical error 6) No Signature Of Presiding Officer – This is perhaps the simplest problem. What were the political party agents doing, if they could not get the electoral officers to sign the tally sheets?



Anyone who followed the petition could note that there was no collusion on the part of the electoral commissioner and the political parties. Sometimes we all forget that the electoral commission is like the other governmental agencies in the country; negligence, shoddy work performance topped by corruption. If we could get the governmental agencies to perform as we expect the electoral commission, Ghana would be a great country. How do we explain “Dum so, Dum so”? The next move we should make is to push forward the date for the election. We should move it forward from December to 1st week in November. This will leave enough weeks before the January handover. We should pass legislation to also limit the duration of a petition. The Supreme Court case was a good lesson for all Ghanaians. However, we can limit the price we pay by shortening the process. In fact if we drastically eliminate the electoral problems we discussed above, we shall have very little to litigate about.



Personally I feel we Ghanaians are missing the point. We have elections to elect leaders who can pursue our national and the people interest. Are we getting the right leaders? It seems from Rawlings through Kuffour, Mills and Mahama our leadership is getting worse. Life in Ghana is getting harder for the average citizen. Politicians and public officers are abusing our financial and natural resources with impunity. Dr. Sikpa-Nyankey(Mabey & Johnson) is the CEO of Ghana Natural Gas Company. Mr Moctar Bamba(NPP) is a national organizer. Mr. Mubarak (NDC) is a parliamentarian. Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrissu is hanging around and waiting for a new appointment. Nsawam Cannery was sold without Ghana having any value back. A government official forgot to put a clause in the Newmont mining corporation’s contract so that we could retain some of the gold earnings to buttress our foreign exchange position. The Jubilee field oil contract was signed without a clause for TOR to buy oil at a discount for the country. Can one say Woyome? It has not mattered whether NPP nor NDC.



These are our problems. Elections are great but are they solving our problems or improving our lives? I am appealing to Ghanaians to stop the fanaticism about NDC and NPP – they have both ruined our country. We have to put our heads together to find solutions to our bad public officials and politicians.



Source- Kwamina Mbra Panford. Tpanford@msn.com.