All Eyes on Ghana:Let Peace Prevail in election 2008

Perhaps those who have vehemently vowed and said that at all cost there be war if their political party loses, do not know the essence of peace. It seems to have escaped those people that Ghana is one of the blessed and most peaceful countries in the whole world. No wonder that many nations, presidents and diplomatic corps have lauded Ghana for its peace. Moreover, those who have traveled around the world as well as citizens of other nations who have visited Ghana confirm this. Therefore, we must do whatever within our means to protect this peace God has given us. We should not let it proceed out of our mouth or conceived in our minds that there would be war in this impending election.

War is not good. Many nations have been tore apart because of war. Whenever there is war, people run through all directions without knowing exactly where there are going. Women, children, the aged and the physically challenged become the worse victims. They ran through the thick forest at the mercies of cold weather and wild animals for protection. Besides, some women are raped, defiled and others are infected with HIV/AIDS. The untold hardship of nursing mothers and their babies at this moment touches the cord of sympathy and stirs up compassion. Mothers moan and lament for their children as they see and hear them gnash their teeth, cry for help, wander, stumble and faint to death.

Beyond these appalling experiences lies the destruction of the economy. Pillars which hold the economy are destroyed. Factories, industries, companies, firms and all others places where the government get most of its revenue from are all destroyed. Moreover, most of the working forces on whose shoulders our economy rest are touched by the cold hands of war. Those who lived after war become enervated and incapacitated to contribute their quota meaningfully towards the building of the nation as result of casualties they suffered during the war. Besides, those who flew to other nations may not be willing to become back to help. Moreover, schools and hospitals are burnt down whilst agricultural products are destroyed and water bodies are polluted. In short, life becomes stand still as the nation is torn apart.

Even those who survived after war have the scares of war printed clearly in their minds. Many post war victims leave their live in bondage of fear, hopelessness meaningless and comfortless. Psychologically, these people became traumatized. Sounds of raffles are enough to create fear and panic in them.

We must be alert! We must guide against anything that could take our happiness, peace, joy and also separate as either temporally or permanently from our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and neighbours. We must not let what is happening in other countries occur in our beloved country. Ghana is a unique country. It is the centre of the world: longitude zero, latitude zero. It is therefore not surprising that all eyes are on us as a country and every attention of the world is geared towards us. We must be example for other nations to emulate. Even if all things would fall apart in other countries insofar as elections are concerned, as for the center (GHANA), IT MUST HOLD. We must not be incited by some politicians to do what would destroy the peace we have enjoyed over the years. We must not resort to riot, conflict, arms and violence. For whatever we do today does not only affect us but also our mothers and brothers, children and even the generation to come. We should not be power and money conscious and do what may ruin the peace of this nation. For a truth, if one’s vision of contesting election is because of the good people of the nation and not because of his or her own interest, then I find it difficult to understand why that person would try to mar the peace of the very people whose interest and wellbeing is his/her paramount concerned.

Our aim should be that “at all course, peace would prevail”. Hence, the Electoral Commission, flag bearers, members of parliament, supporters, voters and even non-voters should all play their roles effectively to make sure that this election becomes a success. We must all avoid anything that has the tendency to mar the peace God has given us. Let us all- flag-bearers, politicians, supporter, voters, and non-voters, demonstrate to the whole world that Ghana has come of age and that we are in the path of good well and prosperity. Let our attitude in this elections proof to the whole world that indeed, Ghana is God’s own country and that he has bless us and also made us an icon to be reckoned in the whole world. All of us should pledge to ensure that Ghana move towards sustainable development after elections. Eric Gyan National President Ghana Methodist Students’ Union (GHAMSU) gyaneric2005@yahoo.com