Democracy And Ghana’s Respect In The World.

Democracy is the most beautiful political system of government in any nation that opts for it. At times people criticize the United States’ foreign policy to spread democracy around the world as wishful thinking but I do disagree. Democracy provides an enviable platform for every citizen in a democratic society to exercise a civic responsibility without fear of recrimination or revenge. Such a civic responsibility is exercised in most democratic societies once in every four years to elect representatives and presidents.

The world was so fascinated by the recent U.S. elections, with Pres. Elect Barack Obabma’s decisive victory. As the news of his victory was broadcast around the world by various news organizations, people in Ghana were glued to their television sets in ecstasy. The pride of Africans around the globe was beyond measure.

How does one think the republicans felt of the loss? It was indeed a painful pill to swallow but such is life and the beauty of democracy. When you are unable to persuade the majority of the voters, you lose and wait for the next four years to try again. Usually, during this waiting period the defeated party goes back and analyzes the contributing factors that led to its demise. The party officials regroup and re-strategize for the next election.

In most closely contested elections, even in advanced countries, tempers do ran high but the leadership of the various parties does exercise leadership role and maturity by putting the interest of the country first. They usually refrain from using languages that inflame passions of their supporters.

This element of leadership qualities has been the missing link in the case of the ongoing electoral impasse in Ghana. Instead of the two aspiring presidential candidates stepping forward to issue statements that will tamp down boiling passions of their supporters, surrogates of the parties who lack management skills issue statements that incite the whole nation to prepare for war.

It has been very disturbing to hear Rawlings issuing authoritative and inciting statements that anger the losing party. While I have been very detested by the management of the country by the NPP government in the last eight years, mostly because of the large scale of corruption, I believe there should be a better way to exit the party out of power with respect. Rawlings’ inciting statements has been very unhelpful to the nation and want to remind him to shut up and leave the resolution of this issue to those well equipped to handle. I further remind him that the constitution of Ghana has provision for one president at a time and he is not president. He has served his term and must allow others to serve their term as well in peace. He had twenty (20) years to do so and cannot boast of a single accomplishment, in my opinion.

Ghana has successively conducted successful elections with peaceful hand-over of power from one government to the other since 1992. The courage and tenacity of the people of Ghana to do this with maturity has captivated the attention of the world. Now, the country is seen as the shining and learning template for the rest of Africa. In view of this, the 2008 elections are being viewed through the mirror with very high standards. As I read magazines and newspapers around the world from the internet, the presidential elections are being closely monitored, as the stakes are so high. Ghana has earned a respect in the international community. It saddens my heart to see a few self-centered individuals attempting to put their political ambitions first before unity and national pride to tarnish a hard earned good reputation abroad. I therefore urge both Dr. Atta-Mills and Nana Akuffo Addo to maintain the standing of Ghana in the world by working together to unify the country and punish the law breakers when all is said and done. It must as well be demonstrated to the rest of Africa that we are a nation of law and order and do punish law breakers, regardless of positional and societal status. As the whole nation look to the two contenders to demonstrate leadership, I offer the following advice on how to concede and accept victory in an atmosphere of national unity and reconciliation.

To Dr. Atta-Mills, the people of Ghana have spoken and given you the mandate to run the affairs of the country for the next four years. The mandate was given to you and only you. Do not allow your party officials to dictate to you, especially Rawlings, who is already acting as a co-president. You are accountable to the people of Ghana and all eyes are watching. Your failure to deliver in the next four years will put you and your party in a similar demise as the NPP. Democracy in Ghana is maturing and voters are holding elected officials accountable.

Please do exercise your constitutional authority to heal and unify our divided country. Remember that almost 50% of the people also voted for Nana Akuffo Addo and that your victory speech should be the kind that appeases to the whole nation and not a divisive and insinuated type like the recent speeches and statements issued by Rawlings. In a rush to write this piece in the middle of the night before going to bed, just on time for publication and before the close of polls in Tain constituency, I pulled a couple of victory speeches by Pres. Bill Clinton and Pres. Elect Barack Obama for you to ponder about how these great men managed to captivate the minds and souls of the American people after very bitterly contested elections that divided the nation into almost two.

Now, to Nana Akuffo Addo, I do really admire your courage, determination and sacrifice for this nation. In my beginning remark, I noted that the beauty of democracy is the opportunity it affords everyone to participate once in every four years. I do believe that things happen for a good reason or reasons. I do not consider this a loss to you but an opportunity for you to reflect and re-strategize for the next contest.

In closely contested elections, the defeated candidates always end up commanding the most respect of the nation. In most cases it opens up numerous doors of opportunities when the candidate concedes graciously in the interest of national unity. As will be noted below in the just ended U.S elections and the 2001 elections, Vice Pres. Al Gore and Sen. John Mccain of Arizona demonstrated extraordinary leadership in their concession speeches to begin the healing of a divided country. As we nurture our infant democracy, I believe your concession speech in such a hotly contested election will receive the admiration of the entire international community and the people of Ghana as a whole. This will set a great example to the rest of Africa that Ghana is different and will not be a statistic of unstable countries in Africa.

Furthermore, it will demonstrate to the global investment community that Ghana has a stable and thriving democracy and that it is safe to invest in Ghana.

In a rush to put this piece together I researched and came up with two of the greatest concession speeches of all times to heal a divided nation by Vice Pres. Al Gore in 2001 and Sen. John Mccain of Arizona in 2008 U.S. presidential elections.

Also, I included the victory speech by Pres. elect Barack Obama to captivate the minds and soul of the American people to begin the healing process of a divided nation. It will be worth while to scan through these as you ponder about the future of Ghana and your political aspirations. Remember this is not about you, but the future of our children and grand children so that someday, they will sit and reflect on the decision you made to save the unity of the nation.

Nana, please remember that Vice Pres. Al Gore’s gracious concession speech has earned him a great place in U.S. political history. Now, he is well revered around the world and has opened numerous doors of opportunities to him. Vice Pres. Gore took on a global initiative on global warming after leaving the political scene. He received a noble price award for his work, movie deals, among others. He is now a multi-millionaire and no longer has a passion for public office. Being the first African from sub-Saharan African to do this, in the interest of peace and national unity will receive great applauds and invitation to give political speeches in the western world for putting your country first and could also put your name in the history books for noble price nomination in 2009.

Please read concession and victory speeches from Al Gore, Sen. John Mccain and Pres. elect Barack Obama:

“NPR.org, November 5, 2008 • In the final speech of his second bid for the White House, Sen. John McCain acknowledged the historic nature of President-elect Barack Obama's win and what it symbolizes for race relations in this country. He urged his supporters to work with Obama in a bipartisan fashion, and he thanked his family, campaign workers and supporters.

My friends, we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama — to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.

In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans, who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president, is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.

This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight. I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Sen. Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound. A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit — to dine at the White House — was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.

Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day — though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her Creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise. Sen. Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that. It is natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought — we fought as hard as we could.

And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours. I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.

I am especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother and all my family and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign. I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.

You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign. All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude, and the promise of more peaceful years ahead.

I am also, of course, very thankful to Gov. Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I have ever seen and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength. Her husband, Todd, and their five beautiful children, with their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough-and-tumble of a presidential campaign. We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country. To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly month after month in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times — thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.

I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.

This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Sen. Obama and my old friend, Sen. Joe Biden, should have the honor of leading us for the next four years. I would not be an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it.

Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Sen. Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history. Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America.

Concession Speech of Al Gore (December 13, 2000)

[ This speech says precious little about the Electoral College. Nonetheless, I've posted it because I believe that it will someday be remembered as one of the four or five best political speeches of our time.] Good evening.

Just moments ago, I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States, and I promised him that I wouldn't call him back this time.

I offered to meet with him as soon as possible so that we can start to heal the divisions of the campaign and the contest through which we just passed. Almost a century and a half ago, Sen. Stephen Douglas told Abraham Lincoln, who had just defeated him for the presidency, "Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism. I'm with you, Mr. President, and God bless you.'' Well, in that same spirit, I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his stewardship of this country. Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly neither of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended, resolved, as it must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy. Over the library of one of our great law schools is inscribed the motto, ``Not under man but under God and law.'' That's the ruling principle of American freedom, the source of our democratic liberties. I've tried to make it my guide throughout this contest as it has guided America's deliberations of all the complex issues of the past five weeks. Now the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken. Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court's decision, I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome, which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College. And tonight, for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession. I also accept my responsibility, which I will discharge unconditionally, to honor the new president elect and do everything possible to help him bring Americans together in fulfillment of the great vision that our Declaration of Independence defines and that our Constitution affirms and defends. Let me say how grateful I am to all those who supported me and supported the cause for which we have fought. Tipper and I feel a deep gratitude to Joe and Hadassah Lieberman who brought passion and high purpose to our partnership and opened new doors, not just for our campaign but for our country. This has been an extraordinary election. But in one of God's unforeseen paths, this belatedly broken impasse can point us all to a new common ground, for its very closeness can serve to remind us that we are one people with a shared history and a shared destiny. Indeed, that history gives us many examples of contests as hotly debated, as fiercely fought, with their own challenges to the popular will. Other disputes have dragged on for weeks before reaching resolution. And each time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the result peacefully and in the spirit of reconciliation. So let it be with us. I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am, too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country. And I say to our fellow members of the world community, let no one see this contest as a sign of American weakness. The strength of American democracy is shown most clearly through the difficulties it can overcome. Some have expressed concern that the unusual nature of this election might hamper the next president in the conduct of his office. I do not believe it need be so. President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities. I personally will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans - I particularly urge all who stood with us to unite behind our next president. This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and come together when the contest is done. And while there will be time enough to debate our continuing differences, now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us. While we yet hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is a higher duty than the one we owe to political party. This is America and we put country before party. We will stand together behind our new president. As for what I'll do next, I don't know the answer to that one yet. Like many of you, I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with family and old friends. I know I'll spend time in Tennessee and mend some fences, literally and figuratively. Some have asked whether I have any regrets and I do have one regret: that I didn't get the chance to stay and fight for the American people over the next four years, especially for those who need burdens lifted and barriers removed, especially for those who feel their voices have not been heard. I heard you and I will not forget. I've seen America in this campaign and I like what I see. It's worth fighting for and that's a fight I'll never stop. As for the battle that ends tonight, I do believe as my father once said, that no matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shape the soul and let the glory out. So for me this campaign ends as it began: with the love of Tipper and our family; with faith in God and in the country I have been so proud to serve, from Vietnam to the vice presidency; and with gratitude to our truly tireless campaign staff and volunteers, including all those who worked so hard in Florida for the last 36 days. Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to the unending struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those multitudes around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of freedom. In the words of our great hymn, "America, America'': "Let us crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.'' And now, my friends, in a phrase I once addressed to others, it's time for me to go. Thank you and good night, and God bless America. “

“NPR.org, November 5, 2008 • In these prepared remarks provided by his campaign, President-Elect Barack Obama calls himself the unlikeliest presidential candidate. He thanks many members of his campaign, along with his enormous army of volunteers, and he warns supporters about what he calls the enormity of the tasks at hand that now face the U.S. He concludes by telling an anecdote about a 106-year-old African-American voter from Atlanta. If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled — Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of red states and blue states; we are, and always will be, the United States of America. It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. I just received a very gracious call from Sen. McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Gov. Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead. I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the vice-president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next first lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure. To my campaign manager, David Plouffe; my chief strategist, David Axelrod; and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics — you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done. But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to — it belongs to you. I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington — it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this earth. This is your victory. I know you didn't do this just to win an election, and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year, or even one term, but America — I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We as a people will get there. There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for 221 years — block by block, brick by brick, callused hand by callused hand. What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation — as one people. Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House — a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends... Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection." And, to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world — our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight, we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope. For that is the true genius of America — that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election, except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons — because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America — the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes, we can. At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes, we can. When there was despair in the Dust Bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes, we can. When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes, we can. She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes, we can. A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes, we can. America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves: If our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time — to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America “

I hope my minuscule contribution to resolve this impasse before it blows out hand to tarnish the reputation of Ghana will be well received by the reading community. God bless you and God bless Ghana.

Article by: Kojo Essel United States of America To email this author with your comment: funboy02003@yahoo.com