Ghana continues to pride itself as a country practicing democracy at its best in Africa. We have held eight consecutive elections, we have transferred power peacefully three times, and we are praised by the world. But we must ask ourselves a difficult question: is our democracy truly safe and sustainable?
Is democracy only about elections every four years?
How are electioneering campaigns conducted in Ghana today? Are we not impoverishing Ghanaians only to buy their votes with disgraceful means? We see money sharing, gifts, and promises that cannot be fulfilled, all to win power at any cost.
Is character assassination and defamation of opponents now a legitimate strategy for winning elections?
Is it tolerable for party foot soldiers to overpower the state security system during elections? When did political parties become more powerful than the police and the institutions that should protect all of us?
Are we respecting the rules governing political parties? Are internal democracy, transparency and discipline being adhered to?
Is the Electoral Commission adequately resourced and secured to perform its constitutional duty without fear or favour?
Who funds political parties in Ghana? Individuals and groups of all kinds pour money into parties, but to whom are they accountable? What do they expect in return when their party wins?
What is preventing us from adopting electronic systems during elections to reduce human errors, suspicion and rejected ballots?
How credible are the findings of foreign observers, and what are the implications of their reports for our own confidence in the process?
After the declaration of results, can we not do it in a scheduled meeting where all contestants are present, to build trust and show collective respect for the outcome?
Must we persecute losing parties after elections? Is removal from office, termination of appointments, and seizure of properties of opponents the way to heal the country?
And what is the cost of condemning everything done by the previous administration, of endless investigations and abandoned projects, all at the taxpayer’s expense?
The truth is, democracy as it is being practiced in Ghana is not the best. It is standing on a time bomb. If care is not taken, it might lead us to another chaotic situation where innocent people will suffer for wrongs done in the name of democracy, a democracy that has ended up creating, looting and sharing of national assets among a few.
It is my prayer that we take a careful look at greed, selfishness, nepotism, insensitivity, defamation and character assassination, and corruption from the top to the bottom of every citizen and institution.
We must move from a democracy of elections to a democracy of accountability. We need full disclosure of party funding, protection of public servants from partisan dismissal, a results declaration process that includes all contestants, and civic education that empowers our youth to value their vote.
God bless our homeland Ghana and make it great and strong with true God-fearing people.
About the author: Godfried Kudzo Akpanya is a social worker with interest in community and youth development.
By Godfried Kudzo Akpanya, Social Worker in Community and Youth Development
