This is no doubt that the NDC is misfiring on all cylinders. Elections have consequences is an aphorism that amplifies the current Ghanaian dilemma. Ghana’s economic fortunes continue to dim even as the NDC dances recklessly on our grave of hopes. The emperor has no clothes and surely the sycophants and neophytes dare not speak truth to power. Dire warnings of impending catastrophic economic tsunamis, made very plausible, if not certain, by NDC mismanagement and corruption, composes a dirge that ought to bring streaming tears to the eyes of well-meaning Ghanaians. In a nutshell, it is fair to say that the future looks bleak, leadership is weak, our coffers leak and the meek suffer needlessly and repeatedly. Democracy is surely a test of nerves!! The angels must be dancing on pins and needles.
Given the current bedlam facing Ghanaians, it will be a dereliction of duty if we fail to ask or seek next steps. We are better served by writing the current NDC government off and looking forward to the next elections. That is if democracy still remains a viable option. Where do we go from here? What can we do differently to avert bringing into power, an inept and arrogant government, such as the NDC? Are we stuck with perpetual election outcomes, bearing the lesser of two evils? How do we avoid being taken for fools? Are we not fed up with empty political promises and over bloated manifestos? Did we do our homework before voting this government into power? Of course we were disappointed with the NPP in the past national elections. Our disgust was galvanized when the elephant was sent scurrying into the unforgiving bush. However, was it wise to throw the baby away with the bath water? Robert Frost, in his poem, “The Road not Taken”, sternly reminds us, about the consequences that hinge inextricably and at times precariously, to our decisions. Unlike Frost, do we have the luxury of sighing to rearrange our future?
Even though the NDC must go, we should not hand power over to the NPP or any political arrangement without asking key pre-election questions and demanding intelligent answers. And if we don’t get viable pledges and answers, we should consider bringing in, a coalition of minor parties. As our democracy ages like fine wine, so must our temerity to demand answers to burning questions. The refrain, mostly from my NPP friends, is to require that we direct our questions to the failing NDC government. Well, if we write the NDC off, as we should, why must we direct key questions at them? In addition, some of my NPP friends want voters to trust but not verify. They want voters to stop harassing them with questions and instead, vote overwhelmingly for them. I implore voters to stay the course and demand answers to tough questions. After all, doing the same thing and expecting different results, is an apt description for madness. The devil you know mindset could trip the elephant, if informed answers are not forthcoming.
I have a nudging feeling, that, the NPP assumes, it can sashay its way to power, by amplifying and highlighting NDC shortfalls without critically walking the nation through what it will do differently, if given power. Not too long ago, some of the very mistakes, the NDC is orchestrating at the moment, were committed by the NPP. The issues of corruption, tribalism, incompetence and kleptomania may have taken a virulent upward swing under NDC, but did firmly exist under NPP as well. These cyclical and hydra-headed challenges can and must not continue without permanent solutions. Indeed, it is not overly surprising, that, the president, John Mahama, firmly claims that, he is doing exactly what Kufour did when in office. While the latter statement does rile some NPP operatives and leaders, there is a modicum of truth to it. For all intents and purposes, leadership in Ghana has been distilled to the fine art of begging for loans and grants overseas to build unsustainable sandcastle projects in the country. As long as party hacks and cronies, scalp off their juicy 10% (I hear its 30% now) share.
Indeed, the NPP will be playing political Russian roulette if it fallaciously relies on the assumption that it can come to power without scrutiny. I am certain, that, a critical examination of NDC propaganda and Mahama’s leadership competencies would or could have given telltale indications about his leadership acumen. Given what we are experiencing at the moment, it will be treasonous if we fail to not only ask the right questions but demand a Grover Norquist-like pledge, from incoming leaders. If we cannot improve our democracy, by learning from our past mistakes, we might as well forget this expensive democratic experiment. Too Ghanaians many are suffering and dying needlessly, due to incompetence, corruption and boldface thievery.
Let me say this to my NPP friends. As the major leading opposition party in Ghana, you, the NPP, owe us, a sacred duty, to send the NDC packing. This duty requires that you do your homework. Come up with cogent plans and ideas that will lift us from the current nadir of despair. This is why it will behoove the NPP, to get its ducks in a row. The biggest gift we can give to the NPP or whatever alliance it is able to garner, is to offer them tough questions, clear examples of good governance and demand practical answers. We will and should not tolerate half-hearted pedestrian answers and bloated promises. This time around, we surely will not be hunting in tall grass. The days of “ayisem” are over! We are reminded of missed opportunities under Kufour. Some of these missed opportunities are greatly and negatively impacting our existence today. These missed opportunities include prosecuting alleged NDC criminals.
Perhaps one of the key institutions in the country that can serve us well in this context is the press. The story of the press in Ghana is one of a sad tale. Just when we thought press freedom has finally arrived, and yes we’ve made progress, standards are racing to the bottom. The quality of reporting is dimming and corruption continues to bare its ugly teeth. The latter is compounded by a lack of resources and partisan considerations. What we need, is a tireless press, armed with Duracell batteries and strong flashlights, baying to bring us, well researched facts and thought provoking analysis. We need crack investigative journalist to raise the collective and individual consciousness of the people. I cannot wait to see a time in Ghana when bread and butter issues begin to play a critical part in our elections. The latter is particularly true for independent and floating voters. For the hardcore partisan voters, only God can convince them to vote their conscience ahead of emotions.
Lastly, let me speak to the fragmented “little” political parties. If there ever was a time when the small parties in Ghana could put their differences aside and forge ahead united, this is it. The population is fed up with both major parties. Gradually, Ghanaians have come to realize that these two parties are hurting them. There is a quite storm of despair forming in Ghana. NDC folks have given up on their party in power. The NPP is fractured and no amount of papering over will heal that deep gush within the party. The NPP is struggling to create harmony within the party even as power beckons. The best products the NDC has to sell are incompetence and arrogance. So, it begs the question: What are these small parties waiting for? Nduom, Samia and co must take the bull by the horn. Somebody must show leadership and call for a Senkyi-like small party’s summit. Put a coalition together and give the small parties a chance. Indeed a strong coalition of small parties could make them serious power brokers because 2016 will likely be a very close election.
I end by asking Ghanaian to remain vigilant. We are in one of the darkest moment of our nation’s history. The immediate future looks bleak but all is not lost. Not too long from now, we will have the golden opportunity to send this inept and arrogant NDC government packing. Viva Ghana!
Nii Lantey Okunka Bannerman (The Black Swan) The writer is political talk show host on Highlife Radio (www.highliferadio.com ). Come join us every Saturday from 9am Eastern --12 noon (People’s Parliament is the name of the show!)
I don’t give them hell, I just tell the truth and they think its hell—Harry Truman