Ghana has for some time
now been characterized by the infamous deeds of the two majors political
parties in the country: the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National
Democratic Congress (NDC), which is the ruling party.
This is obvious and
anything concerning the development of the nation has been politicised, with
one political group accusing each other. One can attest to this by turning on
his/her radio or television. If hate speeches create wealth, some of our
politicians’ doorstep would have been carpeted with diamonds.
It is worth mentioning
that in the sub region, Ghana is recognised as one of the most peaceful and
serene countries. The investor-confidence reposed in the country and the huge
quantum of loans Ghana has been securing are clear indications of our good
name.
However, if care is not
taken, the peace we enjoy today after attaining our democratic status will
become an illusion. This is true because the opposition NPP almost always sees
nothing good about the NDC’s administration. On the other side of the coin, the
vice versa is as true as the black and white elements of the Good Book. I
wonder where they learned this blame game.
The repulsive tribal and
ethnocentric verbal punches that these parties keep throwing heavily like
Azumah’s blow at each other can plunge the country into chaos and anarchy.
Also, these parties’
so-called “macho men” who throw their weights about in threatening and brutalizing
innocent Ghanaians including women, are reminded that they not invincible and
would face similar fate one day. Ghanaians shouldn’t forget about some African
countries like Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Liberia, to mention but a few, who have
tasted various kinds of “dishes” of war.
Liberia’s ex-President
Charles Taylor who has been sentenced to 50 years in jail by a UN-backed war
crimes court. Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Sudan’s president, is the first national
leader prosecuted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The people of Ghana,
especially the youth, must have in their memory to allow peace to prevail.
The security agencies in the country, especially the police, must be
totally professional and unbiased in doing their part of ensuring that peace
reign in Ghana. To be precise, the police must be neutral in discharging their
duties to ensure justice in the run-up to the December 2012 elections. They
must subject all Ghanaians to the same standard of justice and national
protection.
The president of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama , and other
political leaders assuring Ghanaians to free and fair elections is a step in
the right direction.
I entreat all Ghanaians, especially the youth, to desist from any action
that would retard the progress of our dear nation.
Also, Ghanaians must know that if as result of the actions or inactions
of some group of people the democratic process gets derailed, we, being the
grass on which the elephants trod, will be more miserable than ever.
One Mairead Corrigan Macquire, a Northern Irish Peace Activist,
said: “If you want to reap the harvest of peace and justice, we will have to
sow the seeds of non-violence now and in the future.”
I strongly believe that
the Umbrella and Elephant will uphold the good name of this country rather than throw it to the
dogs.
The Writer is a Student-Journalist at the Ghana Institute of
Journalism.
Writer’s email:adjeteyemmanuel@gmail.com
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