The Third Daily Graphic Governance Dialogue which began in Accra on Tuesday is of special interest and importance to the future of democracy in our country. The two–day Conference has struck a chord of passionate interest for many participants as this year is an election year and there are also signs of anxiety about electoral activities that have raised many questions about people’s understanding of what good governance is all about. This year’s conference focuses on the role of stakeholders which is very important as there is the need for the entire populace to understand that democratic governance is not only in the hands of political leaders but also in their own hands.
At the conference are many young adults who so far have made very good contributions to topics treated. The presence of distinguished personalities from Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia some of whom experiences shared on elections and governance in their home countries drew the minds of participants to the common problems of governance in Africa and the need for dialogue to build a more sustainable democracy across the continent.
The Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari–Gyan treated participants to a good dose of the intricacies of the electoral process and the need for free, fair and credible elections. He chastised in no little measure politicians, a small but powerful group of stakeholders, whose intolerance of other parties, pronouncements on political platforms that can cause chaos. Dr. Afari Djan also cautioned that an unorthodox means aimed at wrestling power at all costs can bring about reactions that will not make an election really free and fair.
Mentioning negative behavioral dynamics that propel the wheels of violence, intimidation, bribery, corruption, cheating, rigging of votes and abuse of incumbency, Dr. Afari-Gyan reminded Ghanaians of their duty to be vigilant, ensure peaceful elections and allow democracy to grow and thrive. Undoubtedly the events of the past few months on the political scene, such as trading of insults, violence at the Parliamentary primaries, the alleged registering of minors and foreigners for this year’s general elections cast, in some measure, their shadows of problems that could be encountered during the elections in December.
It is however heart-warming that there is public outcry against negative actions as the election day draws nearer so that steps could be taken to forestall their occurrence. One is equally concerned about issues that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey raised in his keynote address at the opening ceremony that governing is only a subset of governance and that all Ghanaians are stakeholders in the process of governance. Today , there appears to be an upsurge of unprecedented crime and indiscipline. There is a clear writing on the wall that the security agencies alone cannot deal with the situation. There are many youths who are not in school and this is a problem for democracy as the youth are our future leaders.
Generally many do not think literacy is an important ingredient in democracy and good governance but this is one of the biggest mistakes in development. Ghana has come this far in its exercise of democracy and is being cited as a good example of a growing democracy on the continent, This however is not without toil and sacrifices. As this year’s elections draw nearer it is the responsibility of all Ghanaians to ensure its success. The political leaders must accept results in good faith. This way, we would prove to the outside world that democracy and good governance go far beyond personal and parochial interests and that in any election the real victors are not the politicians but all .
BY JOHN KUMADO (JOURNALIST)
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