With 23 days to the 2008 general elections, the radar screen of the international community is focused on Ghana, considering the fact that elections in parts of Africa have wreaked violence. We must acknowledge that the incidences of violence in many communities and towns throughout the country have presented enormous challenges in the preparations towards the forthcoming elections.
Along with these incidences, we have also observed expressions of mistrust and misgivings about the preparations towards the elections especially from political parties.
In the midst of reservations and uncertainties on whether or not, Ghana will conduct free, fair and peaceful elections; Ghanaians are rising up to the challenge. There have been numerous peace trains, and on our radios and televisions, the clarion call for peaceful, free and fair elections is resounding.
In the midst of these challenges is also the time for hope and optimism that on 7th December the polls will be conducted peacefully, that the elections will be transparent, free and fair and that the Ghanaian electorate will choose leaders for the next four years without any hindrance, cheating nor any form of intimidation.
This optimism is expressed in the sparkles and signs of hope that were exhibited at the last IEA debate. We must commend the Presidential candidates of the leading political parties for making firm pledges to ensure peaceful election. More importantly, we must hold them accountable to their own pledges.
The symbolic but historic picture of the Presidential candidates holding their hands together in the air and pledging peace before, during and after the elections is something we must all celebrate as Ghanaians. Secondly, we must commend the Minister of the Interior and Government for rising above partisan politics and assigning police security details to all Presidential candidates to ensure their protection and personal safety in the run-up to the elections.
This gesture is a good example of how to even the playing field in Ghanaian politics. Finally, while we must celebrate the collective Ghanaian resolve for peaceful elections, the pledge of the Presidential candidates for peace and the assurances of the Police High Command to ensure peaceful elections. All of us must make our own individual pledges for peace. We must ask ourselves, “What am I doing to contribute to peaceful elections and not what somebody else is doing”.
This question must challenge us to rise up individually and be responsible in our behaviour and attitudes to contribute to peace. While we must hold ourselves, individually and collectively responsible, the greater responsibility must be exercised by the institutions of the state responsible for the efficient conduct of the elections.
This is the time for all the security agencies coordinating security operations during the elections to demonstrate a high sense of professionalism, impartiality and fairness. It is the defining moment for our Electoral Commission to rise up above all the challenges that bedeviled the preparations towards the elections and accomplish the onerous task of delivering a free, fair and transparent election.
We can only help them in achieving this task when we trust that they can deliver. None of us therefore as organizations, individuals or political parties should in any way attempt to assume or play any role that is the sole reserve of the Electoral Commission.
The time has come again for all of us to demonstrate that Ghana – the Black Star of Africa shall remain the guiding light and good example that continues to illuminate the African continent with hope and a`X sense of a new African renaissance. We must not fail in this endeavour. God Bless our Homeland Ghana .
Written By: Emmanuel Bombande – Executive Director, West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP)
