Comrades, I have read many comments and have had instances of colleagues calling and others coming inbox to ask what the NDC is doing. Some have already served notice of how they have lost hope in the NDC for doing “nothing” as they “watch” the injustices being perpetrated on them. Some have actually indicated that the NDC had failed to protect the mandate of the people and for that matter, they are leaving to concentrate on something else.
I think you have legitimate cases from your respected perspectives. But, a war that needs winning, the only soldier who is able to gather the little motivation, must expend that energy in motivating his colleagues up to face the battle and to win. If he also joins the others to remain on the ground and give up, they would all lose the battle and endanger the lives of those they were on the battlefield to protect.
Like you, I am also down. I have had reasons to attempt to give up, but upon a second, third, and fourth thought, I think I must attempt to motivate all who felt like I am feeling and those even who have announced giving up.
If you know me or have ever seen my picture before, you can imagine my tone in this short piece. Spare a little moment and read further, and let’s stay together. Great battles are not those won immediately, but those that are eventually won against the mighty. Like Ghana’s independence, it came through a process, and we need that energy to overcome for our second liberation.
Comrades, when we opted to get back to constitutional democracy in the year 1992, we did so with the belief that every leader we elect, would abide by the tenets of democracy with its attendant rule of law. We anticipated that the Constitution would guide all actions, and good faith would lead us. We legitimized the leadership of this country with the solid belief that our elected leaders would be responsible to the state, and commit to the building of state institutions that would be mightier and bold in serving the interest of the state. We did not do so knowing that we would hand over power through a democratic exercise to an individual who would skew the tides to his benefit and attempt to use the constitution to crush those who would stand up to ensure right .
We have spelled out what is good and what is bad. We have a means of punishing those who are wrong. We did not arrogate to ourselves measures outside the constitution, to deal with such individuals. That is why we must find it absurd that today, the people we handed power under the constitution, are doing everything within the constitution to subvert the will of the people. In doing so, they have managed to bring state institutions under their control and making things difficult.
If we all slide into the realm of absurdity, we are then building a nation of absurdity thereby leaving behind a nation of the absurdity of which there is no predictability and certainty. It is therefore important to call out the hose who are driving this nation into absurdity to order and remind them of an uncertain future they are building which would consume generations to come.
Comrades, we know what is happening is wrong. But we keep making certain calls which include (a) “you had power for 8 years in recent time, you failed to use it and now they are showing you how to use power”; (b) “when next you get power, know how to use it”. These two statements and propositions are powerful. But there is one thing underpinning these. We feel something happening is not right, and that is why we make these references. It simply concludes that whoever acts it, be it present, past or future would still be wrong because we know today that it’s wrong.
We are faced with a giant and monstrous calamity that threatens our collective democracy, and we cannot sit and watch one man or a group of leaders act in our stead. Indeed, whatever actions they may be expected to take, must be done within the law. Here we are, where the law must be pursued, is also proven very whipped in line. What else could anyone do? But, leaving the battle means we are leaving the rest for them to take. We would lose it, our children would lose it.
We must be mindful that today, Nana Addo is president. His children, cousins, nephews, grandchildren, would not be presidents forever. Jean Mensah is the Electoral Commissioner today. Her children, grandchildren, siblings, would not be Electoral Commissioners forever. Today, the justices sitting and setting rulings, would not have all their children and siblings, as well as grandchildren, being judges. Whatever implications and consequences they are living behind, their generations to come, would live the consequences. As the saying goes, “one tree does not make a forest”.
I am optimistic that we will win the fight. You have a duty, a duty to join in spreading the wrongs in our society for the world to see. We cannot see it alone and assume it’s enough. The democracy we practice today was not invented by us and we must let those who invented it become aware of the experiment and document us in their books as to whether or not we are living the dictates. You must be ready to join any actions that may be announced whether now, sooner or later, and be part of the restoration of a dignified democracy for Ghana.
This is not the time to walk away from what you love and have been committed to. Ghana is witnessing an absurdity, political machinations that should be stopped by state institutions, but which are rather entrenched and emboldened by the conducts of actors within these state institutions. Gradually, by standing up for what is right, no matter how long, we shall overcome. It then behooves on us to ensure to keep away from our democracy individuals whom we suspect would lead us into the realms of absurdity from occupying democratic offices.
I respectfully submit this night, that we must stand together, firmer, and more determined. Let our ills be heard, because by hearing, actions are thereafter welcomed as indeed, having been carried out of a consistent disregard for the warnings!
ASK