Ghana has continuously practiced democracy for the past 24 years without any blemishes. In an unstable region that we have found ourselves, this is no mean achievement, but instead of patting ourselves in the back, we are rather gradually introducing a new diction of violence into our democratic practice, which has the potential to erode the gains made so far.
The 1992 presidential election that brought Mr. Jerry John Rawlings to power as a constitutional Head of State was characterised by violence. This resulted in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) boycotting the parliamentary election that year. The same story was repeated in 1996, but there was a smooth transition of power from one democratically elected leader to another in 2000.
This feat was achieved, because, after adopting the new system of government for eight years, Ghanaians came to appreciate its value.
Fast-track to 2016, 24 solid years after the western world forced Mr. Rawlings to accept democracy, we should have been on top of issues, when it comes to democracy, but, surprisingly, this is the time hooligans, masquerading as politicians, are rather destroying the very institution they claim to have supported in building. In the run up to the December polls, violence involving attacks on political opponents have been reported from several parts of the country.
We can mention Odododioodioo in the Greater Accra Region, Suhum in the Eastern Region, and Goaso in the Brong-Ahafo Region, with the latest one being Nima, where Nana Addo’s residence was allegedly attacked by supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) who had embarked upon a health walk.
Interestingly, instead of condemning these unruly behaviours that are gradually creeping into our body politics, political stalwarts in the country are seeking to justify it on radio.
The Chronicle is not happy with the way the police are also handling the volatile situation. For instance, on what basis should they permit NDC supporters to parade the street near Nana Addo’s residence in the name of a health walk? Couldn’t they have anticipated that something untoward could happen, hence the need to bar the NDC followers from using that particular street?
Again, in all the political violent incidents that we had earlier alluded to in this write up, have the police made any arrests, and if the answer is yes, what has happened to the people involved?
Mrs. Hilary Clinton is on record as having accused the Director of the FBI of causing her defeat in the just-ended America election, because of its (FBI) decision to investigate her e-mail scandal at the eleventh hour.
The FBI took the decision to investigate Mrs. Clinton because they were not afraid of any political backlash.
Unfortunately, even though the 1992 Constitution has clothed the Police Service with the same powers, they are unable to bite, when it comes to political matters. Politicians appear to have taken advantage of this unfortunate situation to perpetrate violence, knowing very well that the police would not come for them. Is this the way to building a violent-free society? Certainly not, but regrettably, that is the order of the day.
Collins Dauda’s brother, as we narrated in this column yesterday, would not have been walking a free man on the streets of USA if his claim of killing people in the past had been made there.
But, as we write this editorial, the police have not bothered to even invite him for questioning. Those who have studied conflict management would agree with The Chronicle that if the minority in any society feels that they are not secure, and that their lives are under threat, they would be the first people to strike – causing violence and mayhem.
The Chronicle is, therefore, warning Mr. John Kudalor and his men to be up and doing before anything unfortunate happens to this country of ours. If supporters of the minority parties feel that they are not getting protection from the law enforcement agencies – they would try to take the law into their own hands, and that is where the danger lies.
If the police start arresting and prosecuting initiators of political violence, irrespective of the party they belong to, it would instill fear in people to behave.
Because Ghana has not experienced war before, people take the peace we are enjoying for granted, but this mentality could change if the police start doing the work expected of them, instead of the current posture they have adopted.
The peace of this country lies in the hands of the police, and they must not dare fail the nation.
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