Ghana’s democratic development has been modest yet steadily progressing to the admiration of many countries in the world especially the Western countries. Praises have always been showered on the people after every election for their tolerance and patience but behind the scenes, there are bitterness, hatred, envy, and vindictiveness, violence and vengeance against fellow Ghanaians, all in the name of politics. Will Ghana progress on these traits?
We have lived as Ghanaians peacefully since independence, sixty-seven years ago and it’s about time we realise that our destiny is bound together. Some Ghanaians hate other Ghanaians because of their tribe and others refuse to see or accept reasons no matter how logical they may be because of politics
When the news of Mr Asante Bediatuo’s sickness hit the airwaves in Ghana, many Ghanaians celebrated, and many others wished him dead. We have created so much hatred amongst ourselves, and the question is why? It is very sad that institutions such as Centre for Civic Education created to educate Ghanaians on civil liberties seems to have failed the nation.
The electoral victory of the NDC has bloated their ego and made them believe they are angels who have been ordained to solve all our problems. If anyone feels this victory is a
solution to all our problems, that person is wrong, and he or she should wait for the new government’s economic policies. This victory only demonstrated the anger in some Ghanaians but be assured, it will not stay for too long if promises made during the campaign are not fulfilled.
Today, if we are to take the NDC to the cleaners, some empty spaces would be filled with stories of their sordid past, but their victory seems to have wiped away all their sins. Mr Okujeto Ablakwa claims that Ghanaians have rejected the NPP, but it is a sweeping statement, naïve and not supported by facts.
With a population of approximately 34 million in 2024, the 6.3 million voted NDC to power and that constitutes 18.3 per cent of the population. Kindly study the table below.
YEAR Population (millions) Registered Voters Votes Cast NDC Votes NPP Votes Remarks 2000 19.67 17,027.053 13,192,058 2,895,575 3,131,739 President (Round off) 2,750,124 3,631,263 Kufuor 2004 21.91 10,296,970 8,813,908 3,850,368 4,524,074 2008 24.33 12,472,758 8,755,416 4,056,634 4,159,439 President (Round off) 4,521,032 4,480,446 Mills 2012 26.86 14,158,890 11,246,982 5,574,761 5,248,898 2016 29.55 15,639,690 10,898,621 4,560,491 5,661,248 2020 32.18 17,027,941 13,433,342 6,213,182 6,730,587 2024 34.42 18,774,159 11,430,531 6,328,397 4,657,304
On the Table, I make three observations. Firstly, from 2004 to 2024, on the average, only one third of the population had participated in all general elections, approximately eleven million Ghanaians. Secondly, of all the registered voters since 2004, not more than two thirds (66%) have voted in any election. This confirms that low turn-out has been associated with all past elections.
Thirdly, the registered voters for 2000 were bloated by the NDC and all efforts of the NPP for the EC, Dr. Afari Gyan to review the register failed. How could a population of 19.6 million at that time register 17.02 million as voters for an election? When President Kufuor assumed office after winning the 2000 elections, he directed the EC to review the register, and this brought the number of registered voters down to 10.29 million voters.
The apathy among the Ghanaian electorate needs to be addressed because one-third or thirty-three percent of the population which normally participates in our elections is not good. Sixty-six per cent of registered voters, vote in all elections since 2004 is also not good enough. Prior to the recent general elections, the number of Ghanaians who decided not to vote was beyond my comprehension. I spoke to some young men who refused to vote, and their reasons were simply that the government had not given them jobs and therefore they did not see the need to vote and remarked sarcastically that those who have jobs should go and vote to protect their jobs.
What a pity, as citizens they have forgotten their civil responsibilities. Ghanaians need more education on civil liberties and the reasons why elections are conducted and the importance of participation by many citizens, at least seventy-five percent of registered voters.
Why did the National Organiser of the NDC, Joseph Yammin and his thugs invade the PMMC Gold Centre? Was the motive genuine or it was an attempt to seize some gold for personal use? I am sure these actions like many others organised by thugs are not based on facts, but rumours perpetuated by party propaganda. Bitterness, hate and envy have turned normal people into beasts and violence is the by-product. Yes, Ghanaians are aware of the “chain of violence” which the NDC has acquired to wear but it’s about time they take a second look at their conduct, behaviour, violence and many uncivil behaviours and change for the better. The search of former Minister of Finance was unnecessary and only demonstrated the show of vindictiveness.
Even though the EC has declared the NDC winner of this election, the violence that followed the announcement is very difficult to understand. Many of the results were declared in favour of the NDC and yet the NDC wants the few that was left to be declared for them whether they won or not. What would the NDC gain if they win all the 276 constituencies? The NDC has the majority in parliament to do anything they want but it must be noted that it’s not a panacea for our economic woes. Without the EC’s declaration, the NDC cannot hold themselves today as government and therefore the EC’s decisions must be respected.
By: Brig-Gen (Rtd) J. Odei
