THERE'S HOPE FOR AFRICA

THE third Daily Graphic Governance Dialogue was launched in Accra yesterday by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Freddie Blay, with a call on African nations to cultivate the virtue of optimism in their quest to develop into First World nations.
He told the gathering at the launch of the dialogue, which was on the theme, “Effective Democratic Governance: The Role of Stakeholders”, that there was no need for these countries to “raise their hands in frustration” and harbour the conviction that the situation was hopeless.
The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) instituted the dialogue in 2006 to provide the platform to highlight governance issues in Africa, with the view to making governments on the continent work towards improving the quality of life of their people.
Indeed, Africa is confronted with many challenges, such as, violence, poverty, famine, disease and weak economies and governments.
However, there are celebrated stories on the continent that give hope to its people that with a little push and a collective resolve, the challenges can be surmounted.
Africans have a strong will to survive any odds and that is why the obnoxious slave trade, which was in operation about 500 years could not deter the determination of the continent to stand tall in the world.
The Daily Graphic agrees with the First Deputy Speaker when he said, “The future holds open promise of a new more cohesive community linked by shared democratic values, in spite of drawbacks and challenges here and there ... We should encourage each other to look for the sunlight through the clouds.”
The theme for this year’s dialogue is appropriate and timely because 2008 is an election year and the expectation is that the dialogue will provide the platform for serious engagement of all the stakeholders in offering the way forward for a peaceful and transparent election and transition thereof.
Already, the political parties and the electorate expect a fierce contest for the leadership of the country on December 7, 2008. All eyes are, therefore, on Ghana.
The days ahead will be days of anxiety, tension and fear as the politicians battle for the leadership of the country.
Nonetheless, it is the hope of the Daily Graphic that all the stakeholders are mindful of their roles in maintaining the unity and stability of the country, for which reason they will work in concert to maintain Ghana as the oasis of peace in a sub-region inundated with failed states.
We are on the threshold of recording another historic election leading to a peaceful hand-over of power from the sitting President to any of the leaders of the contending political parties.
It happened in 2001 without bloodletting, only the pain of losing power. Eight years on, the culture of the people has not changed from being peace loving, hospitable and affable to being violent and destructive.
The Daily Graphic calls on all who have a stake in the future of the country, particularly the political parties, the Executive, the media and the electorate, that the upcoming election is not a war of conquest but a contest for the mandate of the people to govern.
For this, those who seek that mandate must be prepared to submit to the scrutiny of the electorate and not seek power for their selfish interests or attempt to destabilise society just for the sake of power.
It is our hope that the interest of Ghana will guide all on election day to make a decision that will make Ghana a good example of a successful, peaceful and stable country.