OUR CHILDREN HAVE SPOKEN (SEPT 23, 2008)

THE threat to peace during the run-up to the December 7 polls has become so ominous that even children have decided to voice out their apprehensions.
The concerns of the children are quite understandable, in view of the fact that women and children have always borne the brunt of violent incidents wherever they have occurred.
It is interesting that other people from diverse backgrounds and different political persuasions have also expressed their concerns over the security of the state which seemed threatened as a result of the forthcoming general election.
Ghana opted for constitutional rule, arguably the best form of government on this planet, after several attempts to make democracy work had been interrupted by various military juntas.
Since 1992 when the Constitution was promulgated, the country has gone through four successful elections, including a smooth transition from a sitting President to the political party in opposition. That event was described as an unprecedented feat since the country attained self-government in 1957.
With the passage of time and under democratic governance, the structures that make democracy thrive in any society have been strengthened and the rule of law and all the other benchmarks, such as free speech and association, have been widely enhanced.
The awareness that has been created as a result of the institutionalisation of these structures has made the average Ghanaian voter discernible enough to know when he/she is being misled or misinformed or when the truth is being crucified.
It is against this background that the Daily Graphic wishes to endorse a request made by a group of first and second- cycle students in Accra to political parties, social commentators and callers to radio phone-in programmes to stop raising the political temperature in the country.
According to the students, comments made in public by these groups of people sought to create the impression that this year’s elections were a do-or-die affair and the numerous unguarded statements that came from them threatened the peace and stability of the country.
It is worrying to hear some politicians peddling falsehood, with dire repercussions for the peace of the country. It is equally disturbing for so-called social commentators, who jump into every radio discussion and pretend they are the repository of all knowledge, to really poison the atmosphere with their ignorance and misinformation. The sad aspect of their contribution to public debate is that they present one-sided arguments without any empirical facts.
These groups of people are the sort of people Ghanaians must be wary of as we draw closer to the December elections.
It is abundantly clear that in the electoral market politicians tend to over-promise, with the result that people feel let down. In addition, politicians are inclined to be over-critical of their opponents so that arguments become polarised. Politicians can also feed on cynicism, just to undo their opponents. But all these do not augur well for the growth and promotion of democracy.
The Daily Graphic does not believe that this is the right time for self-seekers to derail the smooth path of democracy. They must be responsible in their actions and must not be overwhelmed by the over-zealous ambition of winning political power through fair or foul means. For such people, we counsel them to be circumspect in all their dealings, respect the rights of others and allow our dear nation to remain stable and peaceful and be the toast of all after the December elections.