EU's OBSERVATION MUST INSPIRE US (OCT 10)

GHANAIANS have come a long way in their political evolution from being a one-party state, being ruled by military regimes to the current multi party dispensation. The lessons that we have learnt from those political experiences should be able to guide us in our governance process to ensure that only the best is good for the country.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the current political dispensation has enhanced the reputation of the country as the shining star of Africa and beacon of hope for the continent.
For this reason, it behoves the citizenry to ensure that the December 7 elections are peaceful as much as possible. We should use dialogue and the due process to resolve any conflict and electoral disputes, instead of resorting to violence. Already, the country’s political landscape has been dogged by pockets of political violence, a situation that has raised concerns in the body politic.
However, it is refreshing that the ambassadors of the European Union (EU) have expressed optimism that the December polls will not threaten and undermine the gains Ghana has made so far in its democratic dispensation.
Indeed, after embarking on a two-day visit to some parts of the Northern Region, the ambassadors were of the view that a number of political incidents notwithstanding, there was no justification for them to worry about whether or not the elections would be successful.
The observation by the EU delegation should, in more ways than one, inspire us to continue to have confidence in ourselves and in the electoral process. Sociologists have argued that one greatest harm that a people can do to themselves is to lose faith and confidence in themselves and in their capacity to succeed in their human endeavours. This must not be the lot of Ghanaian.
The government, the Electoral Commission, the political parties and civil society groups should not leave anything to chance. Rather, they should all play their respective roles responsibly to ensure free and fair elections. The security agencies should also be proactive and constantly engage in environmental scanning to identify any potential flashpoints and nip them in the bud before they develop into full-blown violence.
Ghanaians are a peace-loving people. However, the human being is innately evil and can show his or her beastly instincts in the face of frustrations. And it is for this reason that we should not be swollen headed.
Ghana’s democratic experience has become an international showpiece because of the way we have managed our governance system. All eyes are on us and we cannot disappoint the international community, which is already encouraging us to make the election yet another landmark event.
This task is certainly not beyond our capabilities. Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel and move this nation forward.