VOTERS in the United States of America (USA) made a loud proclamation on Tuesday when they turned out in large numbers to elect Senator Barack Obama as the 44th President of the most influential country on earth.
The fierce race between Senator John McCain and President-elect Senator Obama offered the American people the opportunity to heal the wounds caused by the social divide that consigned African-Americans to the background.
In every part of the globe many people have been celebrating Obama’s victory, in the belief that the people of the USA are beginning to live what their founding fathers professed, that “All men are created equal, that everyone has the chance to succeed, that no matter what your race, gender or economic background, you can become President of America.”
But while the celebrations continue, the DAILY GRAPHIC is worried about the Herculean task ahead because of the expectations of the international community. Obama alluded to the challenges ahead when he said his presidency had two wars to contend with in the wake of the worst financial crisis to hit the US.
Since the victory inspired so much celebration, the symbolism of the election of the first African-American president, something which was considered an impossibility in this generation, can only portend good for global peace and economic renewal.
No matter the resentment against the US in recent times, the voters have used the election to tell the whole world that when times are rough, Americans will show the way. That is why President-elect Obama, in his victory speech, admonished his countrymen and women to resist the temptation to situate the victory in partisan space but to use the new spirit of service, sacrifice and patriotism to heal the divide that held back the country’s progress.
The DAILY GRAPHIC admonishes the citizens of America not to see the victory as a triumph of the Black race over White dominance but as one that inspires hope for change, opportunities and prosperity.
With this landmark event, the voters have redefined politics in Washington. The new leadership will recognise the need for co-operation with the rest of the world, instead of imposing its will and might on others, in the hope of maintaining American hegemony in the world.
We are also enthused by the graceful manner in which Senator McCain conceded defeated and promised to work with the President-elect to fix the challenges of their society. While we all join the people of the US to celebrate their momentous election, we urge Ghanaians to learn from the US experience as we prepare for the polls on December 7, 2008.
The beauty of democracy in the US, despite the long and bitter campaign, is the readiness of the contenders to exchange pleasantries even in defeat. In Africa, losers cry foul, citing all kinds of malpractice for their failure to win the polls.
Furthermore, the patience and tolerance of US voters must be emulated. Even when there were challenges with the ballot, compelling some voters to be in the queue for hours, they did not call their electoral officers names in order to demonise them. Even in this advanced society, they did not have a smooth voting process.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, therefore, calls on all political parties and the electorate to co-operate with the Electoral Commission (EC) during the December polls. We should have confidence in our institutions and offer our support, whenever possible, in order to make the EC more efficient.
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