FULFILLING ELECTORAL PROMISES (JAN 13)

ARTICLE One Clause One of our Constitution states that “the Sovereignty of Ghana resides in the people of Ghana in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised in a manner and within the limits laid down in this Constitution”.
In 1992 when the people of Ghana decided to adopt the Constitution to pave the way for multi-party democracy, Ghanaians, by that singular act, made a firm declaration that they would want to be a part of the decision-making process.
Over the last one year or so the leadership and candidates of the various political parties travelled the length and breadth of the country to canvass for votes in order to be given the mandate to rule.
During that period, the parties made various pledges and promises to the people. Electioneering processes have always been occasions when the hopes of the electorate are raised, sometimes to a crescendo, and in some cases dashed shortly after the polls.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaigned on the platform of ‘Change for a better Ghana’ while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) pledged to ‘move the country forward’ when voted into power. The people of Ghana found the campaign for change acceptable and voted to return the NDC to power.
One thing that has become clear from our political history, particularly during the era of democratic governance’ is the inability of ruling governments to meet the expectations of the people.
However, that does not mean that the new administration should renege on its pledge to bring about prosperity for all. Ghanaians have a collective responsibility to put the government on its toes to deliver on its pledge to the people.
It is refreshing, therefore, that the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, has called on chiefs to hold President John Atta Mills accountable to ensure that he delivers on the promises made during his campaign.
The DAILY GRAPHIC knows that the political parties are conscious of the implications of their failure to deliver on their mandate. The voters have always punished political parties that fail to fulfil their promises.
Since assuming the highest office of the land last Wednesday, President Mills has left no one in doubt that he is conscious of the task ahead of him.
In his inaugural speech, he called on all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliations, to assist in making Ghana a better place for all, adding that his “election marks the dawn of a new Ghana which will change for a new direction to enable the country to move forward”.
With that assurance, the DAILY GRAPHIC believes that the Mills administration will not disappoint Ghanaians. However, that does not mean that the people should abandon their responsibility of holding the government accountable for its actions.
But to succeed, the government needs the understanding and co-operation of all the people, irrespective of their political persuasions. The success of the Mills administration is the success of all Ghanaians and we cannot afford to fail in that regard.