THE importance of the adage, “United we stand, divided we fall”, can neither be understated nor overemphasised.
The unity of all forces in a nation, among others, ensures that the collective wisdom, talents and energies of the citizenry are harnessed, mobilised and channelled into productive activities to create wealth for the benefit of all.
If all or the vast majority of people in a situation of unity pull together in the common pursuit of progress and the good of society, the strength, if at all, of forces of opposition to the national goal will be relatively minimal to undermine or overcome such a mass convergence towards the national good.
In the history of nations, various means, tactics and strategies have been adopted at different times and stages to forge unity among the people and proceed on that basis to mobilise them for national development and progress.
In the United States in the 19th century, Abraham Lincoln had to take charge of the war effort by the Federal forces of the North to defeat the slave-exploiting South of the Union and institute empowerment policies and programmes to reunite and rebuild the US into a powerful nation.
As he pointed out then, a nation could not be united and prosperous if half of its citizens were slaves living in bondage, with the other half living as free men and women with fundamental rights and freedoms.
In China, it took Chairman Mao Zedong to organise a decade of cultural revolution from which China emerged not only as a united and strong nation but also each citizen thought of himself or herself as the best in the world and second to nobody.
These two examples bear testimony not only to the vision and selflessness of their leaders but also the unity and resolve of the people to attain the heights of economic and social progress and live better and more dignified lives.
As a people who attained freedom from colonial servitude and subjugation within the last five decades and a country where the practice of the Western multi-party democratic model is only slowly gaining root, national unity and cohesion in Ghana has been a challenging endeavour.
The divisive nature of party politics, which has been aggravated by the policy of winner-takes-all by the party system we currently practice, has, undoubtedly, thrown up more issues that challenge our national unity and development effort.
There are some who, unable to come to terms with their inability to secure political power, consign themselves to the fringes of the system as “fence sitters” and act in ways that can undermine the peace, unity and progress of the nation.
It is, therefore, not strange, in circumstances such as this, to hear the expression, “I will only give of my best when my government is in power.”
This kind of mindset is as unfortunate as it detracts from national unity and progress.
It is important for all of us to understand and appreciate the fact that once elections which are adjudged free and fair are over and a government has been formed, everyone who means well for the State must work hard, honestly and selflessly to increase the stock of national wealth, peace and stability without reference to political, ethnic, religious or social symbols.
Working hard and conscientiously for the progress, peace and stability of one’s nation should be seen as a civic responsibility.
It is on the strength of this that we agree with President John Evans Atta Mills that it is better for us, in this post-election era, to shelve our differences and work together as one people bound by a common destiny to build a better Ghana.
If all of us put our shoulders to the wheel and give of our best, the Lord Almighty will hear our prayers and bless our efforts for a better Ghana.
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