THE 1992 Constitution enjoins the media to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people of Ghana.
Some of the key drivers of good governance are accountability, transparency and the participation of the people in the decision-making process.
Therefore, for the activities of any government to be known to the people, the President and his appointees must engage the people in constant dialogue so that the people can demand answers to how the government is keeping its social contract with the electorate.
The President’s encounter with the media at the seat of government, the Castle, Osu, yesterday must have been informed by his desire to reach out to the people. Before the encounter, there were very nagging questions agitating the minds of majority of the people.
The President had declared 2011 an action year and, not long after that, petrol prices were adjusted upwards by between 25 and 30 per cent, followed by a Cabinet reshuffle the next day. These major policy interventions required further explanations.
The upward adjustment in the prices of petroleum products especially was greeted with a lot of hue and cry by transport operators, the travelling public, labour unions and industrialists who felt that petroleum prices were on the high side.
The media encounter was, therefore, in the right direction to enable the President to engage the public in a discourse on those pressing national issues.
By all standards the media took the President through a grilling session and he also acquitted himself well by being forthright with his responses and the rationale behind some of the policy interventions he had taken to achieve the government’s Better Ghana agenda.
We concede that not every Ghanaian would be satisfied with the responses from him but his answers had helped Ghanaians to better appreciate the direction of the government.
Yesterday’s encounter may not be the last and also does not close the door on future interactions between the media and the Presidency and other functionaries of the government.
The media are a very powerful tool for development and if they are properly harnessed, they can galvanise the people for nation building. They can also be a lethal weapon in the hands of misguided elements in society, hence our appeal to all journalists to use the media for the public good.
As the President said, the media should focus on the national interest and the public good. We think journalists are at liberty to take issues with the government but, in doing so, one thing must be paramount — they should provide information, education and entertainment that is wholesome for the public weal.
The DAILY GRAPHIC congratulates the President on the second anniversary of his tenure and hopes that the channels of communication between the Presidency and the entire Ghanaian society will be open, so that the people can engage the President in constructive dialogue.
That is the only way the people can be in tune with the declaration of 2010 as an action year in line with the Better Ghana agenda.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
DEAL WITH THE HUMPS, MTTU (JAN 7, 2011)
THERE is a growing phenomenon on many highways in the country — the emergence of unauthorised speed humps everywhere.
Individuals and groups in some communities have arrogated to themselves the power to erect speed humps on major roads. These humps come in various forms. They could be heaps of sand stretched across the street or, in a more bizarre manner, streets are dug up deep to slow drivers from speeding in the communities.
While the DAILY GRAPHIC acknowledges the concern of such communities in ensuring that drivers observe speed limits in towns and cities, it does not endorse the illegal construction of speed humps on especially the highways of the country.
The DAILY GRAPHIC recalls an incident at Apegusu on the Atimpoku-Ho highway where unauthorised speed humps have caused accidents which have led to the loss of lives on the road.
The construction of speed humps is done by the required state institutions, such as the Ghana Highways Authority, and that work goes with certain standards, as required by law.
Again, drivers and pedestrians alike are cautioned over speed humps ahead through road signs.
The DAILY GRAPHIC thinks the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service must take action on this illegality on our roads to stem this development, which is gaining ground on many major roads in the country.
It cannot be that individuals and communities become law unto themselves and determine what should be done on the roads.
It is also equally important that drivers observe road signs. It is disheartening that drivers tend to speed beyond the 50 kilometres per hour limit that is required by law when driving through communities on the country’s highways.
Such recklessness has led to some unfortunate deaths in some of these communities, thereby giving some justification for individuals and communities to take the law into their hands by erecting speed humps.
That is why the DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the MTTU to, as a matter of urgency, devise strategies that will ensure that drivers observe road signs in communities, so that nobody is forced to do things contrary to the laws of the land.
We are happy that in his interaction with the management of the Graphic Communications Group Limited last Wednesday, the new Commander of the MTTU, Mr Angwubutoge Awuni, pledged the preparedness of the unit to crack down on reckless and irresponsible driving and the use of roads for funerals and other social events.
As he clearly pointed out, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse and the MTTU is willing to fight offenders with harsh penalties”.
The DAILY GRAPHIC trusts in the ability of the new MTTU Commander to deliver, as he has shown, in all earnest, to be on top of his job and we, therefore, urge the media and other stakeholders to extend a hand of partnership to the MTTU to make our roads safe, both for drivers and pedestrians.
Drivers, individuals and communities have a civic duty to be law-abiding and ensure the safety of passengers and other road users at all times. Anything short of that will lead to grave consequences and the MTTU cannot compromise on that.
Individuals and groups in some communities have arrogated to themselves the power to erect speed humps on major roads. These humps come in various forms. They could be heaps of sand stretched across the street or, in a more bizarre manner, streets are dug up deep to slow drivers from speeding in the communities.
While the DAILY GRAPHIC acknowledges the concern of such communities in ensuring that drivers observe speed limits in towns and cities, it does not endorse the illegal construction of speed humps on especially the highways of the country.
The DAILY GRAPHIC recalls an incident at Apegusu on the Atimpoku-Ho highway where unauthorised speed humps have caused accidents which have led to the loss of lives on the road.
The construction of speed humps is done by the required state institutions, such as the Ghana Highways Authority, and that work goes with certain standards, as required by law.
Again, drivers and pedestrians alike are cautioned over speed humps ahead through road signs.
The DAILY GRAPHIC thinks the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service must take action on this illegality on our roads to stem this development, which is gaining ground on many major roads in the country.
It cannot be that individuals and communities become law unto themselves and determine what should be done on the roads.
It is also equally important that drivers observe road signs. It is disheartening that drivers tend to speed beyond the 50 kilometres per hour limit that is required by law when driving through communities on the country’s highways.
Such recklessness has led to some unfortunate deaths in some of these communities, thereby giving some justification for individuals and communities to take the law into their hands by erecting speed humps.
That is why the DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the MTTU to, as a matter of urgency, devise strategies that will ensure that drivers observe road signs in communities, so that nobody is forced to do things contrary to the laws of the land.
We are happy that in his interaction with the management of the Graphic Communications Group Limited last Wednesday, the new Commander of the MTTU, Mr Angwubutoge Awuni, pledged the preparedness of the unit to crack down on reckless and irresponsible driving and the use of roads for funerals and other social events.
As he clearly pointed out, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse and the MTTU is willing to fight offenders with harsh penalties”.
The DAILY GRAPHIC trusts in the ability of the new MTTU Commander to deliver, as he has shown, in all earnest, to be on top of his job and we, therefore, urge the media and other stakeholders to extend a hand of partnership to the MTTU to make our roads safe, both for drivers and pedestrians.
Drivers, individuals and communities have a civic duty to be law-abiding and ensure the safety of passengers and other road users at all times. Anything short of that will lead to grave consequences and the MTTU cannot compromise on that.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
RESHUFFLE WAS INEVITABLE (JAN 6, 2011)
CABINET reshuffles in any governance process are necessary to achieve the vision of the government and give a new impetus to the achievement of national goals.
In such an endeavour, fresh limbs are introduced into the team, tired ones are shown the exit and others given appointments elsewhere with the view to channelling their energies into more productive activities.
With two years left for President J.E.A. Mills to end his first term in office, it was obvious that a Cabinet reshuffle was obvious, more so when the President had declared 2011 as a year of action.
And four days into the New Year, the President has walked the talk of positioning his team to deliver on his pledge to the people.
It is, therefore, surprising that last Tuesday’s Cabinet reshuffle, coming on the heels of petroleum price hikes, has been given weird interpretations as a diversionary tactic to take people’s mind off the new prices.
The price of fuel on the world market has shot up to about $90 per barrel and this, obviously, has a concomitant effect on developing economies such as Ghana.
There was, therefore, no way the government could absorb the price apart from passing it on to consumers as part of the increases. Admittedly, such an increase will have implications for the economy and impact on the cost of living of Ghanaians.
These are difficult decisions which need to be taken in order to address budget deficits which have been occasioned by the shortfall in revenue as against expenditure.
It is partly to address these challenges and accelerate socio-economic transformation that the President has decided to re-energise his administration to face the Herculean task ahead.
Much as the reshuffle is necessary, the DAILY GRAPHIC advises that the full impact of such an exercise would only be realised when the leadership is able to give direction on the implementation of government programmes, in order to achieve the Better Ghana agenda.
It is our hope that those who were affected by the changes and those still at post will continue to work even more efficiently to achieve national development.
The worse enemies of government are not those who have contrary views and opinions. Rather, the enemies are poverty, unemployment, squalor, diseases and lack of potable water which confront both rural and urban dwellers. Fortunately, the government has been able to stabilise the economy and indications are that we will be able to achieve phenomenal development and set the economy on the path of growth.
This optimism becomes even more heightened with the commercial production of oil. While the government remains focused on its agenda, it behoves all to remain united, for united we stand, divided we fall. We should eschew corruption, conflict and tension which can affect national development efforts.
Instead of bashing the government for the reshuffle, which every administration undertakes periodically, it is essential for us to receive the changes in good faith and support the President’s men in their task of nation-pbuilding.
The DAILY GRAPHIC wishes the President’s men well in their new assignments. The advice is that instead of being masters of all that they survey, they should work as a team and involve the people in their various ministries in the decision-making process.
We call on all Ghanaians to take a cue from the President’s declaration of 2011 as action year and be part of the solution to any problem in the rebuilding of the new society outlined in the Better Ghana agenda.
In such an endeavour, fresh limbs are introduced into the team, tired ones are shown the exit and others given appointments elsewhere with the view to channelling their energies into more productive activities.
With two years left for President J.E.A. Mills to end his first term in office, it was obvious that a Cabinet reshuffle was obvious, more so when the President had declared 2011 as a year of action.
And four days into the New Year, the President has walked the talk of positioning his team to deliver on his pledge to the people.
It is, therefore, surprising that last Tuesday’s Cabinet reshuffle, coming on the heels of petroleum price hikes, has been given weird interpretations as a diversionary tactic to take people’s mind off the new prices.
The price of fuel on the world market has shot up to about $90 per barrel and this, obviously, has a concomitant effect on developing economies such as Ghana.
There was, therefore, no way the government could absorb the price apart from passing it on to consumers as part of the increases. Admittedly, such an increase will have implications for the economy and impact on the cost of living of Ghanaians.
These are difficult decisions which need to be taken in order to address budget deficits which have been occasioned by the shortfall in revenue as against expenditure.
It is partly to address these challenges and accelerate socio-economic transformation that the President has decided to re-energise his administration to face the Herculean task ahead.
Much as the reshuffle is necessary, the DAILY GRAPHIC advises that the full impact of such an exercise would only be realised when the leadership is able to give direction on the implementation of government programmes, in order to achieve the Better Ghana agenda.
It is our hope that those who were affected by the changes and those still at post will continue to work even more efficiently to achieve national development.
The worse enemies of government are not those who have contrary views and opinions. Rather, the enemies are poverty, unemployment, squalor, diseases and lack of potable water which confront both rural and urban dwellers. Fortunately, the government has been able to stabilise the economy and indications are that we will be able to achieve phenomenal development and set the economy on the path of growth.
This optimism becomes even more heightened with the commercial production of oil. While the government remains focused on its agenda, it behoves all to remain united, for united we stand, divided we fall. We should eschew corruption, conflict and tension which can affect national development efforts.
Instead of bashing the government for the reshuffle, which every administration undertakes periodically, it is essential for us to receive the changes in good faith and support the President’s men in their task of nation-pbuilding.
The DAILY GRAPHIC wishes the President’s men well in their new assignments. The advice is that instead of being masters of all that they survey, they should work as a team and involve the people in their various ministries in the decision-making process.
We call on all Ghanaians to take a cue from the President’s declaration of 2011 as action year and be part of the solution to any problem in the rebuilding of the new society outlined in the Better Ghana agenda.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
GO ALL OUT, ECG (JAN 5, 2011)
EVERY country thrives on energy. It is one of the basic requirements in any human endeavour.
It is from this realisation that Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, undertook what was then the biggest investment in sub-Saharan Africa, the construction of the Akosombo Dam.
At that time, the capacity of the dam extended to other countries in the West African sub-region. Sadly, however, as has been the bane of our development agenda, lack of proper planning led us to abandon most of our hydro-electric projects almost 40 years after independence.
Today, the country is faced with serious national electricity challenges, to the point that it is no longer news to report the blackout that some parts of the capital suffered prior to the Yuletide.
We recognise that the people must pay realistic tariffs for the use of power, but the challenges facing electricity supply in the country do not support this argument of charging realistic tariffs.
One such challenge is the huge indebtedness of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for electricity consumption, a situation that has nearly crippled the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The news that about 900 prepaid meters have been installed in some MDAs, in spite of some initial resistance, gives some reprieve to domestic users of power.
While the DAILY GRAPHIC commends the ECG for going ahead to install the prepaid meters, we are not happy at the slow pace at which the exercise is being carried out.
Altogether, there are more than 4,000 prepaid meters to be installed in the MDAs and ECG officials will have to step up the pace to make the exercise successful.
Commercial consumers of power are reeling under pressure from the increases of last year. Individual consumers have also been through the harsh reality of paying high tariffs for power.
It cannot be that the government, whose interest is to work for the people, will overburden individuals, as well as commercial users of energy, by accumulating huge bills and subsequently passing on their cost to the ordinary consumer of power.
The prepaid concept has helped generate the cash flow which the ECG badly needs to address its shortcomings. However, the DAILY GRAPHIC cautions that if the inefficiencies and corrupt practices inherent in the administration of power in the country are not addressed head on, the country will not be able to overcome its power needs, irrespective of the installation of prepaid meters.
But, above all, the DAILY GRAPHIC strongly believes it is about time the country took a long-term approach to solving our energy challenges. For starters, the MDAs must take a cue from the Energy Ministry which currently uses solar energy to generate its power needs.
Everybody will be too willing to pay realistic tariffs for power only when the issue of illegal connections is firmly dealt with and a conscious effort made to improve service delivery.
It is said that the ECG loses about 13 per cent of the power it regularly purchases from the Volta River Authority (VRA) to illegal connections and the earlier this canker is uprooted, the better it will be for all of us.
It is from this realisation that Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, undertook what was then the biggest investment in sub-Saharan Africa, the construction of the Akosombo Dam.
At that time, the capacity of the dam extended to other countries in the West African sub-region. Sadly, however, as has been the bane of our development agenda, lack of proper planning led us to abandon most of our hydro-electric projects almost 40 years after independence.
Today, the country is faced with serious national electricity challenges, to the point that it is no longer news to report the blackout that some parts of the capital suffered prior to the Yuletide.
We recognise that the people must pay realistic tariffs for the use of power, but the challenges facing electricity supply in the country do not support this argument of charging realistic tariffs.
One such challenge is the huge indebtedness of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for electricity consumption, a situation that has nearly crippled the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The news that about 900 prepaid meters have been installed in some MDAs, in spite of some initial resistance, gives some reprieve to domestic users of power.
While the DAILY GRAPHIC commends the ECG for going ahead to install the prepaid meters, we are not happy at the slow pace at which the exercise is being carried out.
Altogether, there are more than 4,000 prepaid meters to be installed in the MDAs and ECG officials will have to step up the pace to make the exercise successful.
Commercial consumers of power are reeling under pressure from the increases of last year. Individual consumers have also been through the harsh reality of paying high tariffs for power.
It cannot be that the government, whose interest is to work for the people, will overburden individuals, as well as commercial users of energy, by accumulating huge bills and subsequently passing on their cost to the ordinary consumer of power.
The prepaid concept has helped generate the cash flow which the ECG badly needs to address its shortcomings. However, the DAILY GRAPHIC cautions that if the inefficiencies and corrupt practices inherent in the administration of power in the country are not addressed head on, the country will not be able to overcome its power needs, irrespective of the installation of prepaid meters.
But, above all, the DAILY GRAPHIC strongly believes it is about time the country took a long-term approach to solving our energy challenges. For starters, the MDAs must take a cue from the Energy Ministry which currently uses solar energy to generate its power needs.
Everybody will be too willing to pay realistic tariffs for power only when the issue of illegal connections is firmly dealt with and a conscious effort made to improve service delivery.
It is said that the ECG loses about 13 per cent of the power it regularly purchases from the Volta River Authority (VRA) to illegal connections and the earlier this canker is uprooted, the better it will be for all of us.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
POLITICAL TOLERANCE CRUCIAL (JAN 4, 2011)
TOLERANCE and respect for one another’s views is the bedrock of any democracy and, in mature democracies, though people may hold divergent political views, the discourse is laden with decorous language.
Since Ghana set off on the democratic path in 1992, the language used by our politicians has notoriously become offensive. The inordinate zealousness to score cheap political points has led to the use of intemperate language, abuses, slander and outright peddling of falsehood.
On radio and television and at political fora, political opponents have sought to win the support of the public by displaying intolerance.
In the process, we have witnessed political discourse characterised by name-calling, such as freaks, punks, thieves and many other unpalatable tags.
The problem arises when people hold on strongly to their views and consider those of others as wrong and are unwilling to change, no matter the circumstance.
As we enter 2011, a year before the 2012 elections, political activities are expected to increase and if care is not taken, the nation will witness a further rise in the political temperature.
It is for this reason that the DAILY GRAPHIC sees a lot of wisdom in the advice given by the Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Agyeman Badu, for Ghanaians to accommodate one another’s political views as we draw closer to the 2012 elections.
Speaking at an end-of-year get-together organised by the Dormaa Traditional Council, Osagyefo Agyeman Badu said, “Democracy thrives on the free expression of divergent views and opinions. The fact that you disagree with the views or opinions expressed by someone who does not share your political ideology does not make the person an enemy.”
In that regard, he appealed to supporters of both the NPP and the NDC in his jurisdiction not to allow their political differences to divide them as a people, saying they should rather unite for the sake of Dormaa and the nation at large.
Perhaps we need to stress that no development engagement can take place without unity and respect for the views of others. Many of the countries that slide down the path of civil war or unrest started with intolerant gestures which ended in chaos and anarchy.
As a nation, we have remained united since independence, although we have witnessed some skirmishes which sought to undermine our cohesion.
President John Evans Atta Mills has declared 2011 an action year but his efforts at transforming Ghana into a new haven could seriously be undermined by division, rancour, bitterness, intolerance and pettiness.
The Good Book says a house divided against itself cannot stand. We should, therefore, look at the issues that unite us, instead of the things that divide us.
Fortunately, as a nation, everything seems to be going well for us. We have discovered oil in commercial quantities and managed to stabilise the economy and set it out on a plateau for take-off.
Undoubtedly, we have recorded impressive democratic credentials which have made the nation an international showpiece. We, therefore, call on Ghanaians to avoid conflicts and unnecessary tension which can only disturb the country and jeopardise our development efforts.
Let us all rally behind the national vision of reducing poverty, improving access to education, providing better roads, ensuring better electricity supply and, above all, putting butter and bread on the table.
For, posterity will hold us accountable and responsible if we mess up this golden opportunity to contribute to the development of the country and humanity.
Since Ghana set off on the democratic path in 1992, the language used by our politicians has notoriously become offensive. The inordinate zealousness to score cheap political points has led to the use of intemperate language, abuses, slander and outright peddling of falsehood.
On radio and television and at political fora, political opponents have sought to win the support of the public by displaying intolerance.
In the process, we have witnessed political discourse characterised by name-calling, such as freaks, punks, thieves and many other unpalatable tags.
The problem arises when people hold on strongly to their views and consider those of others as wrong and are unwilling to change, no matter the circumstance.
As we enter 2011, a year before the 2012 elections, political activities are expected to increase and if care is not taken, the nation will witness a further rise in the political temperature.
It is for this reason that the DAILY GRAPHIC sees a lot of wisdom in the advice given by the Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Agyeman Badu, for Ghanaians to accommodate one another’s political views as we draw closer to the 2012 elections.
Speaking at an end-of-year get-together organised by the Dormaa Traditional Council, Osagyefo Agyeman Badu said, “Democracy thrives on the free expression of divergent views and opinions. The fact that you disagree with the views or opinions expressed by someone who does not share your political ideology does not make the person an enemy.”
In that regard, he appealed to supporters of both the NPP and the NDC in his jurisdiction not to allow their political differences to divide them as a people, saying they should rather unite for the sake of Dormaa and the nation at large.
Perhaps we need to stress that no development engagement can take place without unity and respect for the views of others. Many of the countries that slide down the path of civil war or unrest started with intolerant gestures which ended in chaos and anarchy.
As a nation, we have remained united since independence, although we have witnessed some skirmishes which sought to undermine our cohesion.
President John Evans Atta Mills has declared 2011 an action year but his efforts at transforming Ghana into a new haven could seriously be undermined by division, rancour, bitterness, intolerance and pettiness.
The Good Book says a house divided against itself cannot stand. We should, therefore, look at the issues that unite us, instead of the things that divide us.
Fortunately, as a nation, everything seems to be going well for us. We have discovered oil in commercial quantities and managed to stabilise the economy and set it out on a plateau for take-off.
Undoubtedly, we have recorded impressive democratic credentials which have made the nation an international showpiece. We, therefore, call on Ghanaians to avoid conflicts and unnecessary tension which can only disturb the country and jeopardise our development efforts.
Let us all rally behind the national vision of reducing poverty, improving access to education, providing better roads, ensuring better electricity supply and, above all, putting butter and bread on the table.
For, posterity will hold us accountable and responsible if we mess up this golden opportunity to contribute to the development of the country and humanity.
Monday, January 3, 2011
MAKE CHIEFTAINCY RELEVANT (JAN 3, 2011)
Ghanaians from all walks of life hold their chiefs in high esteem because of the roles the latter play in the governance of our communities.
The first place of call by persons seeking justice for any wrongful acts meted against them is the chief’s palace.
Consequently, in all palaces our chiefs have established councils of elders to adjudicate in cases involving residents of their communities in order to promote law and order.
These councils use the alternative dispute resolution mechanism to settle disputes in their communities and some of these decisions are upheld in the courts of law.
The Daily Graphic believes that the importance of the chieftaincy institution cannot be downplayed by anybody who has followed keenly the political evolution and development of the country.
Although the Constitution debars chiefs from taking part in active party politics and advises any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to Parliament to abdicate his stool or skin, politicians visiting any locality first stop over at the chief’s palace to announce their presence in the community.
However, certain developments in recent times give cause for concern among a section of our population.
One school of thought holds the view that the chieftaincy institution has become irrelevant in the present modern governance system, especially when chiefs are debarred from participating in active party politics.
That school of thought also believes that the chieftaincy institution is the source of the numerous instances of land and communal violence in our communities.
But there are others who think that the future of our country rests on how effectively we are able to reform the chieftaincy institution to spearhead participatory democracy and good governance.
While we agree with Daasebre Prof (Emeritus) Oti Boateng that traditional leaders could do better without political interference in chieftaincy matters, our chiefs should also lead by example by not encouraging divisions in their localities through support for factions in dispute over a stool or skin.
Daasebre Oti Boateng answered his concerns over political interference in chieftaincy matters when he urged his peers “to prize honour and virtue above anything else and resist all undue influence in whatever shape and form so as to restore the dignity of the sacred institution of chieftaincy”.
The Daily Graphic is worried about instances when chieftaincy disputes have led to loss of lives and property in many communities.
The local economies of some communities have been shattered because of chieftaincy disputes, as is the case in Bawku, Dagbon, Buipe and Anloga, as a result of which once very vibrant communities are struggling to stand on their feet.
When these developments rear their ugly heads, the political authorities, including the central government, will step in to restore law and order and these actions give a semblance of political interference in chieftaincy matters.
Of course, there are occasions when the long arm of the government has been seen in the choice of who occupies a stool or skin in particular localities. This is unacceptable.
The chieftaincy institution has a lot of work to do to regain its dignity because there are many communities where rival chiefs are fighting for the control of the stool or skin.
The Daily Graphic calls on the National House of Chiefs to put its act together by making it unattractive for non-royals to buy their way to the stools or skins of our communities.
The practice of king makers and paramount chiefs offering skins or stools to the highest bidders must stop.
Chiefs and those who have a role to play to keep the chieftaincy institution sacred must just live above reproach. If they do so, our traditional leaders will remain relevant to the aspirations of their people.
The first place of call by persons seeking justice for any wrongful acts meted against them is the chief’s palace.
Consequently, in all palaces our chiefs have established councils of elders to adjudicate in cases involving residents of their communities in order to promote law and order.
These councils use the alternative dispute resolution mechanism to settle disputes in their communities and some of these decisions are upheld in the courts of law.
The Daily Graphic believes that the importance of the chieftaincy institution cannot be downplayed by anybody who has followed keenly the political evolution and development of the country.
Although the Constitution debars chiefs from taking part in active party politics and advises any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to Parliament to abdicate his stool or skin, politicians visiting any locality first stop over at the chief’s palace to announce their presence in the community.
However, certain developments in recent times give cause for concern among a section of our population.
One school of thought holds the view that the chieftaincy institution has become irrelevant in the present modern governance system, especially when chiefs are debarred from participating in active party politics.
That school of thought also believes that the chieftaincy institution is the source of the numerous instances of land and communal violence in our communities.
But there are others who think that the future of our country rests on how effectively we are able to reform the chieftaincy institution to spearhead participatory democracy and good governance.
While we agree with Daasebre Prof (Emeritus) Oti Boateng that traditional leaders could do better without political interference in chieftaincy matters, our chiefs should also lead by example by not encouraging divisions in their localities through support for factions in dispute over a stool or skin.
Daasebre Oti Boateng answered his concerns over political interference in chieftaincy matters when he urged his peers “to prize honour and virtue above anything else and resist all undue influence in whatever shape and form so as to restore the dignity of the sacred institution of chieftaincy”.
The Daily Graphic is worried about instances when chieftaincy disputes have led to loss of lives and property in many communities.
The local economies of some communities have been shattered because of chieftaincy disputes, as is the case in Bawku, Dagbon, Buipe and Anloga, as a result of which once very vibrant communities are struggling to stand on their feet.
When these developments rear their ugly heads, the political authorities, including the central government, will step in to restore law and order and these actions give a semblance of political interference in chieftaincy matters.
Of course, there are occasions when the long arm of the government has been seen in the choice of who occupies a stool or skin in particular localities. This is unacceptable.
The chieftaincy institution has a lot of work to do to regain its dignity because there are many communities where rival chiefs are fighting for the control of the stool or skin.
The Daily Graphic calls on the National House of Chiefs to put its act together by making it unattractive for non-royals to buy their way to the stools or skins of our communities.
The practice of king makers and paramount chiefs offering skins or stools to the highest bidders must stop.
Chiefs and those who have a role to play to keep the chieftaincy institution sacred must just live above reproach. If they do so, our traditional leaders will remain relevant to the aspirations of their people.
2011 — A YEAR OF HOPE (JAN 1, 2011)
AS the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2010, celebrations began all over the world in different forms and shapes to usher in the year 2011.
Although the new year comes with both hope and uncertainties over what the future holds, it offers mankind the opportunity to cherish the memories of the previous year, learn from its mistakes and make resolutions to make life better.
For us in Ghana, 2010 went down as one of the most exciting and challenging years. It was the year in which the country witnessed the commercial production of oil, in which the senior national team became the third African country to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup, in which the Black Satellites won the FIFA-under 20 World Cup and in which the attainment of a middle-income status became a reality.
Also, the managers of the economy succeeded in stabilising the cedi, reducing inflation to a single digit and reducing the lending rate. The nation also witnessed an impressive food production and set in motion a number of initiatives to deal with the myriad of problems in the health, education, housing and road sectors.
Ghanaians ended the year united as a people with a common destiny, upholding the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance to the admiration of the watching world.
Notwithstanding the successes, challenges of poverty, unemployment, hunger and squalor continue to confront us as a nation.
As we welcome the new year, the DAILY GRAPHIC looks forward to good things happening all over the world and, particularly, to Ghana. We expect to see a marked reduction in all troubles in the world — natural disasters, terrorism, hunger and famine.
We look forward with hope that our development engagement in the country will be fast-tracked on all fronts.
President John Evans Atta Mills has already given the signals that the year 2011 will be full of action. In his New Year message, the President was very optimistic and confident that there would be massive improvement in the country’s development.
It is instructive to add that the vision and purposefulness of the government to build a strong, united nation, and improve the lives of Ghanaians could only manifest if we spend a lot more time looking for things that unite us than those which divide us.
If we devote much attention to things that unite us than those which separate us from one another, we would appreciate that Ghana is a blessed country.
Indeed our enemies are not the people with different ideologies or views but rather the poverty, squalor, hunger, diseases and general under-development that manifest themselves in many parts of the country.
We are hopeful Ghanaians will witness unstoppable favour in the year 2011. As we welcome the year, we urge all Ghanaians to continue to work hard for prosperity, since no nation has failed from working hard but many nations have collapsed because of laziness.
The DAILY GRAPHIC also hopes that the resources which would be made available from the commercial production of oil and other economic activities will be managed well for the common good of the people.
Even as we wish all Ghanaians a Happy and Prosperous New Year, we ask every Tom, Dick and Harry to put all hands on deck to build a prosperous nation. For, together we swim or sink.
Although the new year comes with both hope and uncertainties over what the future holds, it offers mankind the opportunity to cherish the memories of the previous year, learn from its mistakes and make resolutions to make life better.
For us in Ghana, 2010 went down as one of the most exciting and challenging years. It was the year in which the country witnessed the commercial production of oil, in which the senior national team became the third African country to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup, in which the Black Satellites won the FIFA-under 20 World Cup and in which the attainment of a middle-income status became a reality.
Also, the managers of the economy succeeded in stabilising the cedi, reducing inflation to a single digit and reducing the lending rate. The nation also witnessed an impressive food production and set in motion a number of initiatives to deal with the myriad of problems in the health, education, housing and road sectors.
Ghanaians ended the year united as a people with a common destiny, upholding the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance to the admiration of the watching world.
Notwithstanding the successes, challenges of poverty, unemployment, hunger and squalor continue to confront us as a nation.
As we welcome the new year, the DAILY GRAPHIC looks forward to good things happening all over the world and, particularly, to Ghana. We expect to see a marked reduction in all troubles in the world — natural disasters, terrorism, hunger and famine.
We look forward with hope that our development engagement in the country will be fast-tracked on all fronts.
President John Evans Atta Mills has already given the signals that the year 2011 will be full of action. In his New Year message, the President was very optimistic and confident that there would be massive improvement in the country’s development.
It is instructive to add that the vision and purposefulness of the government to build a strong, united nation, and improve the lives of Ghanaians could only manifest if we spend a lot more time looking for things that unite us than those which divide us.
If we devote much attention to things that unite us than those which separate us from one another, we would appreciate that Ghana is a blessed country.
Indeed our enemies are not the people with different ideologies or views but rather the poverty, squalor, hunger, diseases and general under-development that manifest themselves in many parts of the country.
We are hopeful Ghanaians will witness unstoppable favour in the year 2011. As we welcome the year, we urge all Ghanaians to continue to work hard for prosperity, since no nation has failed from working hard but many nations have collapsed because of laziness.
The DAILY GRAPHIC also hopes that the resources which would be made available from the commercial production of oil and other economic activities will be managed well for the common good of the people.
Even as we wish all Ghanaians a Happy and Prosperous New Year, we ask every Tom, Dick and Harry to put all hands on deck to build a prosperous nation. For, together we swim or sink.
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