Feature Article of Thursday, 30 July 2015
Columnist: Pius Awennala Atiirimbey
Opinion
We may not understand the whole process and how things work. But I don’t think we are too dumb enough not to see that, this indeed is a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the very fabric that knits society together. I speak of politics and its consequences on social cohesion and development in Ghana.
Ever since Ghana became independent and embraced democracy, it has somewhat enjoyed the ‘benefits’ that come with it. We are enjoying a lot of goodies including, an opportunity for citizens to form or join a party/association of their choice, freedom to criticize without being molested or victimized, freedom to ask questions and be provided answers, freedom to battle for positions amongst others.
Democracy certainly, has been of immense benefit to Ghana. This too will not mean democracy has not seen bad times. Going by the Aristotelian philosophy, ‘all men are political animals’ we all need families to belong to.
Traditionally, families are pivotal and give life and meaning to an individual. Notwithstanding all these, being so attached to families has proven to be problematic as it has lead to hatred, stunted growth, clashes, and unhealthy competitions etc.
Ghana has been divided so much that, hardly a passes without you hearing differing arguments even on purely national issues. I am not saying do not argue or disagree for Gandhi made us understand that, “an honest disagreement is a good sign of progress”.
This means, ‘honesty’ is key if disagreements are to inure to our benefit. Can we say the debates by the various families in Ghana are usually out of honesty? I highly doubt that. The-get-power-through-fair/foul-means has derailed many Ghanaians from the path of truth into falsehood. They defend the indefensible, lie, fabricate, mislead and misinform the populace all to their advantage.
The two big families (NDC and NPP) being the worst culprits of these acts. The earlier we tame this NDC/NPP canker the better for Ghana. I have always maintained that, as soon as you join one these and other families, your credibility is affected. You lose the trust and full support of a lot of people. You become just like any other politician who for the-get-power-through-fair/foul-means attitude deceives to succeed.
Your analysis on issues is usually seen as subjective especially, when it is against the incumbent party. Even if you speak the truth, your opponents and others would assume that, it’s egoistic but not altruistic. Since you belong to a family, you are most likely to have the spirit (the-get-power-through-fair/foul-means). What can motive people to trust you again?
How can there be a positive change when almost everything is tagged as either coming from this or that family. We are advancing in age but marking time in development or even retrogressing. We live in a highly polarized country such that, we have ‘die hard’ supporters of parties but not Ghana. Energies resources, time, are expended in building fragmented families instead of the biggest united family, Ghana.
Our country has grown to be the quintessence of the expression united we stand, divided we fall. Or as in the words of Jesus Christ, “every kingdom divided against it is brought to desolation and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand (Matt 12:25). I wish it were not true.
Hmmm, I see you Mr. Elephant, I see you Mr. Umbrella, I see you Mr. Palm tree and others struggling, fighting and racing for power mostly in an unhealthy manner. I wish you could put your differences aside if possible because there are way too many people suffering. I wish you could put heads together and do what’s right for Ghana.
That’s why I wished they had no labels because there will be more change with no labels. Nelson Mandela, whenever he addressed his people put his hand (closed-fisted) in the air signifying the benefits of togetherness. The simple truth is that “if you want to go quickly, go alone, if you want to go far go together”. -unknown
We cannot wait for anytime to make things right; there is no time like the right time. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.
We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek”. Barak Obama
I am only one man with a voice to something we’ve got in common, think about it!!!