Post-judgment Ghana: a call for a national dialog
The judgment delivered by the nine-member Supreme Court panel to uphold the election of John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was received by Ghanaians in a calmness that belied the high-strung security precaution that was put in place in the nation’s capital. But it did not do much to improve national cohesiveness. The hearings and the verdict have worsened the already deepening cracks among Ghanaians divided along political and ethnic lines. The emergent issues give us cause to recommend a national conversation.
The results of the immediate past national elections indicate that the ruling government does not command an absolute majority with its 50.3 percent. Equally, the opposition NPP claims 50 percent support of the Ghanaian people. Some opposition leaders, including Fifi Kwetey, a minister of state at the presidency have of late been critical of the winner-takes-all politics in Ghana and suggest inclusiveness in governance. So also has Catholic Bishop Palmer Buckle of Accra who has called for same based on his analysis of the ruling party’s support base.
Fostering the call for inclusiveness, we suggest a national conversation among all political parties, opinion leaders, chiefs, religious leaders, civil society organizations and their leaders to discuss the nation’s future. Matters to be discussed should include election reforms, health care, education reforms and national development goals.
The national conversation would also address the loss of confidence in the nation’s judiciary following the verdict. While it is not likely to blur completely the political hard lines, a national dialogue would boost patriotism and create a sense of fellow feeling among Ghanaians, and help address the many pressing issues affecting the forward movement of the country.
Akin to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission a National Conference would reinforce cohesiveness among the diverse ethnic groups in the country. In addition to boosting Ghana’s democratic credentials, a national conference would help the developmental process in the West African nation.
We call on all Ghanaians, at home and in the Diaspora, to join us in our quest for a national conversation. Ghana and its people will be better served talking than to sit idly by bottling up their hard feelings.
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