…With this, they believed Rawlings had been in power for far too long and having “failed” to rescue Ghana’s economy from further downturn therefore the election was to see his exit but the Ghanaian electorates at the time did otherwise.
His inauguration in 1993 paved way for Presidential candidates bearing the name “John” to ascend to Ghana’s highest office after him (1993-2013). President J.J Rawlings’ era however succeeded in ending the dreams of anyone who had coup d’état in mind and made any attempt.
Moreover, the 1992 elections ended the Presidential ambitions of the then candidate for the New Patriotic Party.
Also 1993 saw the coming into effect of Ghana’s longest surviving constitution thus the 1992 constitution of Ghana(21 years).
History has repeated itself in so many ways entering the year 2013. First of all, a victory for John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress in the 2012 election is seriously being contested in court by the “opposition” New Patriotic Party led by its candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
This party believes the outcome of the elections were not the true picture on the ground.
On this, Ghana’s Supreme Court’s decision could turn things the other way. Most NPP sympathizers and Ghanaians may expect three outcomes from the court. It could either be to maintain John Mahama as the President, a need for a re-run of the elections or Nana Addo becoming the President.
The NPP thinks the “poor” performance of the NDC government was enough ground to be kicked out of power but it was the other way round when the Electoral Commission of Ghana declared the final results of the 2012 elections...
Friday, 4 January 2013
GHANA’S 2013 FROM AFAR: A YEAR OF MILK, HONEY AND VINEGAR(2)
…The 90s passed away giving chance to the new millennium with Mr. John Agyekum Kufour of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) winning the 2000 elections.
In 2003, he signed into law Ghana’s much talked about Health Insurance Scheme replacing the “cash and carry” system of health delivery known to Ghanaians.
The law required all residents of Ghana to join one of the three schemes, namely, District Mutual Insurance Scheme, Private Mutual Insurance Scheme, and Private Commercial Health Insurance Scheme. That was exactly 10 years ago.
This ushers us into 2013 which promises to be very interesting in many spheres including the political front in Ghana. It shares a lot with 1993 in Ghana’s history.
To begin, this year is exactly 20 years when Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings(First John) from the National Democratic Congress(NDC) became President after the country returned to constitutional rule in1992.
The Fourth Republic was inaugurated on January 7, 1993. The outcome of the 1992 elections was seriously contested by the opposition New Patriotic Party(NPP) which had Adu Boahen as its Presidential candidate.
The NPP being dissatisfied with the result, wrote a book titled “The Stolen Verdict” which expressed their views on the 1992 elections.
One of the reasons the NPP thought they should have the elections was the fact that the country was returning from a military rule led by Flt. Lt J.J Rawlings after his 1981 coup which overthrew Dr. Hilla Limann’s government…
In 2003, he signed into law Ghana’s much talked about Health Insurance Scheme replacing the “cash and carry” system of health delivery known to Ghanaians.
The law required all residents of Ghana to join one of the three schemes, namely, District Mutual Insurance Scheme, Private Mutual Insurance Scheme, and Private Commercial Health Insurance Scheme. That was exactly 10 years ago.
This ushers us into 2013 which promises to be very interesting in many spheres including the political front in Ghana. It shares a lot with 1993 in Ghana’s history.
To begin, this year is exactly 20 years when Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings(First John) from the National Democratic Congress(NDC) became President after the country returned to constitutional rule in1992.
The Fourth Republic was inaugurated on January 7, 1993. The outcome of the 1992 elections was seriously contested by the opposition New Patriotic Party(NPP) which had Adu Boahen as its Presidential candidate.
The NPP being dissatisfied with the result, wrote a book titled “The Stolen Verdict” which expressed their views on the 1992 elections.
One of the reasons the NPP thought they should have the elections was the fact that the country was returning from a military rule led by Flt. Lt J.J Rawlings after his 1981 coup which overthrew Dr. Hilla Limann’s government…
GHANA’S 2013 FROM AFAR: A YEAR OF MILK, HONEY AND VINEGAR(1)
It is quite intriguing to know how some individuals and even a whole nation could believe in the significance of numbers. For some, 2013 with the number 13 at the end is a no-go area for them. As to whichever way they want to approach 2013, life goes on in Ghana(GH).
For me,2013 in Ghana would be very interesting as the year shares a lot with 1993 and history repeating itself in so many ways.
Before looking at what 2013 has in common with 1993 in Ghana, let’s cast our minds to back to a few decades, certain years which had “3” at the end such as 1983 among others have imprints on the minds of those dead, alive and yet to be born.
Quickly starting from 1963, Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah introduced the Seven-year Development Plan(SDP).
This plan was to develop Ghana to the status of well advanced Western countries but the infamous 1966 coup d’état stalled this agenda making Kwame Nkrumah’s dream short lived . Regimes and governments which came after him did not show any interest in it either leading to Ghana’s current state.
It was in the same year that Dr. Nkrumah, Emperor Haile Selassie among other leaders of Africa called for the unity of the continent by forming the Organization of African Unity(OAU) ,now the Africa Union(AU).
Ten years down the line(1973), Ghana had a military leader by name General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong who won the hearts of many due to his policies. He introduced the most famous “Operation Keep Right” which determined the kind of vehicles imported into and driven in Ghana.
With this policy, it was no longer accepted to drive cars which had steering wheels to the left. Today, the latter is rather practiced in Ghana with right driven cars no longer welcome in the country.
Another policy which was and is still popular in Ghana is the “Operation Feed Yourself” which aimed at developing self-reliance in agriculture among Ghanaians.
Fast-forwarding the clock to 1983 under Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, both young and old Ghanaians would not want to experience what the country went through in that year .
With its worst drought in 1983, many felt “true hunger” where coming across food to survive was everybody’s wish. Some water bodies had their fair share (drying up) as many plants withered and some going into extinction. Cash and non-cash crops were affected seriously.
1993 was just a decade later but since it has a couple of things in common with 2013, it will be important to shift it to the end…
For me,2013 in Ghana would be very interesting as the year shares a lot with 1993 and history repeating itself in so many ways.
Before looking at what 2013 has in common with 1993 in Ghana, let’s cast our minds to back to a few decades, certain years which had “3” at the end such as 1983 among others have imprints on the minds of those dead, alive and yet to be born.
Quickly starting from 1963, Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah introduced the Seven-year Development Plan(SDP).
This plan was to develop Ghana to the status of well advanced Western countries but the infamous 1966 coup d’état stalled this agenda making Kwame Nkrumah’s dream short lived . Regimes and governments which came after him did not show any interest in it either leading to Ghana’s current state.
It was in the same year that Dr. Nkrumah, Emperor Haile Selassie among other leaders of Africa called for the unity of the continent by forming the Organization of African Unity(OAU) ,now the Africa Union(AU).
Ten years down the line(1973), Ghana had a military leader by name General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong who won the hearts of many due to his policies. He introduced the most famous “Operation Keep Right” which determined the kind of vehicles imported into and driven in Ghana.
With this policy, it was no longer accepted to drive cars which had steering wheels to the left. Today, the latter is rather practiced in Ghana with right driven cars no longer welcome in the country.
Another policy which was and is still popular in Ghana is the “Operation Feed Yourself” which aimed at developing self-reliance in agriculture among Ghanaians.
Fast-forwarding the clock to 1983 under Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, both young and old Ghanaians would not want to experience what the country went through in that year .
With its worst drought in 1983, many felt “true hunger” where coming across food to survive was everybody’s wish. Some water bodies had their fair share (drying up) as many plants withered and some going into extinction. Cash and non-cash crops were affected seriously.
1993 was just a decade later but since it has a couple of things in common with 2013, it will be important to shift it to the end…
Monday, 31 December 2012
3 TRAGEDIES THAT HALTED 2012 POLITICAL CAMPAIGN WHEELS IN GHANA
It looks like Ghanaians “bit” more than they could chew when 2012 was lingering around on the 31st night of December, 2011. 2012;a year full of prospects and usual challenges no matter the angle one was coming from was more than significant in the political history of the country due to its elections in December.
With peace, caution and steadiness, Ghanaians were more than half way through 2012 when the inexplicable events that would remain on the minds of the living and the unborn generations began occurring.
The first amongst the 3 was the “untimely” death of our former President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills which occurred on the 24th July,2012. Another “black Tuesday” in the history of Ghana.
On this day and the rest that followed, Ghana was thrown into a state of mourning due to the demise of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and everything came to a halt including political campaigns.
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ; the flag bearer for the New Patriotic Party(NPP) and Prof.’s main contender was in the Western Region of Ghana campaigning but had to put everything on hold as a sign of respect and love for the late President.
Other Presidential candidates and political parties did not exclude themselves from this.
However life was back to normal after several weeks of mourning where people who had “never” shed tears in their lives did more than anyone could ask for.
As if the Ex-President’s death was not enough, Ghana was hit by another disaster; a 6-storey Achimota Melcom Shopping Centre building on Wednesday November 7, 2012 colapsed with lives and property destroyed.
Again, all campaigns and activities had to be suspended to console Ghanaians who were in grief.
For instance, President John Mahama was in the Northern region campaigning on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) which had chosen him to lead the party into the 2012 elections after the death of Prof. Atta Mills. He had to rush to Accra to play his role as a “father” taking care of Ghana leaving his campaign which was gradually picking up.
Other candidates as usual were not left out. Dr. Abu Sakara; Presidential Candidate for the Convention People’s Party, visited the scene, prayed and asked Ghanaians to pray for the victims.
Nana Addo again suspended his campaign tour, this time in the Volta Region and donated GHC ¢10,000 for the upkeep of victims on admission at the 37 military hospital and other ones.
After some weeks, it looked like the sky was clear for serious business to begin but there were other dark and heavy clouds hanging somewhere waiting for the Melcom event dust to settle before pouring down.
On a dull Friday morning, 16th November,2012, Ghanaians had to brace themselves up for weeks of mourning and wailing again. The news of the passing away of its former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama broke and it was unbearable.
Once more, Presidential hopefuls were called to duty no matter where they were in the country and the tempo of their campaign. The President, John Dramani Mahama returned to Accra from the Brong Ahafo Region where he was campaigning in order to mourn with Ghanaians.
Being very busy in the Eastern region, Nana Akufo-Addo however suspended and postponed all his political activities until further notice.
All these events had some rippling effects on the 2012 general elections. For some, these tragedies allowed certain politicians to build their image around salient issues ahead of the elections but others shared different views.
Other Ghanaians believe that, these tragic events halted their campaigns which had gathered momentum and looked very promising suddenly grinded to a halt and could not find their rhythm again.
If the above had some impact, Ghanaians will be thankful to God for a peaceful outcome of the 2012 elections though there remain a few rough edges that need to straightened by Ghana’s Supreme Court.
Ushering in 2013, Ghanaians will not wish for a repetition of anything evil that occured in 2012.
With peace, caution and steadiness, Ghanaians were more than half way through 2012 when the inexplicable events that would remain on the minds of the living and the unborn generations began occurring.
The first amongst the 3 was the “untimely” death of our former President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills which occurred on the 24th July,2012. Another “black Tuesday” in the history of Ghana.
On this day and the rest that followed, Ghana was thrown into a state of mourning due to the demise of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and everything came to a halt including political campaigns.
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ; the flag bearer for the New Patriotic Party(NPP) and Prof.’s main contender was in the Western Region of Ghana campaigning but had to put everything on hold as a sign of respect and love for the late President.
Other Presidential candidates and political parties did not exclude themselves from this.
However life was back to normal after several weeks of mourning where people who had “never” shed tears in their lives did more than anyone could ask for.
As if the Ex-President’s death was not enough, Ghana was hit by another disaster; a 6-storey Achimota Melcom Shopping Centre building on Wednesday November 7, 2012 colapsed with lives and property destroyed.
Again, all campaigns and activities had to be suspended to console Ghanaians who were in grief.
For instance, President John Mahama was in the Northern region campaigning on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) which had chosen him to lead the party into the 2012 elections after the death of Prof. Atta Mills. He had to rush to Accra to play his role as a “father” taking care of Ghana leaving his campaign which was gradually picking up.
Other candidates as usual were not left out. Dr. Abu Sakara; Presidential Candidate for the Convention People’s Party, visited the scene, prayed and asked Ghanaians to pray for the victims.
Nana Addo again suspended his campaign tour, this time in the Volta Region and donated GHC ¢10,000 for the upkeep of victims on admission at the 37 military hospital and other ones.
After some weeks, it looked like the sky was clear for serious business to begin but there were other dark and heavy clouds hanging somewhere waiting for the Melcom event dust to settle before pouring down.
On a dull Friday morning, 16th November,2012, Ghanaians had to brace themselves up for weeks of mourning and wailing again. The news of the passing away of its former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama broke and it was unbearable.
Once more, Presidential hopefuls were called to duty no matter where they were in the country and the tempo of their campaign. The President, John Dramani Mahama returned to Accra from the Brong Ahafo Region where he was campaigning in order to mourn with Ghanaians.
Being very busy in the Eastern region, Nana Akufo-Addo however suspended and postponed all his political activities until further notice.
All these events had some rippling effects on the 2012 general elections. For some, these tragedies allowed certain politicians to build their image around salient issues ahead of the elections but others shared different views.
Other Ghanaians believe that, these tragic events halted their campaigns which had gathered momentum and looked very promising suddenly grinded to a halt and could not find their rhythm again.
If the above had some impact, Ghanaians will be thankful to God for a peaceful outcome of the 2012 elections though there remain a few rough edges that need to straightened by Ghana’s Supreme Court.
Ushering in 2013, Ghanaians will not wish for a repetition of anything evil that occured in 2012.
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
“TOLERATING THE INTOLERABLE”
It is 35 hours from Ghana’s much anticipated elections. The country will decide on who leads it and those who will help him govern it.
One’s guess about the political temperature in Ghana is as good as mine but there is only thing on the minds of all Ghanaians, thus having a peaceful outcome on Friday, December 7 whether there will be a second round or not.
This peace as wished by Ghanaians can only be achieved if one does not respond to provocations from others.
This is because, it is out of responding to what others do will come disaster and anything untoward which Ghanaians are not wishing for.
Moreover, the campaigns are gradually closing chapters but there will be only one winner after Friday to steer the affairs of Ghana. No matter how many times some politicians may try dividing the country through inciting their followers, Ghana will stand united.
This peace as wished by Ghanaians can only be achieved if one does not respond to provocations from others.
This is because, it is out of responding to what others do will come disaster and anything untoward which Ghanaians are not wishing for.
Moreover, the campaigns are gradually closing chapters but there will be only one winner after Friday to steer the affairs of Ghana. No matter how many times some politicians may try dividing the country through inciting their followers, Ghana will stand united.
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
"GHANA AT THE LABOUR WARD"
The stakes are high but the outcome must be peaceful. This is my own way of presenting Ghana to the world. Here, Ghana is being likened to a woman having pregnancy issues in this piece.
From the status of being single(Gold Coast) to married(Ghana) after independence(1957), her beauty and physical features were enough for other countries( both men and women) to describe her as the most fertile woman(beacon of hope) in her family(Africa) where barrenness(political struggle)was nothing new.
After delivering a bouncy baby (Kwame Nkrumah’s period),pregnancy became an issue(Political instability) where she experienced countless miscarriages (military coups and civilian governments) between 1966 and the 1980s which affected the image and vision(development) she had in mind as soon as she got married(gained independence) .
This became an issue of concern and people(doctors and herbalists) who had interest in her marriage(other countries, both in Africa and abroad) did their best to get this pretty woman back to her status as being the most fertile one in her family.
Their countless efforts yielded fruit in 1992 with the last of the miscarriages (military rule led by Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings) where she was advice to adopt a new lifestyle ( democracy and constitutional rule). This new lifestyle led to having specialists(Electoral Commission, Parliament, Election observers and other stakeholders)
These specialists and others ensured pregnancy no longer became an issue with a special recommendation which was to take in some medicinal plants(holding elections every four years). This got on well with her and delivered five babies to the admiration of other members in her family( Africa and the world at large) between 1992 and 2008 and reclaimed the lost name(beacon of hope for Africa).
Having mustered the prediction of when Ghana will deliver by one of the specialists(Electoral Commission led by Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan),she is expected to deliver by Friday, 7th December but this one seems to be associated with a lot of rumours(grabbing headlines around the world).Despite her previous experience, there seems to be so much fear being expressed(tension).
Ghana has been sent to the labour ward (December 7) with only three options available. Either she gives birth naturally or be taken to theatre (vote peacefully for development) or die with “cruel” midwives on duty (choose violence which lead to destruction spearheaded by some insane politicians and electorates).
With the kind heart of the specialist (Electoral Commissioner), he will do everything possible to ensure that Ghana does not die but live to see the “fruit of her womb”(peaceful outcome) on Dec.7.
Saturday, 1 December 2012
GHANA’S ELECTIONS:THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
Every electorate who is likely to cast his or her vote on Dec. 7,2012, may one way or the other be concentrating on the eventual winner of the elections without asking certain fundamental questions which are yet to be answered. The following are a few of these.
1.Who wins this year’s elections?
Will it be Nana Akufo Addo of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) the “most” experienced amongst the candidates or John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) who had to replace Prof. John Evans Atta Mills after a “mysterious” demise whiles in office as a President?
a.) Can the “boogie boys”; Progressive People’s Party(PPP) led by Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom or the man whose name is on the lips of “most” Ghanaians, Mr.Hassan Ayariga of the People’s National Convention(PNC) cause any upset ?
b.)What of the man, Dr.Abu Sakara leading the oldest political party in Ghana; the Convention People’s Party which won independence for Ghana.
c.)The new entrants which also include Mr.Ayariga have not been left out. The likes of Henry Herbert Lartey who also replaced his father; Mr. Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party(GCPP) after his demise is looking forward to pull up a surprise.
d.)Mr. Akwasi Addai Odike of the United Freedom Party(UFP) is much more than optimistic about his chances and not forgetting Mr.Jacob Osei Yeboah; an independent candidate who is waiting for his stars to shine.
2.Are Ghanaians expecting a first round victory or something beyond it? This is extremely important as the 2008 elections in Ghana went beyond the second round.
3.What will become of the future of Nana Akufo Addo if he does not get the nod.
A lot of Ghanaians are asking this “simple” question due to the stern “opposition” he is being given by another Presidential-hopeful in the NPP; Alan Kyeremanteng.
Will NDC be disappointed if John Mahama loses?
The reason for this question is the fact that he had to replace our deceased President (Prof. Atta Mills) after his demise in July and had less than six months to campaign as against Nana Addo who started "campaigning" two years ago.
4.Will the winner have plans of integrating the remaining candidates into his government?</b>
The winner takes all policy in Ghanaian politics has lead to wasting of “brains” who can perform better than certain members of one’s party but are abandoned due to party affiliations.
5. Will the phenomenon of 8 years(2 terms in office) continue? Since the adoption of democracy and constitutional rule in 1992, each government has had the chance of governing for 8 years(NDC & NPP), whether good or bad but will this influence the outcome the 2012 elections?
Answers to all these questions and many more remain close to the chests of the Ghanaian electorates until Dec 7.
PEACE IS WHAT WE NEED IN GHANA!
1.Who wins this year’s elections?
Will it be Nana Akufo Addo of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) the “most” experienced amongst the candidates or John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) who had to replace Prof. John Evans Atta Mills after a “mysterious” demise whiles in office as a President?
a.) Can the “boogie boys”; Progressive People’s Party(PPP) led by Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom or the man whose name is on the lips of “most” Ghanaians, Mr.Hassan Ayariga of the People’s National Convention(PNC) cause any upset ?
b.)What of the man, Dr.Abu Sakara leading the oldest political party in Ghana; the Convention People’s Party which won independence for Ghana.
c.)The new entrants which also include Mr.Ayariga have not been left out. The likes of Henry Herbert Lartey who also replaced his father; Mr. Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party(GCPP) after his demise is looking forward to pull up a surprise.
d.)Mr. Akwasi Addai Odike of the United Freedom Party(UFP) is much more than optimistic about his chances and not forgetting Mr.Jacob Osei Yeboah; an independent candidate who is waiting for his stars to shine.
2.Are Ghanaians expecting a first round victory or something beyond it? This is extremely important as the 2008 elections in Ghana went beyond the second round.
3.What will become of the future of Nana Akufo Addo if he does not get the nod.
A lot of Ghanaians are asking this “simple” question due to the stern “opposition” he is being given by another Presidential-hopeful in the NPP; Alan Kyeremanteng.
Will NDC be disappointed if John Mahama loses?
The reason for this question is the fact that he had to replace our deceased President (Prof. Atta Mills) after his demise in July and had less than six months to campaign as against Nana Addo who started "campaigning" two years ago.
4.Will the winner have plans of integrating the remaining candidates into his government?</b>
The winner takes all policy in Ghanaian politics has lead to wasting of “brains” who can perform better than certain members of one’s party but are abandoned due to party affiliations.
5. Will the phenomenon of 8 years(2 terms in office) continue? Since the adoption of democracy and constitutional rule in 1992, each government has had the chance of governing for 8 years(NDC & NPP), whether good or bad but will this influence the outcome the 2012 elections?
Answers to all these questions and many more remain close to the chests of the Ghanaian electorates until Dec 7.
PEACE IS WHAT WE NEED IN GHANA!
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