Since the introduction of the constitution in 1992, which ushered Ghana into the Fourth Republic, many ordinary Ghanaians have developed a strong interest in governing the country through democratic means, and are therefore motivated to actively participate in electoral and governance processes. became.
Undoubtedly, the preservation of our democracy over the past three decades not only lends credence to the fact that Ghanaians have wholeheartedly embraced democracy as the means by which our country must be governed, but also It shows that democracy is firmly established.
But the principles of democracy go beyond holding periodic elections, ensuring the rule of law, and, above all, ensuring the fundamental human rights that we primarily promote and use as a measure of democratic success. not.
Responsible leadership is one of the key pillars supporting the maintenance of democracy, especially in developing countries in the sub-region.
This is common knowledge, but unfortunately little attention seems to be paid to this aspect of a right that citizens must always enjoy in our budding democracy.
The kinds of political turmoil and instability that we have witnessed in the past as part of our history were largely due to perceptions of corruption and irresponsible leadership.
The focus of leadership under past and successive governments over the past 30 years has reportedly been that the party that formed the government was able to raise enough slogans to gain enough popularity to win the next election. , it can be said that the reason why we were not able to achieve victory was because of this. Demonstrate responsible and sustainable leadership.
This perhaps explains why we don’t seem to have a national policy that holds our destiny in our hands and binds all elected governments in terms of how we want to develop as a country. maybe.
From all indications, our understanding of democratic governance appears to have been reduced to the extreme partisanship that pervaded the legislative and executive branches of government in the Fourth Republic.
Our MPs win elections on party tickets, go to parliament, and are accused of supporting party initiatives in a more partisan manner that undermines our collective interests and national development. Masu.
Our system of government has made the executive president very powerful with many privileges, allowing him to do pretty much whatever he wants, but he is supposed to serve as a check on the executive branch’s excessive powers. It is said that the legislative branch of the country has all failed in its name. Of partisanship.
Probably, since the inception of the Fourth Republic, there has never been a single occasion when an elected member of parliament decisively and openly opposed the decisions of his own party and challenged the status quo.
We seem to have relegated responsible governance that prioritizes the interests of the people to the background and clothed our system with an extreme partisanship that allows politicians to milk the country with our support. .
Yes, we supported whatever was being offered to us because we felt less angry at the system and didn’t let our anger explode to spark a new democratic revolution that fearlessly challenges the status quo. I’ve been doing it.
Past and successive governments always seem to be more accountable to their own political parties, but not to the larger society. That is why you often hear strange speeches such as: “Our government is in power and we can do whatever we want.”
For them to look us straight in the eyes and tell us things like this gives them the power to be unresponsive to us as they continue to give us hell while promising heaven. Because we have collectively failed to hold them accountable for their stewardship.
Congress, as the legislative chamber responsible for enacting legislation and reviewing administrative petitions, should scrutinize administrative and other bills referred to specific parliamentary committees to prevent the nation from being engulfed by impending foreign debt. be.
Regardless of political affiliation, it is vitally important that members of Congress put the national interest above partisan concerns. Because it is the means by which we can collectively hold the government of the day accountable and accountable to the people.
President Nana Akufo-Addo’s call to implement the “Ghana Beyond Aid” slogan emphasizes the need to become economically self-sufficient without relying on IMF aid.
However, this great vision cannot be achieved unless parliamentarians, who are the direct representatives of the people, are accountable to the government.
This is my new year hindrance to the Executive, Parliament and the entire Ghanaian people. We need to stand up as citizens. That’s enough for the audience.
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