Political Stability

THE general election are over and it was a question of who had the best ideas and policy directions that met the people’s aspirations, however, skirmishes involving the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the defeated New Patriotic Party (NPP) must be a thing of the past.
In this regard, it is the duty of all citizens to reject violence related issues and discredit those who preach the politics of divide and rule.
As John F. Kennedy declared, “Man must put an end to war or war will put an end to man.”
The maintenance of peace and a political stable environment is paramount to our survival and development agenda; hence, a religious obligation of all as pertained in the United States of America under the leadership of President Barrack Obama.
In modern times, democracy has come to assume a more demanding and challenging meaning .
The political system in Ghana in modern times is a system that practices free elections, multiplicity of political parties, political decisions made through an independent judiciary.
Democracy, which is derived from the Greek word "demos," or "people," is defined, basically, as government in which the supreme power is vested in the people. In some forms, democracy can be exercised directly by the people; in large societies, it is by the people through their elected agents. Or, in the memorable phrase of President Abraham Lincoln, democracy is government "of the people, by the people and for the people."
Freedom and democracy are often used interchangeably, but the two are not synonymous. Democracy is indeed a set of ideas and principles about freedom, but it also consists of practices and procedures that have been moulded through a long, often tortuous history. Democracy is the institutionalisation of freedom.
People living in a democratic society must serve as the ultimate custodians of their own freedom and must forge their own path toward the ideals set forth in the preamble to the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human genealogy is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world."
Other institutions define it as a system where people effectively and meaningfully participate in the decision-making processes through which people could vote and be voted for in elections.
Citizens have a responsibility to report offences and suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities and in doing so, we must exercise a sort of circumspection to avoid any form of mayhem.
Ghana, like most African countries is a secular state.
Unfortunately, some Christians contend that since politics is so dirty, it should be steadfastly avoided.
It is ironic that these same people participate in the selection of political candidates through exercising the voting franchise.
A philosopher once said; “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” If we ask our selves on what causes and conditions good government depends, we find that the principle which transcends all others, is the quality of human beings composing the society over which government is only as good as we want it to be.
We should become involved, concerned about and dedicated to the principle of orderly change within our governmental process.
Our political parties are not promoting issue-oriented campaigns for the simple reason that the electorate as a whole is not really interested in issues.
We find ourselves in the era of the “new politics”, where personal attractiveness, oratorical ability, potential appeal to various interest groups.
Democracy is a means for the people to choose their leaders and to hold their leaders accountable for their policies and their conduct in office.
The people are free to criticise their elected leaders and representatives and to observe how they conduct the business of government.
Elected representatives at the national and local levels should listen to the people and respond to their needs and suggestions.
Those in power cannot extend their terms in office without asking for the consent of the people again in an election.
This is why it takes a lot of time to organise a good, democratic election.
Any country can hold an election, but for an election to be free and fair requires a lot of organisation, preparation and training of political parties, electoral officials and civil society organisations who monitor the process.
Citizens have an obligation to become informed about public issues, to watch carefully how their political leaders and representatives use their powers and to express their own opinions and interests.
In a democracy, participation in civic groups should be voluntary. No one should be forced to join an organisation against their will.
Political parties are vital organisations in a democracy and democracy is stronger when citizens become active members of political parties.