Blessed morning to all my country men in Ghana and other parts of the world. A blessed morning to all the good people of Italy who have opened their doors for the numerous immigrants and refugees.
I don’t know which of the following you will do first:
1. To read my humble post
2. To watch this short clip.
Whichever way we choose we may arrive at the same end. Facebook will be around to remind us ( that’s if we are favoured to enjoy longevity in the coming years) else the generation yet unborn will see this write up as a PROPHETIC MESSAGE. ( I had planned writing this just some fews minutes after the EC Chair of Ghana announced or declared the winner of the just ended elections on 7th and 9th December 2016 respectively.
Lessons from the Gambia:
Many might have insulted Jammeh apparently due to his stance after a peaceful election had been delivered by the good people of The Gambia. ( citizens deliver a good election). His turn around a week later was quite suspicious if not untenable. However, his allegations ( if found true) was something that was not to be thrown under the carpet.
When citizens have queued to decide a government they want to entrust their lives and country with, no institution, I MEAN NO INSTITUTION under the surface of this world should try manipulating the will of the people. Only those who have lost elections matter how small will understand what a loser or winner goes through. To this end let’s consider the following:
Wrongs and condemnation of Jammeh:
1. If he had decided not to accept the sovereign will of the good people of The Gambia.
2. If he had allowed innocent blood to be spilled.
3. If he decides to stage a comeback after HIS excellency Adama Barrow has been sworn-in. ( I put this in the present tense)
4. Avoiding prosecution after injustices done to your own people.
Rights of Jammeh:
1. To have called for investigation into electoral malpractices after evidence.
2. To be heard in court of repute when charged.
3. Deserved whatever benefits the Gambia constitution stipulates for former leaders.
Beloved, I don’t know how many of you reading this who might have contested an election ( school, community, church etc). Your reactions when you realised you had been “cheated”.
The Ghanaian- Gambian case: ( not so similar except in one particular instance as you find reading):
In the 4th Republic of Ghana, election results have always been declared by the EC- Chairperson especially the Presidential. In previous elections, the office of the EC released figures they had received from polling centres across the nation, ( as they trickled in) certified or verified and then gave them to the public.
The last elections ( 7th December 2016) was quite different – the general public had to rely on some private media houses ( radio and TV. A big ups to Multimedia) while party sympathisers closed to the action relied on what their leaders were putting out. But this could be dangerous or good depending on which political colour you admire.
With the elections over, many of us – institutions and the general public will go to hibernation only to be reactivated in the year 2020. No way, let’s be watchmen of country daily and not quadrannually.
As we commend ourselves and the institutions that helped in the organisation especially the Electoral Commission let’s not be oblivious of one ACTION that could plunge our dear nation into chaos going forward.
The EC Chair told the world that she was going to declare the results and the winner after 72 hours only to TURN BACK TO DECLARE SOME FEW MINUTES after saying this and SERIOUSLY AND DANGEROUSLY AFTER THE INCUMBENT HAD CALLED THE EVENTUAL WINNER. GHANAIANS WERE QUIET MAY BE BECAUSE THEY HAD RECEIVED A VERDICT THEY EXPECTED. BUT THAT IS DANGEROUS FOR OUR DEMOCRACY! THAT IS DANGEROUS FOR OUR DEMOCRACY!! THAT IS DANGEROUS FOR OUR DEMOCRACY.
This is not the way to go. That is if the incumbent has not accepted the results then the SUPPOSED INDEPENDENT EC CHAIRPERSON CAN’T DECLARE A WINNER. We might have been fortunate this time but never again should we entertain this.
Furthermore, when citizens have peacefully conducted a credible elections IT MUST NOT DEPEND ON THE INCUMBENT’s ACCEPTANCE FOR THE PEOPLE TO BE GIVEN WHAT THEY HAVE DECIDED.
Yes, we may be fortunate to have had good leaders accepting results of elections- the late Prof Mills in 2000, Nana Addo in 2008 and 2012 and President Mahama in December 2016. These leaders offered themselves to serve the over 22 million of Ghana and never must the life or the will of any leader override that of the majority of voters concerning our elections.
I only pray and hope that the framers and interpreters of our constitution can help us address this. We will always remind them and MOST importantly pray for them to think Ghana first.
I humbly want to suggest to opinion leaders ( including my humble self) independent groups to ENGAGE the Electoral Commission now. I mean NOW ( this is the time they can have a peaceful mind to listen) before our dear country goes to the next polls. We tend to wait for the last minute. Please this should not happen. Ghana must always reign first and come supreme.
As Jammeh steps out, we want to wish President Adama Barrow well and pray that he succeeds in helping the Gambia people see themselves as good as the Creator intended them to be.
Never should the sovereign will of a majority group be traded or exchanged for an individual or a minority’s advantage.
May God bless all who ensured that this great country was once again saved and dignified.
You know it if you are one!
Stay blessed! May God bless our HOMELAND GHANA and make her great and strong.
By Rev. Fr. Louis Cecilia Adu-Poku
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