INTRO
Addressing
the Parliamentary Press Corp on Wednesday 25th February 2015, the
Speaker of the august Ghanaian Parliament ,Right Honorable Doe Adjaho, was quoted as vehemently bemoaning the seemingly
monetization of the Ghanaian Politics, a development he deems
accounted for the unfortunate
decline in the quality of Parliamentarians and corruption. In what many pundits
described as sheer candidness , one of the most experienced Parliamentarians
did not mince words in expressing grave displeasure with the situation where parliamentarians
were elected on the basis of how much they could pay to their constituents and
not how effective they discharged their duties.
Undoubtedly,
the continuous tracking and tracing of parliamentarians by their constituent
for financial support is a disturbing development that is objectionable and
inimical to efforts at deepening the country’s democracy. Indeed, there is absolutely
no doubt that the practice affects productivity among members of Parliament.
It is
instructive to note that the Speaker is not alone in his view. In fact, His
Excellency the President; many other politicians and Social commentators have
on many occasions shared similar sentiments on how the seemingly monetization
of Ghanaian Politics was taking a toll on efforts at eradicating corruption and
institutional inefficiencies.
Reading
the news item and following the reactions that followed the story got me
reminiscing about the sad tales many Parliamentarians shared after the 2012
elections.
Granting
interviews to the media after the 2012 elections, many parliamentarians
especially those who couldn’t retain their seats poured out their frustrations
about the financial quagmire that they have been plunged into in view of the
unbridled and insensitive demands that their constituents and other political
apparatchiks had placed on them during the electioneering period.
MY
OBSERVATION
While I
fully agree in principle with the call for a paradigm shift in the way
monetizing of politics, I am equally unable to sympathize with some of the
politicians as their demands are most times self- inflicted and justifiable.
Ostensibly
to win elections, most of these politicians keeping arousing and heightening
the expectations of their constituents and voters. They leave no stone unturned
by making untenable and unfeasible promises.
Monitoring
events in the build up to year’s District Assembly elections, I have been
bewailed at some of the promises that these aspirants keep making. For some, I am
very clear in my mind that some of these promises by these candidates are
either a manifestations of sheer ignorance or those that are blatantly informed
by political expediency.
While leaving
office after a strenuous day at work, I couldn’t but laugh myself to embarrassment,
hearing a tape of one of the District Elections Aspirants. Not only was the unharmonious
rhythm in which he chooses to package his message a source of fun, also the wanton
disregard for the grammatical accuracy in his message is one that cannot be
lost on any informed mind.
Let me
attempt to transcribe his speech at this juncture. Perhaps, you may transfer
your vote to his District and do him the honor.(Reader’s discretion)
‘’First of all my name is Ibrahim Issah
Adaabor. And with my education, I start my school at Teacher Afranie Day Nelsil(Spelt
as Pronounced) in this constituency
Adukrom. I also went to Adukrom Presby Primary.From P1 to P6(With
physical emphasis).And I leave there to Universal Preparatory School I continue my JSS there. Before then I transfer
myself to KTI. That is Kumasi Technical Institute then I do all my course there.
And I want
to stand like Assembly man. That’s why I come. So when am come power. In my
country, I assure people that when am come power, Firstly is that toilet. Second
one I will buy tables and Chairs for the community, if something of wedding or ceremony
appear. They will come and take it and bring me back again. Third,I will make
sure old man and woman you will go toilet for free.
THE
SONG BEGINS
Okay I can
sing my song. Now I want to sing. When I say everything say, it’s free.
Toliet
for Oldman and Woman-Its free(supporters responds)
Canopy
Chairs for Weddings- Its free(supporters responds)
Throwing
b))la for morning -Its free(supporters
responds)
Barber
for childrens-Its free(supporters responds)
As I allude
to District level politics, I want to submit that DCEs are worst hit when the
issue of monetization comes to the fore. Not only do their presence in local
communities makes the practice easy and convenient for the ever demanding party apparatchik and constituents, but
also the relatively paltry earnings makes
it impossible for them to meet those expectations, a development that usually
cause public disdain and disaffection towards them.
For those
who cannot leave to see power slip their hand, they are compelled to indulge in
unscrupulous financial activities in order to meet these demand. Some also fall
on the paltry allocations, a situation that opens them up to the risk of
financial malfeasance and misappropriation.
May be
the speaker wanted to look at the action from the Perspective of how the development
affected Parliament. Yes, I totally agree with him, critical as the institution
of Parliament is to deepening the country’s democratic credentials. What I want
to submit is that the Palm tree does not rattle without a cause. Paying
attention to the consequence without the cause is flawed intellectually and
practically.
As it
currently stands it appears the public only stands accused in the whole issue
of monetization of politics. There is no doubt that they are, as they are always
at the requesting end. I do not intend to hold any brief for the public. Indeed,
the public is also culpable.
What I wish
to respectfully add to the Honorable Speaker’s lamentation is what in my estimation
encourages the development.
To keep
up with the tension that characterize our kind of politics, some political players
recruit and surround themselves with all manner of characters. These people
most of whom have questionable financial and moral records become the life
blood of their campaigns, unleashing physical and verbal terror on opponents, on
some occasions.
During
the electioneering periods they devote all their time, strength and other
resources at their disposal making sure that their candidate win.
While
politician laments over the issue I want to ask these questions:
Is it
for nothing that people leave their lucrative businesses to join mass protests?
Is it for nothing that people put their lives and that of their families on the
line for politics? Is it for nothing that people put their reputation on the
line by strenuously defending the indefensible on political issues? Is it for
nothing that people spend so much money serially and practically calling all radio
morning shows on Programmes? Is it for nothing that these young people walk the
nook and cranny of communities?
Is it
for nothing that people endure beatings and invectives from political opponents
and their members in some occasions? Is it for nothing that young men allow
themselves to be recruited into tugs? Is for nothing that people openly and
blatantly spew vitriol as the leadership of state institutions who are
perceived to be for their opponents? Is it for nothing that people carry ballot
boxes even at the risk of being lynched?
ü In all
the aforementioned can one say that these political patronage and risks are
borne out of sheer altruism? I don’t believe that it these risks are taken for
altruistic purposes.
ü Are the
aforementioned borne out of sheer patriotism? I don’t see that degree of
patriotism, at least not from one that I can vouch for.
It is
done for the fun of it? I don’t believe. No rational person seeks fun in such
an expensive manner.
I have
not lived for long. Indeed, I have not been privy to the many roles and risk
that people take for partisan purposes. But one thing I am fully convinced
about is that none of these massive shows of fanaticism are informed by sheer patriotism,
altruism or just the fun of it. I am indeed, certain that the undergirding
principles is an inordinate personal interest which fuels expectations.
RECOMMENDATION
What I have
not seen Politicians do well is to manage the expectations of their constituents.
Rather than provide pragmatic solutions to problems, they master the act of
heightening expectations with reckless and needless promises.
Arresting
or effectively managing the needless and reckless tensions that characterize
elections will be key if the menace of monetization in our politics is to be
reduced. I am inclined to believe that some of these political apparatchiks
manipulates the elections atmosphere at a fever-pitch tempo in order to assert
their relevance.
But
whatever be the case why should elections should not always send shivers down
the spines of people. It should never be a justification for corruption and
financial malfeasance. Indeed, it should not be the reasons why Children, the
poor and other vulnerable entities in societies must bear the negative brunt.
To
avert these dangers Politician and Key political players must find pragmatic
ways of not only solving pressing social challenges but also managing the
expectations that they heighten during politically charged electioneering
periods.
If
Politicians fails to avoid empty promises that result into unfeasible
expectations then they should forget about remedying the paradigm of
monetization of Politic in the country.
Samuel
Osarfo Boateng.
233541842198.
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