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Restraint must be guiding principle for all this political season
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“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who make their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education. – Franklin D. Rosevelt.
A critical analysis of the above statement carries enormous weight.
All too soon, the time has come for eligible Ghanaian voters to exercise their franchise during the forthcoming general elections.
The stakes are extremely high and people have geared up to exercise their franchise on December 7, 2020.
The decision to choose persons in an election to govern the country rests solely on the electorate, and their right must be expressed responsibly.
While the individual takes steps to exercise this inalienable right, this must be done within the confines of the law.
It is important to note that so long as we remain humans, our decisions and choices may vary based on one’s political affiliation or for different reasons.
The electorate are going to cast their votes based on several considerations which are critically driven by their political affiliations.
In events of this magnitude, the active participation of the youth cannot be downplayed. Forming more than half of the country’s population, the decision of the youth must be viewed as very crucial in the decision making process.
Since they are often driven by youthful exuberance, they must conduct themselves very well not to fall into trouble or not fall foul of the law.
They must remember that any negative attitude to disturb the peace of the country in the name of election will not go unpunished.
The youth should keep in mind that indulging in untoward acts would surely put them in trouble.
Those who have the penchant to forment trouble or vowed to use clandestine means to bring their preferred candidates to power must be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.
They must pause and think twice about whatever action they intend to take before the reality downs on them.
The recent clashes between the adherents of the two main political parties in the country at Odododiodo give cause to worry. This should serve as an example for the youth who ought to learn useful lessons and appropriately guide themselves in society.
It should serve also as warning that if care is not taken, petty issues which cannot be resolved would degenerate into serious problems.
Self restraint
The political season is pregnant with statements and actions which are laden with provocative words and insults, intended to incite opponents. Such provocative statements have the potential to cause disaffection.
In such situations, the youth should develop the capacity to tolerate divergent views and contain the barrage of insults and insinuations.
This is not the time to showcase their physical capabilities and preparedness to fight.
Election is about creating a congenial atmosphere for those who wish to stand for election to exchange their views, provide credible alternatives and have what it takes to convince the electorate to vote in a particular way.
This credible avenue which has been created should not be used as a negative tool to forment violence which would disturb the peace Ghanaians are enjoying.
The political violence which occurred at Odododiodio in Accra must be condemned by all irrespective of one’s political leaning.
Consequence
The youth should know that they are the future leaders of this country and must make themselves ready to assume leadership roles when the time comes.
Violence or any form of disturbance would be met with the rigid enforcement of the laws of the state. The youth should not be swayed into the path of making it possible for their political idols to come to power at all cost irrespective of the consequences.
Responsibilities
It is incumbent on parents, guardians and those in leadership positions not to relent in their efforts to advise the youth to conduct themselves responsibly.
Through the youth may seem to be recalcitrant, the elderly have great responsibility to continue with the pieces of advice.
By Raymond Kyekye
His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse, has announced plans to confer new traditional titles on the 12 finalists of the Africa Monologue Challenge (AMC) Season Three before they leave Ghana.
The announcement was made when the finalists paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse at his residence as part of activities for the competition.
The visit gave the contestants an opportunity to experience and learn about the rich traditions, culture and heritage of the Ga people.
Addressing the contestants, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II welcomed them to Ghana and wished them success in the competition.
He encouraged them to give their best and remain proud of their journey, regardless of who eventually emerges as the winner.
The Ga Mantse noted that participating in the competition and travelling to Ghana to connect with the continent’s culture and heritage was already a significant achievement.
He further expressed admiration for the contestants’ commitment to Africa and their role in promoting the continent’s stories through storytelling.
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II indicated that he would engage the organisers of the Africa Monologue Challenge to set aside a special day to honour the contestants and confer the new titles on them before their departure.
The 12 finalists are representing Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Botswana, the Republic of Congo, Benin, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and the United States, which is representing the African Diaspora.
The finalists were selected from more than 2,000 entries for a month-long Pan-African House residency in Ghana.
Speaking during the visit, the President of the African Chamber of Content Producers and Chief Operating Officer of the Africa Monologue Challenge explained that the finalists were no longer viewed simply as individuals but as representatives of their respective countries.
He noted that at the Pan-African House, each contestant’s room symbolically represents a country.
Mawuko Kuadzi, Chief Executive Officer of MK Casting and the Africa Monologue Challenge, expressed optimism that the third edition would be more exciting than the previous two editions.
He noted that the competition had continued to grow since the first edition in Ghana and the second edition in Uganda.
Mr Kuadzi attributed the expected success of this year’s competition to the support of sponsors and partners.
He explained that the Africa Monologue Challenge was an important platform for projecting Africa in a positive light and telling the continent’s stories to the world.
“We believe this is a tool we are going to use to project Africa in a positive light,” he stated.
The Chairman of the AMC Season Three Planning Committee, Roger Quartey, also highlighted the importance of the competition in showcasing African talent to the world.
He noted that the challenge would provide a platform for the finalists to demonstrate their talents while promoting their respective countries and Africa as a whole.
The Africa Monologue Challenge Season Three brings together young storytellers from across Africa and the diaspora to promote the continent’s rich culture, history and stories.
The finalists are currently in Accra for the competition and other activities designed to expose them to Ghanaian and African culture and heritage.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The High Court has dismissed an application by the accused persons in the ongoing National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) corruption case seeking to have the charges against them struck out.
The ruling means the substantive trial will continue.
The case involves former Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid; former UPPF Coordinator, Jacob Kwamina Amuah; NPA staff member, Wendy Newman; Bright Bediako-Mensah; Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah; and three companies, Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited.
The accused persons had asked the Court to strike out the charges brought against them.
However, the High Court dismissed the application, describing it as without merit.
The Republic has filed 54 charges against the accused persons, including corruption and corruption-related offences, extortion, money laundering and conspiracy to commit a crime.
According to the Republic, approximately GH¢291.57 million and US$332,407 was allegedly unlawfully obtained through a scheme involving officials of the NPA between 2022 and December 2024.
The prosecution further alleges that portions of the funds were channelled through companies linked to some of the accused persons.
It maintains that some of the money was subsequently used in transactions involving land, buildings, trucks and fuel stations.
With the Court dismissing the application to strike out the charges, the accused persons will now proceed with the substantive trial.
By: Jacob Aggrey
