Democracy not about Loot and Share of State Resources –Dr Worlanyo Mensah
An Economist, Reverend Dr Samuel Worlanyo Mensah, has called on patriotic Ghanaians who believe in accountability, probity, and transparency to speak out against the misruled and mismanagement of state resources for the benefit of the few, particularly against those involving graft and corruption by associates of governing political parties.
According to him, the menace of corruption is fuelling several military takeovers of existing democratic governments in African countries, hence the time for all to insist on putting the country’s development first.
Dr Worlanyo Mensah who is also the Executive Director of Centre for Greater Impact Africa (CGIA) made the comments during an interview with EXPRESSNEWSGHANA, in Accra.
There have been coups in Africa, especially the West Africa sub-region with the military in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, and the latest in Gabon of Central Africa toppling democratic governments in the last two years.
Ultimately, Dr Worlanyo Mensah expects “the leader of our continent must stop the “create, loot and share syndrome” that he says has reared its ugly head in African politics in spite of the record of accountability and transparency.
In his considered view, most African leaders take democracy to be an avenue for looting and sharing the resources within the political cycle, leaving the citizenry in abject poverty, a situation he believed fueled most of the military intervention.
He added that weak institutions, absence of the rule of law, corruption in government insecurity, and political instability have continued to stymie growth in the continent prompting ordinary people to demand a change of administration.
“Let me note with concern that the African continent, especially our West Africa sub-region has, in the past two years, witnessed a resurgence of a military takeover of governments and a reversal of years of gains of democratic culture.
“The new wave started in Mali followed by Guinea, Burkina Faso, and most recently, Niger, and we wake up this week to hear about Gabon, just last week. There have been reported failed attempts in other places, most notably Guinea Bissau. The question is what role has corruption played in the resurgence of military coups in the West African sub-region?
“Every student of history knows that social discontent is always a factor in the forceful takeover of government by military juntas. The current wave of coups is however occasioned by a mixed bag of issues within the region including politicians turning to create, loot, and share state resources, the absence of rule of law, weak institutions, and of course corruption in government and governance. Am9s I always say, democracy is about loot and sharing, but rather about creating opportunity for the people, and protecting and respecting their rights.
“The presence of these factors and more, but most especially weak institutions of state and corruption in government and governance has and continues to undermine development aspirations of the continent and makes ordinary people welcome change of government no matter how implemented in the hope that livelihood will improve.”
West African coups
There have been coup-related tensions in the West Africa sub-region with the military in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger toppling democratic governments.
In April last year, Chadian President, Idriss Déby Itno, was killed in battle with rebels, and his death served as an opportunity for the military to shove aside the country’s democratic institutions under the pretext of ensuring stability in the country.
Military generals torpedoed constitutional succession arrangements and installed the slain leader’s son, Mahamat, a general to lead an army transition council that promised to rule for 18 months.
Just a week ago, Gabon leader, Mr. Ali Bongo, was also toppled by the presidential security guard, citing an undemocratic election process that led to Mr. Bongo retaining power in a keenly contested election.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
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