I WILL SAY IT AS IT IS
Dear Nyaaba,
Too many of us Ghanaians are rather too flippant when the issue of the threatened peace of our dear country is evoked. We are quick to state that ‘everything will be alright’. I sincerely pray so, I do. But wishing and reality are two separate and distinct affairs. And while I pray unceasingly, I am also able to understand that we are waltzing irreverently into Armageddon, and this is why:
The manner in which Ghana handles its electoral processes in recent times is nothing short of alarming. It is as though the collective consciousness of this nation has been lulled into a dangerous apathy, with little regard for the consequences of our reckless attitudes and actions.
Once celebrated as a beacon of democracy in Africa, Ghana’s electoral journey is now marred by growing carelessness and self-interest. Politicians, institutions, and even citizens appear more focused on winning by any means than safeguarding the integrity of our democracy. This betrayal of our national ideals is nothing less than a tragedy in the making.
Our political leaders, who ought to be custodians of peace and stability, have become the architects of division. Instead of fostering unity, they fan the flames of tribalism and sectionalism, exploiting the vulnerabilities of ordinary Ghanaians for electoral gain.
Their incendiary rhetoric has turned elections into battlegrounds, with party loyalists treating political opponents as enemies. Campaigns have become platforms for personal attacks rather than debates about policies that can uplift the nation. This recklessness not only undermines our democracy but also endangers lives and property.
Institutions that should be impartial and reliable are increasingly losing credibility. The Electoral Commission, security forces, and even the judiciary—pillars of our democratic system—are often accused of bias or incompetence. These accusations, whether real or perceived, erode public trust and heighten tensions during elections.
The lack of transparency and accountability in the electoral process is a ticking time bomb. Allegations of voter suppression, electoral fraud, and unfair practices are brushed aside as though they are trivial issues. When institutions fail to act decisively, they embolden those who seek to exploit loopholes for personal or political advantage.
We, the citizens of Ghana, cannot absolve ourselves of blame. Too many of us have allowed partisan loyalties to blind us to the truth. We defend the indefensible when it benefits our preferred candidates, and we turn a blind eye to wrongdoing as long as it serves our interests.
Our apathy toward electoral misconduct is perhaps the most damning evidence of our failure. When we fail to hold leaders accountable, when we refuse to condemn acts of violence and intimidation, and when we prioritize short-term gains over the long-term health of our democracy, we are complicit in the decay of our nation.
This carelessness will not come without consequences. If we continue on this path, Ghana risks descending into political chaos, economic instability, and social unrest. The very fabric of our nation—woven through decades of peaceful elections and democratic transitions—stands at the edge of unraveling.
Do we not see the danger of normalizing electoral violence? Are we so blinded by selfish interests that we cannot envision the future we are jeopardizin
g for the next generation?
Ghana deserves better, but change will not happen unless we, as a people, demand it. Political leaders must be held to the highest standards of accountability, and institutions must operate with impartiality and transparency. Citizens must reject any attempts to incite violence or undermine the electoral process.
Most importantly, we must rediscover our collective pride in Ghana. Elections are not merely contests for power; they are the means by which we shape the destiny of our nation. To treat them with carelessness is to gamble with the future of Ghana itself.
If we do not act now to change course, history will judge us harshly. The question is: will we rise to the occasion, or will we let Ghana’s legacy of peace and democracy be buried under the weight of our recklessness?
Your Worried Descendant,
The Honourrebel Siriguboy
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