Discourse on alternative form of govt

Ghana became politically independent on March 6, 1957. Prior to that day, Ghana was a colony of Great Britain with the name Gold Coast.

The queen of England had a representative where in Ghana in the form of a governor who ruled the country. On the attainment of political independence in 1957, a new constitution (the Independence Constitution of 1957) was promulgated.

The Independence Constitution prevailed until 1960 when Ghana attained a republican status and had its constitution replaced with the republican constitution of 1960.

There was a constitutional amendment to the republican constitution of 1960 in 1964 in which the country came under a one- party rule.

Two years later, the 1966 military coup took place and the existing constitution and previous ones were abolished.

In 1969 multi- party democracy was revived in Ghana. Unfortunately, this revival was curtailed by events of 1972 when the country was again returned to military rule.

It was not until 1992 when the country was restored to multipartydemo cracy through the promulgation of the 1992 constitution.

Communism and military dictatorship

From 1957 up to date, a lot of lessons have been learnt by Ghanaians on the basis of experiences garnered through the years.

I think it can be safely stated that the broad majority of Ghanaians dislike military rule. It can also be safely stated that the broad majority of Ghanaians abhor one-party rule.

If these assertions are true then in our quest for the ideal system of governing ourselves,we must always remember t hat those who rule must derive their power from the consent of the governed.

Such a foundation automatically excludes communism (one party rule) and military dictatorship.

This is because under communism and military dictatorship, all fundamental human rights and freedoms are denied the people.

Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of choice, freedom of the press and freedom of public assembly are either trampled upon or denied the people.

Discerning Ghanaians have also come to realise that multi-party rule is not a panacea to all the problems in our governance system.

Multiparty rule in our part of the world has been known to bring in its trail division, polarisation, acrimony and rancour.

The divisive nature of multi party democracy fans tribalism and ethnicity, -traits that are not needed in a developing country like Ghana.

What is needed in a developing country like Ghana is a system of governance that fosters unity and cohesion in the entire body politic and also supports and supplements the efforts of our leaders to fight and eliminate poverty, deprivation, illiteracy and disease.

We have all been witnesses to what multi-party politics can do if not properly managed.

Lessons from election disputes in Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Gambia and
other countries on the African continent are well known.

In some of the above- mentioned countries, election disputes have resulted in the loss of lives of hundreds of thousands of their citizens.

The scars left behind as a result of post-election conflicts and wars have exacerbated tribalism, polarisation, divisiveness, mistrust and suspicion among a people.

These are well known facts to all discerning and concerned Ghanaians.

Clarion call

Some prominent and well-meaning Ghanaians have expressed various opinions on the state of affairs in the country and some have even gone further to propose, what in their opinion will be an ideal form of government for the nation – a system of government that will bring unity among all Ghanaians and also promote economic growth and development.

Cardinal Peter Turkson and Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom are among several Ghanaians who have expressed various
opinions on the current state of affairs and the need to re-invent a new system of governing ourselves.

It is quite obvious that the current system, based on a multi-party democracy, is not working and that there is the need to devise another system of government.

In our search for an ideal system of government for ourselves as a developing country, we must always remember that there is no separation between government, science and religion which are seen as manifestation of the tripartite flame of Power/ Father, Wisdom/Son and Love/Holy Spirit.

God wields power; science probes the wisdom and the handiwork of God; and religion is premised on love of self, of one’s neighbour and of God.

In past ages, philosophers, sages and saints have taught the true relationship that must be maintained between God and man in an ideal society.

When this relationship breaks down, the ideal society cannot long endure.

Thus, in fashioning out an ideal system of government, we must reflect on the tripartite flame of Power/ Father, Wisdom/Son, and Love/ Holy Spirit.

The tripartite flame of Power/Father, Wisdom/Son, and Love/ Holy Spirit is the foundation of God-Government in an ideal society.

If you think of these qualities, you realize that no true and representative government can function without them.

We must have power in our governance system.

Power gives us protection, strength and energy.

But blind power results in tyranny and therefore there is need to balance the power principle with wisdom.

Wisdom teaches us how to use power wisely.

Furthermore, it is not sufficient to have power and wisdomonly in our governance system.

The need for love to balance the equation is paramount. If there is no love, there is the likelihood of power and wisdom being used selfishly to the detriment of the governed.

This tripartite arrangement must be present in every government or that government will collapse.

We have all seen abuses of all three types of people. Throughout the ages in every nation, there have been abuses by those in power, whether kings, whether military people, whether presidents- the abuse of power is easy and common.

The abuse of those who serve on the wisdom ray is also common.

We must be careful not to substitute mere academics for the wisdom of the mind of God, for mere academics has never solved t he problems of the world and never will.

Marx and Lenin have proposed that by a scientific humanism, mankind could manage the economy, manage population, manage birth control etc.

We have seen communism collapse in the last two decades and the few socialist countries left on the planet today, (Cuba, Russia, china, North Korea and Venezuela etc.) are struggling to stay afloat.

Surely communism is not the answer to our problems.