The will of the people always prevails

The voice of the people may be curtailed or suppressed for many years, but sooner or later, the undeniable power of the people’s will prevails, and no one can stop that force.

I vividly recall watching the 2015 general elections in Great Britain on BBC, where the Conservatives made sweeping gains, winning a majority of Parliamentary seats. For those of us who favoured the Labour Party in the previous election, there were few comforting words. It left me wondering whether Labour could somehow, by a miraculous turn of events, overcome these misfortunes to win an election in the future.

The gap created by the Conservatives under David Cameron was so significant that many believed Labour’s failure was insurmountable. In my limited estimation, I doubted that any political party could overcome a 100-seat deficit within a decade. I assumed it would take at least a century to see such a shift. Yet here we are—it’s happened in less than 10 years.

Is this a case of the unpredictable nature of politics?

This lesson should be a point of reflection for governing and opposition political parties worldwide.

When people feel fed up and lose hope, they vote decisively for change, creating a gap so wide that everyone can see the mandate clearly.

Consider what happened to Yahya Jammeh in The Gambia. Many never thought the famous Jammeh could lose an election. Yet, it happened, and today he is an ex-president, having left his country under the threat of military intervention.

A similar story unfolded in Ghana in 2016. Government appointees and their supporters assumed victory was guaranteed, as easy as “taking candy from a toddler.” But the gap between President Akufo-Addo and President Mahama was substantial, reportedly so wide that President Mahama was said to have been shocked upon hearing the final results after the much-discussed “comfortable lead” assertion by his party.

One aspect I particularly admired about President Mahama in 2016 was his composure. He graciously invited President Akufo-Addo to the Jubilee House, showed him aroun. These are the actions of statesmen; indeed, how people conduct themselves after significant events can define their legacy as honorable leaders.

In the Sahel, recent junta governments in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are gaining popular support. This is largely due to people feeling oppressed for far too long. Development in these countries has moved at a snail’s pace, and those who align themselves with former colonial powers often live in comfort while others suffer.

The good people of Africa in general are very purposeful, ambitious, intelligent, enduring and patients. We Africans are very religious and culturally oriented but we can be, at the same time, very deceitful on the contents of our stomachs and pockets and most importantly very canning when it comes to political orientation and expressions. 

The African people must be given every inch of opportunity and access to information on what their leaders are doing in the sphere of politics, governance, religions and traditions. 

The spread of lies, misinformation and disinformation may win a party an election but it is unsustainable because the African people, Ghanaians in particular, would come to realize it and may want to punish the perpetrators.

However, if the people realizes that a political party is trying to champion their course by implementing policies that help the people and seeks to eliminate poverty and empower the citizens through education, skills acquisition and job creation, they would continue to give it multiple chances to deliver.
 
Ghanaians of the 21st century with tablets, smart phones and exposed to digital systems of living are discerning, wise and intelligent far beyond the smart phones they carry.

Simple advise to political parties in Ghana and Africa;

1.    Change may happen slowly and it should not be forced on the people but when it comes, it is unstoppable.

2.    Every party in government must focus on implementing policies and infrastructure projects that genuinely benefit the people. Do the work, and let posterity be the judge.

3.    The cardinal principle of leadership is simply putting the people first.

4.    True leadership is about serving the people and the country—not using guns, violence, propaganda or warlike rhetoric to win the people’s support.

5.    The most enduring legacies are built not on force or propaganda, but on justice and fairness, love, care and empathy, and commitment to the common good.

6.    The pursuit of peace and tolerance should be the hallmarks of any political campaign, regardless of whether a party is in government or opposition.

7.    Ghana is Peaceful and Stable because some people are determined to keep the Peace irrespective of our condition.

8.    Showing appreciation to the good works of others amounts to showing gratitude to God.

The author is Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman, an Eminent Member and Chairman of the Finance and Fundraising Committee of the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council of the National Peace Council of Ghana.