The day after
Arku Jasmine
Features
The jugdement was very brief. Some said it took just five minutes. Some of those in the courtroom did not know it was over, until they heard the sound of the gavel and the court clerk's voice giving the order; "Court rises".
When the long wait finally came to an end, it left almost everybody deflated. The men and women at the Flagstaff House have good reason to jubilate. A few others could not hide their joy. There were many who felt disappointed but expressed it in undertones.
The sight of thousands of foot soldiers pouring onto the streets to celebrate in a provocative manner that could elicit violent response from the other side or the much anticipated show of displeasure by people turning the streets into killing fields was absent.
In the end, the security personnel and their armour became the contradiction of the mood of the people. There is no doubt that the numerous appeals for civility and calm might have played a major role in the turnout of events, but deep down, I believe many Ghanaians have come to the realisation that celebrating profusely or fighting over a decision that would bring very little positive change in their lives is next to madness.
We must begin to improve upon our politics. We must begin to accept the fact that, once elections are over, those we have put into office are on one side while the rest of us are on one side. Our business is to demand the best from our leaders. Ours is to ensure that what belongs to all is enjoyed by all.
Our country is not making the desired progress, if you take all the sectors one by one and it is our duty as citizens to demand accountable and responsible governance from our politicians whether they are in government or in opposition.
When a man was asked how he felt about the jugdement on the petition, he simply retorted, "Will the jugdement put food on my table or pay my children's school fees?" Fanaticism will not solve our problems. Those who operate our governments must be made to understand that there will be no one outside there defending their bad programmes and policies.
That brings into focus the role of members of the so-called communication teams of the various political parties. If the idea is that they will market their parties by establishing their strong points while emphasising the weak points of the other parties, then they are missing the point.
They have succeeded in creating unnecessary tension with their foul words and have undermined the beauty of multiplicity of ideas which democracy is all about.
We can refine our politics and ease the tension, if we can repackage our message towards development goals. We have once again proved that we are not what many think we are and that so long as we all operate within the requirement of the rules and regulations, we shall always remain the peaceful people that we are.
By Kofi Akordor/Daily Graphic/Ghana
[email protected]
kofiakordor.blogspot.com
When the long wait finally came to an end, it left almost everybody deflated. The men and women at the Flagstaff House have good reason to jubilate. A few others could not hide their joy. There were many who felt disappointed but expressed it in undertones.
The sight of thousands of foot soldiers pouring onto the streets to celebrate in a provocative manner that could elicit violent response from the other side or the much anticipated show of displeasure by people turning the streets into killing fields was absent.
In the end, the security personnel and their armour became the contradiction of the mood of the people. There is no doubt that the numerous appeals for civility and calm might have played a major role in the turnout of events, but deep down, I believe many Ghanaians have come to the realisation that celebrating profusely or fighting over a decision that would bring very little positive change in their lives is next to madness.
We must begin to improve upon our politics. We must begin to accept the fact that, once elections are over, those we have put into office are on one side while the rest of us are on one side. Our business is to demand the best from our leaders. Ours is to ensure that what belongs to all is enjoyed by all.
Our country is not making the desired progress, if you take all the sectors one by one and it is our duty as citizens to demand accountable and responsible governance from our politicians whether they are in government or in opposition.
When a man was asked how he felt about the jugdement on the petition, he simply retorted, "Will the jugdement put food on my table or pay my children's school fees?" Fanaticism will not solve our problems. Those who operate our governments must be made to understand that there will be no one outside there defending their bad programmes and policies.
That brings into focus the role of members of the so-called communication teams of the various political parties. If the idea is that they will market their parties by establishing their strong points while emphasising the weak points of the other parties, then they are missing the point.
They have succeeded in creating unnecessary tension with their foul words and have undermined the beauty of multiplicity of ideas which democracy is all about.
We can refine our politics and ease the tension, if we can repackage our message towards development goals. We have once again proved that we are not what many think we are and that so long as we all operate within the requirement of the rules and regulations, we shall always remain the peaceful people that we are.
By Kofi Akordor/Daily Graphic/Ghana
[email protected]
kofiakordor.blogspot.com