LESSONS FROM GHANA'S ELECTION

Recently, Ghanaians carried out an exemplary election that if as a nation we could imitate, then the level of democracy could be way up in Kenya. From the Electoral Commission to the manner in which the electorates carried out their civil rights, there are many lessons that we can get from this West African Nation that is believed to be one of the best African democratic countries in the continent.

What, as Kenyans, do we always vote for in times of elections? How much focus do we put on the issues we want to be addressed by the persons we elect? Or is the focus mainly on the “person” to be elected?

Economy of Ghana in the recent times has declined with inflation on the other hand rising. That had been the bone of contention that dominated the major political campaigns. Most of the electorates went to the ballot with their focus on the state of the nation. Their efforts were mainly on change and the issues at stake such as increase in high-profile corruption scandals and many others.

That is contrary to our style of politics which is normally built on tribal foundation. Apart from the 2002 general elections in which Kenyans were led by ideologies to vote, the other polls have been based on tribal lines with communities ganging up to elect their kingpins.

That is one of the major reasons why corruption is being experienced from one administration to the next. It is rare in Kenya to witness any leader coming up with a manifesto that addresses the issues that affect the economy. What we are normally used to is promises which are indeed for the good of the country but lacking a proper implementation network which normally ends up in the hands of greedy cartels hence corruption scandals.

Today, the thorn in the Jubilee administration is corruption. As it is expected graft in itself will not decide who is elected in the coming election but the tyranny of numbers will. We are in country where even the alternative government does not seem to put much fight on this menace. Corruption has turned to be song danced by politicians on public forum with a bid to gain political mileage because we are yet to witness a prosecution of a high-profile corruption scandal. So who do we trust?

As Ghanaians we should embrace voting with sober minds and base our decisions on electing visionary leaders that can give us hope for the future. We need to focus on the issues that affect the common citizen and our economy at large.

Nothing good can come from a politician or a leader that anytime they get an opportunity of addressing Kenyans all they do is throwing words at each other. Nothing good can come from a leader tainted with corruption scandals. Nothing good can from a leader that embraces tribal politics. Nothing good can from a leader who has been in office and cannot explain how he has spent public funds or the good he has done for the people that elected him/her.

As Kenyans we need to change our perception on elections. An election is an opportunity for you to air your voice on the kind of leadership you need. It is not a tribal battle. Those immune to being misled is the youthful population. The youths in Ghana did not allow that to happen to them. They saw election as a window of opportunity for them to use the digital technology and create awareness on the need to register as voters and embraced civil education among them on the importance of election. That is the path we need to follow as Kenyans.