Time to unite political forces
First, there was a misunderstanding on the part of a section of the public concerning the decision to seek redress in court.
Today, many people are calling for electoral reforms, so that we can avoid going this path again after an election.
Interestingly, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Kwabena Adjei, has lauded the decision of the petitioners to go to court, as the case has deepened our democratic culture.
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At a forum to mark the 21st anniversary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Accra last week, Dr Adjei warned against the continued practice of the winner-takes-all policy.
We ought to be brutally frank here. Our politics has been too adversarial, to the extent that apart from a few symbolic gestures, we hate the guts of our political opponents.
The Daily Graphic is aware that multi-party democracy is about choices, for which reason there is no room for homogeneity in beliefs and policies.
In a very dynamic society, even rival businesses are trying to collaborate to compete, so that all the organisations can gain from their strengths and leverage the opportunities.
We think if all of us learn from the cockerel, Ghana will gain. Even as cockerel engage in fierce fights, pecking all parts of the body, they are mindful of their eyes, as the eyes are very critical for their continued survival.
The moral lesson for Ghanaians is that even as we engage in a fierce and competitive struggle for leadership of the country, we must remember that the country needs everybody in the task of nation-building.
We have said it before, and we repeat it, that God loves this beautiful country of ours because at any time in our history He provides us with opportunities to advance in the governance process.
In 2008, the results of the elections indicated that the country was polarised between the two dominant political parties, the NDC and the NPP, but we did nothing to unite the forces.
Again, in 2012, the results were not markedly different from those of the previous polls but our posture as a nation did not change for the leaders to start bridging the gulf between the two dominant political parties.
Various groups, including our leaders, both temporal and religious, have preached peace since the petition hearing began at the Supreme Court.
The peace mantra has been preached to the extent that some people think we ought to tone down because Ghanaians, by nature, cherish their peace.
It will be difficult to predict the conduct of the people on judgement day, especially their reactions to the verdict.
Be that as it may, it is the expectation of all that majority of Ghanaians want to leave the court case and the verdict behind them and focus on pursuing productive ventures that will put food on their tables.
No matter the outcome of the verdict, it is the prayer of the Daily Graphic that the parties in the dispute will accept it in good faith, so that we can bond as a people to develop the country.
Many peace-loving people across the globe are optimistic that Ghanaians will sail through the verdict more united to demonstrate to the whole world that our democratic credentials are not a fluke.
Going forward, however, we also add our voice to the calls for reforms, such that we discourage people from sitting on the fence and rather join hands with the government to create opportunities for all.
Daily Graphic/Ghana
