It appears that if the there is any lesson to learn from the reactions to what is happenning in La Cote d'Ivoire, it is that most of us hope to have good governance and democracy on the cheap, and preferably at no cost to ourselves and comforts. This attitude is surprisingly even more pronounced in Ghana and among Ghanaians whereas one would have thought that our own history would have taught us that if you want democracy and good governance you have to fight. There is no easy walk to freedom, and freedom has to be nurtured, cultivated and maintained day by day, hour by hour.
Nkrumah said many years ago that the independence of of Ghana was meaningless, etc; and all first generation African patriots, even those who were not very enthusiastic about pan-Africanism agreed that slave-like conditions anywhere on the continent was an affront to Africans everywhere; hence the bitter struggle against apartheid to its end. People died. Many could have betrayed the cause and lived in extreme comfort. Think of Samora Machel. Think of O. R. Thambo, and Sisulu and Mbeki and Mandela.
When Rhodesia declared UDI in 1965, Ghana led the very vociferous campaign against it and broke diplomatic relations with Britain over the issue. Across Southern Africa the reaction was bitter. People died. Some could have capitulated and lived in great comfort. Think of Nkomo and even Mugabe.
Today, a new struggle is opening in front of our own eyes. This is the struggle to fight against the democracy backlash that is building across the continent. In some cases monarchies are emerging against the will of the people; elsewhere presidents who have lost elections are clinging on through sheer force of "power sharing". It is taking many forms and yet Africa's intellectuals are shying away from this confrontation. Or perhaps, people don't see the writing on the wall.
It is very strange.
Kwasi
(Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Journalist & Communications Consultant)
Programme Coordinator, Cultural Initiatives Support Programme
Du Bois Centre, PMB CT 219, Cantonments, Accra
Tel: +233 21 770677
Please copy OFFICIAL correspondence to kgapenteng@cispghana.org
ALSO
President, Ghana Association of Writers
PAWA House, Accra
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