THE NEW ERA.

                            
In the eyes of the public lies the judgement of many an individual. The public is the biggest critique of human actions and inactions. Their judgements transcend the ruling of a supreme court of any stature. Once the public takes a stand or position on an issue, it builds pressure on the head of the individual or group of individuals so much so that it becomes reality even if their assertion is not entirely the case. The public opinion sometimes defines reality. It can make or unmake an individual. It is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God. Who are the people? It is, of course, the public.
It's in this vein that the public has the sole power to elect public officials like politicians. Without the public, politicians are nothing.

Considering the above is what makes some actions and inactions of some public officials mind-boggling. Public officials especially politicians sometimes forget that they draw their entire political authority from the thumbs of the public. Politicians are sometimes just funny. I think that the political system in Ghana is rather a reverse order of what should be practised in reality. Politicians instead of serving the people rather lord over the people. This rather unfortunate development stems from the fact that the illiteracy rate in the country is too high. Most of the people don’t know their rights and politicians take advantage of them. Most Ghanaians even think that politicians are their masters instead of their servants.

My breaking point is when politicians have deceived the people for an entire four years and in the end, the same people throw their unwavering support behind these wolfs in a sheep clothing politicians. We Ghanaians must have a rethink of our ways and for that matter the kind of people we elect as our leaders. We give out our voting power to politicians on a silver platter and that's why they take us for granted.
Just imagine the nature of corruption scandals that are hitting this country and absolutely nothing is being done about it as though nothing is even happening. The best these politicians have ever done is to give themselves a pat on the back and that’s it. Some people have even gotten higher positions after engaging in corruption that has deprived this country of millions of dollars. Imagine a president clearing his minister’s name in a corruption case before a proper investigation by the right state institutions even begins. Corruption doesn't just stop with authorities embezzling public funds and awarding inflated contracts. It extends its poverty rendering hand to these same authorities using their positions to influence others to do their bidding or get sacked from their jobs.

People have lost their jobs just because they stood their grounds and didn't get in bed with their corrupt superiors. There are thousands of people with better qualifications and vast knowledge who are jobless just because they don't know people in high authority. Corruption has pervaded this country so much that people are always looking for subordinates who will support their corrupt agendas instead of putting the right people with the right skills at the right place to enhance the country's development. This is the core of this country's stunted growth.

Another bizarre unfortunate situation in this country is when politicians are able to influence institutions that are supposed to exhibit political neutrality.  When politicians are able to sack and replace heads of non-political institutions without recourse to the supreme laws of the land. These politically neutral institutions are supposed to complement the efforts of politicians. This doesn't mean they are to be controlled by these self-serving politicians. These institutions are there to serve any government in power by criticising and implementing their policies.

Think Tanks like IMANI Africa, Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Ghana Integrity Initiative (GIF),Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), etc in this country have over the years demonstrated a strong will to standing up to politicians and putting them on their toes. They have also tried to educate the public on many issues in the country. Even though they are doing something vital to the growth of the country, they can do better in terms of public education and sensitization.

The role of these think tanks isn't getting the desired results because the people aren't heeding their word. Because we don't demand the right things from our leaders, they give us whatever they feel is right. If we knew what is expected of who held what position and demanded it from them, they would deliver but we don't. And politicians being who they are using this lack of knowledge of their job specifications amongst the public to their advantage.

These factors and many others have stagnated Ghana's growth for the past 60 years since independence. This country has everything that could propel it to greater heights even to compete with these European countries. The controlling factor, which is our human resource is what is thwarting our progress. Though a section of the human resource is doing what is right, the majority is engaged in dubious and self-serving activities to derail this country's progress.

The public has supreme power. The public must rise up to demand more from our leaders. We must seek knowledge to able to make discerning and productive decisions that will propel this country to greater heights. Seeking knowledge will set us on the right path to doing the right thing ourselves and demanding more from our leaders. This country deserves better than we are being given. We deserve better. Rise up, GHANA!!!!