The Daily IIJ

This year’s Presidential and Parliamentary election is tagged to go down in history as the most competitive, fierce and expensive elections ever held in Ghana. Many has touted it as the mother of all elections whiles others called it the finals in reference to the two terms of office of both the ruling government, the New Patriotic Party and the biggest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress since 1992.

This fierceness and competitiveness has led all stakeholders in the electioneering process to call for peace and decorum before, during and after the December 7 general elections.

Adding his voice to this call, Sam Okudzeto, a legal luminary, has noted that political difference should not lead to violence. He observed that political parties are necessary machinery for democratic governance.

According to him, a person belonging to another party is not an enemy to be fought, maimed or killed, and went on to describe references by politicians to the Kenya post election conflict as misconceived. He said the ugly legacy of the early 50’s when in and around Kumasi violence, arson and anarchy reined for about three year’s is a battle all political parties have a duty and responsibility not to allow to emerge. “Since 1956 we have never witness any such political violence in Ghana. Ghana has stood and will continue to stand as symbol of hope for democratic governance in Africa and the world,” he stressed.

Mr Okudzeto made these observations at the 13th edition of the annual William Ofori Atta Memorial Lectures. The theme for this year’s three days lectures was “William Ofori Atta: the bridge to a peaceful modern society.”

Making reference to the recent American elections, he said one of the lessons Ghana should learn from this elections is that negative propaganda does not aid in winning an election. According to him, “if a young 47 years old and some say inexperience black man can overcome all the obstacles of racial prejudice and emerge victorious and become the president it should make us in Africa sit up.” Still making reference to the American elections, Mr Okudzeto said the behaviour of Senator McCaine and President elect Obama on election night is the best lesson for us in Ghana to copy. He pointed out that President elect Obama is reaching out to Senator McCaine and the Republicans as part of national healing. He said peace is not just a word but something we must live. Quoting Cotton, a philosopher, Mr Okudzeto said “Liberty will not descend to a people; people must raise themselves to liberty. It is a blessing that must be earned before it can be enjoyed.”

He was of the opinion that Ghanaians have to work towards peace, appreciating their differences either in opinion, aptitude or temperament and learn to live with it, adding, “We are richer by our differences.”

To buttress his point, he cited an instance in April 1978, during the General Acheampong regime when himself, William Ofori Atta and members of his party including K A Gbedema, A K Deku, Prof Adu Boahene, R R Amponsah and Mr Benney were arrested and sent to different prisons in the country. He said Paa Willie (William Ofori Atta) and himself (Sam Okudzeto) instituted action at an Accra high court as a test to challenge their detention. He disclosed that their counsels were the Fui brothers and Tsatsu Tsikata. He said the judge before whom the case was tried was Justice Agyepong who later was to be murdered with two colleagues in 1983.

Mr Okudzeto observed that at the time, many lawyers were afraid to confront General Acheampong but the two brothers without any fee stood for the cause of justice. He pointed out that all of them were released on the day General Akufo in the Palace Coup remove General Acheampong. “We were released on the same day because Major Sowu made it his business to insist that General Akufo signs the warrant for release of the detainees and took the warrant personally to the Director General of Prisons and ensured that we experience our freedom on the same day that General Acheampong lost his,” he said.

“This shows that political division at one time does not meal ideological rift. For the interest of mother Ghana many were prepared to work together for the interest of the country. Perhaps it is appropriate for me at this stage to make a plea for amnesty for Tsatstu Tsikata for his dedication and contribution for the cause of justice,” he added.

Other issues Mr Okudzeto touched on in his lecture were intolerance and tribalism, the concept of winner take all, poverty, education and industrialization.

To Mr Okudzeto, “The real legacy of William Ofori Atta, I believe is his humility. Though one of the big six, the son of an important chief who was knighted, he never raises himself above the ordinary. He shunned wealth and until his death even when he was the Chairman of the Council of State he lived in his modest bungalow type home at Tesano. His ability to see the funny side of everything including making fun of himself made him an example to every politicians and the ordinary citizen.”

The annual William Ofori Atta Memorial Lectures was instituted in 1992. Other speakers who spoke at this year’s lectures were Comfort Ocran, Chief Executive Officer of Legacy and Legacy, a human-capital development company, and Dr Mensa Otabil, Pastor, Educator, Entrepreneur and Consultant.