Election 2024, Vote wisely.
As per Winston Churchill, “The future belongs to those who vote for it today.” Furthermore, Nelson Mandela stated, “Your vote is your power. If you don’t use it, others will use it against you.”
We are quite dissatisfied with the political system. Again, we don’t know whom to trust. I had no intention of voting in this year’s election until I came across the aforementioned quotes. In a democracy, the power rests with the people, and it is the solemn duty of elected officials to serve the best interests of the citizenry. However, the disturbing reality in Ghana is that politicians seem to be more concerned with maintaining their grip on power than improving the lives of the very people who put them in office.
It is a travesty that while the country’s resources are being squandered on vanity projects and personal enrichment schemes, the living conditions of the average Ghanaian continue to deteriorate. The people are being kept in a state of perpetual poverty, seen merely as a means to an end for those in power, to be appeased with “peanuts” during election season in exchange for their votes. Once again, I agree with Aristotle, who said, “To ignore politics is to empower the corrupt.”
The treatment by the political class is an unacceptable abuse of the public trust, and Ghanaians must take a stand against it. It is essential that citizens exercise their democratic rights and vote according to their conscience, with the well-being of their communities and the nation as a whole in mind. As per Barack Obama. “In a democracy, non-participation is a vote for the status quo.”
Holding politicians accountable for their actions and promises is the only way to ensure that the government truly serves the people, and not just a privileged few. So I completely agree with James Baldwin’s statement, “When we don’t vote, we endorse the system we complain about.”
The National Cathedral project is a prime example of the misplaced priorities of Ghana’s political class. Millions of cedis are being poured into this grandiose endeavor, while basic infrastructure, healthcare, and education remain woefully underfunded. This is a clear indication that the needs of the people are being overlooked in favour of vanity projects that serve the interests of the political elite.
Ghanaians must demand better from the leaders. Citizens must take an active role in the political process, scrutinizing the actions of their elected officials and holding them to account. This means not only voting in elections but also engaging in grassroots advocacy, participating in community discussions, and holding public officials to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
The people of Ghana deserve a government that works tirelessly to improve their living conditions, investing in the critical services and infrastructure that will uplift their communities. It is the responsibility of every citizen to ensure that their voice is heard and that their demands for a better Ghana are heeded by those in power. By Benjamin Franklin “To abstain from voting is to give your voice to those least deserving of it.”
Ghanaians must rise up and reclaim their rightful place as the true custodians of their nation’s destiny. Only then can we build a prosperous and equitable Ghana that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.
I would like to conclude with Eleanor Roosevelt’s comment, “Democracy is not a spectator sport.” You can either participate or let others decide your future.”