The Gold Ghana continues to be the true gateway to Africa . Ghana is indeed the most illuminating nation which exemplifies the real beacon of hope for Africa . Historically, the political independence and for that matter total liberation from colonel shackles for almost all nations of Africa was spearheaded by the pacesetting paradigm of Ghana .

In the contemporary times, liberal democracy, laudable leadership and good governance have become real and part and parcel of Africans, due to Ghana ¢s leading role in these directions. The deep yearning need for peace and unity in the African continent has been practically been demonstrated by Ghana ; hence her enviable status as the most peaceful nation in the continent. Ghana has indeed proved to the rest of the world that Africans are more capable of managing their own affairs, in a very peaceful environment, through rational democratic practices. It is worth noting that all these colourful and undeniable living testimonies have come about because Ghana , since 1993, has chosen to use free and fair elections as the only means to determine who wards her political power. The use of the ¡ballot box¢ has permanently replaced any unlawful means of exercising the true mandate of Ghanaians.

The thumb of Ghanaians has become the most powerful means to ordain and endorse poised, polite and productive politicians to steer the affairs of this nation, for at least four years. We Ghanaians will vote for Ghana by electing politicians who will exercise political authority, in the manner and within the limits laid down in the 1992 Constitution, to promote our general welfare and secure for ourselves and posterity the blessings of liberty and equality of opportunity. The need to entrench rule of law, freedom, justice, probity and accountability are the basic criteria for choosing profitable political leaders.

The only reason for this discerning decision is to promote and preserve the fundamental human rights and freedoms, unity and stability for our nation. Of course, projecting the good image of Africa in the international front is the ultimate aim. Truly, the total positive transformation and advancement of the African continent can only be guaranteed by the quest of all her members to ensconce progressive democracy, exceptional leadership and good governance. Ghana seeks to reiterate this august goal through her leading action of organizing another free, fair and peaceful election come 28th December.

The 28th December, 2008 election is therefore not a life and death affair. It is by no means the time to project a certain political party against or above our common objective. Credible election is only a way of either retaining or replacing one set of prolific political leaders with another, to move forward our common agenda, not to obliterate it. This is the vision Ghana wants to make safe. It therefore goes without saying that our vote for any political party should be deemed as making this vision of Ghana , and for that matter Africa , visible and a dream fulfilled. It should be borne in mind that a vote for Ghana is a victory for Africa . Thus it is Africa that will emerge as the ultimate victor in this crucial election. Ghana shall ever remain an unsullied model for Africa , and the rest of the world, in all spheres of her endeavours. One sure way of doing this is for Ghana , through Ghanaians, to meticulously vote for noble, honest, farsighted, versatile, prolific and promising politicians. Ghana is the world¢s next most powerful and buoyant economy. Woe to the enemies of our common good! Long live Ghana , long live Africa .Shalom!

Richard Obeng

Mensah;borncapy@yahoo.com. The author is with the Faculty of Law, KNUST and Centre for Human Rights and Advanced Legal Research (CHRALER), Kumasi .