Opinions of Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Columnist: Kanduri, Moses

NDC National Congress: A True Democracy

Once again the National Democratic Party has proven to all Ghanaians and sent out a clear message to the NPP, reminding them of the parties (NDC) commitment to promoting and deepening the democracy of our country and globally democracy. Unfortunately the NPP and some other individuals are those in the Democratic Leadership in Ghana that continue to push an agenda focused on massive spending on unproductive projects and spearheading unscrupulous propaganda against the enjoyed democracy in the country pioneered by the National Democratic Congress.

As the day for the 8th National congress of the NDC approached, a cross section Ghanaians were patiently waiting to see the end result after many critics through the media incredibly portrayed the NDC as a violent party. These critics also condemned many individuals in within the NDC especially the founder Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings who I always refer to as the “Truth Telling Father”. Just like any family home with many children, the father will be the best in a position to always tell you which of his children is mischievous. This is one great quality that the former president has exhibited which to some ungrateful Ghanaians, mostly members of the NPP see as dictatorship.

An analysis of the quality of a democracy, that is, an empirical check on how ‘good’ a democracy is, requires not only that we assume what democracy means, but also that we establish a clear notion of quality. The minimal definition of democracy suggests that such a regime has at least: universal, adult suffrage; recurring, free, competitive and fair elections. Among those that meet these minimum criteria, further empirical analysis is still necessary to detect the degree to which they have achieved the two main objectives of an ideal democracy: freedom and equality. The National Democratic Congress has achieved these two main objectives.

I wish to congratulate all the newly elected leadership of the party and all those who contested for various positions. Your dynamic followers have entrusted the leadership roles in this great party into your care, all that is needed in return to serve both the members of the party and all Ghanaians who believe in the true democracy of Ghana. We challenge you to deepen the unity among member of the party and create a platform for an all inclusive decision making process within the party especially with the future generation, the youth. As true and determined leaders and followers a dynamic party, let’s keep reminding ourselves that a democratic leadership style is the advisable leadership style which encourages participation in decision-making and it can be persuasive or consultative. However, there is no 'best' leadership style because nothing can be absolute right and comprehensive. The road to a second term governance of the nation by the NDC depends on our ability to strengthen the walls of our family home.

By Moses Kanduri

NDC – USA/NY Chapter moskandi1@yahoo.com