Recently, the incumbent National Democracy Party announced two policies in two different sectors; education and security.
From the analytical perspective, both policies in their own regard are great policies. However, the timing of their implementation has raised red flags as to whether they were meant to score political points in the upcoming elections, and whether it will be successful.
Indeed, it will be a positive move in the educational sector. Announcing the establishment of several senior highs school in the country will undoubtedly help many young upcoming students gain noble grounds for their education which will, in the long run, benefit themselves and mother Ghana. But why has it taken up until the end of the 4-year term to announce this amazing project. It will be considered a politically expedient strategy to persuade Ghanaians to vote for them, and I believe that any political party would do the same. Whether Ghanaians will hear their plea is what we all wait to see in the upcoming elections.
On the contrary, a political move to establish ‘SPECIAL FORCES’ in the army, again from the analytical perspective, would seem to hurt NDC’s future plans. It is great because it reinforces the country’s military capacity, and its role in AU security programs. However, as a nation, it doesn’t sit well with ‘special forces’ historically. In the wake of a smooth transitional democracy since 1992, coupled with the bizarre role played by the military during the 70’s and 80’s, creating a ‘special forces’ and displaying it on Ghana’s 55th birthday was a reminder to Ghanaians of some unlikable parts of our history. Of course, the military displays it might on each Independence Day, but why create another ‘special forces’ unit?
Moreover, history shows that one of the main downfalls of our hero Dr. Nkrumah was to establish a ‘Presidents Special Forces Regiment’ under his tenure. This unit received ‘special’ attention, therefore creating a division within the army. It was not surprising that he was deposed via a military coup d’état. For obvious reasons, coup d’états are unacceptable, but why create a division in the military? From the historical perspective, it can be unhealthy. If the NDC should learn from these analyses, it might positively affect their political points in the upcoming elections.

Let’s all learn from our past because it holds the social fabrication of the present, and the key to the future.

Long Live Mother Ghana!!!!

Ernest Yarfi
Graduate School
Rutgers University-New Jersey.
eyarfi@gmail.com