[ 2012-05-09 ]

Rawlings endorses opposition
A former President of Ghana, Flt Lt Jerry John
Rawlings, has counseled African governments in
particular, to tolerate the politics of the
opposition parties because they help enhance
democracy and must not be seen as enemies.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a workshop on
‘Government and Opposition’ in Dar Es Salaam,
Tanzania, ex-President Rawlings said: “In the
politics of some countries, you are either a
political friend or an enemy; there are no shades
of grey in between.

“This sort of mindset is exacerbated by the
mentality – and the actual experience in so many
instances – of ‘winner takes all’. Democracy is
about losers having political space, and the
genuine opportunity to win back power at the next
electoral test.”

Democracy, the former President noted, “does not
come with one or two elections, it does not grow
overnight. Further, democracy cannot just be about
rhetoric. It must have meaning, strong foundations
and vibrant institutions. It must be inclusive and
touch the lives of people.”

President Rawlings said parliamentary
independence had been devalued by the overriding
influence of political parties who tend to
tele-guide every decision of members of
parliament.

He said: “Indeed examples abound on the continent
where an MP who goes contrary to the dictates of
his party is ‘hounded’ out through the party’s
sponsorship of another candidate when elections
are due.

“I am not in any way advocating that we do away
with the authority of the party. I am rather
calling on our political parties and the Executive
to respect the individual right of legislators to
take responsible decisions on behalf of their
constituents.”

The former President noted that if
Parliamentarians draw their remuneration, research
resources and other official funding direct from
an independent, non-partisan structure it would
encourage them to operate more independently and
proactively.

Constructive, opposition President Rawlings noted
is characterized by organized opposition that
points out coherently the shortcomings of the
Government of the day whilst offering practical
alternatives to the electorate and wider group of
citizens.

“The role of the opposition is to assist in
finding a solution to national problems, not to
compound them. They must not simply agree with the
Government’s view. But in the absence of an
agreement they must not be unnecessarily
disruptive either of the search for a consensus on
issues,” the former President said.

Touching on government’s responsibilities,
President Rawlings said all governments must
recognise that their mandate derives from the
people whom they govern and that in the delegation
of authority, or the protection of rights and
freedoms, they should scrupulously uphold the
tenets of the constitution, which specifies the
limits of their power and authority and defends
the rights of the citizenry.

The former President also said: “Democracy will
thrive in an environment where the growth of civil
society is unimpeded and encouraged. This involves
encouraging the flow of ideas; data and opinions
from such identified bodies, which span a wide and
disparate spectrum.

“Civil Society also has an obligation not be
partisan and should at all times desist from
covertly or overtly exhibiting signs of
partisanship – a creeping culture that is better
exhibited in Ghana where many civil society
organisations seem to be affiliated to either
government or opposition and end up confusing the
electorate with their conflicting analysis of the
political and economic reality,” he stated.

Source - Citifmonline

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