Group advocates independent third force in Ghana’s politics
Mr Carl Wilson, a political scientist, has called on Ghanaians to use the November 7, General Election as a platform to elect the first independent President, who would not be influenced by any political party.
“Let us start to negotiate the way forward, let us consider the reason why, as a nation and as a people, we must come together and change the way we are governed.
“Let us throw out the current system and replace it with a New System of Governance prescribed by the Constitution.”
The political scientist said Ghana is not going in the right direction and since the 1992 Constitution was promulgated, Ghanaians have been ruled by Executive Presidents, who are made powerless by the dictates of the political parties that brought them to power, influencing the citizenry to constantly agitate for change.
He noted that after Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings 11 years revolutionary rule, Ghanaians yearned for a constitutional government leading to the current constitution.
After eight years of constitutional rule under Rawlings and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and another eight years under John Agyekum Kufuor and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), there was another cry for change in 2008 and NDC came to power again not because the people believed the party was any better than the NPP, but because there was no credible alternative.
“We all hoped NDC would have learnt a lesson, having been in opposition for eight years.”
“Ghana is not going in the direction. Ghana is not working and it is all about the ‘Winner-Takes- All’.”
He said the youth who have about 70 per cent presence in the voters register, must throw their weight to change the political history of the nation.
Mr Wilson said: “The future of this nation is in the hands of the youth and they must rise up, take the bull by the horn, and change their destiny.”
“As a people, we have, again and again trusted and tested the two dominant political parties, believing they would work together to bring us together as people to prosecute our national development agenda.”
“If after all these genuine efforts, as a people, we do not feel or see satisfaction, we must come together and say enough is enough and effect a change.”
“Let us call for a new system of governance, under, which electing a President is not tied to any political party, and thus independent of any political control or interference by any organised groups of people.”
Mr Wilson said: “This system would produce a President who would be truly free to exercise the powers granted him by the constitution. A president who would have a free hand to appoint people he believes would help him build the nation.
“A President whose actions are not controlled and/or dictated by fear or favour and not limited to a few groups of people or cronies but cut across the political divide.”
“This system of governance would give birth to a President who would govern in the interest of the country he is elected to serve and not in the interest of a political party.”
He said the “Winner Takes All” system does not promote the togetherness required for government and opposition to work hand in hand, in the interest of the people and country, and rather breeds an atmosphere of envy, contempt, greed and animosity.
“The two dominant parties spend a great part of their time and energy at each other’s throat, trying to undo each other, instead of focusing on the needs of the people they are elected to serve.”
Mr Wilson is therefore calling for a strong and constitutionally powerful Presidency, an all-inclusive Peoples Parliament and a voice of and for the people.
He said as a way forward MOVE GHANA, a social movement has been formed to canvass for support nationwide against the current system of party politics in favour of a truly nationalistic approach to the governance of the country.
Through this social movement, the concept of ‘The Third Force’ shall be pursued by employing innovative, radical and peaceful political engineering – ultimately to unseat the two major political parties.
Mr Wilson said threw an inviting to all, especially those in the Diaspora, to get in touch with move Ghana to offer their help in whatever form to support an auspicious and august cause.
Source: GNA