Friday, December 19, 2008

WHAT’S THE MEANING OF CHANGE IF IT WILL NOT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE?

I listen to discussions on politics and read about politics with keen interest at every level. I am always amazed at the passion, knowledge and ignorance with which people speak. Indeed Ghana has advanced in deepening democracy in the country and l feel very proud as a Ghanaian.

In just about 10 days Ghana will go for a presidential run-off; this time the race is between the two main political parties; National Democratic Congress (NDC) with the ‘change’ slogan and The National Patriotic Party (NPP) with the ‘moving forward slogan’. I am raising some questions about Grace’s blog. As a gender activist with a critical mind l like to ask the same questions in every situation. I hear and see people calling for change, change, change. But have you actually critically analysed issues and situations? Have you compared events before, now and after? Have you analysed the risk factors and looked at anticipated results of the change that you are calling for? Are you calling for change just because NPP has stayed two years in office and some government officials have become arrogant? Please let us not confuse assertiveness with arrogance! Have you dispassionately and using non-partisan and non-tribal lens analysed progress of development and women’s welfare in the country? What has been the record of both par ties when it comes to women and children. Which party has institutionalised a school feeding programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme? A word to the wise is enough!

My dearest sister, until you pause and do that and concretely establish reasons for change in a convincingly manner lets stop promoting change. What is the point in change if it is not going to improve the quality of lives of Ghanaians; women and children particularly but rather going to send us back to the dark days in Ghana. Stop comparing oranges with mangos and putting square pegs in round holes. Ghana can never be Zimbabwe nor vice versa.

AFTER ALL FORWARD EVER; LONG LIVE GHANA, LONG LIVE THE AFRICAN WOMEN’S MOVEMENT

Nafi Chinery
Programme Officer
Capacity Building

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Interesting views by all Ghanaians. Am happy to see and know that women are actively involved in deciding who becomes their leaders. Good points raised in this blog, good analysis, good comparision. " What is the meaning of change if it will not improve the quality of our lives" And my point is of what use is "moving forward" if it does not involve all. We agree Ghana need to move forward,but the question is with who and without who. who says it is only the NPP that can move Ghana forward. . Ghanaian will not ask for change if their realise the train will move us all and not just a selected few. Ghanaians dont want a change because NPP has ruled for two terms , Ghanaians want a change because we have realised the NPP, NDC the value is the same. There are no angels afterall. NPP has over the Eight years repeated all the things they preached against in 2000 if not more. So why not a change?