Zanetor: Successful Elections And Power Transfers Aren’t Enough
Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle Constituency, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has called on the leaders of the country for transparency, accountability, equitable distribution of resources, corruption management and sensitivity to the needs of the people.
According to the eldest daughter of Ghana’s former and late President Jerry John Rawlings, it’s not enough that the country has records of free and fair General Elections and smooth transitions of governments.
Rather accountability, transparency, equitable distribution of resources, corruption management and sensitivity to the needs of the people must take the centre stage.
In a Facebook post, she called on the country’s leaders to take a cue from the country’s neighbours which have experienced toppled governments in recent times and set things right.
“As we watch democratically elected governments toppling in the sub-region to the delight of their citizens, let us take a cue from the fragility of democracy and the need to keep the interests of our people vested in the protection of our nation-state.”
The politician and member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) was among the 8-member committee that probed Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta last Friday over allegations of conflict of interest in the conduct of his mandate; unconstitutional withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund; deliberate and dishonest misreporting of economic data to Parliament; fiscal recklessness; and incompetence.
A portion of her post read, “It is not enough to boast about free and fair elections or successful transfers of power. At this point, 2 decades into the 4th Republic and 65 years post Independence, we should be judging ourselves by new criteria!
“What is the level of transparency and accountability of our government and its institutions? How do we manage corruption when it is exposed? What is the level of responsiveness of government to the needs of the people? What is the level of continuity of our development despite changes in government?
“How equitable is the distribution of resources? What is the level of inclusivity? To what extent have we truly operationalised gender- mainstreaming? Are we truly committed to protecting our environment or are we just throwing buzzwords around while people destroy our land, water, flora and fauna?”
She highlighted that democracy should make the country a better place contrary to definition Africa has given to it.
“Democracy isn’t imprisonment in a self-destructive system. Democracy is not meant to make us slaves to a system that has lost its moral compass. Democracy isn’t meant to undermine our progress and vision as a nation!!! Democracy isn’t just about elections! It is also about what happens in between elections!!”
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
