The news came as a shock and then again
it was not, as rumors of the president’s ill health had recently reached a
disturbing crescendo. No one though expected such a sudden departure.
The nation was thrown into deep
disbelief as the news spread via Email, Twitter, Facebook, talking drums and
all other means across the globe.
Ghanaians of all political persuasions
were suddenly united in sorrow.
All those harsh political disagreements were
now dwarfed by the weight of this dark news.
With the proverbial battle lines drawn
for the upcoming elections between the contesting parties, even the color of
water had become politicized in Ghana but the President constantly reminded the
nation on the need for civility in our national deliberations. We were already
losing our perspective on what was important.
A Better Ghana was what it was all
about. The man gave his very life for this agenda against distractions from
those who should have known better.
His is an unfinished legacy but it was
characterized by humility, intellect, personal integrity, decency, peacemaking
and an enviable work ethic against what were obviously great personal
obstacles.
As we mourn, we should reflect on what
the President’s demise means for the nation going forward. One’s health is a
personal issue but when a person occupies the position of President and
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Ghana, should at least a few selected
medical experts act in an advisory capacity on behalf of the state? Do we know
whether he got the best medical advice available or the best treatment for that
matter?The manner in which the President’s health issues were handled leaves
cause for concern since the well-being of 24 million people is at stake.
Every culture has its blind spots. Such
issues are traditionally cloaked in silence in every society. In America, gun
control is an obvious example. Even after a gunman, armed to the teeth gunned
down 12 people in a movie theater, neither Obama nor Romney is addressing the
issue. Somehow the “right to bear arms” cannot be discussed even as innocents
die.
For us in Ghana, the political elephant
in the room is corruption, which costs us an estimated $5bn annually in
unrealized government revenues. The late President like his predecessors was
unable to systematically address this problem. He however publicly confronted
workers at the Tema harbor on one occasion, highlighting the cost of corruption
to our society and how it is undermining our development. He spoke out in a
very open and practical way, unlike any other Presidents before him. It takes
courage to break the silence on this kind of commonly internalized vice in
Ghana. This was met with derision by his political opponents because we were
not ready to hear the message:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed57WhR5ouQ
The message that President Mills carried
on that the at Tema Port is the same one our founding President shared with the
nation as the Black Star rose past the falling Union Jack on 6th
March 1957. He said:
“And as I
pointed out… I made it quite clear that from now on – today – we must change
our attitudes, our minds, we must realise that from now on, we are no more a
colonial but a free and independent people. But also, as I pointed out, that
also entails hard work.”Even with the best leadership, attitudinal change is extremely difficult to achieve.
Eventually, when all the dust has
settled, the tears have dried and crowds have gone home, we will appreciate not
so much his accomplishments during his brief tenure, but the principles for
which he stood and the vision for the nation, which guided his actions as
President.
Out of this national crisis came a smooth
constitutional transition of leadership only rivaled by that Kennedy - Johnson
transition in 1962.
In death Prof Mills has caused the light
of Ghana's democracy to shine across the globe, with international commentators
wondering if this smooth transition following such a national a crisis and
tragedy was indeed happening in Africa.
We have learnt a lot as a nation from
being the first sub- Saharan colony to attain independence. After the 1966 coup
we were able to fashion an orderly return to civilian rule in a manner that
then, surprised the world. In 2009, with a margin of victory slimmer than that
which sent Bush and Gore to court in 2004, President Mills came into office. We
did all this as a peaceful nation. Now, we have a sad transition to make after
our first death of a sitting president but we know that the Black Star will still
shine bright in the darkest night.
Let us remain united in the service of
our homeland Ghana because Mills’ legacy was just that, one of service.
Let us all pray for President Mahama and
for our nation and its institutions as we approach the 2012 elections.
Let us keep the late president's family
in our prayers and give them all the support they need in this their darkest
hour.
Let us play by the rules we have set for
ourselves as a nation and rise above our divisions, always placing Ghana first
as Prof. Mills did in all his years of service to Mother Ghana.
Prof. T.P. Manus Ulzen
July 25, 2012
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