Opinion

Vote on December 7th or Keep mute and don’t complain

I advise you to Keep mute and don’t complain if don’t vote on December 7th. But why not? Some Ghanaians feel they have seen it all and are tired of political leadership. For others, the political parties and personalities are the same. For another group, it is of no use voting because the elected leaders will seek their personal interest and not that of the larger society.

This feeling emanates from failed promises, corruption endangered leadership, selected few beneficiaries of government policies.

READ: Safeguarding the integrity of our electoral process, independent ECs Job

Other reasons given are that all politicians are the same, I can’t help someone’s father or mother get employed by queuing in the sun only to de disappointed.

Whiles these concerns may be valid, it is more dangerous to assume that by not voting for any of the alternatives you are better off.

As a Ghanaian, you owe the country the Civic responsibility of taking part in national decision making.

Exercising your voting right in December 2020 is key to honouring this civic duty.

The Election is a great opportunity to decide the direction the nation must take.

On election day, a rejected ballot would have much value than a vote never exercised.

Irrespective of the failures of governments over the years and the current one, you have the right to make or unmake the needed decision that impacts our country and future through the power of the thumb.

Deciding not to vote a d going ahead to act in that manner on election day amounts to saying “I see my house is on fire and seriously cracking yet, I will not make the needed decision to mend my broken walls and use the available fire extinguisher”

On election day, if you fail as a Ghanaian to exercise your voting rights, you have no power or moral right to complain if you start to feel those who voted and made the choice for you never helped you.

You must be part of the decision and vote on December 7th or you don’t complain.

Passive citizenship must be left for the pre-COVID-19 era. This is our time to collectively participate in decision making at the national and constituency level in the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

It is a charge to keep, a duty you owe yourself and others as a citizen.

If you think the government has disappointed you, you have three options

Vote for the government in power again hoping things will get better or it will continue serving the nation

Voting for another political party either than the one in power.

Voting for an independent candidate to send all political parties into opposition.

Any options apart from the ones above amount to being a spectator and not a citizen.

It is looking as though many Ghanaians want to neglect their role in our democratic dispensation and do not want to exercise their voting rights.

If you are one of such citizens, fall in line, if you know someone of like mind, educate and if you know anyone ready to vote in December 2030, keep encouraging.

Arise, get Registered, and speak your mind on December 7, 2020. Please vote on December 7th or forever hold your peace.

Source: Wisdom Hammond | Leadership expert and Freelancer