Politics is a whirlwind that blows power. The exercise of power in the spirit of service to mankind and the transformation of lives evokes the essence of politics. There has been a growing development in the affairs of seeking power for some time now. Increasingly, the youth has become the nexus in the quest and struggles for political power. Consequently, youth groups have become crucial in shaping the development of continents, nations, constituencies, electoral areas among others.
Driven by ambition, propelled by positive energy, imbued with initiative and fortified with potent and congenial ideas, the youth of today simply ignite the spark of service that heralds transformation. The proliferation of radio stations and the advent of technology through social media give unfettered empowerment to the burgeoning age bracket to be heard in decision making affairs of politics and power.
One cannot help but glow with pride in appreciating the active youth involvement in the quest for power and exercise of same within the Wa Central constituency. Indeed, this is a mark of progress that resonates with the phenomenon in other parts of Ghana and the world at large.
Though a commendable feat, recent youth activism and engagements on the political turf of the Wa Central constituency make strong stomachs churn with unease and trepidation. On regular basis, Facebook and WhatsApp platforms are graced with a cocktail of mordant and vitriolic engagements, invective and wanton abuse of persons, vile innuendoes and ill intended misrepresentations aimed at causing irreparable reputational damage to political actors and well-meaning persons of society.
Undoubtedly, the struggle for political power between the NDC and NPP in the constituency has always been fierce albeit without these dark developments. Embracing toxic schemes and paving the way for our politics to ebb beyond a challenge of ideas and intellectual warfare go a long way to establish that the essence of power is lost on us as a people.
In the forest of the Wa Central constituency, Hon Rashid Pelpuo and Hajia Humu Awudu are two towering oak trees with contrasting characteristics and domains yet, together they symbolize the ideals bequeathed to us by our forebears.
Expectantly, supporters of these candidates would always employ all means necessary to put their preferred candidates in favourable spot light. In doing so, we expect engagements devoid of all the ballyhoo and rancour we are being treated to even when the hour is yet to strike.
Just as in other disciplines, leadership is cause and every other variable is effect in politics too. Leadership is the service of ensuring that followers act and identify with acceptable dictates that fall in line with achieving winning goals.
Dear leadership of NDC and NPP, the tension surrounding the impending duel for the Wa Central constituency seat is already pitch high and grievously worrying. As the fog of uncertainty thickens, we look to you for direction. In the heat of unshakable resolves, we hold you in trust to calm the waters of our sail. In the melee of contrasting opinions and fierce competition, we implore you to embrace reason and pander not to emotions. Your leadership couldn’t have been much sought after than at this critical moment; lead us.
Dear youth of Wa Central, we may not be psyched or financially propped to contest elections today but come tomorrow God willing, we would be battle ready to wade into waters of electoral office. As youth, let’s be circumspect about the images we transmit to our people about ourselves. The consciousness to stand against overt or tacit manipulations by self-seeking demagogues in championing their interests and limiting our prospects all the same should prick us. While serving others and helping them achieve their own goals, let’s harness the positive aspects of association that will spur our growth in line with our aspirations.
The stories we want written about us tomorrow start with the going-ons of today and the images we transmit. Who we are and what we stand for are aspects of our lives we need to carve out through our undertakings, not stickers to be stuck on us simply because we are boogeymen or henchmen of unconventional power seekers without limitations. We may belong to different political leanings but inherent in our diverse philosophies lie the ideals of nurturing, developing and transforming people.
Dear Hon Rashid Pelpuo and Hajia Humu Awudu, as oak trees of towering might (political prominence) over the other trees in the forest of the Wa Central constituency, divided loyalty abound yet together, the spirit of the forest is defined by each tree, oak and other species alike.
Unchecked behaviours and overzealous engagements of everyone have the tendency of igniting destructive fire. Once destructive fire engulfs us, no amount of loyalty (blind as some come across) or might of any oak tree can save the forest from raging inferno. When the quest for political power and perks of office hold your psyches hostage, to the point of influencing loyalists to go to the extremes of human comprehension and to side step societal norms and doctrines just to guarantee triumph, then the measure of a good leader doesn’t just become a mirage but also, the essence of power is devastatingly lost on us and generations to come.
Indeed, regardless of one’s impressive title, power without purpose and without vision is not the same as leadership.
While urging Hon Rashid Pelpuo and Hajia Humu Awudu to encourage and run campaigns based on mutual respect and clean bills of health, we look up to our leaders of faith to show guidance through sermons and to seek divine interventions through worship.
The Chinese have a saying that,” when you are in a common boat, cross the river peacefully together.” The Wa Central constituency is our common boat. Let’s cross the river of the elections peacefully together.
By Danaa Abdul-Samad||samaddanaa@gmail.com
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