Election, A Pivotal Moment In Deciding Our Future Fortunes

In a few days, Ghanaians will go to the polls to exercise their constitutional right to elect representatives for both the Presidency and Parliament. This election is intriguing in many ways; for the presidency, the race is primarily between former President John Dramani Mahama and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the current Vice President of Ghana.

ThGhana's democratic journey has been lauded as one of the most stable in Africa, marked by peaceful transitions of power. Since the return to multi-party democracy in 1992, elections have served as a cornerstone for the nation's progress. However, this stability hinges on the electorate’s vigilance and the integrity of those elected to govern.

Over the past few months, during the campaign period, Ghanaians have witnessed politicians engaging in heated debates, unruly exchanges, and policy attacks. Even personal matters have been scrutinized under the lens of criticism, all to evaluate the competence of each political party and its flag bearer amidst a national economic recession and political crisis. However, citizens demand no more and no less than accountability and credible plans from all political parties and their flag-bearers.

Moreover, citizens expect that, at the very least, the political parties of their choice present robust manifestos and blueprints to address critical issues affecting all Ghanaians. These include youth employment, effective social services, innovation, healthcare systems, national security, and, above all, listening to and addressing the desperate voices of the electorate.

However, political leaders today are often labelled with unpalatable titles because voters have observed the dissonance between their words and actions. Campaign promises and manifestos are frequently either partially fulfilled or not delivered at all. This lack of accountability diminishes trust, as many campaign promises—whether realistic or unrealistic—are perceived as mere rhetoric.

The identity of a true leader can be measured by the consistency and harmony between their words and actions. This is a critical quality voters should prioritize.

The Holy Qur'an cautions the God-fearing in the following verses;

يأيها الذين آمنوا لم تقولون ما لا تفعلون كبر مقتاً عند الله أن تقولوا ما لا تفعلون

"O ye who believe, why do you say what you do not do?

"Most hateful is it in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do" (Ch 61:3-4)

The Promised Messiah (as), Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) says in proving the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (saw);

"This is great proof in favour of the truthfulness of our Noble Prophet (Mohammed) peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The success and influence that he commanded over the hearts is unparalleled in the history of the children of Adam (as). All of this was achieved because there was perfect harmony between the words and actions of the Holy Prophet (saw). (Malfuzat Vol. 1 pg. 66)

AUTHORITY: A TRUST, NOT AN ENTITLEMENT

When power or authority is treated as a birthright, it often leads to abuse. However, when it is regarded as a trust to be accounted for, sincerity in actions prevails. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) declared leadership a sacred trust, saying: "The leader of the nation is their servant" (Al-Jaamius-Sagheer lil Imaam Suyuuti).
The rush for power often stems from ignorance of its true nature as a trust rather than an entitlement. Voters frequently give their trust to leaders who misuse it, perpetuating a cycle of poor governance. As Professor PLO Lumumba aptly puts it;

"We are the co-authors of our own misfortune. We elect hyenas to take care of our goats, and when the goats are consumed, we wonder why."

In today’s information age, misinformation poses a significant threat to democratic processes. Voters must critically evaluate campaign promises and verify the credibility of candidates. Blind allegiance to party lines without scrutiny can perpetuate cycles of inefficiency and corruption, eroding public trust in governance.

YOUR VOTE: A RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND YOURSELF

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has recorded 18,774,159 valid voters for the 2024 general elections. This represents 54.12% of the total population of the people of Ghana. This means that more than 50% of Ghanaians are going to entrust not only their future but the future of the non-eligible voters, invalid voters and yet unborn Ghanaians for the next four years.

In the Holy Qur'an, Allah commands us to entrust Leadership positions to those who are capable, deserving, worthy of discharging the responsibilities and can manage the affairs equitably and not for selfish and personal interests.

إن الله يأمركم أن تؤدوا الأمانات إلى أهلها و إذا حكمتم بين الناس أن تحكموا بالعد، إن الله نعما يعظكم به إن الله كان سميعاً بصيرا

Translation:

Verily, Allah commands you to make over the trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice" (Ch 4: 59)

If you fail to manage properly what you were entrusted with, do you go back begging for it?

Again, if you entrust your property to someone and it's being mismanaged, would you continue to hand it over to the same individual? If you do so, then what should you be called?

Hadrat Musleh Maud (ra), the Second Khalifa of Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) said in a Lecture delivered in Lahore on the topic; "The Economic system of Islam pg. 10"

"In the future too, when Muslims come to follow the injunction of the Holy Qur'an, they would be obligated to hold elections to choose people to run the affairs of the country. Moreover, they would be expected to abstain from electing someone solely on the basis of family background, influence, or wealth. They should also not elect someone simply because he is backed by a powerful group. This basic consideration for electing someone should be his ability to manage the country's affairs".

Again, the fifth Caliph and worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community His Holiness, Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahamd (aba) said:

“Nowadays, members of the public vote for the party they support. They do not look at the person representing the party, whether they are deserving of the role or not. Neither is the voter acting with justice nor is the person being given authority as a result of the voters acting justly”

(An enlightening audience: Jamia UK graduates in the blessed company of Huzur, Asif M. Basit, www.alhakam.org, 2nd November 2020)

His Holiness further, explained the same issue in his weekly Friday sermon dated on the 12th of May 2023, “There are some people who select representative, they might have not taken the consideration of Taqwa (righteousness) because of family relationship, friendship, and considering these connections they might have selected those delegates. Anyway, those people who select them, would be sinners in doing that. And they would have done wrong thing if they had not justified the trust, they should seek forgiveness from Allah the Almighty…. Those who have been elected and then practically and spiritually their standard is not that which should be there. So then seek forgiveness from Allah, and you should try to bring positive change in your condition and follow the path of righteousness, you should try to be eligible for discharging this trust and when this effort is there you will get the pleasure of Allah”

Our focus should be geared towards selecting the God-fearing and we can do this through prayers and sacrifices so that Allah may guide us to make the right choice and not to be clouded by our selfish interests.

The Bible says in Proverbs Ch 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: But when the wicked bears rule, the people mourn”. Similarly, other faiths and philosophies emphasise justice and accountability as pillars of good leadership.

Also, Hadrat Imam Ali (ra) once said;

فضيلة الرياسة حسن السياسة

Voting is not merely a personal choice but a collective responsibility that impacts families, communities, and the entire nation. By prioritizing integrity, capability, and vision over partisanship, voters can pave the way for a prosperous Ghana. Remember, an informed vote is a powerful vote, and your decision today shapes the future of generations to come.

In conclusion, transcribing from the speech of the Ameer and Missionary-In-Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Ghana at the 43rd Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya (Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth) Ijtema held in Kumasi this year, 2024 “Ghana needs progress and cast your vote the right way and elect the right type of people who will be the leaders of this country”.

As we approach this pivotal moment, let us remember that the power to shape Ghana's future rests in our collective hands. Through prayer, reflection, and informed decisions, we can elect leaders who will guide our nation towards progress and prosperity.

By: Hafiz Usman Mohammed Sekyi (Zonal Missionary, Asikuma-Bedum)