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Ghana’s solemn autocracy personified

The EC's win at all cost vs the presidential hopefuls is not something new in Ghana. This attitude runs in every sector of our beloved country.

It breeds confidence and builds self-esteem. It makes the child fearless in certain situations.

They stand for themselves, so they could be who they want to be.

How ironic is it that right here in Ghana, confidence and standing up for one’s self is confused and misinterpreted as pride. Especially when the two parties involved are on the extreme ends of the table like a parent and a child, a teacher and a student, an employer, and an employee. The list can go on and on.

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The same teacher that teaches the student to stand up and make their voice heard also condemns the student when they try to correct a wrong from the teacher.

A child dare has a say when their parent who taught them to voice out their opinions talk. To these Ghanaian parents, what they say is the final. And not them only. It runs through the country.

This topic is not about a rude child or student trying to make their parent or teacher feel useless with some kind of uncouth act. It is about the normal every day polite opinions and actions put out that are blatantly trampled upon because … well, of course, one feels like a boss.

This very trait that runs through the blood of many Ghanaians was brought to light when the Electoral Commission(EC) of Ghana decided to take forms from presidential and parliamentary hopefuls across the country for the upcoming general election in December.

Something that had not been experienced in the country hit the nation by surprise.

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Out of the 17 presidential hopefuls who submitted their forms, 13 were disqualified due to errors on the forms they submitted.

The case initially was bizarre as Ghana had seen a routine structure of applying and getting your name on the ballot paper in previous elections.

Twitter erupted with Ghanaians hailing the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei for having the confidence to take such bold steps in her first major election after taking over the job.

Standing up for herself, right?

Just as we’ve all been taught from age one to stand up for ourselves when hard situations arrive, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, presidential candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) also stood up for himself and took the case to court following his disqualification ahead of the 2016 Ghana election.

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Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom from his days at the Convention People’s Party has been doing this for so long and has had his name on the ballot paper for a few general elections that he felt something was wrong.

According to the laws of the land, something was indeed wrong as the PPP won their case against the Electoral Commission as ruled by the High Court.

The EC did not take the ruling lightly. It just had to be their way or nothing.

And this is the first case of a solemn autocracy that has been around in Ghana since ages past.

On a very public not, one is made to believe you have a chance to get it done your way if you are on the right path.

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Deep within, how dare you?

The EC took the case to the Supreme Court in a bid to overturn the ruling of the High Court and deny Paa Kwesi Nduom a place on the ballot paper.

Fair deal, right?

No!

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Not for the solemn autocracy that is always inclined to see the one with the power win all debates and battles being it intellectually, age-wise or financially.

The moment that Supreme Court verdict went against the Electoral Commission of Ghana, one could envisage a proof of superiority conundrum heading heads on.

The EC has the power of running elections in Ghana and they dare not be challenged.

Initial errors from the presidential hopefuls who were asked to make the necessary corrections suddenly began to increase exponentially after the verdict and court battle went against the EC.

Reports started indicating errors from some of the aspirants had shot up and were heading to unbearable proportions for their acceptance.

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That is the Ghana we live in.

Just because the EC didn’t get its way during the legal battle, the commission had to find every means possible to be on the winning front, even if it meant stepping on a wholesome number of toes while at it.

All because, the one who had the power, or thought so, had to win by all means.

No challenger!

The Electoral Commission might be on the chopping block for now, but they are in no way the only culprit here.

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Students are encouraged to stand up for themselves if they feel they’ve not been treated accordingly. However, dare you to go for a remarking in any of our institutions?

That is when the student realizes the initial marks he was handed by the teacher was even bloated up because the teacher felt generous enough. So even when the student is given what they feel there are due, the total marks decrease if the teacher decides not to be generous on that second count. Funny, right?

A solemn way of teachers saying, we have the final say.

For all lives' sake, please don’t try this next analogy.

Try making a decent point to a nurse at a hospital concerning her dealings with people and you and your whoever is sick family member or friend will rot at the waiting room because you stood up against wrong doings. The outrageous part is, they will find valid excuses to prove why they are not calling you and sadly, they will be right.

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Lastly, when the police man tries to find a wrong in your act, you can be heaven’s own very saint and still not win.

Sad they are the ones who are supposed to help Ghanaians have a voice in the freedom and justice.

The case between the EC and the presidential aspirants is not surprising. Not one bit.

We’re are in Ghana, and despite our constant roar of how democratic were are, the country is actually full of a bunch of autocratic sub-entities who will always be on the winning side no matter what it takes.

Let’s get real.

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