Has Democracy Truly Served Our People?

Way back in junior high school during our social studies course, we were taught about democracy and how the Ghanaian ruling system was made. We were even taught that it was the government of the people, for the people, and by the people. Which meant that we the citizens have the right to to vote whoever we want into power and they will make sure to serve the people the right way.

But as I grew up, I realised it was all different. Probably, back in the day, things were just as it should be but about two years ago, it wasn’t the same. They tell us we live in a democratic country but the whole concept of democracy was just a way to make the average citizen feel like they matter. Honestly, what we experienced a few years ago was way below democracy. It was more of an autocratic country if you ask me.

Because tell me why the same people who voted a political party to power will be subjected to so much suffering and they couldn’t even speak up about it for fear of having a target on their backs. We were suffering yet we were expected to bottle it up while the higher ups were wining and dining with their family and friends from our taxes which we worked so hard to pay.

I remember there being news about a radio presenter who came to speak about the situation of the country and after the show, the political party in power called their office and asked for him to be fired. I was like really? Cos it was really unbelievable. At the end of the day, we the citizens came back to our senses, many organizations went on strike, people came out to protest which even led to so many of them being arrested and prosecuted. And when it was finally time for us to vote, Ghanaians didn’t care about tribe or political affiliations anymore. We all wanted to vote for someone who will listen to us, work for us and make our lives better. Back then, most of the citizens wished the military will take over the country from that government. In that moment, we didn’t mind leaving in an autocratic country because we were already living in it.

Today, we have voted a new government into power and I can say so far, we have seen some changes. Our cedi to dollar rate has improved drastically and that has reduced the prices of goods and services in the country. The government is including the people in decision making, listening to our needs and serving us well. I wouldn’t want to say they have done well because this is their first year, but so far everything is running very well for the country.

Democracy is only good when the leaders or government know what democracy really means and implement it in all they do. The people is what makes a country and once the people are not satisfied, we all know there will be a lot of chaos.

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all images were generated with AI

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