Letters
Healthy Debate Essential
I HAVE been following the current debate in your magazine on an alternative government to Rawlings. First was Elizabeth Ohene's treatise and editorial on why she thinks there must be a discussion on the issue and Kwabena Kankam's counterblast to her views in "A coup d'etat manifesto?" published in December 19/26, 1983 issue illustrate a problem.One point stands out clearly in the handling of the debate initiated by Ms Ohene - that in the democratic experiment that we are trying to build and has been jeopardised by military takeovers, tolerance of views of others without imputing bad motives is critically essential. It does not serve any useful purpose when the argument is befuddled with intemperate language and assumptions that attempt to cast the proposer of a view which may not be popular, in a bad light.
As far as I can see, the basic point advanced in Ms Ohene's article is that a forum should be created for debating issues affecting the country which for obvious reasons cannot be effectively done inside the country.
Ms Ohene could be faulted for, may be, exaggeration of the facts, which were possibly aimed at provoking a reaction.
I could not agree with her more when she emphasises that "there is no reason why the search and articulation of an alternative to the PNDC need be restricted only to those who are en- gaged in overt activities to overthrow the regime". The debate for a search must continue in the Talking Drums.
K. Dzandu, New York
Return To Civil Rule By Doe
ALLOW ME to comment on the article by Ben Mensah on Doe's plans for civilian rule published in the December 12, 1983 issue of Talking Drums.I was not a bit surprised to read that the traditional rulers in Liberia have asked Doe to "reflect on government activities over the past three years and consider whether rushing to the barracks was the solution to the problems facing the state".
With the backing of this traditionally conservative political entity and developments in Ghana and Nigeria, I am of the opinion that Doe's plan to return to the barracks may not be forthcoming for quite some time. When he finally decides to go, it may be for completely different reasons from those he has offered.
James Onuma, Hackney
The March in New York
So Ghanaians in New York - "a coalition of different political philosophies, remnants of proscribed parties and the plain apathetic" had come together to demonstrate against Rawlings (Talking Drums, December 19/26, 1983).While I agree with the correspondent that all this was possible because of the distance between Accra and New York, I can say with certainty that there are thousands of Ghanaians back home who are ready to go on the streets to let the PNDC know what they think of the regime's policies, but for the fear of reprisal.
I am, however, happy that at least the international community is being made aware of the horrible conditions at home through these demonstrations. The proverbial political apathy of the Ghanaians must change, for the history of other countries which have experienced similar problems, have shown that when people remain apathetic for too long they forever live in terror and chaos. More grease to the elbows of the organiser.
Bob Antwi, Glasgow
Co-Operation And Understanding?
Please allow me to comment on the article by A.A. Boateng in the December 19/26, 1983 issue pleading for the co-operation and understanding for Rawlings.Mr Boateng must know that Ghanaians cannot and will not understand a government that kills its citizens indiscriminately in the name of revolution. The murder of the judges is still fresh in our minds. If he has read the reports of the investigating committee, he would, no doubt, not hesi- tate to conclude that Capt. Tsikata was the master-mind behind the killings. Amedeka managed to run away from prison, but neither Amartey Kwei, Dzandu nor Senya were able to run for their lives.
Why was Amartey Kwei killed and why did Rawlings insist to know from Amartey Kwei if Tsikata was connected to the killings? Ghanaians need answers to these questions before we can offer support to Rawlings.
It is interesting that Rawlings is complaining about terrorists activities in Ghana. He ought to know that subversion breeds subversion.
Ghana's education system was one of the best in Africa, but now the system is in shambles. Rawlings has made it known that our educational system is not good so we must go the Cuban way. What has Cuba to offer Ghana?
Economic recovery can only be achieved under a favourable atmosphere. No matter the huge amount of money being pumped into the economy by international bodies, the PNDC would achieve very little unless the situation changes. I will advise Rawlings to hand over immediately, and if Ghanaians want to give him the mandate in an election to rule them, then, of course, he can go ahead with his policies.
Odiamo, Hamburg, W. Germany
Rejoinder to coup d'etat manifesto
I would like to comment on Mr Kwame Kankam's rejoinder to Eliza beth Ohene's article on the "alterna tive to Rawlings" published in a recent issue of your magazine.Firstly, I think Kankam missed the point of the article completely or else he is taking too many things for granted. Why must we really assume that anybody who calls for, or actually plans towards, the overthrow of the PNDC regime has the answer to Ghana's problems, or will do better than Rawlings?
Mark you, I do not say that Rawlings is the best man to rule Ghana, I cannot even say his is a popular government (whether he calls it a people's government or any such fancy name), but that does not detract from the fact that it will be folly to equate ability to condemn Rawlings with ability to solve Ghana's problems. And that is the fundamental issue in the long run. After all, Rawlings and his cronies often condemned Limann (perhaps justifiably too) but have they proved a better alternative?
If some people have come out to openly call for the overthrow of the government then may I say their 'coup d'etat' plans are not so secret anymore, and one may ask Mr Kankam why should their 'manifestoes'?
What kind of government do they envisage for example after they ban PDCS or abolish People's Courts, I suppose, will Ghana become a better place to live? Do Ghanaians want a National Government and what does that involve? Talk of a democratically elected government. What does the term mean? Remember Jerry Rawlings and his colleagues claim they have a government of the people and are pro gressive and 'democratic' forces. Never mind that, no Ghanaian "put any piece of paper into any box for nobody" (apologies to Rawlings) the PNDC is a 'democratic' government, isn't it?
By the way, I hope nobody thinks I support the PNDC or some of the atrocious things like murder that have gone on in Ghana, but that does not mean we cannot discuss better alterna tives. I dare say it need not even be within the framework of a coup d'etat. Change (after all) can come in many forms after all the PNDC is talking of appeals to higher courts within the people's tribunals that means there's not much difference from the 'old' system (or is there?)
As for the part about the 'people's choice' I don't think anyone is suggesting that half a million people outside Ghana should decide anything for the rest inside Ghana. Debating an issue is not only the first step in democratic decision making. People inside Ghana can also talk about change and alternative methods. I am aware that this is debatable - what with some well meaning critics inside jails and private presses banned, but the PNDC too, I am sure, realises some of its mistakes and dare I say that silence means consent?
No doubt one point that is implicit is that the bankrupt official Ghanaian press will not encourage such a debate - on that point I agree with Mr Kankam, but perhaps the Editor, Talking Drums will willingly provide the forum?
Maybe we have actually started the debate!
Nana Kwame, London
