POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND BIG PROMISES.

Every four years in Ghana, there is a general election to elect a president and over two hundred parliamentarians to rule the country. Many African countries have very similar agenda, but different dates. The president and the parliamentarians have a duty quite similar to those in Europe and every part of the world: to make laws and project the rule of law as well as leading the people in all aspect of their lives and make their standard of living better.

In some parts of the world, the elected candidates and the president owe it a duty to serve the people with honesty. They tell the electorates what they will do for them if voted to power. If they promise to fight corruption and to raise health care etc, they see to it that they tackle those priorities before they leave office.

It also their duty to see to it that nobody, including themselves gets the opportunity to steal from the state coffers. It is not their intention to use their offices to acquire/amass wealth for themselves. They therefore give very meaningful promises during campaign periods, but not too convincing, too attractive nor too expensive promises, after all they would only be trying to get the mandate to serve their beloved countries and nothing else.

Africa seems to be on the opposite side. When our politicians want the mandate from the electorates, they promise them very expensive things which appear quite impossible to honor. What it means is that it is the power they want AT ALL COST and when they are not able to honor the promises, nobody holds them accountable.

Here in Africa, politicians become too rich too quickly. Unlike Europe and elsewhere, the major aim of people entering into politics is to make money; in fact more and more money. That is why they try all means to get power. Here in Africa, when you gain a political position, ‘you are gone’. There must be a change in the African political terrain.

We want to have trustful leaders who will make it their sole duty to work to help the ordinary man in the street. We vote for them, they become our leaders, they gain riches and they pretend to be too much busy to care for us or even receiving us in their offices. African political leaders would make sure they practically define the vast differences between the ordinary man and themselves.

All I am asking is that, will there ever be a time when political leaders will make good use of their offices and TRULY care for the people who sent them there and who’s betterment they MUST seek?

Why do politicians give very big and vain promises during their campaigns?

Where do politicians get their wealth from so quickly?

Do we need to listen to them and take them serious knowing well that all they want to become is rich and not dedicated service to the people they are to serve?

HOW DO YOU ALSO SEE OUR POLITICIANS AND THEIR CAMPAIGN PROMISES?