EDITORIAL: Too Much Politics

�Politics is fully planted in our bedrooms, boardrooms and stool rooms. When you read the Ghanaian papers and others, you get the impression that at the slightest opportunity, there could be war between the political parties.� The foregone were some of the words of a concerned Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah III, in the twilight of last year. These are very strong words begging for the attention of all Ghanaians at this time of our democratic growth. The Ga King could not have chosen a more opportune time than now to press such an alarm bell when heads of various government departments have been showed the exit because of their perceived �political incorrectness� in a country we all belong to. Boardroom activities have been dominated by copious politics that these are beginning to adversely affect productivity, given that experienced personnel have been dismissed with the acquiescence of those in control. Things have become so murky that the nasty state of affairs is glaring to even the politically-uninitiated. We are gradually, by the worrying developments, killing our future as the King noted in his spectacular New Year message to his compatriots. The tendency to recall the alleged failings of the past administration is clouding the vision of our leaders. Since the purpose of politics is the well-being of the Ghanaian, as King Tackie Tawiah III observed, it behooves politicians to open a new chapter in their management of state affairs. The future should be our target because generations unborn will not forgive us should we bequeath to them a distorted country, negatively polarized. Although political tools are used to prosecute national agenda, care must be taken to obviate their misuse to the detriment of our development agenda. Politics is transitory and should not be considered more important than the national interest as being observed today. If there are institutions which should be allowed to operate without the dangerous political machinations, it is chieftaincy. As the repository of our heritage, this segment of our national life, when subjected to the whims and caprices of politicians in power, can be inimical to our present and future. As for the infiltration of politics into stool affairs in the country, the case of the Ga state is too glaring to be over-looked. The Ga stool and those occupying it continue to be treated like lepers by the President, making us wonder whether he does not find the attitude untoward and unbecoming. Indeed, shortly after assuming power, what we can describe as credible rumours made the rounds in town that plans were afoot to reverse the enstoolment of the King and others after labelling them with a political tag. The eerie closure of the Gbese Stool house by National Security Coordinator Gbevlo-Lartey and his unbridled remarks point to a hidden agenda which if not stemmed, could add to the catalogue to other chieftaincy challenges besetting the county. The President has called on other traditional rulers across the country and even declared one of the regions in the country as his second home, yet, he refuses to do same for the traditional authority hosting the seat of government. Nothing could be absurd. Not even a request in writing to the President, seeking to call on him by the Ga King, was acknowledged, let alone obliged. That the �father of the nation� mantra, by President Mills has flopped cannot be over-emphasised. So much has passed under the bridge since President John Evans Atta Mills came to power that the King�s words for the New Year can only be described as auspicious. The �there is too much politics� alarm bell pressed by King Tackie Tawiah III should be a wake-up call for President Mills. He should take another look at those advising him on how to behave towards the Ga Stool because the status quo is anything but sensible and in the interest of the nation.