Since the Fourth Republic kicked in circa 1993,it has always been these two giant political parties dominating every sphere of our body politics. After almost 32 years of periodically toppling each other from the seat of government and taking over the reigns of power,the nation is still grappling with a potent third force that can at least garner 3% in a presidential election.
It’s sad to admit that there seems to be no hope since most of our supposed third force parties or candidates don’t even get up to 2% of total valid votes cast.
Dum Spiro spero, to wit; “as long as I breathe,there’s hope”. This statement has been the comfort of the many despondent Ghanaian youth who don’t seem too enthused with the underwhelming performance of the political class. The obvious scars left in the hearts of the citizens by the seemingly failed leadership have started rearing their ugly heads; and our neighbor,Nigeria bore the harsh brunts in its recent general election since only a little over 27% of the total voters turned out.
Without any shred of doubt,this trend of voter apathy is gradually gaining momentum in our Ghanaian society,with most of the youth in particular throwing their hands in despair on voting over perennial stillborn promises by the NPP and NDC.
Since the very fundamental of the concept of democracy is majority rule,apathy doesn’t look too good for our nation. Well,that triggers the argument of a third force to possibly rekindle the moribund faith in our officialdom.
The Convention People’s Party,which is the second political party to have been established in the Gold Coast,gained our much-desired independence for us. Since the early 2000s,the CPP had been riding a wave of success,polling 115,641 votes representing 1.78% in the 2000 Presidential Election and 85,968 votes representing 1.00% in the 2004 General Election.
Within these same periods,the People’s National Convention ,PNC wasn’t doing badly too. These two parties always placed 3rd and fourth in our presidential elections. Irrespective of how discouraging these figures may have seemed,these parties would have been doing well in contemporary times if they hadn’t gased out in the latter days.
We’ve had the likes of Osofo Kyiriabosom and others canvassing for votes on the back of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s ideologies, but very little could be said about his impact.
Now the new kid on the block is Nana Kwame Bediako,otherwise known as Cheddar,known for his notorious promise to drill the Sea from the southern part of Ghana to Kumasi. Though quite laughable, the young man has succeeded in explaining this and other policies of his to the people, and he seems to be gravitating towards a sweet spot on the possible third force list which includes Alan John Kwadwo Kyeremanten.
Well,is he yet another nine day wonder? Can he maintain his verve and solidarize his base of he loses this election? Why do these third force parties and candidates only crop up when elections are due? Where are their parliamentary candidates? How are they going to govern with NPP/NDC Members of Parliament? These are compelling questions right?
As far as I’m concerned,no third force has shown enough seriousness for now. Until they are able to snatch at least ten seats in Parliament, the NPP and NDC will ride on for a while.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com
