The past few weeks have been interesting for political observers like me, and two issues come to mind.
First, it was the government’s decision to reduce the producer price of cocoa and the political fallout from that decision, especially because of things said and promises made while in opposition.
The second is The Fourth Estate’s story on sole sourcing under the government’s Big Push programme and the emerging political discussions about the use of this approach to government contracting.
It is always fascinating to observe political parties in multiparty democracies around the world and how they handle being in opposition, especially if they have a history of having been in power before.
Let’s consider Ghana’s two main political parties – the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
They have each spent an equal number of years in power and in opposition.
Because of this, it is perplexing to understand why certain things happen to them when they are in government.
Are there no political lessons to be learned from opposition years?
If there are, then my next question is, are those lessons not transferable from opposition years to when a political party returns to power?
And if I may add one last question, whatever lessons are learned in opposition, do they serve as reminders when a political party returns to opposition?
Opposition years
I am uncertain about the historical origins of the term “opposition” as democracies developed and political parties emerged. Perhaps, the need to differentiate between two periods – when in power and when out of power – made “opposition” the most fitting description for the period out of power.
Alternatively, it could be that due to the stance of political parties when they are out of power, towards their rivals in power, “opposition” best describes that period.
Certainly, opposition political parties worldwide have truly lived up to the name, especially as democratic politics continues to become more polarised with sharply divided partisan lines.
Now, let me return to my questions. First, are there no political lessons to be learned from opposition years?
I would argue that there are.
When political parties lose an election and go into opposition, honest and sober reflection often reveals their numerous errors during their time in power and explains why voters ultimately rejected them when seeking a renewal of their mandate.
They understand the policies that displeased voters. More significantly, they are aware of the political behaviours voters rejected.
Even if their own electoral defeat offers limited lessons, those of their political rivals certainly should.
This knowledge suggests that an opposition political party is unlikely to repeat these mistakes when they eventually return to power, which brings me to my second question.
Secondly, are the lessons learned from opposition years not applicable when a political party returns to power?
If opposition years do offer lessons, then it seems logical to expect a change in political behaviour when parties regain power.
However, what I observe across electoral cycles is that certain behaviours are repeated with the same explanations and justifications that unsettle voters.
Perhaps those of us who have never been involved in frontline politics will never understand the nature of political power and the force it wields, regardless of the lessons learned during opposition years.
Lastly, do lessons learned in opposition serve as reminders of how not to conduct opposition politics when a political party moves between opposition and power?
From my observation of the political landscape, I believe those lessons are often quickly forgotten.
Lessons for the Duopoly
The political landscape has truly changed.
The era of social media, aided by smartphones, has turned social media platforms into a historical archive of easily accessible and retrievable political material.
The speed with which material is retrieved and referenced when matters of politics and good governance come up is amazing.
The adage that “the internet never forgets” is very true.
In all this, those who seek, gain, and lose power must remember this cautionary note, especially regarding their political rhetoric and positions on governance.
The average Ghanaian these days, regardless of motives, is quick to remind politicians of their rhetoric and stances on issues.
And when inconsistencies arise, they do not hesitate to point them out.
A time will come when this will no longer be merely an exercise in retrieving archival materials and highlighting inconsistencies.
I believe it will evolve into an exercise in accountability, and these days, the most powerful tool in the Ghanaian accountability toolkit is the ballot box.
The writer is the Project Director, Democracy Project.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
