Change 08

Towards the end of last year, I and countless others around the world (maybe even you) were anxiously awaiting the outcome of the U.S. Presidential Election. However just across the Atlantic something quite impressive was occurring in Africa's democracy. Here in Ghana, for the first time in the history of the 'The Continent', a country had two successful democratic transition of powers (i.e. between parties). Although it gained it's independence from Britain in 1957, Ghana's first transition of democratic power didn't occur until the year 2000. This year was a tightly contested battle between the two leading parties, New Partriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with the latter slightly coming out on top in a runoff. And can you believe it, they too ran on the slogan of "Change."

I arrived just days after the announcement of Professor J.E.A Mills as the next president of Ghana. Too late to catch all of the fervor leading up to the elections, but in time to learn how deeply Ghanaians identify with their political party. January was a month of "reflection" for many of the radio stations and newspaper(s). Discussions ranged from the condemnation of the media for neglecting its responsibility as a neutral observer, to calling on each party to accept their roles in heightening hostilities amongst their constituencies, to people simply thanking God that the country did not fall into violent conflict.

There were stories of people being physically harassed/intimidated not to vote, and one man who committed suicide because his party lost, but the story that has stuck with me was one I experienced personally. On my first day in the classroom one of my students, Anita Dennis, said, "your president is Obama" (I concurred), then she asked, "do you know who my president is?" Sure, I siaid "President John Mills." She smiled and proudly corrected me, it's "President John Evans Atta Mills and our vice presdent is John Mahama." Reflecting upon that moment I realized that Anita, like myself, had the opportunity to accept as common, not take for granted, peaceful politics (i.e. absent of physical violence). Who knows maybe one day Ghana will be hailing President Anita Dennis as their new leader. If she knew I wrote this she wouldn't be able to restrain herself from laughing, the same way I imagine many did before change came to American politics!

This blog is dedicated to my grandmother, better known as Mama Luv. As far as my memory goes back, she has been there every step of the way giving selflessly, often to sustain our family. I pray that I am able to prove her labor not to have been in vain! CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement! Love you and we will celebrate as soon as Keon gets back from South Africa ;)!