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In many countries, political parties have created special institutes for the political education of its members that regularly offers training activities for party members. Such institutions include, for example, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Republican Institute (IRI) in the USA, the Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung in Germany.

In Ghana, apart from the study of political science at the university, I have keenly observed the absence of meaningful political education and cadre development programs-at party levels, in all our political parties. 

The biggest challenge is therefore, the dearth of knowledge and information- even amongst leaders and generally among the rank and file membership of political parties- about what and how political parties are meant to contribute towards the effective functioning of society; to which every society owes its very survival.

In Ghana, because such education is absent, political parties and even people who aspire the highest office in the country, in their “dire” situations, have resorted to brain-washing; instigations, agitations and inflammatory conversations.

Through this many political party activists –supporters and functionaries alike – are rather led to believe something else other than the truth. 

So rather than politically mature, forward-looking quality corps of party functionaries – and well groomed members – the ranks of the leading political parties in Ghana have swelled by outsized armies of principally uninformed political “pundits”, whose only expertise is in mudslinging, and name calling via radio, television and social media.

Historical Antecedents

Historically, Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention People’s Party (CPP), is the party that is reputed to have sought, in very practical terms, to institutionalize the training and education of its Cadre Corps and party functionaries. As part of its party structures, the CPP established the Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Institute at Winneba, primarily to educate and train its members and to raise future political leaders for the country.  

And even though people may take exception – as was the case then – to the Party’s ideological inclinations – which was Socialism, the existence of the Institute symbolized a progressive mind-set; of a Party organization which regarded the opportunity to govern the country as one of sacred and onerous responsibility.

It had ethos and mores which averred a creed to the effect that election into power of a Political party is a sublime call by a people, for public service. As such, the people deserved nothing but the best, from its politicians.

Political Education.

Political education first and foremost must be about the ethos and mores of the Parties themselves. Education targeting all strata on membership should cover lessons on the character, spirit, moral beliefs, tenet, attitude, and a party code of conduct that guides all activists.

Members must be well versed in the philosophy- the political economic theory espoused by the Party, including the primary thoughts on their world view- that expresses the common thought within the group.  Education must include the values, customs, and traditions; moral and ethical behaviors to define reasoned behavior – what is reasonable? – and who will be held accountable.  This attitude stands in sharp contrast with what pertains today-violence.  And this is without apologies.

Today, executives and leaders of political parties and followers alike, claim ownership of the country and consequently, demand for its leadership as of right. Political appointments and election of parties into power is no more accepted with any sense of responsibility, neither is it seen as a call to service.

It is little surprising therefore, – and this is without prejudice to any group of persons- the level of intolerance, insults and threats the country has witnessed of late.

Election periods in Ghana are always fretting times, because of warped electioneering activities by Political Parties and their politicians. The period is always marked by unsavory utterances, trickery, provocative communication, and all kinds of activities that have the tendency of sparking mayhem in our society. That is why in 2012, in this very paper, I admonished political parties to seriously factor cadre development in their scheme of activities. 

Today, as we stand at the brink of another National Election, it is not surprising that the euphoria of the times should, once again, usher to the forefront, the important question as to whether the people of Ghana are advancing and will ever achieve the full benefits of the political system we have adopted for ourselves - multi-party parliamentary democracy.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have dominated electoral politics since the reintroduction of party politics in the year 2000. 

Unfortunately, the two have embarked on new ways of recruitment which excludes membership development through training and education; that does not augur well for democracy and the future of the nation as well.

It is now obvious that “hired” media experts and “sponsored” phone in callers determine how politics is done in Ghana.

The manifestation of offensive political attitudes we see among party functionaries and fanatics shows clearly that there is no political training at political party levels.

Since political education lost its priority and place in the gambit, the nation has grown so polarized, it is becoming virtually impossible to enforce even basic laws; like laws on sanitation and road-use.

Mediocrity, corruption, ineffectiveness or non-performance and blatant disregard for truth get applauded or condemned on party lines-on which side of the divide people stands.  Declaring something to be right or wrong is not based on principles anymore but on party lines; very much oblivious to what the opinion does to the growth and stability of the country.

 
Leading politicians as well as, political activists, rather than expressing their aversion to politically instigated violence, vigorously articulate positions to the effect that violence was very much a part of their political swagger.

What is most worrisome about the situation is the fact that our fledging democracy is not in position to deal with such disaster- inducing challenges when they begin to crank; much worse, the nation is not in any good position to mitigate its effects, should it ever occur in this country.

 The extent to which political parties are the subject of both contempt and general public indifference should be a cause of concern to all who are interested in how our country is run.

The least a nation expects of its politicians and their parties is to raise hope for the future and not to sound the war cry.