Animal Farm: How the NPP’s manipulation of Parliamentary seats boomeranged

In the ever-evolving political landscape of Ghana, the recent events surrounding the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have drawn striking parallels to George Orwell’s classic novel, “Animal Farm.” Just as the pigs in Orwell’s metaphor gradually consolidated power and betrayed the ideals of the animal revolution, the NPP’s actions in the Ghanaian parliament have raised serious concerns about their commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.

The NPP’s governance, marked by a penchant for manipulating parliamentary procedures, has eerily echoed the pigs’ abuse of power in “Animal Farm.” The party’s recent attempts to vacate the seats of several National Democratic Congress (NDC) members of parliament, including the high-profile cases involving James Gyakye Quayson and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, have been widely criticized as blatant efforts to undermine the opposition and consolidate their own political dominance.

In the case of Mr. Quayson, the NPP-dominated parliament sought to remove the NDC MP from his seat based on a technicality, despite the fact that he had been duly elected by the people of his constituency. The NPP’s actions were widely seen as a calculated move to tip the balance of power in their favor, echoing the pigs’ manipulation of the farm’s rules and regulations to maintain their control.

Similarly, the attempt by the NPP government to haul Dr. Forson to court, drew widespread condemnation. The NPP’s justification for this action, citing questionable procurement breaches with the MP’s involvement as a former Deputy Finance Minister, acting upon instruction from his boss, has been interpreted by many as a deliberate ploy to weaken the opposition and solidify their hold on the legislative branch.

It is striking that even though the NPP initially succeeded in getting Mr. Quayson out of parliament for almost two years, the tables turned when three members of parliament from the NPP and one from the NDC side had their seats declared vacant after defecting to independent candidates. In this instance, the same rules that were previously applied to the NDC MP did not seem to suit the NPP, leading their leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to seek solace from the Supreme Court. This move by the NPP was perceived by the public as a desperate attempt to maintain their numerical advantage in parliament.

These incidents have not gone unnoticed by the Ghanaian electorate, who have demonstrated a keen understanding of the dynamics at play, much like the animals in Orwell’s “Animal Farm.” The public has recognized the NPP’s actions as a blatant disregard for the principles of democratic representation and the will of the people.

Ghanaians have become the “seasoned linemen” in this political game, capable of discerning the fairness or bias of the “referee” – in this case, the NPP-dominated parliament and the judicial system. They have recognized the NPP’s attempts to influence the outcome of the “boxing match” (the parliamentary proceedings) to their full advantage, even if it means resorting to technical manipulations.

The NPP’s numerical strength in parliament was a major headache for them, as a reduction in their majority could be a disaster. This led them to resort to various tactics to maintain their grip on power, including the attempted removal of Mr. Quayson and the persecution of Dr. Forson. However, the Ghanaian people have shown that they are not willing to be passive spectators in this political drama.

The public has vowed to adopt a “technical knockout” approach, refusing to allow the NPP’s machinations to succeed. They have demanded a fair and transparent process, where the will of the people is respected, and the principles of democracy are upheld.

The question that has been lingering in the minds of many Ghanaians is, “Where are the mathematician and statistician experts recruited to do parallel collation for comparison by the Electoral Commission?” This query reflects the deep-seated mistrust that has been sown by the NPP’s actions, as the public suspects that the party may be engaging in “public deception/tricks to throw dust into our eyes.”

The parallels between the NPP’s governance and the events in “Animal Farm” are striking. The pigs’ gradual transformation from revolutionary leaders to tyrannical rulers has found its echo in the NPP’s attempts to consolidate power and undermine the opposition. The public’s disillusionment with the party’s actions mirrors the animals’ realization that their revolution has failed to achieve its ideals.

As the Ghanaian electorate continues to navigate this political landscape, they had to remain vigilant and unwavering in their commitment to democracy. The lessons of “Animal Farm” serve as a stark warning against the dangers of unchecked power and the betrayal of ideals. Ghanaians must ensure that their hard-won freedoms and the principles of equitable representation are not eroded by the NPP’s quest for political dominance.

Indeed, the Ghanaian people have witnessed firsthand how the NDC was frustrated in the 2020 elections when they complained about electoral malpractices in some constituencies, with some incidents even involving violence. The NDC caucus marshalled to the Electoral Commission’s office, but they were simply told that they could go to court if they were not satisfied with the results. In contrast, the current Electoral Commission has decided to cooperate with the NPP, moving the collation centres to Tesano to collate and re-collate even the already declared results. This disparity in treatment has not gone unnoticed by the Ghanaian public, who are now more vigilant than ever in ensuring that the principles of fairness and transparency are upheld.

The recent general elections, where the NPP suffered a convincing defeat, have been a demonstration to the Ghanaian people’s resilience and their fortitude to hold their leaders accountable. The public has sent a clear message that they will no longer tolerate the kind of manipulation and abuse of power that was witnessed under the NPP’s governance.

Moving onward, the burden is on the newly elected government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to uphold the democratic principles that the Ghanaian people have long cherished. They must ensure that the lessons of “Animal Farm” are heeded and that the country’s institutions are strengthened to prevent the kind of abuses of power that have plagued the previous administration.

Ultimately, the Ghanaian people have proven themselves to be astute observers of the political landscape, capable of discerning the truth from the lies and the fair from the biased. They have demonstrated that they will not be easily swayed by the NPP’s attempts to manipulate the system, and they are ready to take the necessary steps to safeguard their democracy.

The NDC’s triumph is not just a win for the party, but a victory for the entire Ghanaian nation. The people have demonstrated their ability to see through the NPP’s deception and manipulation, and they have sent a clear message that they will not tolerate the erosion of their democratic rights.

However, the work is far from over. The NDC government must now embark on a comprehensive programme of democratic reforms, drawing inspiration from the lessons of “Animal Farm” and the Ghanaian people’s vision for a more equitable and transparent political system.

This includes strengthening the independence and capacity of the Electoral Commission, implementing robust electoral security measures, and ensuring that the redistricting process is fair and impartial. Furthermore, the NDC must devolve more power and resources to the regional and local governments, empowering the diverse regions of Ghana and reducing the perception of a centralized, capital-centric system.

Most importantly, the NDC must remain steadfast in its commitment to the ideals of democracy, eschewing the temptation to follow in the footsteps of the NPP and consolidate power at the expense of the people. The party must be ever-vigilant, ensuring that the hard-won freedoms and the principles of equitable representation are not eroded by the quest for political dominance.

The Ghanaian people have proven themselves to be discerning and engaged citizens, willing to hold their leaders accountable and to defend the integrity of the democratic process. As the NDC takes the reins of power, they must heed the lessons of “Animal Farm” and work tirelessly to build a political system that truly reflects the will and aspirations of the Ghanaian people.

In the end, the Ghanaian electorate has demonstrated that they are no longer willing to be passive spectators in the political arena. They have become the “seasoned linemen” in this game, ready to call out any attempts to manipulate the system and to ensure that the principles of democracy are upheld. The future of Ghana’s political landscape rests on the continued vigilance and engagement of its citizens, who must remain steadfast in their commitment to the ideals of equality, transparency, and the rule of law.

By Innocent Samuel Appiah

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