By Zubair Khan
Ongoing situation in the country, (now with a convicted PM and a corrupt President who was about to be convicted by Swiss Magistrate in 2008, when ex Attorney General Mr Qayyum flew to deliver the famous letter, permitted under NRO, thus reversing the whole scenario), is so pathetic that one does not feel like giving any suggestion as it will fall to the deaf and dumb approach of our leaders. These days the whole game of Pakistan Political elite is revolving round personalities. Whole energy of the country is being utilised to save the individuals. Nerve ever any political leader has come up with ideas or vision for the betterment of the country. One game finishes then other starts. Now conviction of PM will be the most covered and read story at least for next couple of weeks. But to keep the hope alive one can suggest at least some thing to save the Pakistan.
Out of sheer personal interest of international affairs as well of extensive travelling, in my opinion, currently Ghana a West African country can be taken as model for Pakistan and some of the policies adopted by this country can be tried in Pakistan also. Some peculiarities of this country are: It is developing. It has 10-15% middle class in real sense. Gets remittances from its inhabitants working abroad. Another point of interest to note will be that currently USA, Europe and China all are in race to establish their African headquarters in this country merely because of societal harmony, peace and security prevailing in the country..Since formulation of some concrete strategy will involve lot many points as such for the time being I shall restrict myself only to following points. Rest will be taken later. Currently Ghana has following political system
Executive Branch
Being a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the President is the head of the state and also the government. He is the real head of the country with all the power resting in the hands. He is elected for a term of four years by popular vote and is eligible for re-election for a second term. The president also nominates members subject to approval by Parliament for the post of Cabinet of Ministers. The Vice-president, like the president is also elected for a term of four years.
Legislative Branch
All legislative functions of Ghana’s political system are vested in the Parliament. It has a unicameral house with 230 members and a Speaker. The members of the Parliament are popularly elected by Universal Adult Suffrage for a term of four years. Elections have been taking place every four years since 1992 alongside the Presidential election, generally on 7 December.
Judicial Branch
The judicial systems of the Ghanaian government are independent from the two other branches of government. The Supreme Court is at the apex with broad powers of judicial review. It has the power to rule on the constitutionality of any legislation or executive action at the request of any aggrieved citizen as it’s authorized by the Constitution. This system of hierarchy of courts is largely derived from the British juridical system. The hierarchy is composed of the Supreme Court of Ghana, the Court of Appeal, the High Court of Justice, regional tribunals, and such lower courts or tribunals as Parliament may establish. jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters is held by the court.
Administrative Divisions
The politics of Ghana is divided into 10 regions, Ashanti, Greater Accra, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, and Western.
In spite of this effective political system, in order to assist the government as well to people of Ghana following two councils additionally work as link pin between these two most important segments of Ghanaian Society. However foremost point is Government as well people of Ghana made pledge to act sincerely and honestly on the advises of both these councils
1. Council of State. Mainly elite with clean career and having no stigma on their character are its members. Constitutionally, the Council of State has 25 members. Of this, eleven (11) are nominated by the President of the Republic, ten (10) are elected from each of the ten (10) regions and four (4) represent institutions. These four members who are ex-officio members are: a former Chief Justice, a former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the sitting President of the National House of Chiefs. The Council is enjoined by Ghana’s 1992 Constitution (Reference Chapter 9, Article 89) to “counsel the President in the performance of his functions”. The Council is required to “consider and advise the President or any other authority in respect of any appointment which is required by the constitution or any other law to be made in accordance with the advice of, or in consultation with the Council. The council, upon request or on its own initiative is to “consider and make recommendations on any matter being considered or dealt with by the President, a Minister of State, or any other authority established by the Constitution. One can argue that Pakistan has upper house and no need for such council etc. But to me still such type of impartial council is required if we have to have transparency, good governance and corrupt free government.
2. National Peace Council. This framework stipulates a harmonisation of peace building activities in Ghana through networking and coordination, as well as an advocacy campaign to raise awareness surrounding the use of non-violent strategies in response to conflict. Through this framework, Ghana is developing a conflict prevention framework which will monitor, report and offer indigenous perspectives, understandings and solutions to Ghanaian conflicts, as well as building the capacity of chiefs. Women and youth groups, civil society and community based organisations to participate in maintaining peace within their communities. It is a Ghanaian national body whose aim is to raise awareness surrounding the use of non-violent strategies in response to conflict through networking, coordination and campaigning. The National Peace Council consists of 11 members, representing various religious, social or political groups. Just to high light its importance and effectiveness I can quote that during 2008 elections, dispute arose between rival political parties each claiming equal votes. Matter was referred to Peace Council. The president of the council was having the final vote. Though he was having affiliation with one political party but voted for the other party merely on merit basis thus declaring the other party successful. Our decision makers can consider such council in Pakistan also. However when I compare situation at home one can see Chief Executive of the country disobeying orders of the Supreme Court just to protect his corrupt Party Co Chair person.´Will PM or President of Pakistan ever follow orders or advises of any council? Doubtful, but what is harm in suggesting some thing good for Pakistan More suggestions later.
I have all the doubts any one paying attention to it.
Yes, there could be two reasons for not paying attention to this.
1. The people of the sub-continent generally view Africa and Africans as highly uncivilized and therefore not to be given a second thought.
2. Anything coming out of Africa is highly suspect and again not worth even being given a second thought.
The general belief of the world at large regarding Africa is that of famine, conflict and lawlessness. So, Pakistan and it’s ‘rulers’ having this kind of mindset (doesn’t matter that they are much WORSE than Africans and highly INTOLERANT), will NEVER want to learn a lesson from a people whom they believe are from an ‘uncivilized’ continent!
It is famous saying about Pakistan:-
“EVERY COUNTRY HAS AN ARMY BUT PAKISTAN IS THE ONLY COUNTRY OF THE WORLD WHICH IS THE COUNTRY OF THE ARMY”
Secondly:- Ghana is a country of one Nation while Pakistan is the country of Many Nations and many sects and all are not equal even in the Law of The Land. Every Nation and Every Sect have his own agenda some even working on the agenda of other countries.
Ms Raziya, your observatioins seems logical and cotain truth. People from pakistan relative to Africans have some superiority complexes. Even from Indians also. Result of such arrogance every one can see these days. By the way residng in Kenya how you can manage such close obserbations on Pakistan.
Zubair sb, I belong to the Indian sub-continent from an ancestral point of view (my first ancestor came to the Kenyan coast some 3 to 4 centuries ago to trade), and I personally have also been to both India and Pakistan in the early 1990s and then just to Pakistan, again in 2000 and so know the mentality of the occupants of these two countries – the land of my ancestors.
While there are very many plus points about these two countries, in the case of Pakistan, the citizens have too many hang-ups! In fact, while there, travelling around Pakistan was not as safe as when I went to India. I felt a lot safer there and the attitude of the people much more tolerant.
The literacy rate also leaves a lot to be desired in Pakistan where they know very little of the outside world and what they do know of it, is very distorted like in the case of Africa.
They (both Indians and Pakistanis), both were very surprised that I had absolutely no immediate connection with the sub-continent and that most of my family is born and bred in a part of Africa which is also very different from other parts of Africa in language, culture, etc. Most people (in the western world, too), believe that Africans are all ‘black’! The truth is that we consist of varied colours, language and culture.
I truly love my country and it’s people, though, you would get the impression (reading my blog), that I don’t. I’m so much more freer here than anywhere else, Alhamdulillah.
Thanks for sharing some information. However some of your ideas seemed to be based on scanty information. Merely visitng a country for couple of times that too under fear and pre occupied perceptions does not necessarily equip you with real state of affairs. Some times later plus points of Pakistani can be explained.
Pakistan can be saved provided— It leaves it obsession against India which is deep rooted in anti-Hindu hatred. Hate is blinding, you see the state where core economic activities happen in Pakistan. i.e. Punjab has the highest rate of anti-India hatred and anti-Ahmadi hatred. Guess so is Karachi. It’s time that people denounce hate of all type and not choosy with it. Although i am not obliged to say this but Indian Hindus and Muslims do not hate Pakistan till the time no one there aspires of launching ‘Gazwa-e-Hind’ and enslaving us with racist, colonial, islamo-fascist and imperialist regime.
Good point. In fact any politicians who are always ‘against’ anything and anybody (being it ‘Indian’ or ‘Ahmadi’ for instance) means that he/she does not have any idea what their program should be FOR!!!