THEME: GLOBAL READINESS FOR TRANSFORMATIVE POLITICAL CHANGE 

The Obama Voice – Will it ring in the corridors of power, in the hearts of men, and in the minds of people?  This is a question worthy of critical examination, not alone by the people of America but by all the peoples of the world, particularly those of the of Africa nations. 

Politics in America has hit the airwaves, sending all other issues into the background. We are tempted to join in the fray in the heat of CAN 2008, in which, by the mercy and working Hand of Jehovah God, the Star of Ghana is shining super bright in the heavens.  Glory to God in the Highest!  

Now, watching the scenes and hearing the exchanges, submissions, and declarations in the US 2008 campaign, we were fascinated above all by the Obama Voice and platform of Change. The call for change is bringing hope and galvanizing the youth, intellectuals, philosophical recluses, and independents to join the bandwagon. 

But the question that comes to mind is not so much about the timing of the call for change, as whether the call for change will receive due and proper attention, adequate analysis in the corridors of power in the States, in the hearts of men, and in the minds of the people and for whom the “Change” is intended.  In practical terms, is America ready for change?  And if so, what changes, and in what direction? 

Mrs. Hillary Clinton, in responding to the call for change, has suggested that the change will not be just a historical event – e.g. from male president to female president or from white- dominated White House to a Black Man in the Presidency – but to the reconstruction of America.  If this is the case, it will be necessary to examine the profile of that change and the process of reconstruction.  

That is to say, the Obama Voice and the Change platform must be viewed not merely by race or gender sentiments, nor through old Democrat- versus- Republican partisanship, but as a sincere search for the nature, directions, process, and goals of the change. 

In that context, if we come to Ghana’s politics and Election 2008, the issue is not a mere alteration between and among the CPP, NPP, NDC and their allies. We must seek for substantive, meaningful, and directional change from the Old Order of tradition: the culture of darkness, backwardness, superstition, and the cancers of corruption, greed, indiscipline, and prejudice that are draining life and spirit from the nation.  

For example, there is so much confusion and threat to life, peace, and development in the noble heritage of chieftaincy because corruption, greed, and prejudice have entered the corridors of power and eroded the trust, sanctity, and stability of the chieftaincy institution.  It is sad to say that the people responsible for this dark and untoward conduct are royalists, tribal elders, fetish priests, businesspeople, the learned and the ignorant, and various political characters. For years, we have not been bold, courageous, or disciplined enough as people to tame the beast; in fact, the chieftaincy dispute beast has grown wilder by the years. 

Thus, in America’s political arena, is Washington ready for change.  In that context, what change, and how capable and ready is “The Obama Voice” to shake the power structure of Washington?  Can he bring change such as in the fashion of Gobachev?  

We do not think Washington, nor the conservative nature of the hearts of men, is ready now.  Nor can we say that the minds of the people have been properly informed and brought to understand, so to accept, honor and stand with the proposed change. We can see the “enemies” and rivals of the Clintons in the ranks of the Republicans, Democrats, and Independents rallying round the Obama Voice of Change.  For example, the Republican Governor of California has joined the McCain train, at the same time, his wife is reportedly touting the Obama Voice. Is it to pull or at least wear down the Hillary machine?  Or is it because she truly wants change in America? 

Do we see the Hillary Clinton machine coasting to victory over prejudice- old and new, gender and personal, political and ideological?  As the Bible declares in such cases; “The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner!” 

History, indeed, is in the making! 

February 7, 2008.