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Momodou
Denmark
11823 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Jan 2010 : 15:22:03
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Daily News Editorial: We Have Turned Politicians Into Gods
It is rather unfortunate that all across Africa we have turned our politicians into Gods. They are worshiped, and some will go as far as dying for them. It should have been the other way round. Our politicians should have been the ones to serve us, they always take promises of bringing change into our lives, should have been the ones to go that far. It is sad and worrying that, the politicians become Gods and are so mighty that no one dares tell them the truth.
On the continent of Africa we have turned the politicians into things they are not. God have mercy on those of us who criticize them. In some countries, journalists perceived to be anti-government just disappear or are found dead. Some are taken off air if they are broadcast journalists, some are black listed and everybody fears dealing with them.
For some who play the politicians game and dance to their tune soon find themselves riding higher and higher. They become credible mouthpieces of the ruling parties, and considered better journalists, and some will even become ambassadors.
As for Africa, it has become common knowledge that most people go into politics just for self-enrichment. It seems that after schools, pharmacies, and churches the fastest and easiest way to make money is to go into politics, because they have seen how much they can reap for themselves, their families, friends and sycophants. Given the current condition of life for an average African, the life of a politician is not a bad one at all.
Just study world history and you will discover that in almost every country, very few elected politicians keep to their pre-election pledges.
Whilst most Africans stumble in the dark, our politicians have generators supplying them with electricity. Whilst some of us hustle and get frustrated in the traffic, the politicians, especially ministers and presidents, will have a special motorcades clear the path for them. Whilst our politicians have their huge elevated tanks full of water, the average African has to search and search, and search for water, hoping and always praying for just a drop of it. Yes from where a life of an average African remains miserable the life of a politician is truly grand.
Why do we have to turn people into Gods who came begging for our votes, when we have the power of voting them out if the promises, on basis of which we put them into offices, are flouted? Do we not realise that power rests in our hands? The politicians are supposed to bring about development in our countries, they are supposed to be our servants, we only mandated them to run the affairs of our countries on a day to day basis. It is about time that the African knows that his /her vote is mightier than the politician who thinks he is now transformed into a god.
Source: Daily News
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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