Ghana has distinguished itself as mature democracy in Africa and beyond. It has set the example for Africa’s developing democracies to follow. It has proved transitions don’t have to be bloodletting or bloody.

With the death of President Attah Mills, Ghana has shown the best way to manage political transition in Africa especially when the king dies in office. In Africa, the script is very common: When a president dies in office, nations teeter on the brink of calamity and self-destruction.

In most cases, the transition of power is shrouded in secrecy and utter darkness. In such cases, forces are quick to seize power out of the vacuum that results. Our constitutions are not expressly clear on who and how to inherit office in case of death of the incumbent leader.

Examples from this continent will suffice. Recently, when Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika died in office, some sections wanted to block the vice-president from assuming office though the Constitution dictated otherwise. Malawi stood apprehensive as the haggling went behind the scenes.

There are many examples in this continent that help illustrate the fact that managing power when presidents die in office is sure recipe for wars and instability.

To make it worse, in Africa, it is almost a treasonable offence to discuss the death of a president even when health fails the leader. We are not allowed to imagine the sickness or even death of African presidents. We are yet to be clear in our constitutions on the way to manage power in case of the black cloud robbing us of kings in office.

murky waters

In Zimbabwe, for instance, though President Robert Mugabe travels for regular check-ups, discussing the subject is like talking in the market place about your mother-in-law’s private affairs.

In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Zenawi is in hospital but the media has been denied coverage of such a story. In Africa, kings or presidents do not die! We are yet to learn the basics: The coherence of a constitution as a symbol of stability and prosperity.  As a continent, we need to be clear on how to manage political power to propel this land out of the current murky waters.

This is the best way to avoid the military from taking power in the name of beating sense into the leadership discourse.

Fortunately, Ghana has set the first foot forward. The best lesson is that our constitutional writs must be clear, coherent and devoid of any grey areas. In Ghana, the death of President Mills was duly announced to the nation. What followed was the assumption of the VP into office. There were no hitches as we could have expected in a typical African nation.

This was possible in Ghana because of the clarity of the Constitution that binds the people irrespective of the political, economic and social stand-points. The essence of constitutions is to breathe life into structures and institutions and not personalities.

The only way to avert political upheavals in Africa is to ensure constitutions are very express on what happens when and how. Otherwise, we may be stalking the fires of destruction. Already, concerns have been raised on the draft Bill that spells transition procedures. In Ghana, we have the living example.

{Benjamin M Obegi, Nairobi}

 

My condolences to the people of Ghana for the demise of their President. May his soul rest in peace. Mills’ election victory heralded Ghana’s reputation as a paragon of democracy in Africa. This confidence was further solidified when the VP took over power hours after the death of Mills ensuring there was no power vacuum or national tension. Where else can this happen in Africa?

No doubt, Ghana has taught us democracy is the best form of leadership and it calls for sobriety and respect for the people’s will. Scores of African countries have experienced coups because certain individuals are so thirsty for power that they use crude ways to ascend to it. There are also those leaders who hang onto power for as long they wish, contrary to the wishes of the people. Ivory Coast, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Mali are the recent examples in this. It is time Africa invested in strong institutions and respected their authority.

{Vivere Nandiemo, Ikerege}

 

PM right to avoid duel with Miguna

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s decision not to sue Miguna Miguna for alleged defamation is well thought out and a balanced strategy to avoid ugly and endless courtroom battles and the negative publicity that come with it. This, certainly, could have jolted and injured Raila’s presidential bid.

Also, by avoiding confrontation with the highly emotional and temperamental Miguna, in the spirit of freedom of expression, was a welcome magnanimous and brilliant response from the PM.

At the same time it is worth noting that Miguna was ‘clueless’ as his aim to ‘bring down Raila’ was just but a wishful thinking. At least, it is bound to backfire.

{Enock Onsando, Mombasa}

 

I applaud the PM for avoiding a court battle with his former aide, Miguna, following the publishing of his (Miguna) damaging book, Peeling Back the Mask: A Quest for Justice in Kenya. This was a well calculated move that may give credence to the PM’s character as a politician.

Scores of leaders across the world have been on receiving end of various scathing attacks that have touched on their public and private lives but none has been known to take the authors to court.

There are so many explosive books written about the President of US Barack Obama, for instance, but he has never raised voice to exonerate himself from the allegations in the books. In fact, he went on to secure victory in the midst of all manner of allegations.

Here in Kenya, the Government of President Kibaki was painted in bad light by corruption allegations in former PS John Githongo’s book, It is Our Time to Eat. But the President took it lightly and he did not bother to take anyone to court for character assassination neither did those who were adversely mentioned in the book. Therefore, it was only right for the PM to take the cue from such past examples and steer clear of the courts. As he rightly pointed, a democratic society calls for freedom of expression and no one should be victimised on the basis of his opinions. Miguna has a constitutional right to express his opinions freely.

It could have been in bad taste for Raila — who is seeking presidency on the platform of reform and respect for rule of law — to pick up a libel case with Miguna.

{Vivere Nandiemo, Kuria West}

 

Media misleading in public debates

The Kenyan media seems to have lost the message that Education minister Mutula Kilonzo had when he commented on the school skirts’ debate.

The media may have not grasped the message when the minister said schoolgirls should be allowed to dress comfortably, not be forced to dress ‘like nuns’. Mr Mutula was simply trying to make his point clear by using nuns as an example. Why, then, are Kenyans subjecting him to chronic headache?

It is only logical that Kenyan students should be considered while schools are designing school uniform, so that we help our students remain confident (in themselves) and we respect the right to human dignity. Of course, no parent or guardian wants to see their children dressed in a miniskirt and defining it as uniform, the minister is not an exception, I am sure he is a parent too.

Mutula meant short skirts, not mini skirts and that is what he demonstrated to journalists in a press conference in Nairobi on Thursday.

The media should learn not to incite the public by exaggerating statements which have been misquoted.

{Margaret Kanini, Moi University}

 

It is irrational for some people to criticise Education minister Mutula Kilonzo for recommending shorter skirts. Who on earth except him that can say what ‘shorter’ means?

The word ‘short’ and its variants are relative hence only context can make clear the meaning.

His critics have misrepresented him just to put the otherwise well-intentioned minister in disrepute.

Luckily, he has stepped forward,     clarified and demonstrated what ‘shorter’ means to him.

{Omusolo Moses, Kisumu}

 

Shelve ban on holiday tuition

I support Education minister Mutula Kilonzo’s recent remarks that holiday tuition for primary and secondary schools stands banned and anyone seen to encourage it should be prosecuted.

Teachers have abysmally failed to understand the value of extra teaching on a learner. They compel students to attend holiday tuition, putting parents with little income or no income in awkward positions.

However, we cannot overly understate the value of extra-tuition. Mutula fails to fathom the fact that tuition is not only meant for the completion of syllabi but for revision purposes.

The minister should have advised teachers to approach the issue with propriety. Teachers should not look at tuition programmes as business ventures but as a way of helping boys and girls. Tuition should be voluntary and only for willing students.

{Jose Juma, Nairobi}