By M. Obeng-Wiafe 

Cape Coast ‘Varsity

Perhaps the only people who abhor a democratic way of life are those people who are by nature authoritative, greedy and self-conceit-ed. Such people are not prepared to listen to advice and are not sensi-tive to public opinion. What is more, they just don’t want to be criticised. Obviously, it is a curse and not a blessing if a country is governed by people of such calibre. Ghana does not need such people to manage her affairs any more.

Democracy is “a form of government in which all classes of people share in the government by choosing representatives. It is a social equality: treating people as equals.

People who genuinely observe the above tenets of democracy are said to lead a democratic way of life a life in which all members of the society have the right to share in the proper management of affairs of the society and also have the right to express their candid opinions freely on all mat-ters that affect the society

Members

It is only when the members of the society are less concerned with what goes on in the society, ignorant of their fundamental human rights and allow themselves to be ruled by conscienceless and over-ambitious dictators that the members of such a society forfeit their right to enjoy a democratic way of life. Democracy, therefore, becomes a mockery when it is purported to be practised in such & society.

A University is a small community. Members of the community Include the stu-dent body, the lecturers, the administrative staff and the workers. Of these groups of people which make a University, the student body forms the largest part. All the various groups of people in a University have their well-defined duties which they are expected to per form. The duty of the students is to learn all that is good and noble through hearing from their lecturers who impart knowledge and give guides, through observation of things around them and through reading books of all kinds. After their courses, the students leave the University and are expected to put into practice in their various occupations all that they acquired during their period of study. These products of a university may find themselves as teachers. administrators, politicians, economists, engineers and doctors etc. Some of these people may become policy makers and rulers of their country.

The fact that the fate of this country lies in the hands of those who study in our universities cannot be dis-puted and it is for this rea-son that concern is always expressed over what goes on in the three Universities of Ghana.

Undoubtedly, Ghanaians are alert and NEVER again will they allow any form of dictatorship to gain root in the country and since there appear to be no more impediments In their aspiration for true democracy, thanks to the gallant few whose bravery has brought to this country a change of government, future rulers of this country must be imbued with democratic principles before they consider themselves it to govern this country. It becomes imperative, therefore, that students of Ghana Universities are given every encouragement by the University authorities to enable the students to learn to acquire the art of democracy during their stay in Universities. It is only when stu-dents’ liberties are not encroached upon unnecessarily and their affairs not unduly interfered with, that they (students) can fully practice true democracy which they can carry over after leaving the walls of the Universities. The students’ experience in the practice of democracy during their course studies can thus be their best teachers in all matters pertaining to demo-cratic government in this country which embraces democracy and all that it holds.

Statement

It is in the light of what is stated above, that Lt. Col. R. J. G. Dontoh’s assertion on democracy in a University during his address at the third open day ceremony of the University College of Cape Coast, is highly commendable The chairman of the Central Region Committee of Administration said among other things and I quote, “there is no better place where people can learn about democracy than in a University.” This statement made by Lt. Col. R. J. G. Dontoh must be taken seriously by our Universities.

In my opinion, students in any of our universities can feel free to practise democracy only when a healthy atmosphere prevails on the University campus. A healthy atmosphere can only prevail on the campus when the university authorities respect the views of the students, appreciate their problems and do not deny them their fundamental human right—justice when it is their due to have it.

A democratic way of life is worth leading and it is only those who practise democracy that can apply it when the occasion demands it.