Professor Etse Sikanku, an Associate Professor of Journalism, Media Studies and Political Communication has called for a national values discourse that will contribute to a re-orientation and re-awakening of the values that underpin Ghana’s democracy and development. He therefore called for national values deliberation that will contribute to re-shaping public attitudes, mindsets and contribute to good governance.
Speaking in an interview on Metro TV’s Inside Pages with Moro Awudu, to mark Independence day, Professor Sikanku said there was the need to re-visit the discourse on the values we cherish most and what it means to be Ghanaian.
“This is a good time to talk about what it means to be Ghanaian, to re-visit the discourse about national identity and national unity. There is a palpabale link between our traditional values and the principles of democracy. We need to create an Afrocentric democracy, a Ghanaian democracy that takes care of our context and inherent beliefs.”
He called for the promotion of a civic culture as part of a national re-orientarion and crusade to help reduce the societal decadence, vices and entrench patriotism.
He noted that political discourse had become so acerbic and corrosive emphasising that this phenomenon was not in tandem with the traditional values of respect and decency.
Professor Sikanku strongly argued that most of the traditional values we hold in our communities could help perpetuate a democracy that was more progressive, unifying, respectful, accountable, transparent and based on dialogue rather than combat, extremism, sensationalism, and extreme partisanship.
Prof Sikanku also stated that Ghana’s development was hinged not just economic or other factors but also on a national mindset and attitudinal change that can contribute to progress and development. Such measures he added, can enhance the civil culture and nationalism and patriotism among Ghanaians especially the youth.
He commended President Dramani Mahama for the scaled down version of independence day which he said will contribute to cutting down expenditure and ensuring cost saving.
