REVIEW OF AN ARTICLE BY KWAME NINSIN

1. REVIEW
ONE PARTY AND MILITARY REGIMES (Kwame Ninsin)
(Owusu Nsiah Isaac)
INTRODUCTION
For the excellent and proper erection of the general foundational elements of
which the whole and total machinery of a nation is built and formed, the politics
that surround the state should not be stampled upon. Since every nation strives
after development and its associated dimensions of economic growth, there
should be enabling political environment and space to allow the free of
progressive ideas among social forces on how the nation should be
administered .since the epoch of decolonization ,the politics that surrounded
Ghana during the 1960s and the early part of the 1990s,somewhat damaged
the democratic ideals that was embraced for a period of time. Chazan (1983),
explains the mal administration and its effects it had on the state and the people
at large. The nature of endemic instability, political uncertainty, economic
deterioration and in its entirety the undermining of democracy. This review
provides a general overview of the literature. We then continue with a critical
standpoint analysis and finally draw some conclusions to the study.
ONE PARTY AND MILITARY REGIME: an overview
Ninsin (1991), establishes claims and facts about the character of the Ghanaian
state as far as politics is concerned. He elucidates and clarifies his argument by
positing that the problematic nature of democratic politics and government is as
a results of the experience of one party system and military adventurism in the
republic through certain periods throughout the post-colonial. He argues that
the unstable nature of the Ghanaian state is as a results of obstructive elements
towards the full realization of democracy. He specifically identifies the CPP and

2. the emergence of one partyism as it banned social diversity and embraced
uniformity and conformity to the parameters of a national party which
contradicted the norms of democracy.military instrusion in Ghanaian politics
was another causative factor .the NLC, NRC, THE SMC I &II and finally the
PNDC, also halted politics in the country giving no place for politics, erection of
political organizations and social diversity. These authoritarian regimes ruled
without legitimacy and thus abused the use of political power (see chazan
1983).the literature also provides recommendation on how to establish a strong
democracy by projecting constitutionalism and incorporating certain dimensions
that provides the total understanding of democracy.in all these elements one of
the major considerations as he throws more light on is the promotion of
fundamental human rights.
CONCLUSION (ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION)
Under a critical standpoint, I reinforce Ninsin’s argument with Boafo-Arthur
(2008), as he opines that, a stable polity is of great essence to national
development. He adds that democracy can only thrive in a stable political
environment and thus environment where the fundamental political and civil
rights of citizens are respected and institutionalized.so one partysm and military
regime Ghana experienced destroyed these prospects.
But to critique Professor Kwame Ninsin’s work, the literature’s recommendation
that power is in the hands of the people and thus it should be their decision
through the ballot that a social or political organization could manage the nation,
is one of the very foundational elements of democracy. But in 1964, the genesis
of one partyism in Ghanaian politics was championed by the opinions of the
majority of Ghanaians, even thou there was a constitution, the peoples voice
were more powerful than the constitution. There were opposing social forces
during this period but majority of Ghanaian’s voted for a one party with socialism
and centralization as the main tenents of progressive development. The one
partysm wasn’t an act of coercion but a general electoral adherence by the people

3. of Ghana. Even though to a significant extent there were abuses of rights and
other issues, democracy constitutes a vast dimensions of underpinnings that
provides the thorough understanding of what democratic politics constitutes.
Again Kwame Ninsin makes a clear case that even though democracy is a better
recommendation to ensure that politics of development, it’s not always objective.
I agree because the feasibility of democracy in Africa is questionable and
debatable(see Ake 2000).Boafo- Arthur makes several claims as opined by
several scholars, Yi Feng points to the relationship between democracy and
growth, and between its our Political stability and growth. Three main schools of
thought have worked on these relationships with conflicting outcomes. The
argument of the ‘conflict school’ is that democracy obstructs economic growth,
especially in developing countries. Sirowy and inkless who are of the conflict
School are of the view that “the ‘dysfunctional consequences’ of ‘premature’
Democracy slow growth; and democracy is incapable of pervasive state
involvement
In the development process in the present world-historical context”. Also
Lindberg (2010), makes a strong argument as democracy feeds and erects
Neopatrimonialism which is one of the major problems African countries have
faced and thus still faces.
Finally the recommendations provided by the literature to a significant extent
have ensured a progressive and several prospects as far as the state, Ghana is
concerned.
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ake, Claude (2000). The Feasibility of Democracy in Africa (Dakar: CODESRIA
Chazan Naomi (1983) An anatomy of Ghanaian politics: managing political
recession 1969-1982
Kwame -Boafo Arthur (2008) democracy and stability in West Africa: the Ghana
experience

4. Lindberg, Staffan I. (2003). “It’s Our Time to “Chop”’: Do Elections in Africa Feed
Neo-Patrimonialism rather than Counter-Act It?” Democratization,
Ninsin A. Kwame (1991) one party and military regime