Edzorna Mensah writes: …in breach of the Directive Principles of State Policy

The wellbeing of all Ghanaians should be the cardinal duty of the state and the governing political party hence the intention of the Directive Principles of State Policy is to create social and economic conditions under which the citizens can live a good life

The way to reduce perpetually escalating poverty and Rural-urban migration known as an internal migration in this country is to extend the same opportunities, if not all as created in urban centres to rural areas too, in compliance with the law in respect to The Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 34 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

Government must also expand the economic opportunities for the young people, invest and expand educational and health infrastructure, and to as well embrace new technologies available for the general wellbeing of citizens without barriers.

The Constitution of Ghana is clear and unambiguous when it comes to the even distribution of the national cake and balanced development as a responsibility, placed on The State to give proper meaning to probity and accountability.

Citizens of this country, irrespective of their status and geographical location within the four corners of Ghana should have access to quality education, well-paid job, portable water, constant supply of electricity, and a good road network without stress in line with Article 35 clause (6) {c} to “provide adequate facilities for, and encourage, free mobility of people, goods and services throughout Ghana…”

The state is under obligation to protect all, by putting in place adequate measures to provide security and make sure that people are safe in public places, homes and other places accordingly accepted as a place for habitation since “The Rule of Law” as captured under the preamble of the constitution provides for “The protection and preservation of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms, Unity and Stability for our Nation”, in all forms.

As tasked to collect tax, it must invest that tax and other monies generated either borrowed on behalf of Ghanaians or grants received must be invested in the very people-there must be the human-centered approach to all government/state projects and programmes. The current situation where rural folks pay for street lights as part of the electricity billing meanwhile they have no street lights is unacceptable and unconstitutional.

There must be a deliberate effort from the decision-makers to make sure that every town and community in this country is given the needed and equal attention when it comes to good road, water, light, job telecommunications, and other developmental projects; this is what the law says no two ways about it and it is subjected to no interpretation.

In fact, Article 38 (3) says The State shall, subject to the availability of resources (We have but not utilized well)  provide – (a) “equal and balanced access to secondary and other appropriate pre-university education, equal access to university or equivalent education, with emphasis on science and technology”.

Regrettably, over the years, Governments deliberately circumvented or decided to do things contrary to these important provisions in the law with impunity and we all look on, others turn to churches for miracles.

Explicitly, the golden opportunity to be regionally balanced and pay equal attention to all communities, towns, and villages for even distribution projects is too glaring to overlook because one cannot be elected as President of Ghana without availing his or her minds to Article 36 (d) regarding “undertaking even and balanced development of all regions and every part of each region of Ghana, and, in particular, improving the conditions of life in the rural areas, and generally, redressing any imbalance in development between the rural and the urban areas”.

As a country with over two decades of multiparty democracy, it will only be fair to founders of this nation if powers that be practice the doctrines of this democracy in accordance with Article 36 Clause (2) (e) which affirms “the recognition that the most secure democracy is the one that assures the basic necessities of life for its people as a fundamental duty”.

Simply, implementation of these clauses under these articles in chapter six will make our nation a truly democratic state as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

It baffles unpretentious minds as to why governments fail to simply comply with some of the critical necessities the constitution pontificates about in the interest of all, including the extended families of the ruling class because one would have thought nothing will prevent the state to fully carry out Article 36 (3) which states that “The State shall take appropriate measures to promote the development of agriculture and industry”, this, will undoubtedly begin our industrialization drive which begun since independence.

It is very important to state unequivocally that the Constitution of Ghana in chapter six (6) says “The Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Chapter of shall guide all citizens, Parliament, the President, the Judiciary, the Council of State, the Cabinet, political parties and other bodies and persons in applying or interpreting this Constitution or any other law and in taking and implementing any policy decisions, for the establishment of a just and free society”.

The Author – Edzorna Francis Mensah is a Journalist.