miscellanea: Why vote?

(These images are borrowed, they weren't created for Ghana...but they spell out what I want to say so bear with me. I am borrowing the images from Borders, Perrin, Norrander, an agency based in Portland, USA's voting consciousness campaign for the US elections)

Many people hold the following view:

Them, means politicians.

Others also feel that:

But you still have to Vote for 'Nobody' for all this to happen, if 'Somebody' or "Anybody' wins, it might be different...just saying...

While these points of view may be more true than false, but there's probably more to lose by standing aloof and unconcerned. At the end of the day it isn't really about the politicians (well, it shouldn't be), it should be about us *drumroll* THE People! and what we want. Elections are the only time you get to show 'them' your krakyi powers and flex small, I don't know why anyone would want to pass up that chance. Maybe the odds that your single vote will be a tie breaker are rather slim, but maybe it will add up to another couple of thousand votes and make a difference. Who knows?? #GetInvolved

I think it's always better to take part, even if you kick yourself later, than not to get involved and regret being a dry fish later on (Natasha and friends, that's you :p). You may even feel that you ended up being governed by a bunch of idiots who you are greatly, massively intellectually superior to, and if that happens na who cause am? (please ooo! I am not calling anyone names oo, I am just saying that by not voting this is a risk)

You can choose not to vote if every single little thing is ok with you:

If fuel prices and related transport fares are not killing you or if you're not feeling the pinch at all.
Don't bother.

If you're not bothered about the fact that we manufacture next to nothing in Ghana, don't vote.

In our case, this will be the value of our cedi taking a battering from the other currencies. If you're not worried about the strength of the cedi, take a seat and don't vote.

If you have found your solution to health care delivery, don't vote.
Do remember that you can be caught up in an emergency and the hospital you end up in will not be your choice...still comfy?
*shrugs* don't vote.

housing is upside down. affordable housing is needed. If you have your own home in the location that you desire and so do all your friends, family members and colleagues don't vote.

(and not just any teacher, a well qualified teacher)

Education in this country has to be sorted out. If yours is, and you're certain of that of your own [future] children and relatives, your friends kids', as well as that of all the kids that your children will come into contact with, don't bother to even listen.

I honestly don't belive it's the government's job to do everything, including wipe our noses when we sneeze. But unfortunately most Ghanaians cling to that mentality and often demand waaaay too much from ~~politicians and~~ the system. What I do believe that is people should be held accountable for their stated responsibilities and things they [willingly, voluntarily] say they will do.
So if everything is just fine the way it is, don't vote.
If you don't want any single thing to change, don't vote.
But do note that by not voting you may actually change things and rock your happy boat. The only way to drive is by steering not by giving directions from the passenger's seat. So VOTE!

If you're not 100% up to date on the issues, don't just fold your arms: find out so you can make an informed decision on the issues (not a beauty or tribal or class or religious or who-your-father's-friends-are decision) and vote.
Listen to the candidates, read their manifestos/policy statements/agendas; find out as much as you can about the issues and then think about Ghana. Don't think about just yourself and your household (at least try!). Think about the country as a whole and vote.

(Who am I kidding, right? #StomachPolitics lol)

you, just vote...