Professor Ransford Gyampo, a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, has counsel the opposition New patriotic Party (NPP) focus on rebuilding its party image for public re-acceptance rather than focusing on the President Mahama’s early days in office.
Delivered a scathing critique of the party governance under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during an appearance on TV3’s The Point of View on Saturday 11th January 2024, Prof. Gyampo expressed deep concerns over what he described as the administration’s failure to deliver effective governance, citing issues such as corruption, marginalization, and inefficiency in public resource management.
In his remarks, which were monitored by KumasiMail, Prof. Gyampo lamented the lack of competent leadership and accused the NPP government under former President Nana Akufo Addo of prioritizing political gains over the welfare of citizens.
“This government has shown, time and time again, that it lacks the ability to govern effectively. Governance is about managing scarce resources to achieve development outcomes that improve the lives of people, but all we see are facades like the ‘One District, One Factory’ initiative, which has failed to create meaningful jobs for Ghanaians,” he stated.
Prof. Gyampo further criticized the alleged marginalization of certain groups, which he claimed was a deliberate attempt to consolidate power for a select few. “What we are witnessing is the polarization of authority and resources, with efforts centered on sustaining the interests of a few individuals rather than addressing national concerns,” he argued.
Addressing issues of corruption, Prof. Gyampo accused the administration of lacking transparency and accountability. “Indicators of good governance include efficient and effective resource management and the reflection of development in the lives of the people. Instead, we have witnessed gaslighting and rhetoric, with no substantial results to show for it”.
He also drew attention to what he perceived as a tendency for critics of the government to be silenced or discredited. “Criticism is crucial for progress, but the NPP government often disregards constructive feedback, which poses a risk to democratic governance,” he said.
Prof. Gyampo emphasized the importance of holding all governments accountable, stating that his criticisms were not partisan but rooted in a desire for better governance.
“I have no permanent friends or enemies in politics, only permanent interests in ensuring good governance. If former President Mahama had failed in the past, he was criticized, and so must the current administration when it fails. Governance is about serving the people, not perpetuating party interests.”
Prof. Gyampo warned the current NDC government against internal disintegration within political parties and urged leaders to focus on fostering national development rather than engaging in blame games. He called on the administration to urgently re-evaluate its policies and strategies to address the challenges facing the nation.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
