Professor Godfred Bokpin of the University of Ghana highlights that Ghana’s democracy operates largely on a politics of promises, particularly evident as the 2024 elections approach. He warns that many political pledges may remain unfulfilled due to financial constraints, urging voters to be cautious of potential disappointments. Additionally, he critiques the Free SHS initiative for lacking sufficient quality, despite increasing enrollment numbers.
In a recent discussion about Ghana’s political climate, Professor Godfred Bokpin, a lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, asserted that the nation’s democratic landscape is primarily characterized by a prevailing politics of promises. As the 2024 elections approach, the release of political party manifestos has inspired extensive debate among voters, particularly regarding former President John Dramani Mahama’s proposed “24 Hour-economy” initiative. During an interview on Starr Morning with Naa Dedei Tettey, Prof. Bokpin criticized political parties for making grand promises to the electorate while knowing they lack the financial capability to fulfill these commitments once in power. He urged the public to be cautious of potential disillusionment as these promises may not translate into reality due to insufficient fiscal resources. “Our democracy is one of a politics of promises. It is politics of promises. And Ghanaians should be very careful because disappointment lies ahead. We don’t have the fiscal space to implement a number of the proposals that the political parties have put out there,” Professor Bokpin stated, highlighting a concerning trend in Ghana’s political framework. Furthermore, the professor referenced the Free Senior High School (SHS) initiative, noting that while it has succeeded in increasing enrollment figures, the quality of education remains inadequate. He remarked, “When we even talk about Free SHS, we can’t come to terms to say that, look, quality-wise, we are not good. We may have checked the box in terms of quantity. But that alone is not sufficient.” This situation underscores the urgent need for a more accountable and realistic political dialogue in Ghana that prioritizes not only promises but also actionable plans informed by the nation’s fiscal realities.
The commentary provided by Professor Godfred Bokpin reflects a broader concern regarding the effectiveness of political promises in Ghana’s democratic process. With the context of the upcoming 2024 elections, many political parties have taken to announcing pledges aimed at attracting voter support. However, the underlying issue highlighted by Bokpin is the gap between these pledges and the actual capacity to fulfill them, raising important questions about accountability and governance in the country. The challenges surrounding the Free SHS policy also illustrate the tension between increasing accessibility to education and ensuring educational quality, which are critical elements in discussions of Ghana’s socio-economic development.
In summary, Professor Godfred Bokpin’s insights shed light on the critical issues surrounding the politics of promises in Ghana as the nation braces for its upcoming elections. He underscores the need for voters to approach political commitments with caution, given the significant gaps between promises and the achievable reality. Moreover, the conversation about the quality of education, despite increased access, calls for a reassessment of how educational policies are structured and implemented. Such discussions are vital for the development of a more accountable and effective governance framework in Ghana.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
