A country’s success depends on her leaders and the people being lead. Ghana as a country since 2000 has been struggling with developmental issues in the various sectors of the economy. After a keen observation and research it has come to bare that excessive political influence is the bedrock of developmental deficiency in the country.
Political influence affects the business performance. Political decisions affect people’s daily lives in two very important ways. They decide how much money the state will take from people in the form of taxes to spend on public projects such as health care, education or defence, political decisions also make the laws that affect peoples lives.
In Ghana, two major political parties emerged in 1992. whichever party comes into government make decisions that toll the party’s line or ideology. Even policy or lawmakers pass laws or bylaws without necessarily taking into consideration the needs of the people.
Most chief executive officers of governmental institutions and companies are highly influenced by political powers. The occurrences have damaged the country’s economy since decisions made by authorities are not aimed at benefiting the ordinary Ghanaian but to meet selfish goals.
Political influence has made it almost impossible to employ competent officials to prominent positions. Some contracts are awarded to people who have their party in government. It has gotten to the level where you need a connection or someone at a higher rank in order to secure a job.
Ghana security service suffers some level of political influence in execution of its duties. Most security officials if not all, are affiliated to a political body or person who is higher than them. This circumstance makes it difficult to bring to book political or criticize personals or people around them when they breach the laws of the Land. This undermines the credibility and confidence the nation has in the security system.
The educational system has experienced some level of changes in recent times. Emphatically the free senior high School introduced by the current government in power. It is said that free SHS is the best policy implemented in recent times. The policy gives every child of school going age the opportunity to be educated at the SHS level. That indeed is a good policy.
But I am talking about using political influence to put students where they don’t belong. Hardly will you see an MP’s, Minister, or Ambassadors child in a grade 3 or 4 SHS. Why? because the father or mother has the “connection” so they utilize it to get their wards a first-class school even if they don’t merit it. Same applies to the tertiary institutions.
Let me ask, are we creating future leaders or future slaves and Killers?
let’s touch a little in the business sector. This is where the average Ghanaian involved in Petty trade and small private business struggle. Political influence makes it possible to manipulate the business environment in such a way that capital and profits are in the hands of few people.
I can go on and discuss sectors in the country that is suffering from political influence. But the fact is that excessive political influence is creating a setback in Ghana’s development. It invites the impression that few people own and control the country. At the same time the economy is afflicted with crushing indebtedness and unemployment. Income distribution is grotesquely skewed.
There’s underfunding of social programs. The bulk of the population is increasingly impoverished. The population bitterly complains about unkept promises.
From the above analysis, it is without doubt that excessive political influence is the bedrock of developmental struggle in Ghana.
Written By
Bani Bless
B. Bani 