Collective responsibility in governance: Akufo-Addo and Bawumia's negative impact on Ghana

In the realm of leadership and governance, the concept of collective responsibility stands as a cornerstone for effective decision-making, accountability, and progress. However, the tenure of President Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, in Ghana over the past seven years starkly illustrates the perils of neglecting this principle.

Their administration has been marred by a series of failures, from the mismanagement of national resources to the current power supply crisis, underscoring the dire consequences of leadership devoid of collective responsibility.

One of the fundamental responsibilities of leadership is stewardship over national resources and assets for the collective benefit of the populace. However, the Akufo-Addo administration has been marred by allegations upon allegations of corruption and the plundering of these resources, further exacerbating the socio-economic disparities within the country. From questionable deals in natural resource extraction to opaque procurement practices, their governance has been characterized by a lack of transparency and accountability.

This government can proudly boast of a scandal for each day they have been in office, be it murky deals such as the Kelni-GVG arrangement or the mind-blowing Agyapa Royalties deal. When it comes to corruption, they are unrivalled in our history, for no government, military or civilian, has ever dared to take us to such low depths.

Furthermore, Ghana's economic growth has stagnated under their leadership, with regressive policies hindering rather than fostering development. Despite promises of prosperity and progress, the reality on the ground paints a gloomy picture, with rising unemployment, inflation, and a widening gap between the rich and the poor.

The poor excuse of assigning their mismanagement to either Covid-19 or the war in Europe fails the litmus test when the economic growth rate of our western neighbour, La Cote d’Ivoire, has been above 6% since 2022 and is projected at 6.8% this year by the African Development Bank, with the rest of the sub-region performing decently well.

The only countries with less than 4% projected growth in 2024 are Ghana and Nigeria. The failure to enact meaningful reforms and address systemic challenges has only served to perpetuate the cycle of poverty and inequality. To make matters worse, our current national debt is projected to hit $73.9 billion by the end of 2024 according to Statista, which means this government has to further tax its way out of the financial hole it dug by the kind courtesy of Ken Ofori Atta. We have been royally duped and left in dire straits.

The ongoing disruption in power supply across the country serves as a glaring example of the administration's ineptitude and lack of foresight in other areas. Despite repeated assurances and pledges to improve the energy sector, Ghanaians continue to grapple with erratic electricity supply, crippling businesses and undermining the country's economic potential, a situation which has been met with deafening silence by the government.

Vice President Bawumia cannot disassociate himself from these failures; rather, he is complicit in the collective responsibility of governance and must be held accountable for the repercussions of his administration's actions or inactions. The mantra of "breaking the eight" is steeped in staggering arrogance and wishful thinking on their part, implying a reward for their poor performance and stewardship.

The current state of affairs in Ghana underscores the imperative of collective responsibility in leadership and governance. Leaders must prioritize the interests of the nation above personal gain or political expediency, working collaboratively towards sustainable development and prosperity for all citizens. As the 2024 elections loom, we must collectively scrutinize the track record of our leaders and demand accountability for their stewardship of the country. Only through a commitment to collective responsibility can the nation chart a course toward a brighter and more equitable future for generations to come.

I cannot stress enough the critical nature of the elections in December and the dire ramifications for the country's future if we reward this kleptocratic gang. Without mincing words, it must be stated emphatically that the NPP and Bawumia are not a viable option in forming the next government in their current state. Change is imperative in December 2024.