Professor Douglass Boateng has called for a renewed focus on values-based governance, urging Ghanaians to place national and continental development above partisan politics.

Speaking during the 2026 Law Week celebration, themed "Corporate Governance Rebooted: From Rules to Transformation," the renowned governance advocate and Pan-Africanist expressed concern over what he described as the country's growing political polarization, stressing that governance should be guided by the collective interest of society rather than political affiliations.

"For me, it's rather unfortunate that the country has become so polarized around political lines. What drives me and many people is what is right for society. When we get it right for society, the polarization will minimize," he said.

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According to Prof Boateng, his long-standing advocacy is centered on instilling governance principles in young people to prepare them for leadership positions in both the public and private sectors.

"That is why it's driving my agenda to try and get the governance principle to the basic level, starting from the youth and building it up so that when they are ready to go into the boardrooms, they already have the mindset about doing what is right for society, not for a political party. It's Ghana first, it's Africa first, and that is what we need to focus on," he stated.

The governance expert argued that one of the biggest misconceptions about governance is the belief that it is only relevant within corporate institutions. Instead, he maintained that the foundation of good governance begins in the home, where values, ethics, and character are first developed.

"The major governance problem which I have identified is the fact that we believe it is a corporate concept, and it is not. It begins at home because when their mindset is shaped properly on the home front, it is easier for them to convert it into something that is beneficial to society. We need to go back to basics," he said.

He emphasised that addressing Ghana's governance challenges requires a deliberate effort to cultivate a culture of selflessness and responsibility among citizens.

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"That's the only way forward because we need to tackle the root cause of what is happening in our society, and it's to do with doing the right thing, not just for yourself, but for the common good. That is very, very important. Once we get it right, a lot of things will change for all of us and for generations to come," he added.

Prof. Boateng also reaffirmed his commitment to Pan-Africanism, describing himself as an "unapologetic Pan-Africanist" who believes Africa's progress depends on greater unity across the continent.

"I'm an unapologetic Pan-Africanist who believes that we are one people separated by artificial borders, and if we work as one, we could really economically emancipate our people from this economic trap that we find ourselves in. So Nyansa Kasa is basically for a mindset change, and that is why it comes out every day," he added.

JHM/AM

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