Road to Election 2024: Experts call for campaign promises scrutiny
As the December 2024 presidential campaign front inches towards the home stretch, the political scene has been inundated with lofty promises, and sometimes audacious pledges that somehow promise to overhaul the debt-ridden Ghanaian economy into an instant paradise.
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From the hard realities of the economy to the mundane subject, there has been no dull moment thus far, as leading figures Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) propose digitalisation and a 24-hour economy, respectively as the foundations upon which they would build their separate governance systems.
Bawumia’s digitalisation drive
Dr Bawumia has pledged to even strengthen the free senior high school implemented by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government in his administration.
His campaign further woos businesses with a “fixed tax rate” system considered a friendlier regime to the business environment, tax amnesty in specific circumstances, agriculture input support system to boost food production, a 100 per cent ownership of Ghana’s natural resources and general incentives to the local business environment.
All of these promises are expected to thrive under a digitalisation drive mentioned by the party as his brainchild.
“I am going to refocus our paradigm for natural resource management. For the most part, Ghana has not maximised the benefits of our natural resources,” Dr Bawumia said during a breakfast meeting with religious leaders in the Eastern Region on Monday, April 29, 2024.
“Since the days of the Portuguese in the 15th century, gold has always been taken out of Ghana. We haven’t benefitted much from our natural resources;
I am going to change that paradigm. I am going to bring a bigger focus on ownership of our natural resources,” he further assured.
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Mahama’s 24-hour economy
But the Mahama campaign has touted the party's 24-hour economy policy as a panacea for reshaping the local economic system by stirring domestic production of different kinds of goods across sectors.
The economy has been a major issue for the main contenders in the 2024 electioneering so far
"The 24-hour economy is a solid way to replace imports with homegrown production of goods and thus create a solid base for a vibrant Ghanaian industry.
In many instances, we don’t import goods because they’re better than ours; we import them because nobody produces them here, in Ghana, in the first place or because the local production is insufficient," the former President said during his July 7, 2024 engagement with the media in Accra.
"The stimulus package for companies wanting to participate in the 24-hour economy will convince businesses, and I am sure of it, to start producing import substitutes.
Do you know why? Because the market for such products already exists,” the former President stated.
So far, it has been the biggest message by the NDC, along with a pledge to tighten the screws on corruption, improve the educational system, address infrastructural deficits, among others, in the effort to annex power.
Experts’ views
Four political scientists have expressed interesting opinions on the campaign messages of the two leading parties so far.
Professor Jeffrey Haynes, an Emeritus Professor of Politics of the London Metropolitan University in the UK, said so far he had been intrigued by the 24-hour economy policy advanced by the Mahama Campaign, as well as the pledges from the divides to curb corruption.
“So far, the 24-hour economy, the pledges to curb corruption, and the pleas to avoid electoral violence have caught my attention,” he told the Daily Graphic.
Senior Political Science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Dr Kwasi Amakye-Boateng; political scientist and columnist of the Daily Graphic, Dr Samuel Kofi Darkwa, and Political Science lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, Gilbert Arhinful Aidoo, in separate interviews said the messages on corruption, the economy and jobs were expected as the nation headed to the polls on December 7 this year.
Lofty promises
“The problem is that people are likely to buy into the rhetoric, and be swayed by lofty promises,” Dr Amakye-Boateng said.
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“Generally, people talk about propositions that outline strategies to address the country’s economic problems. They normally talk about policies,” he added.
He, however, stressed that “historically, outlining brilliant policies hasn’t necessarily translated into real economic success”, adding that “examples abound in developing countries in general and Ghana in particular”.
“Dr Bawumia continues with the rhetorics, and former President Mahama does same to some extent,” Dr Amakye-Boateng said.
“However, in his encounter with the media, former President Mahama gave some indication that he’ll be operating with a disciplined government. He openly stated that his appointees would not purchase state property and neither participate in ‘galamsey’ – illegal mining – activities.
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“If he should be able to demonstrate this in government, Ghana would be on the road to a major breakthrough in becoming the type of disciplined state needed to engender sustained economic growth and social development,” the KNUST lecturer added.
Major changes
Dr Darkwa listed the economy, security, health and major public sector reforms as key issues that should dominate the discussion on the political front in the campaign for votes.
He recommended, for instance, the altering of the asset declaration regime to check corruption among public office holders, better and tighter regulations on public procurement, separation of the Attorney-General’s Office from the Ministry of Justice, and reforming the health insurance system to make it more effective and providing service providers more promptly.
“The security institutions such as the Ghana Police Service, the military, etc., should be depoliticised and be empowered to work independently by creating internal mechanisms for electing their own key officials.
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“Professionalise the National Security by depoliticising it (eg. National Security should not be the avenue for recruiting party ‘foot soldiers’). It should not have operatives.
If there should, it should be formalised backed by law and properly regulated,” Dr Darkwa added.
He said the political campaign must address the thorny subject of youth unemployment given that it had become a threat to national security.
Elevated discourse
Mr Arhinful Aidoo said the presidential aspirants of two major political parties had elevated the discourse on economic management, social justice, and good governance to a different level.
“As the Bawumia-NAPO-NPP ticket still dreams of possibility of ‘breaking the eight’, they have promised continual infrastructure development, economic reforms, industrialisation, and digital transformation. Especially interesting is the ‘credit scoring idea’,” he said.
“On the other hand, John Dramani Mahama and Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman-led NDC’s promise to revitalise the ailing economy, particularly with their ‘24-hour economy’, plans to reduce corruption and enhance social welfare are particularly encouraging,” he added.
The University of Education, Winneba, lecturer said several factors, including sociological, ideological and partisan inclinations, and even rational calculus, in the form of economic benefits, might “influence choices most Ghanaians will make at the polls”.
“For me, the economy will be the foremost factor that most Ghanaians will consider in exercising their franchise. We need to scrutinise the various candidates’ manifesto promises regarding the best way to turn around the ‘limping’ post-COVID IMF-controlled economy in order to reduce the excruciating hardships that many people find themselves in today.
“Indeed, the ability of the parties to address pressing economic issues — such as inflation, unemployment, and public debt — will be crucial. This is because a stable and growing economy impacts all aspects of life, including job opportunities, living standards, and overall societal well-being.
A comprehensive and feasible economic strategy that promises tangible improvements and sustainable growth would be a key determinant in my voting decision,” he stressed.
He said issues bordering on the living conditions of the people would also be key in the choices the electorate make on December 7 this year.
“Ghanaians shall consider as key, proposals to address corruption, cost of living, poverty and unemployment. Indeed, the track-record of candidates on governance and anti-corruption will play a key role in the 2024 elections.
“Effective governance and a commitment to reducing corruption are vital for ensuring that economic policies are implemented successfully and that public resources are used efficiently.
I consider a strong track-record of transparency, accountability, and integrity as qualities essential for fostering trust and promoting equitable development in the country,” he added.