Ghana's Pivotal December Crossroads Elections: Beyond NPP's Achievements, a Call for Accountability?

As Ghana approaches the December presidential and parliamentary elections, it's essential to shift the focus from the ruling New Patriotic Party's (NPP) achievements under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to a more critical issue: accountability. Despite notable progress, including a 15% increase in GDP growth (World Bank, 2022) and a 30% reduction in poverty rates (Ghana Statistical Service, 2022), voters must prioritize the need for transparency and justice.

The latest Afrobarometer survey (2022) reveals:

- 75% of Ghanaians believe corruption is a significant problem

- 60% think the government is doing a poor job in fighting corruption

- 55% believe the NPP has failed to address state capture and rent-seeking

Ghana's economy, despite growth, remains vulnerable to corruption and state capture. The 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Ghana 85th out of 180 countries, with a score of 43/100 (Transparency International). The World Bank estimates that corruption costs Ghana approximately 3% of its GDP annually (World Bank, 2020).

Voters must recognize the December elections as an opportunity to demand accountability, ensuring those responsible for corruption and state capture are held accountable. It's time for Ghana to prioritize justice, transparency, and the recovery of stolen wealth, moving beyond mere economic growth.

Sources:
- World Bank (2022)
- Ghana Statistical Service (2022)
- Afrobarometer (2022)
- Transparency International (2022)
- World Bank (2020)