The Political Hypocrisy of Ghanaians: A Silent Epidemic

In recent years, Ghanaian politics has been marred by an unsettling trend: selective criticism and blatant hypocrisy. The political landscape is rife with individuals and groups who once spoke out loudly against perceived wrongs under one government but have suddenly gone mute under another, even when the situation worsened.

During the tenure of John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), criticisms flowed from every corner. Religious leaders, chiefs, civil society organizations, celebrities, and other prominent figures took turns lambasting the government for what they deemed bad governance. Mahama’s administration was scrutinized to its core, with allegations of corruption, economic mismanagement, and inefficiency dominating public discourse.

When Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) came to power, many expected a transformative leadership that would rectify the issues the NDC government was accused of. Akufo-Addo, with his promises of fighting corruption, providing jobs, and delivering quality education, was hailed as a saviour. But as his government’s term is about to unfold, the realities is telling a different story.

Ironically, the very people who were vocal under Mahama’s government became noticeably silent. Scandals of unprecedented proportions surfaced, the economy worsened, and policies like the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program, though laudable in intent, were poorly implemented, leading to immense strain on school administrators and the education system. Yet, many critics from the Mahama era held their peace.This silence is not coincidental. It is reflective of deeper societal flaws which include the following:

Shock and Disillusionment: Some individuals were genuinely stunned by the stark contrast between Nana Akufo-Addo's promises and his performance. Having trusted him to deliver, they were paralyzed by disappointment and unsure of how to respond to the uncountable scandals they saw and heard of.

Compromise and Complicity: Others chose silence because they were compromised. The allure of government contracts, appointments, and financial incentives muted their voices. These individuals preferred to protect their personal interests over holding the government accountable.

Fear of Retribution: Heads of government institutions, school administrators, and other public servants refrained from speaking out, fearing victimization or loss of their positions. This culture of intimidation discouraged constructive criticism, leaving the populace without advocates in critical areas.

Ghanaians have a saying: "It is when the frog dies that we can measure its full length." As Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration draws to a close, it is anticipated that many hidden truths will surface. We will likely hear about the struggles of school heads who bore the brunt of the Free SHS policy’s haphazard implementation, the silent suffering of public servants, and the untold stories of corruption and mismanagement.

This pattern of selective criticism is damaging to Ghana’s democratic growth. Political inclinations have clouded our reasoning as a people, undermining our collective ability to speak truth to power. Governance should not be a partisan matter; it should be about the welfare of the citizenry. Holding leaders accountable should transcend political affiliations and personal interests.

To break this cycle of hypocrisy, Ghanaians must embrace nonpartisan advocacy: Criticism of government policies and actions should be consistent, regardless of which party is in power. This is the only way to put checks and balances on any ruling government that takes over office. These checks and balances shouldn't be selective.

Civil society organizations, religious groups, and traditional authorities must remain independent and prioritize national interest over partisan politics. Allowing politics of choice to dictate how these institutions must act means dancing to the tunes of individuals who hold power at a given time but not working for the interest of the country and its quest for development.

Protect Whistleblowers: Laws and systems should be strengthened to protect individuals who expose wrongdoing within any administration. Political victimisation mustn't be allowed as it puts fear in those who want to expose certain wrongdongs in public places in the country and allows politicians to have their ways.

To draw the curtains down, it is only through consistent and fearless advocacy that we can build a stronger democracy and ensure better governance. The silence of the past must serve as a lesson for the future: truth to power is not just a slogan but a responsibility that all citizens must uphold, irrespective of their political inclinations.