Ghana’s Political Chess Game: Why Ordinary Citizens Always Lose

In governance, there comes a time when leaders must rise above political rivalry and make decisions that serve the greater good. Ghana, a nation of hardworking and resilient people, should not be reduced to a battleground where ordinary citizens become collateral damage in political vendettas. Yet, here we are again—witnessing another wave of mass dismissals under President Mahama’s administration, an act that reeks of political retribution rather than national interest. Even more troubling is the justification and silence of those who once claimed to be neutral voices of reason but have now lost their tongues.

The Hypocrisy of Justifying Political Mass Dismissals

Some argue that the previous administration also dismissed workers, as if governance should be reduced to a game of revenge—who can do it worse or who can outwit the other. Since when did national leadership become a contest of pettiness? Shouldn’t progress be measured by how much a government uplifts its people rather than how effectively it can erase the legacy of its predecessors? Nelson Mandela once said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” But that is exactly what we are seeing: a cycle of bitterness that does not destroy the opposition but rather cripples our own nation.

Another justification given is that the previous government recruited individuals they considered to be their political allies and that removing them is a way to “correct” the imbalance and replace them with so-called deserving citizens. This reasoning is not only flawed but dangerous. Where does it end if we start labeling Ghanaians by political colors rather than competence? Should we now check the political affiliations of doctors before they perform surgeries? Or verify the party allegiance of teachers before they educate our children? The idea that public service must be monopolized by political loyalists rather than qualified professionals is an insult to every hardworking Ghanaian.

Then there’s the excuse that those dismissed were not on the payroll or that an outgoing government has no right to recruit people. But let me play devil’s advocate—was this not the same administration that accused its predecessor of failing to make adequate provisions for fuel before leaving office? By that argument, they expected the previous government to continue functioning until its very last day. So why is it suddenly unacceptable for the same government to have employed Ghanaians whose recruitment processes started months before the elections? If governance must continue smoothly until power is handed over, then surely, hiring competent individuals to fill vacancies cannot be a crime.

Who Really Suffers? Not the Politicians, But You and Me

At the core of this issue is a dangerous misconception—that these dismissals affect only NPP supporters. Many NDC supporters are cheering, forgetting that every affected Ghanaian is part of the larger puzzle that makes up our nation. Can anyone confidently say that only NPP members have lost their jobs? Or that every dismissed teacher, nurse, or civil servant was an active political operative?

The irony is that the NPP member you celebrate for losing their job has a family—perhaps a brother, a sister, or a dependent who is a strong NDC supporter. The dismissed nurse you applaud today could have been the very person to save your life in a clinic tomorrow. The teacher you are happy to see removed might have been the one preparing your child for a better future. How does this kind of political retribution benefit Ghana? If your joy is in seeing a fellow Ghanaian lose their livelihood, ask yourself: Would I still clap if it were me or someone I love?

The Economic and Social Cost of Political Dismissals

Beyond the morality of the issue, let’s talk about the practical consequences. Mass dismissals in public service do not just affect those sent home—they create a ripple effect. Every dismissed worker represents a household that suddenly loses its source of income. That means children’s school fees go unpaid, businesses lose customers, and entire communities suffer economic instability. When thousands of people are abruptly thrown into unemployment, the government itself loses tax revenue, and the pressure on social safety nets increases.

Let’s not pretend that Ghana’s economy is so strong that we can afford to render thousands jobless for political expediency. A government’s success is not measured by how many it fires but by how many it empowers.

The Historical and Legal Perspective
History has shown us that politically motivated dismissals are not just unethical—they have legal ramifications. The Sallah v. Attorney-General case set a precedent against wrongful termination of public sector workers without due process. It reaffirmed that public service is not owned by political parties but by the state. Dismissing workers simply because a new administration has taken over undermines this principle and opens the government up to legal challenges. Is Ghana really willing to waste resources fighting court cases instead of focusing on national development?

Furthermore, the notion that every outgoing government must erase the workforce of the previous administration only creates instability. A country cannot progress when every four to eight years, we dismantle institutional knowledge and replace experienced personnel with party loyalists. True development requires continuity, meritocracy, and stability, not political revenge.

A Call for Empathy, Justice, and National Interest

It is time for Ghanaians to climb down from our partisan high horses and embrace empathy. People did not sacrifice years of education, training, and experience just to be treated as pawns in a political chess game. Our leaders, driven by self-interest, continue to manipulate the system for their own gain while ordinary citizens suffer the consequences.

It was Thomas Jefferson who said, “The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness. Government exists for the interests of the governed, not the governors.” That is the standard to which we must hold our leaders.

To President Mahama and his administration: Leadership is about unity, progress, and fairness—not political vengeance. If you truly believe in serving Ghana, then prioritize the well-being of its people over the petty politics of retribution. Governance is transient, but the damage done to families, communities, and national trust is long-lasting.

To all those who support or remain silent on these dismissals: Remember that today it may be someone else losing their job, but tomorrow, it could be you. The cycle of political victimization must end, and it starts with us demanding better.

The Future is Watching
When two elephants fight, it is the ground that suffers. Ghana is the ground, and we, its citizens, are bearing the brunt of these reckless political actions. The choices we make today will determine the future we inherit. Will we continue to accept a system where politics determines employment rather than merit? Or will we stand up and say, Enough is enough?

Let history record that some of us spoke when it mattered. And when the time comes, let it be known that the citizens of Ghana will remember the actions of today when they decide the leadership of tomorrow.

Long live Ghana. And may wisdom guide our leadership.

REMEMBER: Ningsaala Puobabangna

#Puobabangna
By Victor Raul Puobabangna Plance from Eggu in the Upper West Region of Ghana