Lost In Leadership: 68 Years Of Ghana's Struggle

As Ghana marks its 68th Independence Anniversary, the theme chosen— “Reflect, Review, and Reset”—invites us to pause and take stock of our journey as a nation. But beyond the ceremonial echoes of speeches and parades, one must ask: Is this where we should be after nearly seven decades of self-rule? Are we merely resetting what has already been set, or have we lost our way entirely? Independence, for which our forebears sacrificed, was meant to be a gateway to economic prosperity, self-reliance, and proper governance by the people and for the people. Yet, the very essence of that independence has been eroded, battered by years of political misadventures, military interventions, and, more recently, the corrosive grip of partisan self-interest. Kwame Nkrumah's dream, the vision of a Ghana that stands tall among nations, has been repeatedly sabotaged not by foreign invaders but by our own hands.

The Betrayal of a Nation
History has not been kind to Ghana, not because we were doomed, but because we failed ourselves. The first tremor of instability struck on February 24, 1966, with the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah, a moment that altered the trajectory of our nation's development. Successive coups in 1972, 1975, 1979, and 1981 followed, deepening our national wounds rather than healing them. These military takeovers, often justified as necessary corrections, did little more than satisfy the ambitions of a few while the nation bled. Ghana’s military leaders, instead of strengthening institutions, played with power like children in a backyard drill experimenting with governance without a blueprint, punishing civilians under the guise of discipline, and trading bullets for ballots in a tragic game of self-enrichment. Democracy was tossed aside, and the people became mere spectators in their own country. Once filled with the promise of an African renaissance, Ghana found itself spiralling into uncertainty. Yet, after years of turmoil, 1992 brought a flicker of hope. The country returned to constitutional rule due to relentless pressure from the Ghana Bar Association, the Catholic Bishops' Conference, and other civil society groups. January 7, 1993, became the dawn of a new democracy. A democracy that still stands today. But has it indeed served the people?

A Democracy Undermined by Greed
The political elite who took the reins in this new era failed to honour the sacred trust of leadership. Instead of building a Ghana where opportunity is abundant and progress is shared, they turned governance into a personal empire. In this system, power is inherited like a family heirloom, where public office is a stepping stone to personal wealth, and where the masses are nothing but voting machines in a cycle of deception. Both the NDC and NPP, alternating in power since 1992, have promised change, yet Ghanaians remain shackled by economic hardship, poor governance, and systemic corruption. Partisan politics has not just divided us, it has become a commodity, where access to education, employment, and even fundamental justice depends on political affiliation. Democracy, instead of liberating us, has become a currency for the highest bidder. The monetisation of democracy has robbed it of its purity. Politicians no longer serve; they rule. National development is no longer about vision; it is about loyalty. The media, once the supposed watchdog of democracy, has turned into a mouthpiece for political propaganda. No media house today speaks for the people, they align with governments, not with the truth.

Reflect, Review, and Reset—A Call to Action or an Admission of Failure?

After 68 years of independence, why is Ghana still trying to “reflect, review, and reset”? Shouldn’t we chart bold new paths instead of looking back in regret? Have we not learned enough from our missteps? Why does every new government spend its term undoing the work of its predecessor instead of advancing the country’s progress? Our education system remains subpar in a globally competitive world. Our economy struggles to withstand external shocks, forcing our brightest young minds to flee in search of greener pastures. Teachers, nurses, and doctors, the backbone of any nation, are underpaid and undervalued, while politicians and bureaucrats enjoy unearned privileges. A select few hoard the nation's wealth while the majority continue to struggle, hope, and wait.

Will Ghana Ever Rise Again?
Are we doomed to repeat this cycle of misgovernance, economic stagnation, and political deceit? Or will there come a time when authentic leadership, which prioritises the people over party, the nation over personal gain, will emerge? Will we ever see a government that appoints the competent over the loyal, that envisions a Ghana where every child has access to quality education, where entrepreneurs thrive, and where the economy works for everyone, not just the privileged few? Will we ever have leaders who serve with integrity, who place national interest above partisan gains, and who restore the trust of the people in governance? The theme of this year’s independence anniversary suggests that Ghana is resetting, but resetting to what? If we continue down the same road, making the same mistakes, then "reset" is just another word for stagnation. If Ghana must rise again, we need more than slogans. We need leaders with vision, citizens with resolve, and institutions with integrity. Ghana’s 68 years should not be an excuse for more reflection. It should be a moment of reckoning. A time to demand more. A time to refuse to be spectators in our own nation. Ghana must not just reset. Ghana must RISE.