Why Ghana Remains One Of The Hardest Nations To Govern

Countries often described as the hardest to govern, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, and Afghanistan, face challenges like insurgencies, extreme poverty, and fragile state institutions. Ghana does not fall into these categories, yet the nation continues to struggle with deep-rooted issues that make effective governance extremely difficult.

The question, therefore, is not whether Ghana resembles these countries, but whether other internal factors have made it one of the most challenging nations to rule. One of Ghana’s most persistent obstacles is tribalism. While racism divides societies elsewhere, tribalism has long undermined Ghana’s unity, progress, and national development.

This divisive mindset for decades has shaped political loyalty, public discourse, and even national priorities. It has weakened institutions, fueled corruption, and derailed infrastructure development. Shockingly, many Ghanaians, including journalists, lawyers, and politicians, continue to defend tribal politics even when it destroys the very nation they claim to love.

The eight-year administration of President Akufo-Addo and his vice president, Mahamudu Bawumia, exposed the devastating consequences of governance driven by tribal loyalty rather than competence. Under his leadership, the economy collapsed, major institutions went bankrupt, and critical sectors such as COCOBOD and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) suffered unprecedented decline.

Yet, despite these failures, many tribal loyalists still insist that Ghana should remain under the same political tradition, regardless of the damage done. Former President John Mahama has faced some of the most difficult leadership challenges in Ghana’s Fourth Republic. He was branded corrupt and incompetent, and the powerful machinery of tribal politics contributed significantly to his defeat in the 2016 elections.

Only after the NPP took over did many Ghanaians realize they had been misled by Akufo-Addo and his circle of political actors. Today, a growing number of citizens openly acknowledge that the worst government in Ghana’s recent history was the NPP administration under Akufo-Addo and Mahamudu Bawumia.

Ironically, many Ghanaians now believe that losing the 2016 elections was a blessing in disguise for the NDC, because it exposed the true nature of the NPP’s political agenda. However, after winning the 2024 presidential race, Mahama continues to face fierce resistance. A section of the population remains unhappy with his achievements and has chosen to sabotage his efforts rather than support national progress.

As soon as he returned to office and began stabilizing the economy, a wave of suspicious market fires and acts of sabotage emerged across the country. These incidents, many believe, were orchestrated to create hardship and undermine the government’s credibility. The goal is simple: make Mahama fail so that Ghanaians will believe Akufo-Addo was a better leader.

Today, social media is flooded with misinformation designed to tarnish Mahama’s image, despite the fact that in less than two years he has achieved what the NPP could not accomplish in eight. Why would anyone oppose progress that benefits the entire nation? The answer lies in the entrenched tribal and partisan interests that continue to make Ghana extremely difficult to govern.

According to the Fragile States Index, nations that are hardest to rule often suffer from corruption, economic decline, and weak public services. Mahama inherited all these problems, but the deeper challenge is Ghana’s lack of a unified national identity. Partisan and tribal divisions have created an environment where consensus-building is nearly impossible and where national interest is frequently sacrificed for political gain.

Resource-rich nations often fall victim to internal conflict and corruption, as elites exploit national wealth without accountability. Ghana is no exception. This is why the fight against illegal mining remains a nightmare. Many powerful individuals, including politicians, benefit from illegal mining, often called "Galamsey," and would rather see the country destroyed than allow Mahama to succeed.

Ghana is not ungovernable because of poverty, war, or state collapse. It is difficult to govern because too many people place tribal loyalty, partisan interest, and personal gain above national progress. Until Ghanaians collectively reject political saboteurs, demand accountability, and support leaders who prioritize development over division, the nation will continue to suffer, despite its abundant natural resources and enormous potential.

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