Politics has become more attractive than professionalism in Ghana — Kosi Dedey

Policy Analyst Michael Kosi Dedey has expressed concern over what he describes as the growing influence of partisan politics on Ghana's governance, arguing that politics has become more rewarding than professionalism and public service.

According to him, the trend has resulted in many young people pursuing political careers immediately after school, often without the administrative or professional experience required for public office.

Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV's Breakfast Daily programme on Wednesday, July 15, he contended that the development has contributed to poor leadership, weakened accountability and conduct that falls below the standards expected of public officials.

"Politics has become more attractive than professionalism and proper behavior. So I think that in order to address this issue, we as Ghanaians need to begin to question ourselves: what kind of politics are we practicing? Why should we make politics so attractive and rewarding more than what other people are doing in the civil service?" he noted.

The policy analyst further argued that student politics has increasingly been taken over by the country's major political parties, undermining its original purpose of advocating for students' interests.

He said campus political structures, including the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and student representative bodies, have become breeding grounds for partisan politics, with many graduates moving directly into political office instead of gaining practical work experience.

According to him, this has produced political leaders with limited administrative exposure who often struggle to appreciate the responsibilities and discipline required in public office.

He further argued that the absence of accountability in the political system sends the wrong message to young people aspiring to enter public life.

"The kind of people we elect, in the first place, has a character deficiency. The politics we have practiced over the years brings a certain habit into the system where accountability is not brought up... So the students look at this and say, 'Oh, okay. Once you are a politician, you are immune to everything," noted Kosi Dedey.

Dedey called on Ghanaians to reflect on the kind of political culture being promoted and to demand higher standards of conduct and accountability from those entrusted with public office.