Ghanaian musician and politician Mzbel has publicly expressed frustration over mounting pressure from constituents seeking employment opportunities, despite her party’s position in government.
In a social media post, the artist-turned-lawmaker revealed the strain of unmet expectations following her election campaign, stating, “Our party is in power, but we’re still struggling to get jobs.”
Mzbel, whose real name is Belinda Akua Amoah, highlighted the “unbearable” demands from her constituency, colleagues, and supporters, who she said “just want jobs” amid Ghana’s economic challenges. Her remarks underscore the persistent gap between political promises and tangible outcomes, even for members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The comments coincide with a clarification from NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who emphasized that the party’s pledge to “reset Ghana” does not include replacing workers affiliated with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) with NDC loyalists. “We cannot remove workers deemed NPP and replace them with NDC members,” Nketia stated, signaling adherence to formal governance structures over partisan patronage.
Mzbel’s outcry reflects broader tensions within Ghana’s political landscape, where voter expectations often clash with systemic limitations in job creation and public sector reforms. Her plight has sparked debate about the ethical responsibilities of elected officials, particularly in leveraging party influence for constituent needs.
Analysts note that such scenarios highlight the risks of patronage-driven politics in economies grappling with unemployment. While Mzbel’s transparency resonates with grassroots frustrations, it also raises questions about the feasibility of campaign pledges in an era of heightened public scrutiny and fiscal constraints. The NDC’s balancing act navigating reform agendas while managing voter demands exemplifies the tightrope walked by governing parties across emerging democracies.
