Professor Baffuor Agyeman-Duah, a former Senior Advisor at the United Nations, has stated that Ghana’s economic situation will remain unchanged even if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) wins the 2024 elections.
In remarks made on TV3’s Key Points program on August 10, Agyeman-Duah argued that any new administration led by the NDC or another party would be obligated to continue adhering to the existing program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its associated conditions.
Agyeman-Duah also reflected on the current state of Ghana’s democracy, suggesting that while democratic governance is inherently positive, the way it is practised in Ghana has not yielded significant benefits for its citizens.
He emphasized that one notable achievement of Ghana’s democracy is the successful transition of power within the Fourth Republic.
“Even with a change in government, whether the NDC or another party comes to power, the economic challenges will persist.
The new government must follow through with the IMF program and its conditions,” Agyeman-Duah said. “The real issue is that our democracy seems overly monetized, and people are disillusioned.
They see that money often plays a significant role in political success, leading to a perception of corruption and inefficacy.”
He further noted, “When we engage with people, they are disappointed and uncertain about their future. They lack faith in the system because our democracy has become increasingly transactional.
Ultimately, while the NDC or any other party may win the election, it is unlikely to bring significant changes to the current economic or political situation.”
Agyeman-Duah concluded by acknowledging that the people of Ghana will have to choose in the upcoming elections. Still, he remains sceptical about the potential for transformative change under any new administration.
