Joyce Mogtari Bawah, the spokesperson for the NDC FLAGBEARER, John Mahama, has noted that Ghanaians are repeatedly cautioned about the growing disillusionment and disappointment among the youth regarding the country’s democratic system.
Joyce Bawah pointed out that a deep-seated apathy has taken hold among young people, who are increasingly disenchanted with the status quo.
She emphasized that Ghanaian youths are now urgently seeking effective solutions and fervently demanding transformative change.
“State Capture, corruption, and arrogance of power are the three most dangerous elements threatening our nascent democracy, and yet none of their leaders at the manifesto launch mentioned any of these things. What we know for a fact is that: Nepotism dovetails into state capture [and] Cronyism dovetails into state capture”.
Joyce Mogtari Bawah
Madam Bawah poignantly observed that the current NPP administration is defined by a troubling triumvirate of corruption, nepotism, and cronyism, which has become the hallmark of its tenure.
She also pointed out that, on the other hand, state capture can lead to severe consequences and far-reaching negative impacts.
As such, Joyce Bawah emphasized that state capture has a twofold detrimental impact: it erodes the foundations of democracy and the rule of law, while also choking economic growth and hindering sustainable development.
The NDC stalwart further highlighted that state capture has a corrosive effect on public trust and confidence in institutions, undermining their legitimacy and effectiveness.
According to her, state capture perpetuates a system where only a select few, namely those with connections to the state, have access to job opportunities and benefits, while the majority are excluded and denied these privileges.
Bawah pointed out that the Afrobarometer report on Ghana provides clear evidence of these impacts, vividly illustrating the effects of state capture on the country.
“In other words, our government’s notoriety has been seen and captured by not only Ghanaians but internationally as well”. – Joyce Mogtari Bawah
Pervasive Abuse Of State Power
Furthermore, Joyce Mogtari Bawah cited the rampant distribution of state lands through state institutions and the unrestrained exploitation of state resources as glaring examples of state capture, highlighting the pervasive nature of this problem.
Bawah observed that state capture has insidiously eroded the integrity and effectiveness of public institutions, undermining their ability to serve the public interest.
She pointed out that a stark example is the Public Procurement Authority, which has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self.
“The reasons why unemployment rates are so high and poverty rates are rising can all be traced back to the state capture of everything —from the award of single source contracts to the daughters of the president, to the families of the vice president, and many others”.
Joyce Mogtari Bawah
According to Madam Bawah, the youth, who are the nation’s most valuable asset, have a right to expect a society where governance is built on the pillars of merit, transparency, and accountability, empowering them to reach their full potential.
As such, she stressed that it is crucial for leaders and citizens to join forces in dismantling the entrenched systems of corruption.
Joyce Bawah stated that by doing so, they can collectively restore the integrity of the country’s institutions and revive the trust that has been eroded.
She emphasized that only by achieving this can Ghana create a pathway to sustainable development, ensure equitable opportunities for all, and establish a truly inclusive democracy that serves the interests of every citizen.
Madam Bawah encouraged young people to become part of the NDC’s mission to drive transformative change, ensuring that their voices are heard and their contributions valued in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.
She emphasized the need for actions, not words, underscoring the importance of moving beyond rhetoric to take concrete steps toward meaningful transformation.
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