In a striking statement aimed at redefining the discourse on governance and civic activism, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, a distinguished Constitutional Activist and Democracy and Development Fellow in Public Law and Justice at CDD-Ghana has set forth a compelling framework for understanding GOGO (Good Governance).
In his message, Prof. Asare dismantled the notion that GOGO is neutral in the conventional sense, asserting instead that it is steadfastly committed to principles captured in the acronym TRAPEERICS.
According to Prof. Asare, GOGO embodies the following ten core principles: transparency, rule of law, accountability, participation, equity & inclusiveness, efficiency & effectiveness, responsiveness, integrity & ethical leadership, consensus-oriented decision-making and strategic vision.
“GOGO is driven solely by these principles, not by allegiance to any person. If a president or a public servant violates them, GOGO holds him accountable—not out of partisanship, but out of a commitment to good governance.”
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare
He explained that if neutrality means unwavering fidelity to TRAPEERICS rather than to individuals or political factions, then, by that definition, GOGO is indeed neutral.
The Contrast: Principled Activism vs. Transactional Loyalty
Prof. Asare drew a sharp distinction between those who advocate for governance rooted in principles and those he described as “loyalists”—individuals who orbit power for positions, profits, and perks.
According to him, such individuals operate within a paradigm that seeks to convince the public that governance is nothing more than a game of self-interest, where loyalty outweighs principles.
“They hover around power in pursuit of positions, profits, and perks. For them, if you are not inside the circle of power, you must either be waiting your turn or angling for proximity”.
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare
This mindset, he argued, seeks to displace probity and accountability with a culture of political expediency—where governance becomes a transactional affair rather than a service-oriented endeavor.
Rejecting “Interest Nkoaaa” Governance
Prof. Asare called for an outright rejection of governance shaped solely by vested interests.
He advocated instead for a model where public service is about serving the people, not enriching a few. In this model, leaders are not encircled by sycophants who offer what he calls “fun fool respect” but by principled advisors who provide meaningful counsel.
“A democracy built on transactional loyalty is weak. A democracy built on integrity, accountability, and genuine service is strong. The choice is ours,” he asserted, throwing down the gauntlet for citizens to demand better governance.
Prof. Asare’s statement is a clarion call for all who believe in good governance to remain resolute in their advocacy for TRAPEERICS.
His message makes it clear that genuine civic activism is not about seeking power for personal gain but about ensuring that those in authority adhere to the principles that sustain a just and democratic society.
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