Former United Nations Senior Governance Advisor, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah has called for constitutional reforms to insulate public administration from excessive political interference.
His remarks, made during a public discussion, emphasized the need for Ghana to emulate successful governance models, where development is driven by a professional civil service rather than transient political leadership.
He argued that political instability and policy discontinuity have hindered Ghana’s development, advocating for a structural shift in governance.
Prof. Agyeman-Duah highlighted the stark contrast between Ghana’s development trajectory and that of countries like Thailand and Taiwan. He noted;
“The politicians can do all they want, but when it comes to development, implementation of policies, and all, it is the civil service that has developed its professionalism, and they carry on.’’
Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, Former United Nations Senior Governance Advisor
According to him, the civil service in these countries remains largely untouched by political transitions, ensuring that development projects continue irrespective of the ruling party.
He lamented that Ghana and many African countries have failed to establish such a system, leading to frequent disruptions in national development plans.
Prof. Agyeman-Duah cited examples of abandoned projects in Ghana, attributing them to the politicization of development. He pointed to the failure of the past Akuffo Addo government to complete President John Mahama’s E-Blocks, despite acknowledged importance to education. He explained;
“If somebody conceives of an idea, which is acknowledged to be good for a country, and once that person’s party loses power, it goes away. You bring in somebody in that position who may not share [in] that idea even if the idea is good.’’
Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, Former United Nations Senior Governance Advisor
He also referenced the stalled Saglemi Housing Project, where approximately $240 million in investments have been left to waste due to political considerations. Such discontinuities, he argued, prevent Ghana from making consistent progress, causing the country to move two steps forward and four steps backward, ultimately spelling disaster.
Lessons from Southeast Asia
Prof. Agyeman-Duah reflected on his experiences in Thailand and Taiwan, countries he has visited over the years, and marveled at their remarkable development. He recounted his first visit to Thailand in 1997 and compared it to his recent visit, noting how Bangkok the capital of Thailand had transformed into a modern metropolis.
According to Prof. Agyeman-Duah, despite political disagreements, these countries have managed to sustain their development efforts. He added;
“The only people who change when there’s a change of government are the top political functionaries. So those in the civil service, with their professionalism, the bureaucrats, and the technocrats, are able to continuously pursue the development agenda that the nation as a whole has developed.’’
Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, Former United Nations Senior Governance Advisor
To address Ghana’s governance challenges, Prof. Agyeman-Duah urged;
“I’m hoping that with the constitution of a new committee to review the constitution, this committee should not just follow the legalities of our governance, but should be looking more closely at how our development will be freed from political control and the boundaries of our politics.’’
Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, Former United Nations Senior Governance Advisor
According to him, Ghana needs a governance framework that ensures continuity in national development, regardless of which political party is in power.
This, he argued, would require significant constitutional changes that empower a professional civil service and limit the ability of incoming governments to disrupt ongoing projects.
Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah’s call for constitutional reforms underscores the urgent need for Ghana to rethink its governance structure.
By drawing lessons from Southeast Asia, he advocates for a model were civil servants, rather than politicians, drive development. His message is clear: sustainable development can only be achieved if politics is separated from governance, ensuring that national priorities remain intact beyond political cycles.
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