Ghana’s greatest threat today is not foreign interference or economic hardship, but the deep-seated partisanship that has infiltrated every aspect of society.
Partisanship has fractured the nation—not along ideological lines, but through blind loyalty to political parties.
It has turned governance into a contest for power rather than a mission to build a better Ghana.
Renowned legal scholar, Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, has warned that this growing division is eroding national unity and crippling state institutions.
According to him, political allegiance has distorted the perception of corruption, making it an offense only when committed by the opposing side.
“The courts no longer serve justice, but political interests. The media no longer informs but amplifies propaganda. The civil service no longer functions on merit but on party loyalty. Civil servants must now be paid a neutrality allowance just to perform their duties impartially.”
Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare
Prof. Asare further observed that partisanship has corrupted even Parliament, where lawmakers prioritize party loyalty over national interests.
The security services, meant to protect all citizens, are deployed as political enforcers, while institutions of learning, including academia and student leadership, have been politicized beyond recognition.
Ghana’s Progress Held Hostage
The consequences of partisanship are undeniable. Every incoming administration dismantles the achievements of its predecessor, not out of necessity, but to erase any trace of the opposing party.
Policies are discarded, not because they are flawed, but because they do not bear the ruling party’s stamp.
Government contracts, scholarships, and job placements are distributed not based on competence but on political connections.
As Prof. Asare pointed out, national progress is often delayed or abandoned entirely in favor of securing electoral victories.
“We have become more loyal to parties than to our country. And in doing so, we have weakened our democracy, compromised our future, and betrayed the very independence our forebears fought for.”
Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare
Accordingly, Prof. Asare called for a radical shift in national consciousness, emphasizing the need to reclaim Ghana’s identity as one united people.
He argued that partisanship must be defeated through a renewed commitment to integrity, competence, and patriotism.
Restoring National Integrity
To break free from the shackles of partisanship, Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare urged Ghanaians to demand governance based on merit rather than political connections.
He insisted that institutions such as the judiciary, civil service, media, and electoral system must be protected from political interference.
“We need judicial reform badly, and it must start with removing partisan judges. We must unite against corruption. Stealing from the state is theft—no matter who does it, no matter which party they belong to.”
Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare
Beyond institutional reforms, Prof. Asare stressed the need to change the way power is wielded in Ghana. “We must not use power to show people where power lies. We must use power to empower our people.”
He further called on citizens to reject the toxicity of partisan debates and instead focus on truth and progress.
According to him, history will not remember how fiercely Ghanaians defended their political parties, but rather how boldly they defended their nation.
Prof. Asare also reminded Ghanaians that their forebears triumphed over colonial rule and military coups through unwavering patriotism, not political divisions.
Ghana’s independence was won through a collective belief in self-governance, not party allegiance.
“And now, as we stand 68 years into independence, a new battle threatens our progress; not colonial rule, not the military, but unchecked partisanship.”
Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare
He emphasized that just as patriotism freed the nation from foreign control and restored democracy after military takeovers, it must now be the weapon against partisanship. “If patriotism freed us from foreign rule and rescued us from military takeovers, then patriotism must once again be our weapon.”
Prof. Asare ended with a rallying call for national unity, urging Ghanaians to rise above political divisions and work together for the greater good.
“We have proven before that when we stand together for a cause greater than ourselves, we win. The choice is ours. The time is now.”
Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare
