Patronage Politics Killing Ghana’s Democracy – Dr Kwame Sarpong – Asiedu

In a strongly worded statement, Democracy and Development Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr. Kwame Sarpong-Asiedu has condemned Ghana’s deeply rooted patronage politics, calling it a relentless threat that undermines the principles of good governance.

In his view, the country’s political appointments have been hijacked by party loyalists rather than technocrats, creating a public sector bloated with inefficiency and misplaced priorities, noting that Ghana’s Fourth Republic, has become a revolving door of political appointments dictated by party affiliations rather than merit.

After every election, incoming administrations purge the previous government’s appointees and replace them with their own, regardless of competence or national interest.

This, he argued, has turned governance into a cycle of political expediency at the expense of national development.

Dr. Asiedu is unambiguous about his position: the expectation that any ruling party will deviate from this established norm is naive.

Accordingly, he indicated that political loyalty, not competence, has become the primary currency for securing government positions.

This reality, he suggested, is something that even party loyalists, who once cheered the removal of their rivals, must come to terms with when they face the same fate.

Furthermore, Dr. Kwame Sarpong Asiedu warned that the consequences of a patronage-driven political system are severe and have far-reaching implications for national progress.

He identified key areas where this practice significantly undermines development, highlighting that competence is often sacrificed in favor of political loyalty.

Government appointments prioritize party allegiance over merit, resulting in skilled professionals being overlooked while party loyalists, who may lack the necessary expertise, are placed in charge of critical state institutions, weakening the efficiency and effectiveness of governance.

He argued that corruption flourishes under this system. Many individuals who secure positions through political patronage view their appointments as opportunities to recoup campaign investments, fostering widespread corruption and financial mismanagement, further eroding public trust in state institutions.

The revolving-door system, he emphasized, does not only waste state resources but also ensures that Ghana remains trapped in a cycle of underdevelopment.

Without institutional stability and a culture of meritocracy, progress will continue to be painfully slow.

Ghana is long overdue for a governance structure that prioritizes competence over political affiliation.

However, Dr. Asiedu warns that calls for reform will remain hollow unless those who have previously benefited from the patronage system acknowledge their complicity.

“I stand firmly against this destructive cycle. Ghana cannot afford to let political expediency override competence. Public office should not be a reward for party loyalty but a responsibility entrusted to those with the skills to serve the nation effectively.”

His message is clear: hypocrisy must be eliminated from the conversation on reform.

Political actors who enjoyed the benefits of patronage when their party was in power cannot suddenly champion meritocracy only when they find themselves excluded. Genuine reform must begin with self-reflection and honesty.

The solution, according to Dr. Asiedu, lies in consensus-building rather than partisan finger-pointing.

The political class, civil society, and citizens alike must collectively demand a governance system that is transparent, accountable, and efficient.

If Ghana is to break free from the shackles of patronage politics, it will require a fundamental shift in how government appointments are made.

Public service must be redefined as a duty to the nation rather than a political reward. Until this change happens, the cycle of inefficiency, waste, and hypocrisy will persist.

Ghana deserves better—a governance structure that works in the interest of all citizens, not just those who belong to the ruling party.

But as Dr. Asiedu warns, this transformation will not happen through empty rhetoric or selective criticism.

It requires a national commitment to dismantling the entrenched patronage system once and for all.