According to Professor Kobby Mensah, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, there is a growing lack of trust among Ghanaian voters towards Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). Prof. Mensah believes that Dr. Bawumia has repeatedly failed to fulfill his promises, making it difficult for Ghanaians to place their trust in him once again. This sentiment was expressed by Prof. Mensah during an interview on Accra-based Neat FM on Monday, November 6, 2023.
Prof. Mensah's main concern lies in the prevalence of politicians using money to secure political leadership positions. He argues that political parties should take decisive action against members who attempt to influence voting patterns through monetary means. Prof. Mensah suggests that such individuals should be reported to security agencies for further investigation.
The issue of broken promises and mistrust in political leaders is not unique to Ghana but is a common phenomenon in many countries around the world. When politicians fail to deliver on their promises, it erodes public confidence and undermines the democratic process. In the case of Dr. Bawumia, his inability to fulfill previous commitments has led to skepticism among Ghanaian voters regarding his credibility and ability to deliver on future promises.
Trust is a fundamental aspect of any functioning democracy, as it forms the basis for effective governance and citizen participation. When voters lose faith in their elected representatives, it can lead to disillusionment and apathy towards the political system as a whole. Therefore, it is crucial for politicians to uphold their promises and act with integrity to maintain public trust.
In order to address this issue, Prof. Mensah suggests that political parties need to take a proactive stance against members who engage in corrupt practices or attempt to influence voters through financial means. By holding these individuals accountable and referring them to security agencies for investigation, it sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
It is important to note that the views expressed by Prof. Mensah are his own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of all Ghanaians or political observers. However, his position highlights a broader concern about the erosion of trust in political leaders and the need for greater accountability within the political system.