Ghana needs serious-minded people who will tell the citizens the truth, Dr. Richard Baah Amoako, a senior lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has stated.
He says politicians have lied to the citizens over the years with unrealistic promises which he says does not auger well for the State’s development.
Speaking Sunday, August 18, 2024, on Onua TV, during the coverage of the NPP Manifesto launch, the Political Science lecturer said manifestoes, even though important for democracy, is losing its relevance in the country.
He says politicians have over the years lied to the citizens with their campaign promises and contents in their manifestoes, saying the document is losing its essence in contemporary politics in the country.
Juxtaposing what political parties have said over the years with what they do, the leading member in the NPP noted that political parties prioritise their interest and do what political philosopher, Plato, referred to as “pandering to the great beast”, which means telling the people what they want to hear to win the votes.
He cited the construction of the Suame interchange in Kumasi for instance which has become a white elephant, indicating that although the interchange will beautify the city, it is not something which is a necessity to address an urgent need.
With what he described as the incessant lies being told by politicians, he called for truthful leaders to lead the State in attending to the needs of the people.
“The political parties have their parties interest first so they prioritise what will help them first and not the nation. So, it is what will benefit them. That is what they tell us what will win them power, ‘pandering to the great beast’ as Plato would put it.
“We should do what is needed before what is necessary. Suame interchange for instance, how many times have we heard of any accident in there? Is that really what they need now?” he quizzed.
Speaking on the essence of the manifesto, he said “so far, it is not important anymore. It has lost all of its relevance. It is actually a good thing but the way it is here, it is no more relevant.
“Let them put their promises in the Manifesto. We need serious-minded people who will tell us the truth. There are no ideas. The state is running on promises,” he lamented.
‘Tell us the truth if you know you can’t do it’ – Dr. Amoako Baah on political parties manifestoes
