Dr. Frank Bannor, Spokesperson for the Finance and Economy Sector Committee of the New Patriotic Party
A Director of the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP), Dr. Frank Bannor, has criticised the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its continued reliance on blaming the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration instead of focusing on governance.
According to Dr. Bannor, after 18 months in office, the NDC can no longer justify its shortcomings by pointing to the actions or inactions of its predecessor.
“If after 18 months in power the NDC is still telling Ghanaians what the NPP should have done and did not do, then what is their use of being in power?” he questioned.
He further asked whether the government understood the reasons Ghanaians overwhelmingly voted it into office, arguing that citizens expected solutions to national challenges rather than persistent references to the previous administration.
Commenting on the recent devastating floods, Dr. Bannor said the government’s response had fallen short of public expectations.
He noted that three days after the disaster, many affected families and businesses were still struggling to recover from the destruction, adding that a responsive government should have prioritised consoling victims and providing immediate support.
Instead, he criticised the government for proceeding with what he described as a thanksgiving service during which President John Dramani Mahama was seen dancing, saying the timing projected insensitivity in the face of a national tragedy.
“What could be more insensitive than this?” he asked, adding that attempts by government communicators to justify the situation by reverting to what the NPP allegedly failed to do were misplaced.
Dr. Bannor urged the NDC to concentrate on delivering on its mandate rather than engaging in political blame-shifting.
He maintained that Ghanaians would ultimately judge the government based on its own performance and warned that the time for accountability would inevitably come.
“The day of accountability will soon come. They should not become too comfortable,” he stated.
LDr. Bannor also criticised some civil society organisations, accusing them of abandoning their watchdog role in favour of defending the government.
According to him, certain organisations that ought to hold governments accountable have instead become apologists for the Mahama administration, thereby undermining public confidence in independent policy advocacy and democratic oversight.
He argued that think tanks and civil society organisations have a responsibility to objectively scrutinise governments regardless of which political party is in power.
Despite his concerns, Dr. Bannor said there remains a duty for independent voices to continue demanding accountability on behalf of ordinary Ghanaians.
He stressed that citizens deserve responsive leadership, particularly during times of national hardship, and called on all stakeholders to ensure that governments remain accountable to the people who elected them.
About The Author
