Ghana finds itself at a critical juncture in its democratic journey. According to Prof. Isaac Boadi, Dean, Faculty of Accounting and Finance, UPSA and Executive Director, IERPP, a comprehensive analysis reveals a troubling 36.2% implementation rate of manifesto promises, equivalent to a failing “F” grade on our accountability scale. This poor showing represents more than just statistical underperformance, it constitutes a breach of the social contract between the government and the Ghanaian people who placed their trust in the promised “reset.”
The IERPP’s rigorous evaluation, conducted using the government’s own 120-Day Manifesto Promises Tracker, paints a picture of systemic underachievement. Of the 25 key commitments we assessed, only five (20%) have been fully or substantially delivered.
Twelve pledges (48%) remain stuck below the halfway mark of implementation, while five critical promises (20%) show absolutely no progress whatsoever. These stalled initiatives include fundamental governance reforms like banning political appointees from purchasing state assets and purging security agencies of militia elements – promises that speak directly to the heart of accountability.
To be fair and balanced in our assessment, we must acknowledge areas where the government has demonstrated competence.
The swift nomination of cabinet ministers within 14 days showed commendable decisiveness. The removal of burdensome taxes like the E-levy provided tangible relief to businesses and consumers, though questions remain about revenue replacement strategies. The implementation of free first-year tertiary education fulfilled an important campaign promise, despite lingering concerns about long-term funding sustainability. The establishment of the MahamaCares Fund represents progress in healthcare access, though the exclusion of persons with disabilities from educational benefits remains problematic.
However, these limited successes are overshadowed by glaring failures across three critical areas of governance. In the realm of accountability, the government’s 23.1% performance score reflects disturbing inaction. Despite bold promises, not a single forensic audit has commenced into high-profile scandals including the National Cathedral expenditure, COVID-19 funds management, or the banking sector crisis. The complete absence of progress on security sector reforms allows vigilante groups to continue operating with impunity. Scholarship administration remains mired in cronyism due to the failure to present promised legislative reforms.
The economic reset agenda scores slightly better at 45.5% but remains fundamentally flawed in execution. The much-touted 24-Hour Economy exists only as a slogan without any substantive policy framework. Job creation programs like “One Million Coders” lack the structural foundations needed for sustainable impact.
State-owned enterprises continue hemorrhaging public funds without meaningful restructuring.
Most alarming is the abysmal 16.6% performance in environmental management and energy sector reforms. Despite deploying task forces, illegal mining continues to devastate our forest reserves. Victims of the Akosombo dam spillage and other flood disasters await meaningful compensation. The “Black Star Experience” tourism initiative has produced more press conferences than practical results.
This pattern of underperformance matters because governance is measured by results, not rhetoric. When a government fails to deliver on three-quarters of its promises within the critical first 120 days, it raises fundamental questions about competence and commitment. The NDC’s own manifesto positioned these commitments as a “litmus test for political integrity” – a test they are currently failing.
The path forward requires immediate, decisive action. The government must shift from announcement-driven governance to results-oriented leadership within the next 90 days. This means commencing long-promised audits without further delay, presenting concrete policy frameworks for economic initiatives, and demonstrating measurable progress in environmental protection. Most importantly, it requires treating Ghanaian citizens as partners rather than spectators in the governance process.
As scholars and patriots, we at IERPP will continue our non-partisan monitoring of government performance. To the NDC administration, we say: the time for excuses has passed. To the Ghanaian people, we say: remain vigilant in demanding accountability. Our collective future depends on it.
Methodology Note: The IERPP assessment evaluates 25 key manifesto promises across four thematic areas, using verifiable implementation metrics and weighted scoring based on policy importance. The grading scale follows international standards for government performance assessment.
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