By Josephine Kekeli Amuzu
Gender activist and Journalist Nana Akosua Hanson has argued that political parties often prioritise their own agendas over the collective interests of the nation, undermining the foundational democratic principle that all voices should be heard and represented.
In an interview with Thelma on the GTV breakfast show on February 5, 2025, she said political parties often prioritising their own agendas over the collective interest of the nation raises questions about the integrity of democratic systems, which are meant to empower citizens and protect their freedoms.
“We pick people within the community who go into this arena to decide for the country, what is good, what is bad, while protecting, doing maturity rule, while protect, protecting minority rights, right? This is the arena that they’re supposed to play.”
Hanson’s critique aligns with sentiments shared by Insurance Marketer Edgar Wiredu, who highlighted the excessive control political parties exert over parliamentary leadership.
Wiredu pointed out that while politicians seek public mandates to serve constituents, many prioritise party directives once in office, often sidelining the needs of their electorate. He noted that existing laws facilitate this dynamic, allowing political parties to maintain undue influence over parliamentary decisions.
“You came to beg us that we should give you a mandate. In effect, we should employ you. So you go and serve us. You serve our interest. Now, after employing you, you say, Thank you for giving me the employment. But now that I have the employment, I am now responsible for this body so you you don’t matter. That is what the problem is. And to date, society has not been able to fight this for the law to be amended, and because it suits the political parties, no one pushes for that law to be amended.”
Both activists call for a reevaluation of how political representation operates in Ghana, stressing the need for representatives to prioritise their constituents’ interests over partisan politics to foster genuine democratic engagement and national development.
