Revolution and Democracy in Ghana: The Legacy of Jerry John Rawlings and the Call for Political Accountability
Political parties must prioritize stamping out corruption and ensuring accountability, transparency, probity, and integrity among political leaders for Ghana’s democracy to yield dividends for posterity. Dr Samuel Kofi Darkwa, a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), made this call at the launch of a book titled “Revolution and Democracy in Ghana: The Politics of Jerry John Rawlings” by Professor Emeritus Jeffrey Haynes. The book analyses Rawlings’ plans for radical democratization in Ghana, involving ordinary people directly in the nation’s political and economic decision-making processes.
Dr Darkwa noted that the ideals of accountability, transparency, probity, and integrity are essential elements needed to address the numerous socio-economic challenges Ghana faces currently. He called on political parties, particularly the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC), to re-commit themselves to these ideals.
The book traces Ghana’s turbulent history, showing Rawlings’ development from a fiery revolutionary to a democracy-supporting politician adept at winning elections. It investigates how the regime was able to remain in power, overseeing a halt to economic decline and a return to growth. Rawlings’ legacies in addressing Ghana’s socio-economic challenges at the time he took over power and returning the nation to democratic rule cannot be blotted out of the nation’s political and economic history.
Dr Rosina Foli, a Senior Lecturer of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, and Senior Lecturer and Former Head, Department of Political Science, UG, Dr Maame Adwoa A. Gyekye-Jandoh, both described Rawlings as “a pragmatic leader”. According to Kofi Totobi Quakyi, a former Minister of Information, “Chairman Rawlings had leadership skills in his DNA; he had an innate understanding of human nature which enabled him to effectively lead his team.”
In a nutshell, political parties and the citizenry must re-evaluate whether their demand for democracy is yielding the desired results. Ghana’s socio-economic trajectory over the years leaves much to be desired. Rawlings’ positive attributes of probity, integrity, and accountability are not being exemplified by some political leaders. The book “Revolution and Democracy in Ghana: The Politics of Jerry John Rawlings” will challenge false narratives that have long obscured the true legacy of Rawlings for future generations.