MANIFESTO, RHETORIC, AND ELECTION IN GHANA, 2008-2024

Authors : Usman Abass

Pages : 14-36

Doi:10.58851/africania.1602833

View : 28 | Download : 51

Publication Date : 2025-01-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study looks at the effectiveness of manifestos in the Ghanaian political climate. The policies of successive governments have failed in developing the country and its people because of partisanship, and manifesto-based politicking. Party manifestos are drafted with fancy words towards winning elections and discarded afterwards. This has a detrimental effect on the common person in the form of poor healthcare provision, social inclusion, poverty, unemployment, the emergence of schools of shame (schools without classroom buildings and having lessons under trees), development, etc. This study was carried out through a meticulous assessment of the manifestos of the two leading political parties in Ghana, the NDC and NPP, between 2008 and 2024. The parties make nearly similar promises to the electorate, and they include, inter alia, areas such as governance, infrastructure, poverty reduction strategies, security, economy, and education. Yet, instead of completing projects that are already in motion to meet the needs of the people, they start new projects only to cast them aside when power changes hands. Also, a questionnaire was administered to test how manifestos beguile citizens to consistently go to the polls to vote during elections. The study put forward that by adopting a national development policy outlook, the perils of the ever-perdurable manifesto-based politics, regarding underdevelopment and political insecurities, would be overcome towards socioeconomic continuity and human development. The paper uses qualitative structured interviews, secondary sources, and manifestos through the lenses of CDA and (political) rhetorics to study the role of manifestos in Ghanaian politics.
Keywords : Manifesto, Retorik, Seçim, Gana, CDA