Political Populism and Sloganeering, the New Rhetoric.
source
Have you wondered why Ghana is still under-developed despite policies like one district one factory(1D1F), One village one Dam, Planting For Foods and Job etc.? The answer is simple; the policies are populists and are not engineered to make the impacts it seeks to make no matter how feasible the policy may be.
One of the political populist policies is the FREE SHS educational policy implemented by the center-right NPP government. As a socialist, I must admit that FREE SHS policy could have been one of the legacy of the NPP government in years to come due to the inclusivity of the policy. There's no doubt that the policy by its description and definition is one the best however, poorly implemented because of how populist the policy is in wining political power and whipping-up sentiments of the subaltern on whose weakness, politicians prey to win votes. I'm not talking about the challenges the policy is facing which is normal in every policy cycle and execution, but the policy guidelines of the FREE SHS indicates that no politician would allow their wards to be enrolled in this educational system especially the low-tier schools.
source
One of such populist policies is Ghana Beyond Aid championed by Nana Addo through big speeches, and slogans. In fact, Ghana Beyond Aid is not new to Ghanaians because it has been advocated by previous governments and regimes. As a proud Pan-Africanist, I must admit that the policy sounds good and if implemented would serve as a catalyst for Africa Beyond Aid. But lets be true with ourselves here, how can Ghana go beyond aid when our begging bowl leaks? how do we become self-reliant if we continue to borrow at high rates of interests? How do we go beyond aid without manufacturing and production of goods and services here? How do we go beyond aid when we cannot even feed ourselves? How do we go beyond aid when our mineral sector has become an enclave point for Western conglomerates? How do we go beyond aid when the policy document of the policy itself was design using pictures from elsewhere?
The truth is that, Ghana be truly go beyond aid but such policy should not be mere rhetoric or slogan, but should be backed by actions like Nkrumah started some years ago.
The new rhetoric politicians would be making are policies that would help them win votes from the masses however, such populist such policy may seemed, voters would fall prey to it by voting among this two political parties who do not have the people at heart. The NDC would be ready to come up with more popular policies and whip-up sentiments that would be re-echoed by the media. Likewise the NPP who are masters in political populism.
I believe Ghana can truly go beyond aid but this must be based on conscious efforts by the political class devoid of any pseudo and make-believes that would sway the ordinary voter. Again, policies must be geared towards societal improvement and as such must be designed to help the poor every one not the rich alone. The current political landscape allows for political populism because it best thrives on political illiteracy. Its time Ghanaians set aside this two political establishments aside and vote for parties that are willing to serve and be accountable to the people.
You are right@ghanaba. Politicians especially from Africa does not think about any other than themselves. Very Educative.
This is the more reason why we should rise and demand accountability from them by collapsing their establishments.
We know our problems, talk about it and even come out with solutions yet politics wouldn't allow our people to become agents of change
very true bro!! This is why we need to shunned politicization of everything in this country but this must also emanate from political leadership.
Hi @ghanaba,
All the best to you today!
If you are looking for ways to get engage in the community! you can try these contests.
👉 Contest Alerts: Active Contest List on 29th July 2021 – Win 2250+ STEEM
Get the maximum out of these contests! Good Luck!
Follow & Resteem for more updates.
#ContestAlerts