Political Science Professor, Ransford Gyampo has challenged the National Democratic Congress to be a “responsible opposition” by understanding government policies and exposing the flaws in them.
According to him, for citizens to have hope, the largest opposition party must be able to constructively criticise available policies and suggest credible alternatives to address challenges facing the country.
Professor Gyampo’s comments come at a time many are lamenting over the instability of the Ghana Cedi as it is rapidly depreciating against other major trading currencies.
In a Facebook post, the outspoken lecturer asked why the NDC seems silent on the cedi depreciation unlike the current Vice President when the NPP was in opposition.
”Is there no Bawumia in the NDC to pontificate on the current cedi depreciation to offer some hope? Let’s see who steps out. A responsible opposition must actively and brazenly understand current governmental policies, expose flaws in them and offer credible policy alternatives,” he enquired.
Prof. Gyampo was quick to state, however, that he is convinced “those who have what it takes to talk, are scared that reality may later catch up with them like what is currently happening.”
The fear of the NDC to speak to these issues, according to Prof. Gyampo may be because they understand that things seen in opposition are not same as those on the ground when in power.
“Governance of a developing country isn’t a child’s play. It is not mouth mouth. It calls for a certain competence that appreciates realities of opposition life vis-a-vis what pertains to government,” he stated.
He urged government to quickly find a lasting solution to stabilize the country’s currency and advised politicians to desist from deceiving electorates with juicy promises for votes.
Read Prof Gyampo’s Facebook post below:
1. Is there no Bawumia in the NDC to pontificate on the current cedi depreciation to offer some hope?
2. Let’s see who steps out. A responsible opposition must actively and brazenly understand current governmental policies, expose flaws in them and offer credible policy alternatives.
3. I am convinced those who have what it takes to talk, are scared that reality may later catch up with them like what is currently happening .
4. Governance of a developing country isn’t a child’s play. It is not mouth mouth. It calls for a certain competence that appreciates realities of opposition life vis-a-vis what pertains to government.
5. The things seen in opposition are different from those seen in government. Only serious academics and decent politicians appreciates this.
6. I am sure the current situation in Ghana is serving a great lesson to politicians.
7. The insincere practice of giving false hope with very limited information about governance , just to capture political power , must give way to proper assessment of situations by the opposition and moderate promises about tangible issues that can be achieved without much stress.
8. If you give false hope just because you are looking for power, the realities on the ground would expose you.
9. I urge the NPP government to quickly find solutions to the current cedi depreciation. Whiles doing this, they should also explain to Ghanaians the cause of the problem and more importantly, let the people know the interventions being put in place to deal with the problem.
10. It is the responsibility of government to offer hope, particularly in a seeming hopeless situation. In the view of Thomas Hobbes, a government that cannot give hope and maintains the feeling of the state of nature in the psyche of its citizenry cannot be tolerated. The government must therefore explain matters and offer Ghanaians some credible hope about the cedi depreciation.
11. It is also the duty of the opposition to offer constructive criticisms that points to policy alternatives and create some assurance among the citizenry that a properly constituted state doesn’t lack the manpower resources to fix its challenges. Civil society can help in keeping governments on their toes but must not take over the role of the political opposition in any democracy.
Yaw Gyampo
A31, Prabiw
PAV Ansah Street
Saltpond
&
Suro Nipa House
Kubease
By: Kekeli Kuatsenu/awakenewsonline.com