Prof Bokpin cautions NPP, NDC against undermining democratic institutions
Economist and Professor of Finance, Prof. Godfred Bokpin, has cautioned Ghana’s two major political parties against allowing partisan political strategies to undermine critical institutions that underpin the country’s democracy.
Finance expert and professor, Prof. Godfred Bokpin, has issued a warning to Ghana’s leading political parties against undermining the nation's democratic institutions through partisan strategies. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Prof. Bokpin noted that while the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) may present differing viewpoints depending on their positions in power or opposition, there may be some truth in their arguments that require serious consideration.
Prof. Bokpin's remarks came in response to the NPP’s "Democracy Under Attack" protest in Accra, where thousands of supporters gathered to voice their concerns over alleged threats to Ghana’s democracy and the weakening of key state institutions. The demonstration concluded with a petition presentation at Jubilee House, led by party figures including Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, General Secretary Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, and the NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The professor emphasized the importance of looking beyond the immediate political contest and assessing whether ongoing claims by both major parties highlight deeper institutional problems. He argued that if such concerns are genuine, the country must address them rather than allowing them to persist as recurring features of Ghana’s political discourse. However, if the accusations are merely political rhetoric, there is a need to find a solution to prevent them from gaining traction.
Acknowledging the significant turnout of NPP supporters during the protest, Prof. Bokpin highlighted that the demonstration demonstrated the issues being raised had gained traction among a segment of the population. Nevertheless, he recognized that demonstrations could also serve as part of opposition parties' broader political strategies aimed at portraying the government in a particular light.
Despite acknowledging the political dimension of the protest, Prof. Bokpin cautioned that political actors must be cautious not to weaken the institutions that sustain Ghana’s democracy. He expressed concern about the impact of political disputes on public perceptions of the judiciary, specifically referring to "how we see judges in this country" and emphasizing the importance of maintaining confidence in the judicial system.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
