By Prof. Isaac Boadi
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been a major political force in Ghana since its formation in 1992, evolving from a revolutionary government into a key player in the country’s multiparty democracy.
Over the past 32 years, per my weak mathematical background, the NDC has spent significant time both in government and opposition, shaping Ghana’s political, economic, and social landscape. However, despite these 32 years of political engagement, many of the socioeconomic problems that have plagued the country, including unemployment, public debt, corruption, inequality, and weak institutions persist. This raises the question: if 32 years in both government and opposition have not been enough for the NDC to deliver transformative change, what more can be done with just four years under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama?
As Ghana heads toward the 2024 general elections, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is positioning its manifesto as a transformative roadmap aimed at addressing the country’s pressing socio-economic issues. The NDC’s 2024 manifesto is expected to offer policies that the party believes can “change the game,” especially in the context of Ghana’s current economic challenges.
Permit me to explore and discuss some of the key NDC manifesto policies aimed at “Changing the Game”, followed by a critical examination of why these policies may fall short of that goal.
First and foremost, the NDC is expected to focus on restoring fiscal discipline, restructuring Ghana’s public debt, and renegotiating IMF agreements to create fiscal space for development. The party proposes a more diversified economy, reducing the reliance on borrowing. The game-changing potential of this policy focus is successful debt restructuring and fiscal discipline that could stabilize the economy, restore investor confidence, and create room for public investment in infrastructure and social programs. For instance, the NDC aims to diversify exports, promote local manufacturing, and reduce the dependency on imports, which would help manage the balance of payments and reduce external borrowing. While the NDC’s manifesto promises ambitious reforms, limited fiscal space and debt constraints may prevent this policy from truly changing the game in Ghana’s political and economic landscape. Ghana’s high public debt and limited fiscal space severely restrict the government’s ability to fund new initiatives without accumulating more debt. Debt restructuring, while necessary, is a complex and lengthy process that may not immediately free up resources for development projects. A clear example is the NDC’s past reliance on public borrowing and external loans during previous administrations led to Ghana’s current debt challenges. Without a clear strategy for revenue generation, these policies may only exacerbate the fiscal crisis.
Industrialization and Job Creation remain the next policy focus and the game changer for the 2024 NDC manifesto. The NDC is likely to prioritize industrialization, focusing on Agro-processing, manufacturing, and technology-based industries to create jobs, especially for the youth. The party could also emphasize public-private partnerships to develop key industrial sectors. The potential game-changer potential considered by the NDC is a strong push for industrialization that could reduce unemployment, enhance Ghana’s economic resilience, and boost exports, contributing to sustained economic growth. A good example of this policy focus is the creation of industrial hubs or zones to encourage local production, particularly in agriculture and small-scale manufacturing, which could generate employment and reduce Ghana’s reliance on imports. The Industrialization and Job Creation policy focus, however, requires significant investments in infrastructure, skilled labor, and technology, all of which are costly. The NDC has promised industrialization before, but previous initiatives have often fallen short due to poor execution, weak institutional capacity, and a lack of long-term planning. A case in question is the NDC’s previous attempt to establish industrial zones in the 2012-016 administration did not yield significant results due to lack of financing, bureaucratic hurdles, and inadequate infrastructure support.
Another policy focus of the NDC is in the energy sector reforms. The NDC is expected to focus on addressing Ghana’s energy challenges and the high cost of electricity. The party also emphasizes the adoption of renewable energy sources. The potential game changer in this policy focus is the stable and affordable energy supply would boost industrialization, attract foreign investment, and reduce the cost of living, making Ghana more competitive. For instance, the proposals to reform the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and invest in solar energy could reduce Ghana’s energy reliance on hydroelectric and thermal sources. It is critical to point out that transitioning to renewable energy is expensive and requires significant upfront investment in infrastructure, technology, and expertise. While it is a laudable goal, Ghana’s energy sector is hampered by inefficiencies, corruption, and legacy issues in the ECG and Volta River Authority (VRA). This is an example just to remind readers that the NDC’s past promises to solve the “dumsor” crisis through energy sector reforms did not lead to a lasting solution, as power outages remain a problem. Addressing systemic inefficiencies in the energy sector requires more than policy statements; it requires deep institutional reform.
Anti-corruption and governance reforms remain a key policy focus considered as a game changer by NDC. Strengthening anti-corruption measures and improving governance are key points in the NDC’s 2024 manifesto. The party proposes reforms to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public institutions. The game-changer potential in this policy direction is by curbing corruption and promoting good governance, the NDC could improve public trust in institutions, attract more foreign investment, and ensure that public resources are used more effectively. For instance, establishing an independent anti-corruption body with prosecutorial powers and introducing digitized public procurement processes to reduce human interference. What remains to be seen by NDC in the fight against corruption is the strong will to deal with corruption-related matters. Anti-corruption efforts have been a cornerstone of many political manifestos, yet corruption persists. The NDC itself has been criticized for corruption during its previous administrations, casting doubt on the party’s ability to implement meaningful reforms.
In the 2024 manifesto of NDC, industrialization, and job creation are considered as priorities in terms of policy direction. One of the major pillars of the NDC’s 2024 manifesto is expected to be industrialization to create jobs, especially for the youth. This will likely involve policies that encourage local manufacturing, Agro-processing, and expanding Ghana’s export base. As a game changer, according to the NDC, with a well-executed industrialization plan, the NDC could create long-term, sustainable employment opportunities, address unemployment, and reduce the country’s dependency on imported goods. The NDC might reintroduce or expand on past initiatives like the establishment of industrial zones and the promotion of public-private partnerships to boost manufacturing sectors such as textiles, agribusiness, and technology. This policy focus cannot be a game changer because of the short-term political focus of this political party. Like many political parties in developing countries, the NDC has often focused on policies that deliver immediate results to appeal to voters rather than long-term development strategies. The electoral cycle pressures political parties to prioritize projects that yield visible outcomes quickly, often sacrificing investments that may take a decade or more to bear fruit. Infrastructure projects, job creation schemes, and social interventions that are short-term in nature tend to dominate manifestos, but they do not address the underlying issues that Ghana faces. For transformative change to occur, the NDC needs to shift its focus from electoral cycles to governance cycles, where policies are sustained across administrations regardless of who is in power.
If 32 years of alternating between government and opposition have not brought the desired change, then what can be done differently? My two coins.
Over the years, the NDC has been perceived as shifting away from its ideological roots of social democracy. While it once championed policies that aimed to reduce inequality and promote state intervention in the economy, its recent policies often appear like those of its main rival, the NPP. This ideological convergence has led to voter apathy, as many Ghanaians struggle to distinguish between the two major parties. For the NDC to regain its transformative potential, it must return to its core principles while also innovating to meet the demands of a modern, globalized world. By presenting a clear ideological alternative to the NPP – one that promotes inclusive growth, social welfare, and state intervention in strategic industries – the NDC can reposition itself as a true game-changer.
The NDC has had a long history of engaging with the grassroots, but over time, this connection has weakened. Political engagement in Ghana is increasingly characterized by patronage networks, where party loyalty is rewarded with jobs and contracts, rather than policies that benefit the broader populace. This system of patronage stifles civic engagement and limits the public’s role in holding leaders accountable. If the NDC is serious about changing the game, it needs to rekindle its grassroots activism, focusing on empowering citizens to participate in the political process meaningfully. This can be done by creating platforms for community engagement, prioritizing local governance, and ensuring that party structures are more inclusive and transparent.
While the NDC’s 2024 manifesto offers bold promises aimed at addressing Ghana’s pressing challenges, its ability to deliver true game-changing policies is constrained by economic, institutional, and implementation hurdles. Issues such as debt sustainability, the capacity to industrialize, systemic education problems, healthcare deficits, and corruption require deep structural reforms that may go beyond the promises outlined in the manifesto. Without clear, sustainable strategies for addressing these underlying challenges, the NDC’s policies may not achieve the transformative impact they aim for.
