Relevance of manifestos in contemporary governance

As Ghana gears up for another election cycle, the spotlight is once again on political party manifestos.

These documents, which outline the policies and promises of each party, have long been a cornerstone of Ghanaian politics. But in an era of rapid change and evolving voter expectations, how relevant are these manifestos in shaping governance today.

Against this backdrop, Governance Expert and Chief Executive Officer of the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation, Prof Baffour Agyemang-Dua said “political parties in Ghana are now moving from voluminous to slimmer-paged manifestos, as the fewer the words, the more substance they bring to their manifestos”.

He stated “party manifestos have been a key feature of Ghanaian elections since the return to constitutional rule in 1992. Over the decades, they have served as a blueprint for governance, offering voters a glimpse into the priorities and plans of the political parties vying for power. In past elections, manifestos have been instrumental in defining campaign narratives, swaying undecided voters, and holding governments accountable to their promises”.

“In today’s political landscape, the relevance of party manifestos is being reexamined. While they remain a critical tool for communicating a party’s vision, there is growing concern that these documents often fall short of their promises. The gap between manifesto pledges and actual governance has led to increased voter skepticism”. He added.

For Senior Programs Officer in Charge of Human Rights and Social Inclusion at CDD-Ghana, Dr. Michael Augustus Akagbor, “voters must demand accountability, as manifestos still remain relevant in today’s political landscape. They serve as a point of reference for both voters and political analysts, offering a framework for evaluating a party’s performance in office”.

He further reiterated “Manifestos are an essential tool for educating voters about the issues at stake in an election as it provides a clear outline of what each party stands for, and what it intends to achieve if elected as it helps voters make informed decisions at the ballot box”.

On the other hand, many voters have become disillusioned with manifestos, seeing them as mere wish lists that are quickly abandoned once a party takes office.

Percy says “I will only vote for a particular party after perusing their manifesto document to fall in love before voting”. For Nana Kwasi “Manifestos as hard copy makes him to decide on a particular party with a vision”.

Mensah Thompson of ASEPA says “There should be credibility in political promises and the need for more realistic and achievable goals in manifestos”.

That said, party manifestos continue to play a vital role in Ghanaian elections. They serve as a point of reference for both voters and political analysts, offering a framework for evaluating a party’s performance in office.

By Alexander Asare

 

 

 

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