Ghana can be best in governance in Africa
The Ghanaian Times receives as good news the fact that Ghana has been ranked best-performing country in governance in West Africa according to the recent World Economics Governance Index report.
It is similarly another good news that the report by the World Economics Research based in London also places the country fifth on the overall position in Africa.
First of all, the Ghanaian Times deems it an honour, as always, to praise the State Ghana and her people for achievements which resulted from the efforts of the political establishment as an entity, relevant institutions and the people as a whole.
It is great joy to learn that after providing the indicators that helped the country to achieve that feat such as political stability, rule of law, accountability and government effectiveness, consistent efforts in upholding democratic values, ensuring transparency, and promoting inclusive policies, the report acknowledges the healthy participation of Ghanaians in the democratic processes.
All Ghanaians should take pride in the fact that the report takes particular note of the interaction of the citizens with established institutions, laws, and the elected actors of governance within an atmosphere of tolerance.
Our cherished readers, particularly those who follow political goings-on in the country and across Africa, can give their own examples of fellow African countries whose politicians and political institutions have compromised democratic values such that election periods are times to be on tenterhooks. Is it not heart-warming to learn that the country’s ranking reaffirms its commitment to democratic principles and effective governance systems, reinforcing its status as a beacon of stability and progress in the West African sub-region?
It is good to hear that the governance evaluation considered factors like political rights, law and order, press freedom, and corruption, to place the country at a respectable position of grade B and a score of 61.7.
This paper thinks the country could have done better, if certain checks had been done.
There are certain happenings in the country that must be checked to improve its future scores because it is a fact that other rating institutions can rank it differently if they pay particular attention to the insolence and disregard some politicians exhibit towards journalists, for instance.
It is also the case that the citizenry have issues with how law and order works in the country.
Any future rating should delve deep into whether justice is skewed in favour of some against others.
That can inform those in charge of law and order to make amends for everyone in the country to believe in its justice system.
As a paper which desires news that says it as it is, the Ghanaian Times wishes not to dispute whatever research has confirmed until proven otherwise by another research.
However, as a paper that observes significant happenings in the country, it wishes to state that the country’s proactive approach to combating corruption and promoting transparency is not working as expected.
The media space is awash with news of corrupt practices involving public officials and the Auditor General’s annual reports are a good source of such information.
It is about time the powers that be fixed the shortfalls in the country’s governance for it to be on top of the rankings in Africa as a whole.