A retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice William Atuguba, has delivered a sharp critique of Ghana’s political culture, warning that the growing obsession with party loyalty and personal ambition is eroding the national interest.
He said politicians had become more focused on winning power than serving the people, creating an unhealthy democratic environment that prioritises partisan gain over public welfare.
Justice Atuguba urged political actors to embrace honesty, fairness, integrity and principled leadership: “Politicians must begin to turn things around for the better by pursuing policies and actions that genuinely benefit the people of Ghana, rather than advancing personal or partisan interests.”
He made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the 20th memorial lecture in honour of the late Justice Daniel Francis Annan, the first Speaker of Parliament under the Fourth Republic.
Parliament and the National Interest
Justice Atuguba expressed concern about the conduct of some Members of Parliament, saying their actions often reflected loyalty to their parties rather than commitment to the welfare of Ghanaians.
“Today, I do not see Parliament as consistently standing for the interests of Ghanaians. There are some MPs who are good, but others are immersed in loyalty to their party and the President, manoeuvring to advance their political careers irrespective of honesty, fairness and good service to the people,” he said.
He stressed that his comments were not meant to disparage politicians but to provoke national reflection: “I am not speaking out of spite, but because the ship of state has tilted very, very ominously.”
Despite his concerns, he said Ghana’s democracy still had hope, noting that many politicians remained committed to public service and the values exemplified by Justice Annan.
Partisan Tug‑of‑War in Parliament
Reflecting on parliamentary proceedings, Justice Atuguba said debates increasingly resembled partisan battles rather than constructive efforts to solve national problems.
According to him, parliamentary debate should be anchored in consensus‑building and practical solutions, but instead had become a contest for electoral advantage.
“It is like a tug of war all the time. When one party is in government, the overriding objective of the other is to pull it down, return to power and enjoy the benefits that come with office,” he said.
He warned that such adversarial politics weakened democratic governance and distracted leaders from addressing citizens’ pressing needs.
Justice Atuguba called for a new political culture rooted in cooperation, mutual respect and statesmanship, arguing that sustainable national development could only be achieved when Ghana’s interests supersede partisan considerations.
He urged current and future leaders to emulate Justice Annan, whose leadership, he said, was marked by integrity, fairness and unwavering commitment to Ghana’s democratic growth.
