Policy analyst and Co-Chair of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), Dr. Emmanuel Steve Asare Manteaw, has cautioned the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) against what he describes as a growing sense of “arrogance of power” among some government appointees.
In a social media post, Dr. Manteaw urged members of the governing administration to remain connected to the electorate and ensure that their conduct reflects the expectations of the people who voted the party into office.
“Advice to the ruling NDC: Arrogance of power won’t endear you to voters, humility and empathy will. Keep faith with the masses,” he wrote.
His comments come amid growing public and political debate over the conduct of some government officials, with opposition figures, journalists and some individuals associated with the governing party raising concerns about what they perceive as a disconnect between sections of the administration and ordinary citizens.
Dr. Manteaw’s intervention appears to focus less on the government’s accountability drive and more on how government appointees engage with citizens and respond to public concerns.
Responding to a comment from a social media user who questioned whether his post was linked to the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, Dr. Manteaw clarified that his position should not be interpreted as opposition to efforts to recover state resources or enforce accountability.
“This is not about ORAL. I support the efforts at exacting accountability from those who owe the state one,” he stated.
He, however, expressed concern about what he described as a “seeping arrogance and disconnect” between some appointees and the people who voted for the NDC.
“My concern is rather about the seeping arrogance and disconnect between some appointees and the people who voted for them,” Dr. Manteaw explained.
According to him, his intervention is intended as a reminder to government officials to remain faithful to the electorate and to work towards fulfilling the aspirations that informed voters’ decision to support the party.
“It’s a reminder to these appointees to keep faith with voters and to fulfill their (voter’s) aspirations,” he added.
Dr. Manteaw’s comments come at a time when the Mahama administration is pursuing a number of accountability measures while also facing public scrutiny over the performance and conduct of its appointees.
His remarks therefore draw a distinction between the pursuit of accountability and the manner in which those exercising public authority relate to citizens.
For Dr. Manteaw, accountability, in his view, should not be separated from humility, empathy and responsiveness to the electorate.
His call also places emphasis on the relationship between elected officials, political appointees and the citizens whose mandate gives government its legitimacy, particularly as the administration works to deliver on its campaign promises and address public expectations.
By 1960news.com
