In the annals of governance, few things are as disheartening as broken promises. When a government fails to uphold its commitments, the consequences are dire, impacting lives, livelihoods, and the environment. In Ghana, the government’s much-touted performance tracker stands as a monument to deception, a tool purportedly designed to measure progress but ultimately serving as a smokescreen for incompetence and neglect.

Consider the Gallam Stop app, heralded as a beacon of hope in the fight against illegal mining—an insidious practice that ravages the land, poisons water bodies, and depletes precious resources. With great fanfare, the government introduced the app, promising to curb the scourge of illegal mining and protect the environment for future generations. Yet, despite lofty aspirations, the reality is a far cry from the rhetoric.

Illegal mining continues unabated, flourishing under the very noses of those tasked with its eradication. Landscapes once teeming with life now lie desolate, scarred by the greed and negligence of those in power. Water bodies, once pristine and life-sustaining, now run thick with pollutants, rendering them unfit for consumption or recreation. And resources, meant to benefit all Ghanaians, are siphoned away by unscrupulous actors, leaving communities impoverished and destitute.

In the face of such blatant failure, one might expect accountability. But instead of acknowledging their shortcomings, the government seeks refuge in the guise of performance tracking—a charade meant to deflect attention from their abject incompetence. But let us not be fooled by the smoke and mirrors.

The true measure of governance lies not in algorithms and metrics but in the fulfillment of promises made to the people. And in this regard, the government’s track record is abysmal. Instead of relying on the illusion of performance tracking, let us turn our attention to the promises made in the government’s manifestos.

In 2016 and 2020, pledges were solemnized, commitments were made, and hopes were kindled. Yet, like the promises before them, they have been callously discarded, relegated to the dustbin of political expediency. It is time to hold our leaders accountable, not through the lens of a fraudulent tracker but through the prism of their own words. Where are the factories, the Dams and 350 SHS the government promised?

The government’s performance tracker is not just useless; it is a scam—a ploy designed to deceive and deflect. As citizens of Ghana, we must demand better. We must demand transparency, integrity, and accountability from those entrusted with our collective well-being. The time for empty promises and hollow gestures is over. It is time for action, for justice, and for a government that truly serves the people.

We are concerned citizens of Ghana and Africa is born in us.

Ghana first.

Signed

William Boadi
Executive Director of Educate Africa Institute (EAI), Political analyst, and Social Worker.
+233541935106.

EAI: Promoting Quality Education, and Ensuring Social Justice.