2028 Election Will Be Decided by Performance, Not Propaganda

In a stark assessment of Ghana’s political landscape, analysts are warning the newly elected Mahama administration that performance—not publicity—will determine the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) fate in the 2028 elections.

The message comes as President John Mahama and his appointees settle into office following their victory in the 2024 elections. Political observers note a growing concern that some government officials may already be positioning themselves for future leadership roles rather than focusing on delivering the administration’s promised agenda.

“Power has a short memory in Ghanaian politics,” explains political analyst Emmanuel Kwesi, who studies voting patterns in West Africa. “The electorate has evolved significantly over the past decade. Citizens now approach politics with greater skepticism and higher expectations.”

The warnings reflect Ghana’s changing political dynamics, where voters increasingly prioritize tangible results over political rhetoric. After enduring economic hardships, infrastructure challenges, and what many perceived as unfulfilled promises from previous administrations, Ghanaians are demanding substantive change.

The NDC’s “Social Contract” with voters, which featured prominently in their campaign, included several ambitious initiatives. Chief among these are the “24-hour economy” plan designed to boost productivity and create jobs, and the “Big Push” infrastructure agenda aimed at modernizing the country’s roads, bridges, and public facilities.

Samuel Atta, an economist at the University of Ghana, believes these programs will serve as benchmarks for the administration’s success. “These aren’t just policy proposals—they’re promises that voters will remember in 2028. The implementation of these initiatives will likely determine whether the NDC can maintain power beyond a single term.”

Experts have identified a concerning trend within Ghanaian politics: government appointees focusing on personal branding rather than collective governance. This behavior, sometimes manifested through orchestrated media coverage and social media campaigns, has been criticized as detrimental to effective governance.

“When ministers and appointees are more concerned with their personal political futures than with executing their current responsibilities, governance suffers,” notes Grace Mensah, director of the Center for Democratic Development. “What many fail to understand is that their individual political futures are inextricably tied to the administration’s overall performance.”

The Attorney General’s office faces particular scrutiny regarding its commitment to pursuing the “Operation Recover All Looted Funds” (ORAL) initiative without political favoritism. Anti-corruption advocates emphasize that selective justice would undermine the administration’s credibility.

Ghana’s youth unemployment crisis remains one of the most pressing challenges for the new government. With approximately 60% of the population under 25 years old, creating sustainable employment opportunities is viewed as both a social imperative and a political necessity.

“Young Ghanaians voted for change because they want jobs and economic opportunity,” says youth activist Joseph Asamoah. “If this administration can’t deliver meaningful employment solutions, they’ll face the consequences at the ballot box.”

Political historians point to lessons from previous administrations where internal succession battles distracted from governance priorities. This phenomenon has sometimes contributed to policy inconsistency and implementation failures.

“When government insiders become more focused on positioning themselves for future leadership roles than on achieving collective success, it creates dysfunction throughout the system,” explains political historian Dr. Abena Kyei. “The most successful politicians understand that their best path to advancement is helping the current administration succeed.”

As Ghana continues to navigate complex economic challenges, including inflation pressures and currency stability issues, the Mahama administration faces a critical period of governance that will likely shape the country’s trajectory for years to come.

For the NDC, the message from political observers is clear: the campaign for 2028 has already begun, but it won’t be won with publicity stunts or self-promotion. Instead, it will be determined by the administration’s ability to deliver meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.