In a stirring address, Kwaku Azar, a renowned law professor, has issued a clarion call to Ghanaians to recognize the dangers of partisanship, which he describes as “our greatest enemy”.
Prof Kwaku Azar’s statement comes as Ghana celebrates its 68th independence anniversary, and he urges citizens to reclaim their identity as one people, bound by a shared destiny.
According to Kwaku Azar, partisanship has divided the nation, turning politics into a battlefield where the goal is not national progress, but total domination.
He notes, “Partisanship has divided our people—not by ideology, but by blind allegiance.”
Kwaku Azar also emphasizes that partisanship has corroded Ghana’s institutions, citing examples such as the courts serving political interests rather than justice, and the media amplifying propaganda rather than informing the public.
Azar’s scathing critique of partisanship also extends to the civil service, which he argues now functions on party loyalty rather than merit.
He points out that civil servants must be paid a neutrality allowance just to perform their duties impartially.
Furthermore, Kwaku Azar notes that parliament no longer debates policy, but rather defends partisanship.
The professor also expresses concern about the impact of partisanship on Ghana’s development, stating, “Partisanship has paralyzed our progress.”
He notes that every government undo the work of its predecessor, not because the policies are flawed, but because they bear the wrong party’s name.
Kwaku Azar also argues that state contracts, scholarships, and job opportunities are not awarded based on competence, but on political allegiance.
To defeat the enemy of partisanship, Azar urges Ghanaians to put country before party.
He advocates for policies to be debated on merit, rather than on which party proposed them.
However, he also emphasizes the need for integrity over loyalty, stating that leadership should be earned through competence, not party connections.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
