18 Politicians Score 'F' In Africawatch Index

The Africawatch magazine has announced that 18 Ghanaian politicians were graded F in a yet to be announced second Political Performance Index (PPI) for Ghanaian politicians.

A statement from the magazine said only one politician scored A with eight others following with A- while nine officials earned a B+.

The marking scheme covered the president, his vice, all ministers of state as well as their deputies plus regional ministers.

“The index has been greatly expanded this year,” a statement read. “Besides the president and vice president, it will include all ministers of state, as well as deputy ministers and regional ministers. The speaker and all members of Parliament receive a grade, and the index expansion now even covers executives of political parties that have representation in Parliament, as well as presidential candidates. ”

“A total of 309 politicians were graded… 32 were awarded a B and 25 a B-. Moving down the list, 60 earned a C+, while 59 merited a C and 39 a C-. Near the bottom of the list were 40 politicians who found themselves with a D+ and 18 with a D, leaving an unfortunate 18 with the lowest-possible grade of F.

“The PPI gives Ghanaians a dependable way of knowing which officials were working hard on their behalf – and which weren’t. It was an important step in the development of Ghana’s fledgling democracy,” Africawatch editor Steve Mallory said.

“The index performs that monitoring duty. It ensures that Ghanaian politicians – entrusted with the destiny of the nation – are no longer allowed to rest on past laurels, mouthing platitudes. The index holds officials accountable to the people who elected them. ”

“To have a strong and effective democracy in Ghana,” Mallory states, “all aspects of governance in the country must be improved. People must feel that their elected officials truly represent them. This index can be part of that, of making a stronger democracy. ”

“Everyone is held to the same standards,” Mallory added. “The PPI is an attempt for Ghana to set the bar higher than ever before and encourage the best in the country’s elected officials.

“The public scrutiny provided by the Political Performance Index can raise the bar for political officials,” Mallory continues. “They will listen more carefully, try that much harder, and may even lift their own personal and professional standards, which will then improve their political performance. ”