Sycophancy can threaten Ghana's democracy if we don't stop it - Kwame Pianim warns

Renowned economist, Kwame Pianim, has expressed worry about the growing culture of sycophancy in the country, warning that if left unchecked, it could threaten the nation's democracy.

"As far as I am concerned,, what is killing this nation, which if we don't check will threaten our democracy, is sycophancy. If we don't stop it, we will never do well. It will threaten our democracy," he stated in a recent interview on Joy News.

He further stated that smaller political parties aligning themselves with the government, particularly during the Inter-Party Advisory Committee meetings (IPAC), is a setback to the country's progress.

"Anytime at IPAC, some of these smaller political parties will come in and support the government, and the government thinks they have a responsibility to support the Electoral Commission. They do not have a responsibility. Everybody who is given a job, if you are a judge or an Electoral Commissioner, you do the job to the best of your ability; you don't want any doubts.

"Governments in power have always defended the Electoral Commission; when they are in power, the register is alright. Don't let us be defensive. Then Akua Donkor sits somewhere and says the Electoral Commissioner is her mother, even though she is older than her. When did she become her mother?" he quizzed.

According to him, the IT systems used by the EC should be transparent and open for review if they are found to have errors.

"As for IT things, either they have a built in audit system which will work , and if it is not working and it is proven it is not working, open the system, bring your IT experts, walk with our people to go through.

"All of us want a clean register. The Electoral Commission, your job is not to help anyone win. Your job is like a football referee. Let's get IT specialists to sit down with the Commission's IT people and vet the system; there may be errors. Find out and correct instead of being on the defensive," he stated.

Kwame Pianim also urged the youth to support efforts aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness in the electoral system, regardless of which party is in power.

JKB/AE

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