Kumasi, Ghana – By: Fredrick Asenso Boateng
Former Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, affectionately known as Asabee, has thrown his weight behind President John Dramani Mahama’s recent call for the continuation of national projects, saying it reflects the maturity Ghana’s democracy desperately needs.
Speaking on Pure FM’s Morning Drive with Kwame Adinkra on Friday, Asabee described Mahama’s position as “refreshing and long overdue,” noting that partisan politics has, for far too long, stalled Ghana’s development.
“Democracy is continuity,” he emphasized. “We cannot keep abandoning good projects just because a new party is in power. It’s the people who suffer.”
His comments come in the wake of President Mahama’s pledge to continue projects started by previous administrations — a position that has sparked renewed debate over governance continuity in Ghana.
But Asabee didn’t stop there. In what sounded like a post-mortem of the NPP’s loss in the December 2024 elections, he candidly admitted that the party had “lost touch” with the people.
“We failed to reshuffle. That’s the truth,” he said bluntly. “The same ministers were kept throughout the second term, and it drained the energy out of the government.”
According to him, the absence of cabinet reshuffles bred public frustration and internal discontent within the party’s grassroots base. “Even in football, when players are tired, you bring on substitutes. Governance is no different,” he added.
Asabee also took a swipe at the NPP’s internal leadership during the Akufo-Addo era, saying the party lacked a bold, outspoken national chairman who could confront the president with honest feedback.
“We needed someone who wasn’t afraid to knock on the president’s door and say, ‘Mr. President, this isn’t working,’” he said. “I could have been that person. I understand the NDC; I know how they operate. I would have brought that insight to the table and helped shape a more effective political strategy.”
He insisted that his leadership style would have bridged divides and fostered a more inclusive, pragmatic approach to governance. “It’s not just about winning elections,” Asabee said. “It’s about delivering results — for everyone.”
His remarks seem to align with many political commentators as the NPP continues to grapple with the 2024 electoral defeat. For Asabee, the path forward lies in honest reflection, bold leadership, and above all, a commitment to continuity.
“Let’s stop behaving like every new government must erase what came before it. That mindset is what’s holding Ghana back,” he concluded.
Here is an excerpt of the interview with Kwame Adinkrah on Pure FM.
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