Both NPP and NDC Fail to Invest in Research – Stephen Amoah
Former deputy finance minister criticises data-poor policymaking and populist campaign promises
- Stephen Amoah says Ghana’s two major parties fail to invest in research and data collection
- Lack of evidence-based policymaking weakens manifestos and development programmes
- Politicians rely on broad, unrealistic campaign promises instead of data-driven plans
Former Deputy Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah, has criticised Ghana’s major political parties for what he describes as a long-standing failure to base policymaking on research and reliable data.
Dr. Amoah said both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have, over the years, neglected adequate investment in research and data collection to guide their policies and development programmes.
According to him, this gap has resulted in weak decision-making and poorly structured manifestos that lack empirical grounding.
“I think one of our major difficulties in this country, and the failures of both the NPP and NDC, I stand to be corrected, is their inability to research, collect the needed data, and make the right decisions from it to develop their manifestos and policy programmes,” he stated.
Dr. Amoah further criticised what he described as populist and unrealistic campaign promises, noting that political parties often prioritise broad assurances over evidence-based solutions.
“They come with promises like, ‘We will not pay taxes,’ ‘When I come, everybody will get a job,’ ‘Your roads will be fixed,’ or ‘Next year we will do this,’” he added.
