Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) vice-presidential candidate, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has emphasised the importance of political leaders fulfilling the promises they make to citizens, warning that failure to do so can erode public trust and weaken confidence in governance.
Speaking at the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Dr Opoku Prempeh said effective leadership should be measured by a government’s ability to translate campaign commitments into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
According to him, governance must be rooted in accountability, credibility and results, as voters expect elected leaders to deliver on the pledges that secure their mandate.
“Governance is to ensure that what the leaders say, they can see is executed in their lives. People who are leaders or want to be leaders, what they say must matter,” he stated.
The former Energy Minister cited the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy as an example of how fulfilling a major campaign promise can strengthen public confidence in government and reinforce trust between leaders and the electorate.
Dr Opoku Prempeh argued that when governments successfully implement their commitments, citizens are more likely to believe in the political process and support future policy initiatives.
He also called for greater investment in leadership development and stronger governance systems capable of delivering effective public services and sustainable national development.
According to him, Ghana’s constitutional arrangement grants significant powers to the President, making it imperative for individuals entrusted with leadership responsibilities to exercise that authority prudently and in the broader public interest.
Dr Opoku Prempeh stressed that responsible leadership, coupled with a commitment to delivering on promises, remains essential to strengthening democratic governance and maintaining public confidence in state institutions.
