A retired military officer and strategic leadership expert, Dr Victor Abbey, has blamed partisan politics and the abandonment of long-term national vision for Ghana’s development setbacks, arguing that the country has drifted from the transformational agenda pursued by its founding leaders.
Speaking at a media engagement organised by the Africa Leaders Institute of Global Affairs ahead of Ghana’s 70th independence anniversary next year, Dr. Abbey said the country’s founding fathers approached independence with strategic foresight and a commitment to nation-building rather than short-term political gain.
“They did not treat independence as an event. They had a transformation agenda and understood the circumstances they found themselves in,” he said.
“Their focus was not merely on political power, but on building systems and institutions for the future.”
Dr. Abbey, a retired Captain of the Ghana Armed Forces, said Ghana’s early leaders implemented governance structures, infrastructure projects, educational reforms and industrialisation policies designed to benefit future generations.
He contrasted that approach with contemporary politics, which he said is largely driven by electoral considerations and personal interests rather than long-term national development.
“Leadership now is grounded firmly on self-aggrandisement rather than national interest,” he said. “Today, much of the focus is on winning the next election instead of pursuing the long-term vision for the country.”
According to him, Ghana’s development trajectory was significantly disrupted by the 1966 coup d’état that overthrew the government of Kwame Nkrumah.
“In my personal view, the first coup was where we got it wrong,” Dr. Abbey said.
“Those who carried out the coup did not look at the bigger picture. External influences impacted their judgement and disrupted Ghana’s long-term strategic direction.”
He argued that subsequent governments failed to deliberately repair the institutional and developmental disruptions caused by the coup, contributing to weakened state institutions and heightened political polarisation.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Abbey said Ghana still occupies an important strategic position within Africa and continues to be viewed as a symbol of hope on the continent.
“I see Ghana as a nation on the threshold of prosperity,” he said. “The consciousness and desire among many citizens to see a better Ghana still exists, but we need leadership that is intentional, visionary and selfless.”
He called for strategic national planning that transcends partisan interests and urged stronger support for institutions such as the National Development Planning Commission.
Dr. Abbey noted that although Ghana has developed long-term frameworks such as the Vision 2057 agenda, many citizens remain unaware of them because of poor dissemination and inconsistent political commitment.
“We invest resources into preparing national development plans, but when governments change, they are often abandoned,” he said, adding that “the problem is not merely the existence of plans, but the political will to implement them.”
He also advocated leadership training from the basic school level through tertiary education to instil integrity, patriotism, and responsibility in young people.
According to him, Ghana’s development difficulties are linked not only to infrastructure gaps but also to declining ethical standards among professionals and public officials.
“Professionals in this country have thrown away values,” he said, warning that “if we do not build ethical leadership and accountability into our systems, development projects will not achieve lasting impact.”
Dr. Abbey further stressed the need to protect state institutions from political interference, arguing that undermining institutions weakens national development efforts.
“This country’s security is in the hands of those in uniform,” he said. “If they are not aligned with the mindset of sacrifice, selflessness and protecting the nation, then where are we going?”
He called on political leaders, traditional authorities, religious organisations, academics and civil society groups to work together to reset Ghana’s development agenda.
“Nations do not develop by chance,” Dr. Abbey stressed. “Development must be intentional, strategic, and supported by people who understand where the country is heading.”
Source: GNA
