Hon. Collins Dauda Must Be Informed That Development Is Not a Political Weapon – Political analyst
The Educate Africa Institute (EAI) has taken note, with grave concern, of a public comment made by Hon. Collins Dauda, Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, during a live engagement, in which he stated: “If I were the president and the people of Akwatia vote against the NDC candidate, I won’t fix their roads.”
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As a political analyst and the Executive Director of the Educate Africa Institute (EAI), I find this statement not only disappointing but also dangerously anti-democratic and contrary to the spirit of national development.
Analysis: An Affront to Democratic Governance
Hon. Collins Dauda is a senior lawmaker, a former Minister, and a longstanding servant of Ghana’s democracy. His suggestion that essential infrastructure like roads should be distributed based on voting patterns betrays the very essence of democratic representation and inclusive governance.
In every true democracy, development is a right not a political favor. Public resources are not owned by political parties or individuals, but by the state and must be allocated equitably, based on need, impact, and long-term national interest, not partisan loyalty.
Development Is Not a Political Weapon
This comment is especially worrying considering Ghana’s constitutional mandate for equity in resource allocation. Article 36(2)(d) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana states that: “…the State shall undertake even and balanced development of all regions and every part of each region of Ghana, and, in particular, improve the conditions of life in the rural areas and generally redress any imbalance in development between the rural and the urban areas.”
Statements like Hon. Dauda’s stand in direct conflict with this constitutional obligation and set a dangerous precedent one where citizens may feel threatened or coerced into voting for a particular party just to receive basic infrastructure.
This is not only unethical it is a betrayal of the social contract between the people and their elected officials.
Solidarity with the People of Akwatia and All Ghanaians
The Educate Africa Institute stands in solidarity with the people of Akwatia and all constituencies across Ghana who have, over the years, suffered developmental neglect due to perceived political differences.
We must remind all political actors that the electorate does not owe loyalty to parties they owe it to Ghana. The freedom to vote is protected by law and must not be undermined by threats or discriminatory governance.
Call to Action
We therefore call on:
Hon. Collins Dauda to publicly retract and apologise for his statement.
The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to disassociate the party from such undemocratic rhetoric.
All political leaders regardless of party to commit to equitable development across all regions, constituencies, and communities.
As a nation striving toward middle-income status and beyond, Ghana cannot afford to politicize development. Leadership must be grounded in fairness, empathy, and a sense of responsibility to all citizens regardless of how they vote.
Let us reject the politics of division and embrace a governance model where every Ghanaian counts.
Signed,
William Boadi
Political Analyst & Executive Director
Educate Africa Institute (EAI)
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