Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) vice-presidential candidate, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has urged political leaders to ensure that promises made to the electorate are fulfilled, warning that failure to do so could erode public trust and diminish their political relevance.
According to Dr. Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, the success of any government is ultimately measured by its ability to translate campaign promises into meaningful improvements in the lives of citizens.
Speaking at the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, he called for greater investment in leadership development and governance systems that promote accountability, efficiency, and effective service delivery.
“Governance is to ensure that what leaders say is executed in the lives of the people. People who are leaders or want to be leaders must ensure that what they say matters,” he stated.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh cited the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy as an example of how delivering on campaign commitments can strengthen public confidence in government.
He argued that the successful rollout of the policy contributed significantly to sustaining trust in the NPP administration.
The former Energy Minister stressed that leadership comes with enormous responsibility, particularly within Ghana’s constitutional framework, which grants extensive executive powers to the presidency.
He noted that the success of any president depends not only on personal leadership qualities but also on the competence of ministers and the effectiveness of institutions responsible for implementing government policies and programmes.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh further observed that national resources and governance structures are entrusted to elected leaders, making it imperative for officeholders to exercise their responsibilities with diligence and accountability.
While acknowledging that political parties may win elections on the strength of their campaign messages, he warned that failing to meet citizens’ expectations can quickly lead to disappointment and public disillusionment.
He therefore urged current and aspiring leaders to ensure that their words are backed by action, stressing that credibility remains one of the most important assets in political leadership.
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