Renowned legal scholar and political analyst, Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, commonly referred to as Kwaku Azar has warned that unchecked partisanship has become the biggest obstacle to Ghana’s development, surpassing the historical struggles against colonialism, military coups, and constitutional instability.

In a powerful statement marking Ghana’s 68th Independence Anniversary, Kwaku Azar reflected on the country’s journey from colonial subjugation to self-governance, highlighting the resilience of Ghanaians in the face of external and internal challenges.

However, he stressed that today, the greatest enemy is no longer foreign rule or military takeovers, but deep-seated partisanship that has divided the nation and crippled its institutions.

According to Kwaku Azar, partisanship has eroded national unity, prioritizing party loyalty over competence and national interest.

He argued that Ghana’s political landscape has become a battlefield where the goal is no longer national development but total domination by political parties.

“We have become more loyal to parties than to our country. In doing so, we have weakened our democracy, compromised our future, and betrayed the very independence our forebears fought for,” he said.

He lamented how corruption, once seen as a national crime, is now justified and excused when committed by one’s preferred political party.

Kwaku Azar pointed to the devastating effect of partisanship on key institutions, including:

The Judiciary – Courts no longer serve justice but are influenced by political interests. The Media – Instead of informing the public, some media outlets have become propaganda machines for political parties. The Civil Service – Public sector jobs are no longer awarded based on merit but on party affiliation, to the extent that civil servants must now be paid neutrality allowances to remain politically impartial. Parliament – Instead of debating policies for the good of the nation, lawmakers are engaged in partisan defense mechanisms that block national progress. The Church and Academia – Some religious leaders and scholars have abandoned moral truth and objective analysis in favour of political bias. The Security Services – Institutions meant to protect the people are now used as tools of political enforcement. Student Activism – Once a unifying force, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) is now deeply fragmented along partisan lines.

Kwaku Azar warned that partisanship has paralyzed Ghana’s progress by ensuring that:

Every new government abandons the projects of its predecessor, regardless of merit. State contracts, scholarships, and jobs are awarded based on party allegiance rather than competence. National development is hijacked by political calculations, where leaders prioritize re-election over real solutions.

To combat the dangers of partisanship, Kwaku Azar urged Ghanaians to reclaim their identity as one people with a shared destiny.

He called for:

Country before party – Policies should be debated on merit, not based on which party proposed them. Integrity over loyalty – Leadership should be earned through competence, not party connections. Restoration of institutions – The judiciary, civil service, and media must be insulated from political interference. Judicial reform – The removal of partisan judges to restore trust in the justice system. A united fight against corruption – Public officials must be held accountable, regardless of their political affiliation. Power must be used to empower, not oppress – Leadership should focus on uplifting citizens rather than consolidating power.

He concluded with a rallying call:“History will judge us not by how fiercely we defended our parties, but by how boldly we defended our nation.”

Drawing parallels to the struggle against colonial rule and military dictatorships, Kwaku Azar emphasized that patriotism had always been the key to Ghana’s victories in the past—and it must be the weapon against partisanship today.“We have proven before that when we stand together for a cause greater than ourselves, we win.

The choice is ours. The time is now.”

Happy 68th Independence Anniversary, Ghana!