The State of Political Party Development in Ghana

Abstract

Political parties have been instrumental to Ghana’s democratic growth, which has constituted the West African nation as a bastion of democracy in the region and on the continent as a whole. However, inequality between elite and ordinary voters continues to grow as an outcome of parties’ activities. The disparity between electioneering and the delivery of political manifestos has also continued to widen, undermining citizens’ trust in party politics. Since the resurgence of party politics in 1992, only two parties have won elections, effectively institutionalizing a two-party model. Both parties have pursued programmes that reflect both capitalism and social interventions. The growing synergy between active participation and democratic institutionalization provides an optimistic outlook for democratic progress. However, the West African nation confronts extant challenges to democratic consolidation such as inter and intra-party conflicts, excessive partisanship and monetization of the electoral process, and inter-ethnic tensions. This not withstanding, it is not far-fetched that democratic consolidation is imminent. This chapter reflects on the characteristics, role, and impact of political parties in boosting Ghana’s democracy towards a near consolidation.