"Bright Simons Decries Ghana\u2019s Lack of Policy Accountability in Debt Governance"

" Bright Simons Decries Ghana\u2019s Lack of Policy Accountability in Debt Governance \r\n Honourary Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has bemoaned the chronic debt distress facing Ghana\u2019s central government, attributing it to what he describes as the country\u2019s under-politicisation of public policy. \r\n In a detailed analysis shared on social media, Mr Simons argued that Ghana lacks a crucial bridge between policy and politics, resulting in zero accountability for debt-related policies at the central government level. \r\n \u201cIn Ghana, there is simply no bridge between policy and politics. Policy simply has no political stakes, thus zero accountability for debt policy, and the result of that is perennial central government debt crisis,\u201d he stated. \r\n Drawing global comparisons, the policy analyst juxtaposed Ghana\u2019s scenario with that of the United States and China. In the U.S., he noted that, an over-politicization of federal policy results in a failure of accountability, with political interests overtaking sound policy formulation. \r\n \u201cRather than policy shaping politics at the federal level, the reverse happens through over-politicisation. Federal policy accountability fails,\u201d he explained. \r\n Turning to China, Mr Simons lauded the existence of a robust policy community consisting of think tanks, party schools, and academia, which ensures that central government officials and their policies come under significant scrutiny. \r\n \r\n \u201cCentral government debt and deficit spending [in China] have consequently always been relatively sound. The opposite is the case in local government, which is chronically on the brink of debt distress. Same country, same people, different accountability structures,\u201d he observed. \r\n Explaining the conceptual difference between politics and policy, Mr Simons described politics as the realm of national debate over the \u201cwhats\u201d \u2013 what should be done, who should benefit, and what is good for society \u2013 while policy deals with the \u201chows\u201d of achieving those goals. \r\n \u201cPolitics is about rights and benefits. Nearly all citizens are involved. Policy is more about contribution. To participate, one must make extra effort,\u201d he posited. \r\n Mr Simons' critique comes at a time when Ghana is facing renewed pressure for structural reforms to enhance policy transparency and fiscal responsibility. "

"Bright Simons Decries Ghana\u2019s Lack of Policy Accountability in Debt Governance"

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