Former CEO of the defunct UT Bank, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, has raised concerns about the growing influence of political parties on public leadership.

He argues that it undermines the independence and effectiveness of political leaders.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the inaugural PK Amoabeng Ambassadors, Amoabeng criticized the financial support and resources provided by political parties to aspiring candidates, stating that these contributions often create a sense of indebtedness.

He warned that this dynamic could lead leaders to prioritize party interests over national concerns, affecting their decision-making and governance.

“The problem is normally not the leader per se. Some leaders can be crooks and tyrants, or whatever. But some leaders are good.

"They are humble, they care about the people, but when it comes to power, they are not allowed, and they are not given the freedom to do what their mind tells them to do,” Mr Amoabeng explained.

He further emphasized the challenges political leaders face, noting, “For example, in politics, before you become a leader, your political party has actually put in a lot of effort, raising money, incurring debt, and everything to support you to become the leader.

"You cannot overrule what the party says, because they need to repay those monies, and they need to even build up funds for the next election. So the leader is not his own. It is those who pull the strings along.”

Mr Amoabeng’s comments shed light on the complexities of leadership within political systems, urging for a reconsideration of how party influence impacts governance.