The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah has expressed optimism that Ghanaians will welcome the promises and commitments laid out in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto.

He believes that the NDC’s proposed actions could help rebuild public trust, especially after the perceived shortcomings of the current Akufo-Addo administration.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, Mr Braimah emphasised that Ghanaians have witnessed significant issues under the current government, and the NDC’s alternative approach might resonate with citizens eager for change.

He noted, particularly on the NDC's promise to fight corruption that "Ghanaians will be very happy about a commitment or a promise that these issues will be thoroughly investigated by a new government. This will be one of the major challenges for the Bawumia campaign."

However, Mr Braimah also urged caution, reminding the public that political parties often make lofty promises during election seasons, which frequently go unfulfilled.

"If you look at the NPP’s manifestos from 2012, 2016, and even 2020, you would think that if even half of what was promised had been implemented, Ghana would be in a much better position in the fight against corruption,” he said.

 He said Ghanaians are likely to be pleased with the NDC’s commitment to holding wrongdoers in the current government accountable. Citing recent Afrobarometer data, Mr Braimah pointed out that "Ghanaians are clearly saying things are not going well—corruption is on the rise, and the quality of governance is declining."

Mr Braimah stressed the importance of not just making promises but also demonstrating the commitment and strength of character needed to follow through. "Manifesto promises are essentially statements of intent. What is critical, beyond these intentions, is the commitment and the strength of character to adhere to these promises, and this has been lacking in the past. We hear all these fine promises, but once in power, the commitment often fades. The real issue is whether the strength of character exists to ensure that what is promised is delivered."

He also touched on NDC’s focus on asset declaration, referencing remarks made by NDC’s Sammy Gyamfi. While acknowledging the need to improve the asset declaration regime, he pointed out that compliance was a problem even under the previous Mahama administration. "I can cite several instances where appointees failed to declare their assets, even under the flawed laws we have now."

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Despite this, Mr Braimah expressed hope that a new Mahama administration might learn from past mistakes and implement reforms more effectively. He emphasised the importance of reflecting on past experiences to better plan for the future, suggesting that this approach is essential for moving the country forward.