The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has expressed concerns about the monetisation of politics and governance in Ghana.

According to him, positions are often sought for financial gain rather than public service.

Speaking on JoyNews Newsfile on Saturday, January 25, Mr Braimah noted that while many appointees are well-acquainted with the critical issues in their respective sectors, expertise and skills are not always the main drivers of appointments.

“Sometimes it's not about the skills. It's not about the expertise. I keep saying that at this stage until something changes, our politics and our governance is really about money making,” he asserted.

He highlighted how individuals with stable careers in banking, insurance, and consultancy often leave their jobs to take up government positions, not necessarily for service but for the financial benefits and contracts that come with such roles.

“We saw under President Akufo-Addo, for example, persons who had decent jobs with banks, insurance companies, and so on. All of a sudden, they were leaving to take on positions within the finance sector. You would wonder, if someone is managing an organisation or is a consultant, why would they leave to become CEO of this or that? It's all about the money, the contracts, and the perks,” he stated.

He stressed the need for appointees to focus on performance and accountability while referencing President Mahama’s call for a reset of the country.

He also pointed out that the President cautioned ministers during their swearing-in to remember that power is granted by the people and should not be exercised with arrogance.

“I am hoping they adhere to that,” he added.

Beyond that, Mr Braimah stressed the importance of accountability, transparency, and ensuring value for money in governance.