In every democratic system, the transfer of power comes with both assets and liabilities. Successive governments don’t start from scratch, they inherit the achievements and failings of their predecessors. This is no different in Ghana.

Yet, there is a troubling pattern. Each time a new administration takes office, public attention and often, political messaging centres almost exclusively on the burdens left behind: debt, stalled projects, or mismanagement.

Rarely do we hear about the progress made, the infrastructure completed, or the institutional reforms initiated by previous governments.

This one-sided narrative does a disservice not just to former leaders, but to citizens as well. Our politicians have a responsibility to help us see the full picture, not just what went wrong, but what went right.

Recognising inherited assets helps build continuity, fosters national pride, and prevents wasteful abandonment of good initiatives.

But is it fair to blame the political class alone? Not quite.

We, the citizens, must also look in the mirror. There is an unfortunate tendency among many Ghanaians to focus on negative news. Bad news spreads fast. Scandals trend. Outrage sells. As a result, positive developments often go unnoticed or unappreciated.

If we want better governance, we must demand not just accountability for failures but also stewardship of success. It’s time to shift the conversation from blame to balance, from criticism to continuity.