The Convention People’s Party (CPP) is proposing a unique and traditional approach: requiring political leaders and public office holders to swear and swearing an oath to deities.
This traditional oath swearing aims to restore integrity and accountability among Ghana’s political class, drawing on traditional African values and systems.
During a ceremony at Independence Square coinciding with Ghana’s 67th Independence Anniversary, Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Kuman kumah, the National Chairperson of the CPP, led party members in pouring libation to invoke the spirit of Ghana’s founding father, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
This act symbolizes a return to indigenous practices believed to uphold integrity and moral standards effectively.
Nana Akosua Kuman kumah highlighted the failure of current leaders who, despite swearing on the Bible or the Quran, engage in corrupt practices with impunity, leaving ordinary Ghanaians to bear the brunt of their actions. She argued that the reintroduction of traditional oath swearing, rooted in the fear of divine retribution, would deter corrupt practices.
“If you cannot swear by the African system, there is no place for you in a CPP government,” she stated, emphasizing the party’s commitment to integrity and transparency.
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This proposal comes against the backdrop of Ghana’s stagnating fight against corruption. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023, released by Transparency International, showed Ghana scoring 43 out of 100, ranking 70th among 180 countries.
This score, marking the fourth consecutive year of no progress, underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to tackle corruption.
The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Transparency International’s local chapter, expressed concern over the persistent lack of improvement in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts.
The CPI’s findings have prompted calls for more effective strategies to address corruption, which erodes public trust and hampers development.
The CPP ’s proposal to incorporate traditional oath swearing has sparked a national conversation about the role of cultural practices in governance and the fight against corruption.
While some applaud the initiative as a meaningful way to connect with Ghana’s cultural heritage and instill a sense of accountability, others question its practicality and enforceability in a modern democratic state.
As Ghana grapples with these questions, the CPP ’s traditional oath swearing innovative proposal has undoubtedly placed the spotlight on the importance of cultural values in shaping governance and the need for renewed efforts in the fight against corruption.
Whether this approach will be adopted and its effectiveness remains to be seen, but it certainly represents a novel attempt to address a pervasive problem that has long hindered Ghana’s progress.
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