By Juliet ETEFE ([email protected])
Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on the citizenry to take personal responsibility for the country’s development, emphasising that nation-building is a collective duty rather than the sole responsibility of government.
Speaking at the Eagles Forum’s Annual Banquet and Awards Night in Accra on February 1, she challenged citizens to look within their own capabilities to contribute in national progress.
“When we begin paying attention to who we are and who we can be, we must ask ourselves: what do we want to see Ghana become in the next five to ten years? And in what way can we contribute to make the Ghana we want realisable?” she asked.
She noted that while citizens are quick to identify the nation’s challenges, many tend to shift responsibility onto others – particularly government.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang recounted an experience from her campaign – she would ask constituents to list their problems, what could be done to address them and what they as individuals could do to make a difference.
She said: “The first two lists were always long. But when I asked what they could do themselves, there was silence” – indicating that many do not look inwardly at their capacity to effect change.
As such, the Vice President stressed that every small effort matters in building a better Ghana, citing the example of if an individual commits to not littering, they are already contributing positively to national development.
“Everybody can make a difference. It is never somebody else’s responsibility to make things happen. It is our collective responsibility,” she stated.
She also touched on key economic and social policies, including the 24-hour economy and women’s financial inclusion, underscoring that these initiatives will only be successful if individuals take proactive steps to support them.
She further noted high expectations from the public, urging patience and careful planning to ensure quality outcomes.
“We need to proceed carefully to minimise errors and ensure that our solutions are effective. Let us stick to what we can do and do it well,” she encouraged.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang took the opportunity to commended the Eagles Forum for its role in shaping national policies, particularly in drafting the National Democratic Congress party’s manifesto.
Advancing good governance through policy monitoring
For his part, President-Eagles Forum Jonathan Gador emphasised the critical role of research and data-driven decision-making in the country’s political landscape.
Stressing the importance of data in governance, Mr. Gador advised that decisions should be grounded in empirical evidence rather than political rhetoric.
“Data is everything. Unfortunately, in this country many people speak without reference to facts. More extensive data collection and analysis is required to provide accurate insights,” he asserted.
Mr. Gador said the Eagles Forum is committed to monitoring and evaluating policies implemented by the NDC government.
He revealed that it will conduct biannual assessments by engaging citizens across the country to measure the impact of government initiatives.
“We will go to the countryside, talk to ordinary people and gather their feedback on government policies. This will serve as a mirror for the party, ensuring that governance remains people-centred,” he explained.
He recounted the Eagles Forum’s origins, explaining that it was established in 2017 by a group of professionals who recognised a glaring gap in Ghana’s political discourse – the lack of comprehensive research and data analytics, hoping to change the narrative.
“We realised that data and research were missing in our body politic. So, we decided to put ourselves together to help bring research and data to the fore, ensuring that politics in Ghana is influenced by facts rather than sentiments,” he stated.
Good Governance Dialogue Series
He added that the group will organise a biannual Good Governance Dialogue Series, tackling key national issues such as constitutional review and others. It will also publish a Good Governance Index, measuring local governance performance and sharing findings with policymakers and the public.
“Our goal is to elevate governance standards, ensuring that every Ghanaian has access to opportunities for a better life. Through research, data, and continuous engagement, we are committed to making Ghana a better place,” he noted.
Awards
The Eagles Forum honoured key individuals for their contributions to the 2024 General Elections’ success. Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah was acknowledged for his leadership as Director of Elections & IT as well as Dr. George Atta Boateng for his role as Deputy Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Similarly, Wisdom Yayra Deku was awarded for his work as Deputy Director of IT, while Mahdi Jibril was recognised for his efforts in electoral coordination. The Vice President also received a citation from the group.
