During an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV monitored by MyNewsGh, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, offered a nuanced reflection on General I. K. Acheampong’s leadership, suggesting that while the late military ruler had good intentions, his policies ultimately fell short of achieving their goals.
Speaking with Avle, Prof. Aryeetey said, “Acheampong was well-meaning but basically didn’t get his policies right.”
He explained that discussions about the former leader often focus on whether he was a good or bad man, but he believes that is the wrong approach. “He could have been a very good man who simply made mistakes, as most of us do all the time,” he added.
The economist noted that Acheampong’s governance, though infused with populist ideals, lacked structure and long-term planning.
He described initiatives like “Operation Feed Yourself” as actions born out of desperation rather than strategic policy.
“These are things you do when you’re desperate for results. But if you have a structured approach to policymaking, you don’t have to wait until you are in crisis to act,” he said.
For Prof. Aryeetey, Acheampong’s legacy remains a lesson in how good intentions alone cannot sustain a nation’s progress.
What Ghana needed, he argued, was not just a well-meaning leader but one capable of translating intent into sustainable development frameworks.
