Former Gender Minister Sarah Adwoa Safo has admitted that the NPP government failed to heed public concerns during its second term, contributing to its electoral downfall.
Speaking on The Pulse on Joy Prime and monitored by MyNewsGH, she acknowledged the difference between the party’s approach in its first and second terms, noting that there was initial enthusiasm but later complacency.
“I think that the first term was good. Ghanaians had a lot of expectations, and there was that eagerness and preparedness to meet them. But I think that moving into our second term, it was as if we weren’t hearing, as if we didn’t care, as if we were on our jolly ride,” she remarked.
She highlighted widespread dissatisfaction among key stakeholders, including chiefs, pastors, party supporters, and the youth, emphasizing that their grievances were not taken seriously.
“Chiefs were complaining, pastors were complaining, party people were complaining, the youth… everything that we were doing, it was as if there was no election ahead of us. Not that governance is about thinking about the next election—it’s about governance—but you should know that your track record is what is going to secure you your next term,” she stated.
According to her, the government’s inability to address concerns left many disillusioned. She admitted that “at the point, we were not listening,” suggesting that the administration may have fallen into the “normal second-term syndrome” where ruling parties become disconnected from the electorate.
Reflecting on the backlash from businesses, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens, she conceded that many were bitter and aggrieved over government policies and actions.
