Collins Owusu Amankwah is a former member of parliament for Manhyia North
A former Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Collins Owusu Amankwah, has warned that even globally admired leaders would struggle to succeed in Ghana’s governance system if citizens continue to shield wrongdoers while blaming political officeholders for national challenges.
According to an adomonline.com report on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Amankwah argued that issues such as illegal mining, corruption and inefficiencies in state institutions cannot be attributed solely to ministers or heads of agencies.
He said the country’s governance difficulties are compounded by what he described as a culture of impunity, where individuals who engage in misconduct are protected instead of being exposed and sanctioned.
“If we continue to blame ministers and institutional heads while failing to hold individuals accountable, even Barack Obama will fail bitterly as a minister in Ghana,” he stressed.
Everyone knows Ghana’s problem is mindset – but nobody wants to change
Amankwah, who previously served on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, maintained that effective leadership depends on citizens demanding accountability from individuals involved in wrongdoing, rather than transferring the entire responsibility to political leaders.
His remarks come amid ongoing debates over governance and accountability, particularly following recent comments by Kwasi Addai Odike, Founder of the United Front Party (UFP).
Odike has attributed challenges such as illegal mining, difficulties in the cocoa sector and corruption in state institutions to what he described as excessive presidential powers under the 1992 Constitution.
He also criticised the government’s decision to reduce cocoa purchasing prices, describing President John Dramani Mahama’s ‘Reset Agenda’ as ineffective.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Akrofuom, Joseph Azumah, has accused the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of politicising issues in the cocoa sector.
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Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s exposé on the ‘dark side of Kayamata’ and its devastating impact
Source:
www.ghanaweb.com
