Corporate leader Yaw Nsarkoh has criticised Ghana’s political leadership, describing the country as a “palanquin economy” where the many carry the few, and warning that neither the NPP nor the NDC deserves praise for the current state of national development.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the Quality Week Celebration of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research on Monday, February 23, 2026, at the University of Ghana, Legon, Mr Nsarkoh painted a grim picture of Ghana’s social and economic challenges, backed by statistical evidence.
He said Ghana’s development outcomes remain weak despite decades of political transitions between the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress.
“Politicians are constantly squabbling about who should get the credit — between NPP and NDC — for some supposed great current state of affairs. It is not always clear to me which one exactly,” he said.
According to him, only about 3.8 per cent of Ghana’s population is above 65 years, far below levels in comparable middle-income countries. He argued that this reflects poor health and living conditions that prevent many citizens from enjoying long and productive lives.
Mr Nsarkoh also noted that about 65 per cent of adults cannot afford adequate nutrition, nearly 20 per cent live in extreme poverty, and open defecation remains widespread in many communities.
“These figures tell a very disturbing story about how we are failing large sections of our people,” he observed.
On environmental degradation, he described illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as a major national threat, accusing successive governments of failing to act decisively.
“Party come, party go — with assured impunity. Despite all the loud rhetoric, we have not made enough progress on this matter,” he said.
Using the metaphor of a “palanquin economy,” Mr Nsarkoh said Ghana’s system rewards a small elite at the expense of the majority. He referenced Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz to argue that inequality harms both the rich and the poor.
“The 1 per cent must care about the 99 per cent — not out of charity, but out of necessity. A society built on ‘me only’ cannot endure,” he stressed.
He also challenged researchers at the institute to act as “organic intellectuals,” drawing on the ideas of Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci, and urged them to use science to influence public policy.
“It will be such a shame if you collapse into an elite group of intellectually incestuous academics that contributes nothing original to knowledge,” he warned.
The event, which formed part of NMIMR’s annual Quality Week activities, brought together scientists, policymakers, and academics to discuss health, environment, and development.
It was chaired by Alfred Yawson, Provost of the College of Health Sciences, and hosted by NMIMR Director Dorothy Yeboah-Manu. The Guest of Honour was Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
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