We Don’t Need Handouts, We Need Long-Lasting Solutions–Ransford Gyampo

According to Ghana web, Professor Ransford Gyampo, a political science professor at the University of Ghana, has called attention to a disheartening reality about the exploitation of poverty in Ghanaian politics. With a sharp critique, Gyampo highlighted what he described as “Wicked Politics,” a recurring strategy in which politicians deliberately neglect rural communities, only to return during election years with token handouts to secure votes. He writes, “Let the villagers remain impoverished.

Then go to them in an election year to give them 10-10 cedis and 5 kilos of rice, and they will forget that you made them poor, but hail you and give you votes for giving them tokens.” Gyampo’s comments strike at the heart of a troubling practice within Ghana’s political landscape: the use of poverty as a tool for electoral manipulation. In many rural areas, where the majority of the population struggles with inadequate infrastructure, limited healthcare, and poor educational opportunities, politicians often ignore these issues until election season.



During campaigns, they then distribute small amounts of cash, rice, and other temporary relief items, which are seen as acts of generosity rather than the fulfillment of their duties as elected officials. This approach has led to a dangerous cycle of dependency, where the electorate’s needs are only addressed superficially, creating an illusion of progress while the underlying issues of poverty remain unaddressed. Gyampo’s scathing assessment underscores the consequences of this approach.

Not only does it perpetuate cycles of poverty, but it also undermines the democratic process. When votes are swayed by short-term handouts rather than by substantial policies or long-term development plans, the foundation of democracy is weakened. Gyampo’s use of the term “Wicked Politics” highlights the manipulative and unethical nature of these electoral tactics, which prioritize securing votes over the well-being and long-term prosperity of the citizens.

Gyampo challenges voters, particularly in rural areas, to recognize and reject these manipulative tactics. He encourages citizens to demand accountability from politicians, urging them to prioritize sustainable development over short-term promises. “Let us stop thinking that politics should be about temporary relief,” Gyampo writes.

“We need long-term solutions, not handouts.”.