When development becomes political trophies, we all lose – Eugene Dogbatse Atsu writes

There is something I have struggled to understand for a long time. Why do some people find their voices only when a particular political party is in power, only to become silent when another party takes office? Why do principles that seem important today suddenly become irrelevant tomorrow because the political landscape has changed?

As a citizen, I have come to believe that one of the greatest obstacles to national development is not just corruption, poor planning, or limited resources. It is our tendency to view everything through a partisan lens. In many cases, loyalty to political parties has become stronger than loyalty to principles, institutions, and even the truth and accountability.

I have watched individuals who were once vocal critics of government become remarkably quiet when their preferred political party assumes power. The same people who demanded transparency, accountability, and justice suddenly become defenders of actions they would have condemned under a different administration. On the other hand, some who remained silent for years suddenly become champions of accountability when their opponents are in office.

This pattern is not limited to politicians. It can be seen among political activists, opinion leaders, social media commentators, influencers and even ordinary citizens. Accountability, which should be a national value, is often treated as a political weapon to be used selectively.

The problem becomes even more evident when public officials are investigated for alleged wrongdoing. In an ideal society, investigations should be allowed to proceed without interference. If an individual is innocent, the legal process should clear their name. If they are guilty, they should face the consequences of their actions.

Unfortunately, that is not always how things work.

When a politically connected individual is questioned by a state institution, political parties often mobilize their supporters to frame the investigation as persecution. Press conferences are held. Statements are issued. Social media campaigns are launched. The focus quickly shifts from the allegations themselves to the person’s political affiliation.

Instead of asking whether public resources were misused or whether laws were broken, discussions revolve around party loyalty. The individual is no longer viewed as a citizen subject to the law but as a political symbol whose defence becomes a collective responsibility of the party.

Yet, I often wonder what happens to the ordinary citizen who has no political backing.

What happens to the trader whose business is unfairly treated by authorities? What happens to the teacher wrongly accused of misconduct? What happens to the young graduate facing injustice without connections to influential political figures? Who organizes press conferences for them? Who mobilizes supporters to demand fairness on their behalf?

In most cases, they suffer alone.

The ordinary citizen frequently lacks the protection that political affiliation can provide. They face investigations, court proceedings, and administrative actions without powerful voices advocating for them. Their struggles rarely attract national attention because they do not carry political value.

This unequal treatment sends a dangerous message. It creates the perception that justice is more accessible to those with political connections than to ordinary citizens. It undermines confidence in institutions and weakens public trust in the rule of law.

As I reflect on this reality, I am reminded of the words of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” His statement highlights an important truth: justice loses its meaning when it is applied selectively.

A society cannot develop when principles are abandoned in favour of political convenience. Development depends on strong institutions, and strong institutions depend on consistency. The law must protect everyone equally, regardless of their political beliefs, social status, or personal connections.

Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan once stated, “The rule of law is the foundation for communities of opportunity and equity.” Without that foundation, development becomes difficult because citizens begin to lose faith in public institutions.

One of the most troubling consequences of partisan accountability is the culture of silence it creates. People become hesitant to speak out against wrongdoing committed by those they support politically. They fear criticism from their own political camps. As a result, misconduct goes unchallenged, and opportunities for reform are lost.

I believe true patriotism requires something different. It requires us to defend principles even when doing so is uncomfortable. It means demanding accountability from leaders we support and acknowledging good work from leaders we oppose. It means placing country above party.

The future of Ghana cannot be built on selective outrage. We cannot continue condemning corruption only when it involves political opponents. We cannot demand justice for some while ignoring injustice against others. We cannot claim to support accountability while defending wrongdoing because it benefits our preferred political side.

Development is not merely about constructing roads, schools, and hospitals. It is also about building institutions that treat citizens fairly. It is about creating a society where justice is blind to political affiliation and where accountability is based on facts rather than party colours.

As an ordinary citizen, I dream of a Ghana where people speak out against wrongdoing regardless of who commits it. A Ghana where political parties defend justice instead of individuals simply because they belong to their ranks. A Ghana where the rights of a market woman, a farmer, a teacher, or a student matter just as much as those of a politician.

Until we reach that point, our development journey will remain incomplete.

When development becomes political trophies, we all lose. We lose trust in our institutions. We lose confidence in our leaders. We lose faith in the fairness of our systems. Most importantly, we lose opportunities to build a nation where every citizen matters equally.

And when accountability depends on political colours rather than principles, it is not only justice that suffers—it is the entire nation.