Winner-Takes-All Politics and Democratic Consolidation in Ghana’s Fourth Republic

Abstract

Ghana’s return to constitutional rule in 1992 has been beset with the practice of Winner-Takes-All politics which has become a worrying phenomenon for the citizens and policy makers. The main aim of this paper was to examine the effects of WTA Politics on Ghana’s drive to democratic maturity. In an attempt to fulfil the aim of the paper, documentary analysis was used as the methodology and secondary sources of data were collected through journal articles, books and online materials. The study revealed that WTA originated from the United States when President Jackson decided that the merit system only favored the few educated elites. In Ghana, WTA can be traced through the British Colonial administration which excluded the indigenes from the administration of the colony. Ideological differences, desire to kill opposition parties, mistrust and desire to stay in power for long were identified as the causes of WTA politics. The paper also found divisiveness, erosion of real democracy, deliberate wastage of human resources, and the excessive powers of the executive as the effects of WTA politics affecting Ghana’s democratic consolidation. The paper finally recommends a constitutional review to limit the powers of the president and also proscribe WTA politics.