The Member of Parliament for Damongo and former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has called on Ghanaians to end the practice of idolising political leaders, warning that it undermines democratic accountability. He described the tendency to treat politicians as superior or quasi-royal figures as unhealthy for Ghana’s democratic culture.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, December 22, Mr Abu Jinapor said such attitudes are deeply rooted in society and must be consciously challenged. He argued that reverence traditionally reserved for chiefs and kings should not be transferred to elected officials, noting that in mature democracies, political leaders are respected but not treated with sycophancy.
He stressed that politicians are fundamentally employees of the people, entrusted with authority by citizens to serve the public interest. While acknowledging the need to respect public office, Mr Abu Jinapor urged Ghanaians to be bold in holding leaders accountable and to view them as public servants rather than masters.