Loyalty over Competence: A Dilemma in Practice

The interplay between loyalty and competence remains critical in Ghana’s political discourse. As Ghana strives to consolidate its democratic gains, prioritizing one over the other has far-reaching implications for governance, development, and public trust in institutions as the tension between these values often defines decision-making processes, particularly in political appointments and leadership roles.

This dilemma cuts across political parties, public institutions, and governance systems. To understand the two keywords, it is vital to note that loyalty in politics refers to unwavering allegiance to a leader, political party, or ideology. It involves a sense of commitment that ensures the individual’s decisions and actions align with the interests of those they serve or support. On the other hand, competence emphasizes individuals’ ability to effectively perform their duties based on their expertise, experience, and knowledge. The jumble arises when these two values are seen as mutually exclusive or when one is prioritized at the expense of the other.

Ghana’s political history, especially during its post-independence era, entrenched loyalty as a survival tool. Leaders like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah required loyalists to consolidate power and implement policies. This trend persisted in subsequent administrations, embedding loyalty as a cornerstone of political appointments and decision-making. Over time, the reliance on loyalty evolved into a political culture where allegiance to a party or leader became the norm. Driven by these historical, cultural, and structural factors, many believe that in Ghana’s political landscape, loyalty often outweighs competence.

The good side of loyalty is that it fosters cohesion within political parties and government structures since political leaders often rely on trusted allies to navigate the complexities of governance. It also serves as a glue that binds party members, ensuring that leaders can count on the unwavering support of their loyalists during crises. Loyalty-based appointments reward individuals who have dedicated time, resources, and effort to a party’s success. This encourages active participation in political campaigns and party-building activities. By prioritizing loyalists, leaders minimize the risk of disloyalty, which can lead to leaks, sabotage, or public dissent. Neglecting loyalty can create disunity within political parties, weakening the support base of leaders and causing governance disruptions.

While loyalty has its place in political systems, its dominance over competence often undermines governance and development. Appointing individuals based on loyalty rather than expertise can result in poor decision-making, weak policy implementation, and inefficiency in public administration. It also leads to a shortage of innovation and progress in addressing key national challenges like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Overemphasis on loyalty can foster patronage systems, where resources are diverted to reward loyalists rather than being allocated for public benefit, contributing to corruption and misuse of funds. Loyalty-driven appointments can undermine institutional integrity by eroding professionalism and creating entities that serve partisan interests rather than the national good. Citizens may lose trust in leaders and governance systems if they believe appointments are driven by favoritism rather than merit, potentially resulting in political apathy and disengagement. Competent individuals may also be discouraged from contributing to public service, leading to a brain drain thereby limiting the pool of skilled personnel in governance. These drawbacks highlight the need for a balance between loyalty and competence to ensure effective and inclusive governance in Ghana.

Interestingly, A government that is perceived to value competence over loyalty earns greater trust from its citizens, thereby boosting public confidence in state institutions and encouraging civic participation. Competent leaders drive innovation, efficiency, and accountability, leading to improved public services and economic progress. Policies crafted by experts are more likely to address systemic challenges and deliver long-term benefits. However, Competent individuals without allegiance to the government’s vision may implement policies that are at odds with the ruling party’s agenda, creating friction. Leaders might face opposition from influential party factions or individuals who view loyalty as a cornerstone of political appointments, creating hurdles for governance. The party base might perceive the appointment of non-loyalists as a betrayal of the party’s principles, damaging the leader’s popularity.

To address the loyalty-competence dilemma, leaders must adopt strategies that balance these two values. Institutionalizing merit-based criteria for political appointments ensures that positions are filled by individuals with the requisite skills and expertise. This does not mean disregarding loyalty altogether but ensuring that it complements, rather than replaces, competence. Political parties must invest in the training and development of their loyal members, equipping them with the skills needed for governance. This approach ensures that loyalists are also competent, bridging the gap between the two values. It is worth mentioning that resetting the political culture of maintaining a good balance between loyalty and competence requires long-term commitment. Anti-corruption bodies and regulatory agencies must provide the checks and balances needed to curb the overemphasis on loyalty. Civil society organizations, the media, and the general public should ensure leaders are held responsible for their decisions and the policies they implement. Citizens should acknowledge the importance of loyalty and competence in fostering sustainable development while advocating for systems that uphold meritocracy.

The loyalty-competence dilemma is not unique to Ghana, but its impact on governance is particularly significant in developing democracies. Striking a balance between these attributes requires a shift in political culture, emphasizing the value of competence without disregarding the importance of loyalty in fostering party cohesion and trust. While loyalty ensures political stability and unity, competence drives effective governance and national development. The challenge lies in achieving a delicate balance that leverages the strengths of both approaches. As Ghana continues to consolidate its democratic gains, prioritizing competence without sacrificing loyalty’s stabilizing role can pave the way for a more prosperous and inclusive future for Ghana.

Thank you.

By Siisi Forson