Kwetey Scores Mahama Government 7/10 — But Says NDC Must Aim for Perfection

NDC General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has handed the John Mahama administration a score of seven out of ten, describing it as "more than a pass" but stopping well short of satisfaction. Speaking on Joy News' PM Express on Tuesday, Kwetey made clear that his personal expectations are set far higher, and that the government must continue improving if it is to earn his ideal mark of a perfect ten.

"Maybe because my expectations are much higher, for now I will give it seven," Kwetey told host Evans Mensah. "I expect us to push for more." He said he would like to see performance climb toward eight out of ten, acknowledging that a perfect score would be an ambitious but worthy target.

Accountability at the Centre of the Assessment

Kwetey's self-assessment did not come in a vacuum. The interview touched on a number of accountability concerns that have surfaced in the early months of the administration, including allegations surrounding World Cup qualifier visa arrangements and the decision to ask the head of the National Sports Authority to step aside pending investigations.

Rather than dismiss these concerns, Kwetey addressed them head-on. He argued that no government anywhere in the world could realistically serve a full four-year term without encountering problems. What mattered, he said, was the quality of leadership shown when those problems emerged.

"There's no government on the planet that could go four years without having a difficulty. But the difference is what leadership does when things of that nature emerge," he said.

He was equally candid about the nature of political parties, warning against any assumption that party membership automatically guarantees integrity. "The party is not made up of angels. It's humans," he said — a frank admission that wrongdoing can occur within any organisation, regardless of its stated values.

Why It Matters for Ghana

Kwetey's comments carry weight because they come from within the ruling party itself, not from an opposition critic or external observer. For Ghanaians who have grown weary of governments closing ranks to protect their own, his insistence that officials — including ministers and chief executives — must face consequences regardless of their position is a notable public commitment.

Ghana has historically struggled with selective accountability, where high-profile individuals within ruling parties escape scrutiny that ordinary citizens would face. Kwetey appeared to draw a deliberate contrast with the previous New Patriotic Party administration, accusing it of shielding officials accused of wrongdoing. He maintained that the NDC under President Mahama would respond differently.

"Under us, if it happens, we will deal with you," he said, adding that protecting the party should never be confused with protecting individuals who have acted improperly.

Whether that promise translates into concrete action will be closely watched. Ghana's governance record shows that early declarations of zero tolerance do not always survive contact with political pressure. Civil society groups and the media will likely hold Kwetey and the broader NDC leadership to these words as the administration progresses.

What Comes Next

The NDC came to power following the December 2024 general election, with President John Dramani Mahama returning to office after his party's defeat in 2016. The administration is still in its early stages, which partly explains the cautious optimism in Kwetey's rating.

A score of seven, however, also signals that the honeymoon period — if there ever was one — is not an excuse for complacency. With economic pressures, public sector reform demands and ongoing accountability questions on the table, the government faces significant tests ahead. Kwetey's own benchmark of eight or above sets a clear internal standard that the NDC's critics will no doubt reference in the months to come.