Students at the University of Ghana/World Bank image

Husein Pumaya Yakubu

April 15, 2025

“We know how to bring the economy back to life, but what we do not know is how to revive the dead.” This popular quote from Nana Akufo-Addo, former president of Ghana, was delivered during one of his weekly televised briefings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic was devastating for every country, but it brought one silver lining: it exposed vulnerabilities in global governance (particularly in vaccine distribution), health care systems, and economies, offering an opportunity to rebuild and improve these systems. It also revealed a powerful governance tool: transparency.

The government’s consistent communication won the hearts of many Ghanaians, even as the country faced logistical and economic challenges. Transparency, while not a cure-all, provided a lifeline for a nation navigating unprecedented uncertainty. Ghanaians responded positively to this openness. Regular updates fostered a sense of unity, showing the government’s awareness of the crisis and its efforts to address it. At times, the government admitted its limitations, which, surprisingly, resonated with the public. It served as a reminder that in times of crisis, people value clarity and accountability over silence and ambiguity.

Canada offers an interesting point of comparison. During the pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government employed a similar strategy of transparent communication. Trudeau held regular televised addresses, providing updates on COVID-19 measures, vaccine distribution, and economic support programs. This approach won him widespread praise and saw his approval ratings soar to their highest levels. Canadians appreciated the consistent and empathetic messaging, which helped to reassure a nation grappling with uncertainty.

However, as countries emerged from the pandemic, they faced the stark reality of bearing the consequences of the massive debt accumulated during the crisis. Unchecked spending and questionable economic decisions began to take their toll, and urgent steps were required to return economies to their pre-pandemic state. While countries like Canada achieved what economists call a V-shaped recovery (a rapid recovery), nations like Ghana are still struggling to regain their footing.

During the pandemic, transparency served as a unifying force, helping to bridge the gap between government and citizens. However, it also masked deeper structural issues, such as inefficient public spending and a fragile health care system.

The post-pandemic period highlighted the limitations of transparency when not paired with effective long-term governance. In Canada, Prime Minister Trudeau’s approval ratings subsequently plummeted, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction over affordability challenges from inflation to housing, and ultimately compelling him to leave office.

Similarly, in Ghana, the initial goodwill earned through transparent communication during the pandemic gave way to public frustration over economic mismanagement. The country now grapples with a struggling economy characterized by rising inflation, increased debt, and reliance on external bailouts, such as the International Monetary Fund’s 2023 intervention.

The once transparent, down-to-earth, and popular government became increasingly opaque, with experts suggesting that official reports on the economy contained half-truths, misleading information, and an inaccurate reflection of Ghana’s economic reality. Transparency eroded, trust diminished, and these failures contributed to the defeat of Akufo-Addo’s New Patriotic Party (led by his vice president, Mahamudu Bawumia) in the 2024 elections.

On January 7, 2025, Ghana swore in its new president, John Mahama, who campaigned on a promise of transparency. In his inaugural address, Mahama pledged to keep citizens informed about the nation’s financial state, openly disclose debt levels, and provide updates on economic recovery plans. This marks a departure from the approach to fiscal transparency of the previous administration, which often shrouded economic data in secrecy, leaving Ghanaians in the dark about the true state of national affairs. The emphasis on open governance offers an opportunity for Ghana to redefine its approach to transparency as a tool not only for crisis management but also for long-term national rebuilding.

During the pandemic, transparency served as a unifying force, helping to bridge the gap between government and citizens. However, it also masked deeper structural issues, such as inefficient public spending and a fragile health care system. These issues have resurfaced with greater intensity in the post-pandemic era, emphasizing the need for transparency to evolve beyond crisis communication.

To sustain transparency beyond crises, Ghana must establish a comprehensive framework that integrates openness into its governance structures. The following pillars could serve as a foundation:

1. Regular updates on public finances, including debt levels, budget allocations, and expenditure reports, should be made publicly accessible. This will not only build trust but also empower citizens to hold leaders accountable for fiscal decisions.
2. The pandemic highlighted the importance of clear and consistent messaging during emergencies. Establishing a standardized crisis communication framework will ensure that future crises are met with a swift and coordinated response.
3. Transparency must extend beyond government briefings to include grassroots participation. Town hall meetings, surveys, and digital platforms can facilitate dialogue between citizens and policymakers, fostering a sense of collective ownership in national decision-making.
4. Strengthening oversight bodies, such as the Auditor-General’s office and anti-corruption agencies, will ensure that transparency is upheld across all branches of government. Regular audits and public disclosures of government contracts can deter misconduct and promote integrity.

As Ghana navigates its current economic crisis, the lessons from the pandemic remain relevant. The new leadership has the opportunity to institutionalize transparency as a cornerstone of governance, using it to rebuild trust, drive economic recovery, and prepare for future crises.

For Ghanaians, this could mean a renewed sense of agency and a more participatory role in shaping the nation’s destiny. The path forward requires courage, commitment, and a deep understanding that transparency, when wielded effectively, is not just a tool for managing crises but a foundation for sustainable development and national unity.

Husein Pumaya Yakubu is a graduate student at the Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University. He serves on the executive committee of the Emerging Public Leaders Alumni Network, a community of young public servants across Africa committed to reforming public service and shaping effective public policies on the continent.