Political Parties And Manifesto Formulation: The Case Of The New Patriotic Party (NPP) And The National Democratic Congress (NDC) From 2008-2016

ABSTRACT

Manifestos have remained a salient element in the electoral process and governance of many democratic states including Ghana. Manifestos presents parties’ positions on issues and how they intend to address the problems of voters in the lead-up to elections. It also provides the voters with the options to make their decisions. As a result of the undaunted role manifestos play in the electoral and governance process of Ghana, unearthing the processes through which political parties arrive at their manifestos is timely and imperative. This study aimed at unveiling and understanding the process through which political parties in Ghana formulate their manifestos, using the NPP and the NDC as cases, and also covering the period from 2008 to 2016. The study employed the usage of a qualitative research design which allowed for the use of interviews to elicit expert views from 14 respondents through a purposive sampling. The study unearths that the two parties constitute manifesto drafting committees who are tasked with the responsibility of formulating the party’s manifesto. Some other actors include the presidential candidate, party leadership, interest groups, and experts in various sectors of the economy. The study also unveils that the formulation process of both parties are influenced by certain endogenous factors – ideology and party tradition, previous manifestos, and the party’s relation to power, and exogenous factors – constitutional setting, the political environment, and the international system. The study also identifies the processes engaged in by both parties are met with some challenges including the lack of existing empirical data, lack of passion and commitment on the part of committee members, power-play, and the timing of the manifesto formulation process. The study in view of these challenges recommends that both political parties resource their research desks enough to enable them provide their parties with the needed empirical data. Also, the formulation process should commence earlier than it is been done now, and the utmost urgency and importance attached to its formulation.