Understanding Democracy; Leadership Over Ideology: The Real Architects Of Political Party Manifestos

For those questioning why Dr. Bawumia, as Vice President, cannot make decisions including canceling the E-Levy now but promises to do so when elected. The answer lies in the argument of this article._

Manifestos have always been seen as the cornerstone of political parties' campaign promises. They serve as roadmaps, laying out a party's vision, policies, and objectives to win the hearts and votes of the electorate.

However, there is a growing understanding that these manifestos are not necessarily the embodiment of the entire party’s collective ideals but rather the reflection of the leadership’s vision at the time.

The influence of leadership, manifesto committees, and the socio-political environment often play a more significant role in shaping these documents than the party's core identity or long-standing ideologies…

In this article, I will argue that political manifestos are primarily the product of the leaders who shape them, and not the inherent principles of the political party itself…

The Power of Leadership in Shaping Manifestos

Political parties, especially in vibrant democracies, are not monolithic entities with unchanging doctrines. They are fluid, adaptable organizations that evolve based on leadership, socio-economic conditions, and the changing demands of voters.

The leadership of a political party plays an outsized role in determining the direction of the manifesto, as the leaders are the face of the party and the ones responsible for turning electoral promises into practical policies…

This was evident in the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) approach to the Electronic Levy (E-Levy). The NPP in government, led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, introduced the E-Levy as a crucial economic measure, arguing that it was necessary to close budgetary gaps and foster development.

Yet, the same party, under the leadership of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, going into an election as candidate, has promised to scrap the very tax if given the mandate in the next election.

This shift does not suggest a change in the fundamental identity of the NPP or double standards of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, but instead reflects the different perspectives of the party’s leadership at different times…

NB; Leadership under President Nana Addo and leadership under Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia…

Dr. Bawumia, as flagbearer and current Vice President under President Nana Akufo-Addo, faces unique political and governance dynamics.

Although part of the current administration, his leadership vision and policy priorities are distinct from those of the current President (his current Boss). Some may ask, why does he not pursue these priorities now, while serving as Vice President? The answer lies in the structure of political leadership. A structure created by democracy.

While Dr. Bawumia holds a key position in government, the President, as the head of the administration, sets the agenda and controls the overarching direction of both the government and party. As such, Dr. Bawumia, like other members of the party, may differ on specific policies; such as the E-Levy, but remains bound by the current leadership's directives…

In this context, Dr. Bawumia’s cautious approach is not merely about electoral strategy, distancing himself from unpopular policies for political gain, but a reflection of his desire to chart his own course. A course of which he will be his own Boss. His priorities diverge from those of his current boss, even if they both belong to the same political party and government.

This distinction underscores a deeper political reality: a manifesto is a flexible, evolving document shaped by the vision of the person leading the party at a given moment, rather than a fixed doctrine representing the unified voice of the entire party. In essence, Dr. Bawumia’s future leadership would bring a new direction, even within the same party framework…

The Role of Manifesto Committees: Who Shapes the Vision?

Another key factor in understanding why political manifestos are the product of leadership rather than the party's entire membership is the process of manifesto creation. In most cases, manifesto committees are appointed by party leadership influenced by the leader at any given time.

These committees consist of a select group of technocrats, politicians, and sometimes external experts who are tasked with formulating the manifesto.

The leadership’s vision and influence significantly influences the direction the committee takes, including membership of the committee, as the ultimate goal of the document is to align with the leader’s strategy for winning elections and possibly, governing…

The composition of manifesto committees is handpicked by the leadership, ensuring that those drafting the document are in tune with the leader’s vision.

For instance, a party that is focused on addressing economic challenges may appoint an economic team led by key figures known for their expertise in financial management. These committee members are often guided by the leader’s preferences, ensuring that the policies and promises in the manifesto resonate with the leader’s overall political vision and strategy…

Example; If Hon. Kennedy Agyapong had emerged victorious in the NPP's presidential primaries, it would have undoubtedly led to significant changes in the composition of the party's manifesto committee. Kennedy Agyapong, known for his distinctive approach to leadership and his bold, unfiltered ideas, would likely have sought to assemble a team that aligns closely with his vision for the future of Ghana.

This means that many of the current members, who may have been chosen based on their alignment with previous leadership (Dr. Bawumia) or their expertise in traditional policy areas, might have found themselves excluded from the process. Instead, Hon. Kennedy would have prioritized individuals who not only share his innovative and often unconventional perspectives but also possess the strategic insight to translate his ideas into actionable policies.

The reshuffling of the committee would reflect Agyapong’s desire to ensure that the manifesto is a true representation of his leadership style and the direction he intends to steer the party and nation…

Thus, while the manifesto committee plays a role in shaping the document, the direction they take is not driven by the party’s entire membership but by the instructions and guidelines set by its leadership. This makes it evident that the manifesto is more a reflection of the leader's ideas than the party's historical or collective stance…

Leadership Transitions and the Evolution of Manifestos

Leadership transitions within political parties often lead to significant changes in policy direction, further underscoring that manifestos reflect leadership and not the party itself. A new leader may have a completely different approach to governance compared to their predecessor. This shift is seen in various democracies around the world, where political parties may retain the same name and overall identity but pursue vastly different policies under different leaders…

For example, in the United Kingdom, the Labour Party under Tony Blair embraced centrist policies, a significant departure from its traditionally leftist stance. The change wasn’t because the Labour Party as a whole had suddenly become centrist, but because Blair, as the leader, shaped the party’s manifesto around his vision of "New Labour."

Similarly, the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher embraced neoliberalism and free-market policies that were a stark departure from its prior post-war consensus approach…

In both cases, the manifestos were crafted to reflect the ideologies of the leaders at the time, and not necessarily the core principles of the party throughout its history. The same principle applies to political parties in Ghana and other democracies: manifestos evolve with leadership and the immediate needs of the political climate…

Contextual Factors and Changing Manifestos

Another reason manifestos are more a product of leadership than the party itself is the influence of external factors. When political parties formulate manifestos, they do so within the context of the prevailing political, economic, and social environment.

A party may campaign on one set of policies in one election cycle, only to shift dramatically in the next due to changing circumstances. These changes are often driven by the leadership, which must adapt to the realities of governance or opposition politics…

For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many governments around the world, including Ghana’s NPP, to revise their economic policies and introduce new measures that were not part of their original manifestos. The leadership had to make real-time decisions that deviated from their pre-existing plans to address the emerging health and economic crisis. This adaptability reflects the flexibility of leadership, and by extension, the manifesto…

In this light, manifestos are not ironclad documents that a political party holds onto indefinitely. They are living documents that must change as new challenges arise, and those changes are driven by the leadership’s response to the issues of the day…

Why Manifestos Are Leadership-Driven

When we consider all these factors; the leadership’s dominant role in shaping the manifesto, the handpicked composition of manifesto committees, leadership transitions, and the influence of external events, it becomes clear that manifestos are less about the collective will of a political party and more about the vision of the leadership at a given time.

The policies in a manifesto reflect the leadership’s understanding of what will resonate with voters and what is achievable given the current socio-political climate…

In essence, political parties must be agile and responsive to both internal and external pressures. Leadership must align the party’s message with the practical realities of governance and the demands of the electorate. This alignment results in manifestos that shift and evolve as leadership changes, demonstrating that manifestos are not the immutable ideas of a political party but the strategic decisions of those at its helm…

Conclusion

Political party manifestos are often perceived as the embodiment of a party’s ideology, but in reality, they are shaped by the leadership in power at the time. Leaders, through their vision, strategies, and selected manifesto committees, influence the direction of the manifesto and make it a reflection of their priorities rather than the collective ideology of the party.

As parties navigate the complexities of governance and opposition politics, manifestos must remain flexible and adaptable to the demands of the times, which makes them more a product of leadership than the party itself…

Thus, while political parties may remain consistent in their broader goals, the manifestos they present are largely influenced by who leads the party and the socio-political realities they face at the time.

Source: Hon. Kankam Twumasi Daniel