Elections, Deprivation, and the Irony of Development in Rural Ghana

By Witness Eye

Every four years, in the lead-up to December 7th, we see a familiar scene unfolding across Ghana: campaign trucks rumbling down dusty roads, loudspeakers blaring campaign promises, and political flags fluttering against the backdrop of rural poverty. It is striking how, without fail, ballot boxes, election officials, and campaign resources make it to some of Ghana’s most deprived and isolated communities. Yet, for the other 1,460 days in between elections, these areas barely see the attention they deserve.

In communities like Banda Nkwanta in the Savannah Region, access to essential resources is painfully lacking. Residents struggle daily without potable water, proper healthcare facilities, or reliable electricity. It raises an uncomfortable question: if these areas can be reached during election time, why can’t they be reached with development initiatives that could truly transform lives?

The Road to Development — Or the Lack of It

Many of these communities, like Trotor in the Eastern Region and Adaklu-Waya in the Volta Region, face harsh living conditions due to underdeveloped infrastructure. Residents must trek several miles to access the nearest healthcare centers or schools, where resources are scarce and the buildings themselves are often in disrepair. Water supply, which is a basic human need, is non-existent in many parts, forcing residents to rely on contaminated rivers and streams.

“When we see these politicians coming here, we feel like we matter for once,” says Kwame Appiah, a resident of Banda Nkwanta. “They bring us t-shirts, rice, and loud promises, but as soon as the election results are declared, we don’t see them again until the next election season.”

Many, like Kwame, find it puzzling—and deeply frustrating—that the political machinery can mobilize ballot boxes and campaign resources with ease but cannot mobilize solutions for everyday needs. Constituents express a sense of abandonment, as promises of development go unfulfilled.

Election Promises vs. Real Development

During the campaign season, politicians speak passionately about the potential of these communities, pledging new roads, modern schools, reliable water supplies, and electrification projects. The message is consistent: if elected, they will bring progress. But after the election dust settles, many of these communities remain isolated and underdeveloped, with little evidence of the promises made.

One example of this broken promise is in Adaklu-Waya, where residents were promised a water system during the 2020 elections. Today, the people of Adaklu-Waya still rely on untreated surface water, putting them at risk of waterborne diseases.

Elizabeth Dogbe, a local teacher in Adaklu-Waya, shares her disillusionment. “Every election year, they come to us and say the same things. But year after year, we’re still left to our own devices. It’s like we’re remembered only when they need us for votes,” she laments.

The Path Forward

The recurring neglect of rural Ghanaian communities between election cycles is both a practical and moral issue. Development is not just about delivering speeches or setting up ballot boxes; it requires genuine commitment and a consistent focus on building infrastructure that can sustain these communities.

If Ghana’s political leaders can reach these areas every election cycle, there is no reason they cannot commit to building roads, providing clean water, and bringing electricity to the same communities. Leaders should go beyond hollow campaign promises and instead focus on long-term, sustainable development.

Real transformation requires viewing these communities not just as voter blocs, but as places deserving of dignity, opportunity, and a future free from poverty and neglect. The irony of “development” only appearing with campaign season cannot be ignored if we are to create a Ghana where all communities thrive, not just those with political pull.

By spotlighting these issues, we can hold our leaders accountable and push for a Ghana where every community, no matter how remote, sees the benefits of progress and development all year round—not just on December 7th.