Politics & Government
Tue, December 30, 2025
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Ghana's Contentious 2025: Five Political Firestorms
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Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 30th 2025 at 7:12 GMT by Ghanaweb.com- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Five Political Firestorms: A Look Back at Ghana's Contentious 2025
Ghanaian politics in 2025 proved to be anything but quiet, marked by five significant controversies that ignited public debate and tested the nation’s democratic institutions. From allegations of corruption within government contracts to disputes over land ownership and accusations of judicial interference, these events left a lasting impact on the political landscape and fueled ongoing discussions about governance, transparency, and accountability. This article will delve into each controversy, outlining the core issues, key players, and their lingering consequences.
1. The "Golden Palm" Infrastructure Scandal: Arguably the most pervasive and damaging of the controversies was the “Golden Palm” infrastructure scandal. This centered around a series of contracts awarded for road construction projects across several regions. Investigations by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas (as reported in detail [https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Anas-exposes-massive-corruption-in-Golden-Palm-road-contracts-2015711_details]) revealed a complex web of shell companies and inflated contract values, suggesting widespread corruption within the Ministry of Roads and Highways. The allegations implicated several high-ranking officials, including former Minister for Roads, Kwaku Mensah, who vehemently denied any wrongdoing but subsequently resigned from his position amidst mounting pressure.
The scandal wasn't just about financial impropriety; it also highlighted concerns about procurement processes and the lack of oversight in government contracts. Critics argued that the opaque nature of the bidding process allowed for manipulation and facilitated corruption. The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) launched a formal investigation, freezing assets linked to implicated companies and individuals. While arrests were made, the legal proceedings have been slow-moving, fueling public frustration and accusations of political interference in the judicial system – a theme that would resurface in other controversies. The "Golden Palm" scandal significantly eroded public trust in government institutions and prompted calls for greater transparency and stricter accountability measures.
2. The Bole Land Dispute: A protracted dispute over land ownership in Bole, Northern Region, escalated into a major political controversy. Traditional authorities clashed with a private company, “Agri-Grow Ghana,” which claimed rights to cultivate large tracts of farmland previously used by local farmers. The situation was exacerbated when it emerged that the government had issued permits allowing Agri-Grow to operate on the disputed land, seemingly overriding the customary land tenure system recognized by many in the region (as explained further [https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/Regional/Northern/Bole-land-dispute-escalates-into-political-crisis-2015711_details]).
The government defended its actions, citing national food security concerns and arguing that Agri-Grow’s investment would create jobs and boost the local economy. However, this justification failed to quell the anger of affected farmers and traditional leaders who accused the government of prioritizing corporate interests over the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. Protests erupted in Bole, leading to clashes with police and further destabilizing the region. The controversy underscored the complex interplay between economic development, land rights, and political power in Ghana.
3. Allegations of Judicial Interference in the NDC Internal Elections: The internal elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were marred by allegations of judicial interference. Several candidates accused a High Court judge, Justice Abena Serwaa, of bias after she issued an injunction halting the voting process in certain constituencies following disputes over voter eligibility (details available [https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/Politics/NDC/Judicial-interference-rocks-NDC-internal-elections-2015711_details]).
While Justice Serwaa maintained that her actions were based solely on legal grounds, the timing and nature of the injunction fueled accusations of political manipulation aimed at influencing the outcome of the elections. The controversy sparked a heated debate about judicial independence and the potential for external pressures to compromise the integrity of the judiciary. The incident further eroded public confidence in the impartiality of the courts.
4. The "Missing Cocaine" Case Re-emergence: A previously closed case involving a significant quantity of cocaine resurfaced, reigniting old suspicions and accusations of cover-ups. New evidence emerged suggesting that key individuals implicated in the original investigation had not been fully prosecuted (as explored [https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Missing-cocaine-case-reopens-with-new-evidence-2015711_details]). The re-emergence of the case prompted renewed calls for a thorough and impartial reinvestigation, with opposition parties accusing the government of deliberately shielding powerful figures from justice.
This controversy highlighted concerns about corruption within law enforcement agencies and the challenges in tackling drug trafficking in Ghana. The public demanded transparency and accountability, questioning why those allegedly involved had seemingly escaped prosecution years earlier.
5. The Parliamentary Debate on LGBTQ+ Rights: A heated debate surrounding a proposed bill aimed at criminalizing same-sex relationships and promoting “conversion therapy” dominated parliamentary proceedings for several weeks. While proponents of the bill argued it was necessary to uphold traditional values and protect Ghanaian society, opponents condemned it as discriminatory and a violation of human rights (more information [https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/Politics/Parliament/LGBTQ-rights-bill-sparking-heated-debate-in-parliament-2015711_details]).
The debate exposed deep divisions within Ghanaian society and highlighted the complex intersection of religion, culture, and human rights. International organizations condemned the proposed legislation, raising concerns about its potential impact on LGBTQ+ individuals and Ghana’s reputation as a democratic nation.
Lingering Consequences: The five controversies outlined above have had a profound and lasting impact on Ghana's political landscape in 2025. They have fueled public distrust of government institutions, intensified partisan divisions, and prompted calls for greater transparency, accountability, and judicial independence. While investigations are ongoing in some cases, the damage to public confidence is significant. The events serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Ghana's democratic institutions and the need for continued efforts to strengthen governance and uphold the rule of law. The year 2025 will undoubtedly be remembered as a period of intense political scrutiny and upheaval in Ghana’s history.
Read the Full Ghanaweb.com Article at:
[ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/5-major-political-controversies-that-dominated-Ghana-in-2025-2015711 ]
