A Ghanaian resident in the United Kingdom has called on President John Dramani Mahama to encourage his ministers to spend more time engaging directly with citizens in their constituencies, arguing that stronger grassroots interaction would improve public confidence in government.
Speaking during a town hall meeting with President Mahama in London, Ade Sawyerr said government officials should dedicate more time to understanding the concerns of ordinary Ghanaians rather than attending social events and public gatherings that may create the perception of detachment from everyday challenges.
According to him, the visibility of ministers at social functions, particularly on social media platforms, often overshadows the work being done by government and can negatively affect public perception.
He urged the President to impress upon members of his administration the importance of using weekends to return to their constituencies, engage residents, and gather first-hand information on the issues affecting communities.
“Please tell them that at weekends, they should go back to their constituents and find out what it is that the people of Ghana need,” he appealed.
While acknowledging presentations by government officials that pointed to improvements in key economic indicators, Sawyerr noted that public perception remains an important factor in governance and should not be overlooked.
He argued that effective leadership requires not only strong policy outcomes but also visible engagement with the people who are directly affected by government decisions.
As an example of unresolved challenges requiring closer attention, he pointed to the recurring flooding problem in Accra, describing it as an issue that continues to affect residents despite years of public concern.
Sawyerr also praised the Ghana High Commission in the United Kingdom for organising the town hall meeting, saying the platform provided members of the Ghanaian diaspora with a valuable opportunity to interact directly with the President and contribute ideas on national development.
The comments were made during a question-and-answer session where members of the diaspora community shared concerns, recommendations, and observations on governance, infrastructure, and economic development in Ghana.
The town hall formed part of President Mahama’s engagements with Ghanaians living abroad during his working visit to the United Kingdom.
