Head of Programmes and Outreach at the Institute of International Affairs, Ghana (GhIIA), Sherk Klutse has said that the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have demonstrated an agreement on foreign policies which will ensure continuity in Ghana’s foreign policy.
According to him, a research conducted by his outfit on political parties’ interest in Ghana’s foreign policy revealed that out of eleven political parties, only the two major political parties namely the NPP and NDC had included foreign policy positions in their manifestos.
Speaking in an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, he stated: “We further found that the two political parties actually converge on the foreign policy position. There is continuity for Ghana’s foreign policy as these parties converge than they diverge.
The NDC and NPP are travelling the same road. It is just that there are a few more stops on the way. The NPP in their manifesto made 9 policy positions. The NDC made 17 policy positions
They both agree that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a good thing. They both agree that economic diplomacy is a major thing. They both agree that moving forward on a multilateral agreement; the United Nations (UN) agreements, the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements is a big thing”.
Sherk, however, noted that these political parties, in some instances, have preferences in foreign policy which may be different. “Where they diverge is that the NPP has made it a point to promise that they will do something when it comes to passport administration and visa administration. And the NDC, on the other hand, has made it a point to speak about peace keeping operations, diplomatic missions or our diplomatic footprint around the world.
I believe there is continuity in the future of Ghana’s foreign policy because it is just a matter of preference”, he added.
It is believed that changes in government administrations can also affect the continuity of foreign policy decisions of governments. A lot of factors such as domestic economic conditions, international factors, among other things can determine whether a foreign policy decision changes or continues.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah
