Emmanuel Kofi Awusi

Do you agree with the assertion that informal institutions rather than formal institutions are dominating Ghana's political society? Give reasons with examples to support your stand. Formal and informal institutions have contributed immensely to the development of Ghana's political society. They have both helped keep varying behavioural characters of people in different organizations in check. It is rather unfortunate that Ghana's informal institutions have taken over the mantle in our political society ensuring conformity to organizational rules. This has sparked widespread debate as to which of the two institutions is the key cog behind this impeccable achievement. Informal institutions are fast dominating Ghana's political landscape as a result of the factors below. Firstly, an Informal institution such as norms or embedded ideas plays a deciding factor during the law making process which is an example of formal institutions. When the need arises for a change or amendment of an outdated law, norms, customs and traditions play an important aspect in that regard hence displaying its dominating power over formal institutions. In addition, informal institutions ensure strict compliance to rules because the rules are enforced by the actors themselves ensuring a high level of conformity to societal rule which is in stark contrast to that of formal institutions which employs the use of a third party(executive) to ensure conformity(Knight, 1992). Individuals in a village are likely to adhere strictly to the directives of their chief without the use of violence because of their respect for chieftaincy institution. All this said, formal institutions still perform a major role in helping shape Ghana's political society. It has not lost touch or its relevance but when and wherever the issue about which of the two is dominating the other, the evidence above proves without an iota of doubt that Ghana's informal institutions sit right at the apex of the pile.

After so many years of countless failed and successful military coup d'états that reared its ugly head in the country leading so to many years of political instability, the political atmosphere looks quite serene as Ghana continues to enjoy a long run of unprecedented peace and stability. This is due to the measures leaders of post independent Ghana put in place so as to achieve this great feat. They developed varying strategies and put in place mechanisms that has held the country together after over 30 years of political instability. Chief amongst the measures they adopted was the strengthening of Ghana's political institutions, both modern and traditional. The leaders at the time realized that, if the country would still continue to enjoy the relative peace and stability it had stumbled upon, then there was the need to put in place rules that would aid social interactions as well as keeping varying behavioural patterns in check. They created, enforced and applied laws that mediated conflict, initiated policies on the economy and also provided representation for the people. Ghana's political institutions comprising both traditional and modern, without an iota of doubt, played an undeniably vital role in keeping various behavioural patterns in check as well as shaping social interaction. This contributed immensely to the relative peaceful and relaxed atmosphere the country enjoyed and is still enjoying. Fast forward a few years and the story is changing for the worst. Ghana's political institutions like Chieftaincy, Bureaucracy, Executive, Judiciary, Trade Unions and political parties are fast losing their credibility and relevance which has made them relatively ineffective. The weakened system is rather doing the country more harm than good due to the breakdown of rules necessary for social interactions and upkeep of the institutions. Those who have managed to keep their credibility intact also face varying degrees of challenges that make dispensation of their daily activities almost impossible to carry out. Leading scholars in recent times are actively drawing attention to this problem as they are of the view that, political institutions in Ghana play an active role in the maintenance of peace and promotion of sustained economic growth and development. It has become a matter of urgency to throw more light on the challenges that confront the various political institutions in the country and also offer ways to remedy the situation. In this effect, it is more appropriate that the challenges are brought to the fore first. Firstly, poor quality of staff working in the various political institutions. It is undeniable a fact that, the success or failure of an organization or institution depends primarily on the quality and efficiency of its workforce. Political institutions both traditional and modern, like Chieftaincy, judiciary, political parties and trade unions are no