Politics Should Be About Service, Not Wealth – Mike Oquaye Advises Ghanaian Youth

Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has advised young Ghanaians against pursuing politics as a means of personal enrichment, describing such motivations as fundamentally flawed and damaging to public trust.

According to him, political leadership must be anchored in service, integrity, and commitment to good governance, rather than financial ambition.

Professor Oquaye made the remarks on Tuesday, February 10, while speaking at the inception workshop of the European Union-funded WYDE Project in Ghana. He encouraged politically inclined youth to focus on improving the quality of leadership and governance in the country.

In what appeared to be a reference to the past dismissal of former Deputy Communications Minister Victoria Hammah, Professor Oquaye commended the decision taken at the time, saying it demonstrated the importance of values in public office.

He recalled that the former official had publicly expressed intentions to amass millions of dollars while in government, describing such thinking as incompatible with the responsibilities of leadership.

“What should drive your interest in politics?” he asked. “If your reason is to make money, then you are in the wrong profession, and society must be clear that such a person is unfit to lead.”

He further stressed that governance goes beyond simply holding political office, noting that effective leadership requires knowledge, participation, and meaningful contribution to policy debates and national development.

“Governance is not just about becoming a Member of Parliament,” he said. “It is about being effective, informed, and actively engaged, because that is where real impact is made for the development of our people.”