Private legal practitioner, John Ndebugri, has said contrary to what many people believe, there is no ideology backing politics in Ghana as the two major political parties may make it seem.

The veteran politician argued that it is only proximity to the reins of power and greed that drives the political space in Ghana.

Speaking to Raymond Acquah on the Upfront programme on the Joy News channel on Multi TV Thursday, Mr Ndebugri described the concept of ideology as a “misnomer” in Ghanaian politics.

“The political class are not concerned about the colour of the horse but the rider. They want to get as close to mess pot so to that they can share it,” he said.

Citing the US parties, Democrats and Republicans; Mr Ndebugri explained that the Democrats believe in abortion and the like while the Republicans are against that.

“…and that is how they vote in the House of Representatives and the Senate,” he said.

But what do we see in our Parliament? There is no ideological debate,” Mr Ndebugri added.

He cited instances where the New Patriotic Party (NPP) which is a centre-right party but tends to pursue socialist policies all the time.

The former Zebilla legislator said, “President Kufuor came and introduced all types of socialist policies.”

Mr Ndebugri added that it is better for the politician to concern himself with the needs of the people than on theoretical ideas.

Ethnic politics

Speaking on his defection from the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) to the New Patriotic Party, Mr Ndebugri noted that he joined the NPP to break the tradition of ethnic politics.

"In the North during those days, we had the Kosasi ethnic group affiliated to Nkrumaism and his Convention People’s Party (CPP) while the Mamprusi supported the Danquah-Busia regime. My attempt was to break that ethnicity,” he noted.

Speaking about his membership of the PNDC and the fallout that saw him leave the party, he revealed that he was in Nigeria teaching when he was called to come to serve his country under the PNDC.

However, after his transfer from the Northern Regional capital Tamale to the then Upper region, things went sour.

He explained that he had mediated some chieftaincy issues in the area but some people were unhappy with the outcome.

Mr Ndebugri was then suspended from his position while he was outside the country, causing him to part ways with the Jerry John Rawlings-led PNDC government and the “so-called revolution”.

-myjoyonline