The politics of Covid-19: A public choice theory analysis of COVID-19 interventions in Ghana

Abstract

Using public choice theory, the study argued that public officials are often likely to pursue sectorial-interest rather than promote the public interest. the incentive to pursue public or private interest rests largely on the set of benefits and costs presented by institutions to actors in the political system. This study examined whether or not the government of Ghana sought to make political capital from the Covid-19 interventions. The study also examined the various strategies adopted by the main opposition party to support the government in the fight against the pandemic and to also ascertain whether such unsolicited support had any self-seeking agenda. A qualitative content analysis was deployed for the study. Findings from the study lend support to the assumptions of the public choice theory that beneath the 'objective' intentions of government and groups' are the self-centred interests of politicians and related groups. the findings also revealed the weaknesses of the institutions of states as they are unable to exact the right rewards and punishments for officials who engage in rent-seeking behavior.