During a durbar he graced in the Upper West Region, the opposition leader, and erstwhile President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama disclosed what to many people could be strange and shocking. While touting the achievements of his administration in a speech, he stated that honesty was the weak link of his administration. He further spoke about his upbringing and how it contributed to his insistence on saying the truth regardless of the consequences.
“I was brought up to tell the truth at all times, so when I was president, if things were not going well, I told the people of Ghana that things were not going well and this is what we are doing about it. I think that truth was one of my biggest problems because I didn’t think that I should fool my people.” Drawing a comparison between his administration and the current New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) government he chastised them as liars, he added; “Unfortunately, other people had different ideas, they would come and tell you sweet things, promise you heaven when they know that they don’t intend to do it.”
Adding his voice to that of the former president, the Paramount Chief of Zini Traditional Area, Kuoro Abu Diaka Ninia V, called for the establishment of a committee of inquiry to investigate government and past administrations for Ghanaians to know the truth.
“Ghanaians have the right to know the truth of certain transactions and certain issues in previous Government. So much so that, if it demands the formation of a Commission of Enquiry for them to see. Even though they don’t have prosecutorial powers, at least it will provide us the evidence to appreciate the fact that this is what transpired.”
Kuoro Abu Diaka Ninia V,
Furthermore, the visit forms part of NDC and its flagbearer’s campaign strategy to energize their campaign nationwide for the election 2024. The tour is designed to facilitate meetings between the party’s leadership and its rank-and-file members.
Additionally, it is meant to bridge the gap between the political elites and the ordinary masses. Of late, the narrative is that, at worst most politicians don’t care about the suffering of the ordinary Ghanaian. They only use it for political sloganeering, and at best, they are just out of touch with the everyday reality in the country.
Government’s Dishonesty
The former President accused the current administration of lying to Ghanaians. Using the recent frequent power outages and blackouts as an example, he claimed the country is facing a severe power crisis, but the NPP lacks the courage to tell the country the truth.
Also, among the problems he identified as causes of the frequent power cuts was lack of money to pay for gas that powers the plants, and inadequate generation capacity because some power generational facilities are down.
He called on the government to be honest and forthright with Ghanaians by releasing a timetable for the ongoing load-shedding exercises to ease the uncertainty and unwarranted burden the situation imposes on Ghanaians.
Anti-corruption Crusade
The former President admonished the ruling party to investigate its members fingered in corruption before it was too late. He vows to investigate members of the current government should he emerge triumphant at the polls.
Adding to that, he reiterated that, should he regain power, he would investigate and prosecute any member of his administration should they be cited, investigated, and found guilty of corruption under his watch as a president.
Public sentiment
John Mahama’s promise to fight corruption is a step in the right direction but can he walk his talk? With both parties having alternated power between each other, Ghanaians are skeptical about such lofty vows.
However, this is the first time in the history of Ghana’s democracy and the fourth republic that a former President is on the ballot contesting an election. Therefore, their expectations may be higher than anticipated.
Moreover, who knows how he might use his second chance if given the nod, perhaps, he may want to redeem himself at the availability of a second chance.
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