Dr. Sammy Ayeh, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Communication Team, has voiced strong criticism of the Akufo-Addo administration in light of Afrobarometer’s recent report indicating a decline in trust in Ghana’s democracy.
Dr. Ayeh attributed this decline to the perceived failures and corruption within the current government, suggesting that the people’s dissatisfaction with democracy stems from their deteriorating living standards and purchasing power under the regime.
“They say that an angry man is an angry man. The people of Ghana have seen through it all. Under various leadership. How their standard of living has been. Because they know that under every regime, a certain amount of money was raised or generated.
“And so if they compare and contrast they see that under this regime for the past 8 years, has received over 6 or 7 times what other regimes have had. But at the end of the day, their standard of living, and their purchasing power continue to decline”.
Dr. Sammy Ayeh, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Communication Team
Dr. Ayeh argued that the populace’s discontent is justified, as they have been promised rights and freedoms under democracy, yet their economic hardships persist.
He expressed concern that this dissatisfaction could lead some to wish for a return to military rule, although he firmly stated that this is not a viable solution.
The NDC communicator did not mince words in his assessment of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s administration, particularly in safeguarding state institutions.
He described their tenure as the “most high-handed, intimidating, reckless, and corrupt” that Ghana has ever experienced.
For Dr. Ayeh, the current state of Ghana’s democracy under this regime is farcical, citing a systematic attack on key democratic institutions as evidence.
Dr. Ayeh highlighted the plight of media personalities such as Johnny Hughes and investigative journalists such as Manasseh Azure Awuni and Anas Aremeyaw Anas to back his claims.
“Look, this regime has waged a war of attrition on every sensitive state institution, that has been a bulwark of our democracy. Look at the media. our own friend Manasseh Azure Awuni, who is a media personnel has been undertaking investigations to bring to book some errant political figures in this country.
“At a point in time, he ran away from this country with his tails in between his legs for his life; He relocated from this country because he was being attacked by members of the ruling party”.
Dr. Sammy Ayeh, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Communication Team
Judicial Interference
The critique extended to the judiciary, where Dr. Ayeh pointed out the appointment of 96 judges by President Akufo-Addo, including those with clear political affiliations to the NPP.
He mentioned specific cases like Justice Yaw Gau, a known NPP card-bearing member, and the controversial appointment processes led by the Chief Justice.
Bastardization of Ghana’s Electoral Commission
Dr. Ayeh also expressed concern over the bastardization of the country’s Electoral Commission (EC) by the ruling party, citing the removal of a former commissioner under questionable circumstances and the appointment of known NPP sympathizers like Dr. Appiah Hene and Dr. Bossman Asare.
He accused the EC of failing to regulate ethnocentric and divisive political conduct, particularly by Vice President Dr. Bawumia Mahamudu.
“So today, Dr Bawumia is roaming about up north, engaging in obvious ethnocentric tribal regional politics; Have you not seen him on video telling the whole country that they should vote for him because he’s a Muslim? Have you not seen that video? Have you not seen it?
“The only institution that is mandated to regulate such conduct of politicians is the Electoral Commission. Where are they? They are quiet. Because they have been populated with NPP foot figures”.
Dr. Sammy Ayeh, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Communication Team
Allegations of Nepotism and Corruption
In addition, Dr. Ayeh criticized the NPP administration for nepotism, mentioning the appointment of over 65 family members to key government positions, including the finance minister, roads and highways minister, and works and housing minister.
He argued that these appointments have bred corruption and high-handedness, eroding public trust in the government.
Dr. Ayeh’s criticism extended to the incorporation of party loyalists into the national security apparatus, citing the violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election and the government’s disregard for the recommendations of the investigative committee.
“Look, democratic regimes can be as dictatorial as military regimes. They only do so over the stroke of a pen. You don’t use a gun. Nobody could have predicted that President Akufo-Addo could be as dictatorial as military regimes.
“Which institution in Ghana is currently independent? Judiciary, they are not independent; Electoral Commission, they are not independent. Ghana Police Service, they are not independent. Because somebody has decided to attack the independence, to attack the democracy of this country”
Dr. Sammy Ayeh, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Communication Team
He concluded by pointing out the tragic loss of lives during the 2020 election, for which President Akufo-Addo has not publicly sympathized with the affected families.
Dr. Ayeh strongly pointed out that under President Akufo-Addo, Ghana’s democracy is in jeopardy, and the only solution is to vote out the current regime in favor of new leadership.
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