Renowned Economist and former Convener of Ghana’s Economic Advisory Council (2009-2012), Dr Cadman Atta Mills, has raised concerns about what he described as the early signs of sycophancy within the incoming John Dramani Mahama (JDM)-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
In a sharply worded statement titled “Is Sycophancy Already Raising Its Ugly Head?”, Dr Mills cautioned against the emerging culture of ingratiation, which, he argued, undermines accountability and could derail the administration’s focus on delivering real value to Ghanaians.
Dr. Mills began by reaffirming his political alignment and his relief at the electoral defeat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate. However, he tempered his optimism for the incoming government with a note of caution, reflecting on the NDC’s previous tenure from 2013 to 2017.
While expressing hope for a better performance this time, he warned that there is no guarantee of improvement, especially if sycophancy is allowed to flourish unchecked.
“Ghanaians can hope that this administration will be ‘better’ than its first incarnation (because ‘we are not going back!’). But it is not a foregone conclusion. But already the signs of sycophancy are starting to rear their ugly heads.
“It appears that many (people and institutions) are tripping over their feet to please the incoming president and his family, including the suggestion that his son (who has a keen interest in boxing) be made sports minister.”
Dr Cadman Atta Mills, renowned Economist and Convener of Ghana’s Economic Advisory Council(2009-2012)
Sycophantic Trends: Two Key Instances
Dr Mills pointed to two specific instances he finds emblematic of this emerging trend: the UMB-E&P apology and calls for the constitutional amendment.
He criticised Universal Merchant Bank’s (UMB) unusual decision to publish a public apology to Engineers & Planners (E&P), a company owned by Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of the incoming President.
The apology was ostensibly for failing to report to credit bureaus that E&P’s indebtedness had been cleared. Dr Mills questioned the necessity and timing of such a gesture, describing it as ‘ridiculous’.
“Is UMB seriously telling Ghanaians that it reported a debt owed by E&P to the credit bureaus but failed to regularly update the outstanding loan balance? This is impossible!” he remarked.
He explained that banks routinely update credit bureaus on the status of debts without needing to issue public apologies. Dr Mills labelled the apology as a gratuitous and suspicious act, asking pointedly, “Why in this case and why now?“
Dr Cadman Mills also expressed alarm over emerging suggestions to amend Ghana’s Constitution to allow the incoming president to contest for an additional term, potentially extending his cumulative tenure to 12 years if he wins in 2028.
“This is particularly alarming,” Dr. Mills wrote, warning that such proposals could set a dangerous precedent. He argued that tampering with constitutional term limits undermines democratic principles and pointed to the negative consequences witnessed in other countries that have attempted similar changes.
“Have we not learned anything from the experience of other countries?” he asked rhetorically, aligning himself with those firmly opposed to any attempts to alter the Constitution’s term-limit provisions for the presidency.
Dr. Mills’ statement concluded with an implicit call for greater accountability and prudence within the NDC administration. By highlighting these examples of sycophancy, he appears to be urging Ghanaians—and particularly members of the incoming administration to focus on substance over flattery and governance over personal loyalty.
As the Mahama administration prepares to assume office, Dr Cadman Mills’ critique serves as both a warning and a reminder that the success of any government lies not in the adulation it receives but in its ability to deliver on its promises to the people.
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