Ghana’s capital today would be filled with renewal and celebration as John Dramani Mahama, former President of the Republic, prepared to assume the presidency once again.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Director of IT and Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a former Minister of Communications, in a sober reflection, underscored the historic moment in a statement titled, “Doc, Back Again!”
Dr Boamah’s statement not only marked the swearing-in of President Mahama and Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang but also revisited the complex journey of Ghana’s democracy over the past eight years.
His words captured a nation at a crossroads, ready to reset its trajectory under the leadership of Mahama and Ghana’s first female Vice President.
“Every 4 years, Ghanaians gather to celebrate our democracy. Today reminds me of 8 years ago when together with my brother Stan Xoese Dogbe and my sister Joyce Bawah Mogtari, we accompanied Former President John Dramani Mahama to the Independence Square to witness the swearing-in ceremony of President Akufo-Addo. Now, Akufo-Addo is a former President, and John Mahama is an incoming President.”
Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Director of IT and Elections for the NDC
Reflecting on the 2016 transition of power, Dr Boamah revisited the respect and dignity Mahama showed during a fateful meeting with Akufo-Addo in Kumasi on the eve of the election.
According to him, that night marked a pivotal moment in Ghana’s political history, underscoring the peaceful transition of power that is the hallmark of the nation’s democracy.
However, Dr. Boamah questioned the trajectory of the Akufo-Addo presidency, hinting at the erosion of trust and the disappointment that followed. “What happened to Akufo-Addo when he became President after the elections?” he pondered, setting the tone for a critical appraisal of the NPP’s governance.
“Back Again” – A Tale of Two Futures
The former Minister of Communications under the previous Mahama administration, Dr. Boamah shared a vivid anecdote from a visit to the Flagstaff House, where President Akufo-Addo, in a gesture of camaraderie, exclaimed, “Doc, Back Again!” as he shook hands with him.
For Dr. Boamah, the phrase carried profound meaning—one of both hope and caution.
“For me, on one hand, this ‘Back Again’ is profound and fulfilling. It presents a unique opportunity for President Mahama supported by Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang to reset Ghana, fix the economy and fix the institutional decay we see all around us. On the other hand, this ‘Back Again’ also pointedly tells me, that our political opponents can be or could be ‘Back Again’”.
Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Director of IT and Elections for the NDC
A Call to Action
Dr. Boamah urged the incoming administration to seize the moment and deliver transformative change for the Ghanaian people.
“Considering the damage the NPP has inflicted on both Ghana and Ghanaians, I want their ‘Back Again’ to be very long,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of good governance and development in ensuring political longevity.
He concluded with a rallying call, reminding all that the ultimate verdict lies with the sovereign people of Ghana. “We must always remember the verdict is in the thumbs of the sovereign people of Ghana’, he reamarked.
As the nation welcomes its new leaders, Dr. Boamah expressed his optimism for a brighter future. “God bless President-Elect Mahama. God bless Vice President-Elect Opoku-Agyemang. God bless us all,” he wrote.
The momentous occasion, he emphasized underscores Ghana’s commitment to democracy and the enduring power of its people to chart their destiny.
READ ALSO: Trudeau Chooses To Jump Before Being Pushed
