Dr Thomas Prehi Botchway, a Senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama’s leadership and actions in his first three weeks in office.
In an interview with the Vault News, Dr. Botchway praised the President’s efforts to blend seasoned politicians with younger professionals across various sectors. He described this approach as a progressive departure from the long-standing dominance of gerontocracy in Ghanaian politics.
“It’s the right time we move away from gerontocracy, and focus on what people can bring to the table rather than just the years of experience that you’ve had. So if you have a president who is trying to blend the youth with the experienced, old politicians, that is a good thing for the country.”
Dr Thomas Prehi Botchway, Senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba
He emphasized that incorporating experts from various fields, irrespective of age, would enrich governance and policy-making.
Addressing the increasing number of young professionals appointed to lead state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and ministries, Dr. Botchway expressed optimism about their potential impact on governance and economic performance.
He argued that these appointees have a strong incentive to succeed, given that their political future depends on their performance.
“If at this early stage in your life as a young politician, you have the privilege to serve the nation in highly regarded offices, and you do not deliver, you are shooting yourself in the foot”.
Dr Thomas Prehi Botchway, Senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba
He stressed that young leaders must prove their competence, as their track records will determine future political opportunities.
However, he raised a critical question regarding the practice of appointing only party loyalists to key positions. He cautioned that while rewarding party members is expected, it should not be done at the expense of a balanced and meritocratic governance structure.
“Must we necessarily give all the positions to our party folk?” he questioned, warning that such a practice might weaken the ruling party’s grassroots structures if dedicated youth activists are all absorbed into governmental roles.
Constitutional Review Committee and Concerns Over Chairmanship
Dr. Botchway commended President Mahama’s decision to establish a Constitutional Review Committee, describing it as a “right move.” However, he expressed reservations about whether this effort would merely duplicate the work of the 2011 Constitutional Review Commission under the late President John Evans Atta Mills.
“If what they [the current committee] are going to do is similar to what President Mills did, then it means we are just wasting our time and resources,” he cautioned.
Addressing concerns about Professor H. Kwesi Prempeh’s appointment as chair, Dr Botchway acknowledged his expertise in constitutional matters but noted the controversy surrounding his publicly known stance on LGBTQ+ issues.
“If the person to chair our constitutional review has a known position that favours LGBTQ+ in the name of human rights, and the vast majority of Ghanaians are against it, and people are raising questions about it, I think maybe the President can take a second look at it”.
Dr Thomas Prehi Botchway, Senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba
While he refrained from calling for Prof. Prempeh’s outright removal, he advocated for broad consultations to ensure national consensus.
Public Land Sales Ban and Accountability in Governance
Dr. Botchway strongly endorsed President Mahama’s directive to halt public land sales, describing it as a necessary step toward transparency and accountability.
“Why would any patriotic Ghanaian decide to take state property for their personal gain?” he asked, calling for strict enforcement of laws against those found culpable.
He further argued that Ghana must emulate countries where high-ranking officials, including presidents, face legal consequences for corruption-related offenses.
“In some parts of the world, even a president can be impeached and eventually sentenced to prison,” he noted, urging the application of Ghanaian laws without political bias.
National Economic Dialogue: A Call for Action, Not Talk
On President Mahama’s plan to convene a National Economic Dialogue to address Ghana’s economic challenges, Dr. Botchway welcomed the initiative but warned against it becoming another political talk shop. “It shouldn’t be just a talk show where we sit down, talk, and come back with no tangible outcomes,” he cautioned.
He emphasized that such dialogues must lead to concrete policy actions and not merely serve as political gestures. “If we are not going to take it seriously, then we should not waste state funds on organizing such programs,” he stressed.
Dr. Thomas Prehi Botchway’s assessment of President Mahama’s first three weeks in office reflects a mix of optimism and caution.
While he lauds the President’s inclusive approach to appointments and his focus on governance reforms, he warns against political exclusivity in appointments, duplication of constitutional review efforts, and the risk of unproductive economic dialogues.
His remarks underscore the need for efficiency, transparency, and accountability as the new administration charts its course.
READ ALSO: Ghana Joins Africa-Wide Initiative to Expand Electricity Access
