Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has criticized President Akufo-Addo for reserving major infrastructure projects to be commissioned by himself and his successor just before the December 2024 elections, fearing a fair contest.
Amidu described this misuse of power as an insult to Ghanaians, assuming they’ve forgotten the hardships under his administration.
He also accused Akufo-Addo and Bawumia of using these events to misappropriate public funds and secure Bawumia’s succession, fearing the exposure of their corruption.
“The Ghanaian electorate who are old enough to have lived through the life of the Fourth Republic know that such waste of scarce public funds at times of economic hardships and massive government corruption which insults their intelligence have in the past resulted in the rejection of the incumbent create, loot and share government’s presidential candidate, particularly when the candidate was either the Vice President or a leading Minister in the out-going regime.
“The electorate has historically exhibited an awareness of incumbent governments’ ploy to deliberately postpone the commissioning of completed, uncompleted, and other infrastructural development projects to be commissioned close to national elections for purposes of diversionary propaganda to cover up their mismanagement of the public purse, abuse of power, and corruption. Nonetheless, this incumbent government has never learned any lessons from the rhymes of history from its predecessors”.
Martin Amidu
Martin Amidu emphasized that while history may not repeat itself, current events often reflect past struggles.
He pointed out that President Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia, blinded by power, see ordinary Ghanaians as easily swayed, using media propaganda and promises of completed and unfinished projects to manipulate them.
Reflecting on his time as the NDC running mate in 2000, Amidu recalled witnessing the abuse of incumbency firsthand. Despite these efforts, the NDC lost to Kufuor, and Ghana endured.
Amidu criticized Nana Akufo-Addo, once seen as a messiah, for becoming a curse to the nation with a government of family and cronies looting resources while ordinary Ghanaians suffer.
He lamented that, despite the economy’s collapse, the President flaunts wealth, flying in chartered planes to celebrate his plundering.
Amidu also pointed out that between October and November 2024, Akufo-Addo commissioned road interchanges and uncompleted projects, as if the electorate hadn’t seen them before.
He highlighted the mismanagement of a STEM school and watermelon factory commissioned in unsuitable areas.
Amidu Accuses Akufo-Addo of Paranoia Over Mahama
Furthermore, Martin Amidu stated that President Akufo-Addo’s presidency mirrors Rawlings’ style by attending military events during the 2024 election season, mixing official duties with political campaigning.
He highlighted Bawumia’s call for support from security personnel on 1 December 2024 as another example of incumbency abuse.
Amidu noted that despite eleven candidates in the race, Akufo-Addo and Bawumia’s actions reveal their main concern is former President Mahama, indicating their fear of his potential victory.
“Nana Akufo-Addo appears to have become so paranoid and obsessed with John Mahama winning the Presidency that he has forgotten the common courtesies a sitting President must extend to former preceding colleagues, particularly, the immediate past President who generously conceded defeat to make it possible for his inauguration on 7 December 2017.
“As the elections draw closer, Nana Akufo-Addo’s paranoia and obsession is growing worse and validating my thesis on Nana Akufo-Addo’s long game to rig the 2024 elections”.
Martin Amidu
He criticized President Akufo-Addo for claiming Bawumia was the best candidate to continue the NPP’s work and the superior choice for president while disregarding Mahama’s contributions.
Amidu called this impunity, noting that only autocrats insist their preferred candidate must win.
He reminded that, historically, the electorate, not the incumbent, chooses the winner, as Ghana’s constitution allows for peaceful changes in government every eight years.
Amidu criticized Bawumia as Akufo-Addo’s “clone,” fearing Mahama’s potential presidency, which could bring accountability and transparency. According to him, Ghana belongs to its people, not to Akufo-Addo and his cronies.
He further emphasized that the electorate has the right to choose from the eleven candidates, focusing on experience and a break from the current government to expose the mismanagement and corruption of the past eight years.
He argued that change in the 2024 elections is essential to preserve the 1992 Constitution and prevent the dynastic succession of Bawumia.
Amidu noted that Akufo-Addo himself confessed that Mahama is the one he fears most, as Mahama could conduct a proper audit of the government’s actions, reinforcing the importance of probity in the Constitution. “Let us defend the Constitution by demanding probity and accountability, now on 7 December 2024!”
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